So much for cheap rangefinders

[mac_wt]

Today on the front page of 'De Morgen', one of the main Belgian newspapers (and on page 17): an article on the revival of analogue camera's on the second hand market. For those who don't know Dutch: Digital is taking over the new camera market and producers of analogue camaras are bailing ship. This creates a new second hand market for these cameras. Shops are stocking classic cameras as an investment. Nikon rangefinders of the fifties and Leicas of the eighties fetch as much as 5000 Euro. Some professional photographers still prefer analogue.

Wim

 

[jonasv]

That must be the most badly written article I've ever read in De Morgen ("Een Nikon Rangefinder" - ???). And then I'm not even considering that some of the information is just plain wrong (fujifilm completely retiring from the film photography bussiness?).

 

[franceluxemburg]

Well, i just hope it will be true.
I am ready to wait 15 years and at time of retirement i will try to touch the jackpot

 

[bmattock]

Here's a similar story in English:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/ma...nuId=242&sSheet=/money/2006/03/05/ixcoms.html

Auction Mouse: Snap up a classic camera
By Elizabeth Day (Filed: 05/03/2006)


But I will have the last laugh. The announcement last week that two of the world's largest photographic companies, Fuji and Konica, are halting the production of traditional film cameras in favour of digital means that my old point-and-shoot is rapidly becoming a collector's item.

Many electronics stores have stopped stocking traditional 35mm cameras in favour of cheaper digital versions that offer greater flexibility and ease. Sales of digital cameras in Britain are expected to reach £963m in 2009 - up from £215m in 2001.

But on eBay the market for so-called "vintage" cameras is stronger than ever. Film cameras that were being sold for around £800 four weeks ago have now almost doubled in value. A limited edition Nikon with 35mm lens, camera case, lens cap and one-year warranty recently reached the astonishing price of £3,219.

A mint condition Leica M7 with four lenses ("fondled, rather than actually used", according to the description) provoked bidding from 23 collectors and eventually went for £4,292.

But there are still good-value finds on offer: a classic 1950s Hasselblad 100F, beloved of the fashion photographer Richard Avedon, went for £263 after 18 bids.

Recognisable brands such as Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Olympus, Zeiss, Rollei and of course Leica - the undisputed Rolex of cameras - are the best buys in terms of investment.

So there you go. More on the website story, this is just a clip.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[mac_wt]

Stupid me. Here I am scanning and cutting and pasting the article, while 'De Morgen' offcourse has a website with the whole article:
Link to article
There is even a PDF file with the pictures. But there is no word on the rising value of Fed 5's, Canonet 28's and Yashica Electros. 🙂

Wim

 

[Peter Klein]

Amazing how a completely incorrect rumor can so easily be repeatedly reported in the world press! Whatever happened to "independent confirmation" of facts? Do newspapers now get confirmation merely by reading each other? Or worse yet, by reading photo groups on the Internet?

A Kodak rep spoke at the LHSA convention in San Francisco last October. He said that Kodak was committed to staying in the film market. Yes they were emphasizing digital and "imaging," as that was where much of the new sales and growth were. But it would be stupid to abandon film, as it's much too big a market.

He also said that Kodak was frustrated that "a few people in Internet discussion groups" were creating the impression that film was dead, and that all the major makers were pulling out. He said something like "it's very difficult for a company to get its message out in the face of that."

I guess Fuji has the same problem 🙂

--Peter

 

[franceluxemburg]

Hey, wait a minute, I AM betting on Yashica electro

 

[mac_wt]

Actually, to the letter, the article doesn't say anything about the production of film. It only comments on the production of cameras. Offcourse, when mentioning Fuji and Kodak, people think most about the film. Except for throw away cameras, I can't find any analogue camera on Kodaks site and the last press release from Fuji about analogue cameras dates from 2003 (but they are still offering them). Konica Minolta did annouce its retirement from classical camera production.

Wim

 

[ch1]

Damn, and here I was trying to corner the market on F3's! 😀

Now everyone and his brother will be bidding on them and all the other great gear! Oh well, I picked up three in the last 4 months - none over $250 (including a couple of "normals") and all in excellent condition.

eBay changed the film camera market by providing an secondary market in the gear (much of which, as we here know, was built to last). Film will be around a long time yet, new film cameras may devolve down to a couple of makers (e.g. Cosina) serving a much reduced demand level.

Wonder what's going to happen to the price of Nikkormats? They've been selling for dirt lately....

 

[yossarian]

George, if you want to see something crazy, check out KEH and compare prices on
"EXC" and better F3s vs FT2s and FT3s--the Nikkormats are soaring.

Fred

 

[jonasv]

Wonder what's going to happen to the price of Nikkormats? They've been selling for dirt lately....

I actually thought there was a slight rise in Nikkormat prices lately, especially the more rare versions (FT3, EL, ELW, EL2). I sold my FT3 for twice the price I paid it a year ago.


Wim, I understand that is what he's trying to say, but I think as a journalist he should at least be able to word such a simple thing correctly. Because when he says Fuji retires from the analog-photography market, that also implies film etc.

"In Japan hebben twee grote producenten, Konica Minolta en Fuji Photo Film, onlangs aangekondigd dat ze zich volledig terugtrekken uit de markt van de klassieke fotografie."

 

[ch1]

I actually thought there was a slight rise in Nikkormat prices lately, especially the more rare versions (FT3, EL, ELW, EL2). I sold my FT3 for twice the price I paid it a year ago....[/I]

Years ago my first "real" camera was a FT-2.

I bought a FTN, FT-3 and 2 EL's on eBay from about twelve through six months ago. At the time the prices seemed to be declining (this was before the Nikon production announcement). Then I started on my F3 quest so stopped tracking the prices of Nikkormats.

They are built like tanks and I suspect will rise somewhat in value - particularly as F's, F2's and F3's get scarcer.

It'll be interesting to watch....

 

[JohnL]

Well if anyone wants my M7 for 4292 GB pounds I'll throw in the shipping for free! It's not quite mint, but you have to look close to see that.
BTW, don't tell anyone you can get a brand new one for about $3500 ...

 

[FrankS]

Amazing how a completely incorrect rumor can so easily be repeatedly reported in the world press! Whatever happened to "independent confirmation" of facts? Do newspapers now get confirmation merely by reading each other? Or worse yet, by reading photo groups on the Internet?

A Kodak rep spoke at the LHSA convention in San Francisco last October. He said that Kodak was committed to staying in the film market. Yes they were emphasizing digital and "imaging," as that was where much of the new sales and growth were. But it would be stupid to abandon film, as it's much too big a market.

He also said that Kodak was frustrated that "a few people in Internet discussion groups" were creating the impression that film was dead, and that all the major makers were pulling out. He said something like "it's very difficult for a company to get its message out in the face of that."

I guess Fuji has the same problem 🙂

--Peter

Could he be talking about our BillM? 🙂

 

[RJBender]

If the FID rumor is good for anything, it's good for buyers of vintage gear.
I bought a Nikkormat FT3 at a swap meet a few weeks ago for $45.

R.J.

 

[RML]

He said something like "it's very difficult for a company to get its message out in the face of that."

Maybe, just maybe, they should learn how to communicate with those internet communities. While I understand that Kodak (or Fuji, or Leica, or whathaveyou) won't hire a person just to roam the photography forums and chat along with the unwashed masses, their press releases leave a lot to be desired when it comes to clarity. And the many reports of impending bankrupcy and withdrawal from the "classic" photography market doesn't make it any clearer for us, mere mortals, to envision where such companies are heading. There are a handful of "important" photography forums out there (RFF, P.net, APUG, Leica's forum. Did I forget any?) and it wouldn't hurt those companies to drop in once in a while, even if it is just to leave a clearer statement than the usual mumbo-jumbo press release. Jus my 0.02.

 

[leafy]

Years ago my first "real" camera was a FT-2.

I bought a FTN, FT-3 and 2 EL's on eBay from about twelve through six months ago. At the time the prices seemed to be declining (this was before the Nikon production announcement). Then I started on my F3 quest so stopped tracking the prices of Nikkormats.

They are built like tanks and I suspect will rise somewhat in value - particularly as F's, F2's and F3's get scarcer.

It'll be interesting to watch....

About a week ago, there was an F5 sold for $600 on YahooBid in Taiwan. $600 for the flagship of a previous generation.....what a shame

 

[Stephanie Brim]

Well if anyone wants my M7 for 4292 GB pounds I'll throw in the shipping for free! It's not quite mint, but you have to look close to see that.
BTW, don't tell anyone you can get a brand new one for about $3500 ...

Note that it said the body AND four lenses...that price may not really be all that bad depending on what lenses were obtained WITH the camera.

 

[RJBender]

Maybe, just maybe, they should learn how to communicate with those internet communities. While I understand that Kodak (or Fuji, or Leica, or whathaveyou) won't hire a person just to roam the photography forums and chat along with the unwashed masses, their press releases leave a lot to be desired when it comes to clarity. And the many reports of impending bankrupcy and withdrawal from the "classic" photography market doesn't make it any clearer for us, mere mortals, to envision where such companies are heading. There are a handful of "important" photography forums out there (RFF, P.net, APUG, Leica's forum. Did I forget any?) and it wouldn't hurt those companies to drop in once in a while, even if it is just to leave a clearer statement than the usual mumbo-jumbo press release. Jus my 0.02.

Remy,

Several years ago, Kodak sponsored the photography forum on America Online. They had a Kodak rep/moderator, free buy/sell ads, technical advice etc. It was a good forum at the time. I think it only lasted a few years in the mid to late 1990s.

At the same time, Kodak was putting their Kodak picture maker kiosks in Kmart and other stores. The kiosks were generally unsupervised, so folks could take their 5 inch X 5 inch proofs from their trusting photographer and make their own enlargements. Several of my pro photographer friends saw their orders for enlargements plummet after the introduction of the kiosks.

So my friends quit releasing the 5 x 5 proofs and started using low resolution images on CDs from their pro labs or putting their proofs on video tape. Ten years ago, what could they do? Switch to digital cameras? If they did, what choices would they have? A 2 megapixel $15,000 Kodak DSLR? If I recall correctly, Kodak "fixed" the problem with a watermark in their professional grade paper that shows up when you scan it on a Kodak kiosk.

R.J.