The Future of Collectible Cameras

The Future of Collectible Cameras ?

Cold logic says that the future value of oldtime, beautifully crafted mechanical cameras is entirely dependant on the continuing availability of film, without which they are merely interesting conversation pieces and paperweights.

This naturally places them in an entirely different category to other fine old mechanical devices that people covet, like watches, motorcycles and cars, which can still be worn, ridden and driven today and for the foreseeable future.

I don't think classic cameras, even Leicas, will ever attain the widespread collectibility status and appreciation potential of, for instance, rare postage stamps, books, china, firearms, paintings, furniture etc., because they are too much of a niche market and the 'cognoscenti' they appeal to are getting fewer with the passing years.

We can only hope that, given the many millions of film cameras still in circulation and being used by enthusiastic owners, there will always be entrepreneurial film manufacturers to cater for our needs.

My gut feeling is that this will happen and classic camera values will remain buoyant.

The alternative doesn't bear thinking about...!
 
The wild card is that we don't know how many cameras are in vaults. I went to a lot of "camera shows" as we called buy-sell-trade events then during the 1980's where there were tables of Japanese buyers with suitcases of cash buying up Leica gear in huge quantities. I suspect there are vaults somewhere full of these things that will eventually be unleashed on the market.
 
Well, maybe you fellows are right. I am reasonably certain that none of my "user" cameras will ever be worth more than I paid for them, in real dollars. At least I have planned with that assumption. I will be unloading a bit of gear in the coming months myself. Depressingly, it will be at the current market prices.

Ben Marks
 
Who can say? Who can know what will begin to spark enough interest to become collectable? I have a Welta folding TLR. Its worth a fair amount, for a TLR, 300 to 400 dollars (what do Rolleiflexes sell for?). If I can find the right buyer. Not much more than what I paid for it. I like it, it's not really a collectable for me, but I suspect only my grand or great grand kids could make any real profit from selling it. And that because they didn't buy it. In inflated currency of their time, who knows if it would be that expensive? And of course, it may be that collectors will only want Olympus XA cameras with original cases, flashes, and boxes by then. sigh.
 
Steve Bellayr said:
Consider the old adage on collecting: Collect what you like and do not consider it an investment. If it rises in value so much the better...if it did not then at least you enjoyed the collection.
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This is how I purchased my gear. So far today I'm way ahead, especially on Leica glass, but that might not be true in a few years from now or even decades from now.

As far as investments, I'd look elsewhere... Think never ending value like diamonds, gold...

Cal
 
I have a few very old Leica cameras. One is worth less than it was 15 years ago and one is worth more. I wouldn't bank on any camera as being an investment for the future. Its a coin toss.
 
I would suggest that supply exceeds demand in most cases. Where it does not prices are high already.

However, I'm the one who collected old typewriters at the time they were being chucked out of offices...needless to say all but one are now landfill.

Michael
 
I wonder if and when the huge private collections of Leica items here in Japan will hit the international markets simply because the collectors are getting to old to take care of their collections...
 
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If you are talking about the values of collectible cameras today, it is a sign that we are in a period of high valuations, not low valuations. This is the time of greater risk (more downside) and less reward (less upside).

Probably it would be a good time to sell. But, what would you do with the proceeds? I would either take gold (reliably stable value) or perhaps some other collectible thing that seems like a great value today. What would be a collectible camera that might be valuable in the future? I would think about things that are beautifully made but not so popular, like perhaps a Yashica Mat 124 or an Olympus OM-2n or a Kodak Medalist or a Graflex Super Speed Graphic.
 
NLewis said:
This is the time of greater risk (more downside) and less reward (less upside).
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Well, your downside is what you paid... but the upside can be many times more than you paid. Depends on what someone deems valuable in the future.
 
Cameras For Investment I wouldn't Bother... For the Sheer Love & Use I would Easily Sucumb

(put the Investment into Glass if You Must)
 
My 2 cents...

Enjoy the camera. You'll get far more enjoyment from the photos than you will from the dollars you get when you sell the camera. Even if you make a bundle on it.

And film will be around, not to worry. :)
 
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