When is the perfect time to sell film cameras?

When is the perfect time to sell film cameras?

  • Yesterday! Sell now, if you can.

    Votes: 48 31.6%

  • Within the next two years

    Votes: 1 0.7%

  • Within the next five years

    Votes: 5 3.3%

  • Within the next ten years

    Votes: 7 4.6%

  • Never. Film cameras and their lenses appreciate in value.

    Votes: 91 59.9%
  • Total voters
    152
  • Poll closed .
The poll graph shows a U distribution, where most people are either in one camp (sell now) or the other (never sell). The emotions run high ...
 
I don't necessarily see this as emotional. As I said earlier, if you are using them or like them, don't sell. If not, sell. That doesn't relate to cameras as investments. So there wasn't an option for me to select. :)
 
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If the poll is asking about getting the most back on your film gear when you sell it, then I think the ideal time is past. I think the residual value of used film gear will keep declining and if what you have now is not worth much on the open market why sell it. It is bought and paid for and owes you nothing. That is discounting being in dire circumstances where every penny counts in which case you get what you can.

Bob
 
raid said:
The poll graph shows a U distribution, where most people are either in one camp (sell now) or the other (never sell). The emotions run high ...
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Raid,

From the viewpoint of statistic as a science, how do you factor in emotion in analyzing poll-results?

I was very close to choose Statistic as a minor or even a double major in college. That's the only branch of mathematics that didn't drive me crazy :p


Regarding this poll, I'm not selling my film cameras, that's my daughter's job, if she so inclined, after I've moved along ;)
 
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It currently costs me $11 per roll of film to develope and print 24 4x6 at a plrofessional lab. Using the AER calculator to adjust for inflation cost has remained constant or slightly lower deplending upon which year you want to adjust for. In 1968 dollars that is $1.77, a much better price with much better results. If I bring in enough rolls I can have them added to a DVD for not much extra. Since I reside outside a big city I am luckier than most. Color film is cheap at Target and still available reasonably on the internet. If I went digital I would want an M8.2 and a full series of new lenses, a very costly endeaver.
 
Pickett Wilson said:
Darkroom stuff is tough. I ended up having to just throw everything away several years after I closed my darkroom down. Couldn't give it away. Three enlargers, including an 45MCRX with colorhead, lots of electronic stuff, stainless sinks, well, everything that makes a darkroom. Nobody would buy it. No public school within 100 miles of me has a darkroom anymore. The University that is about 60 miles away said they would take it but only if I delivered it all to them (and then they were just going to store it). Sad, really.
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Really sad, I know of a number near me who would come pick it up. Campus Camera supplies several schools, and they would know, but it obviously depends on your specific location.

Regards, John
 
shadowfox said:
Raid,

From the viewpoint of statistic as a science, how do you factor in emotion in analyzing poll-results?

I was very close to choose Statistic as a minor or even a double major in college. That's the only branch of mathematics that didn't drive me crazy :p


Regarding this poll, I'm not selling my film cameras, that's my daughter's job, if she so inclined, after I've moved along ;)
Click to expand...

Will,
Statistics is not as cold as mathematics. It allows you to bring your own interpretation of the results. I sense emotions from the responses posted and not from the poll itself.
 
back alley said:
let me add, though, that i intend on stocking up on some xp2 in order to still have a film experience.
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XP2? Great film and I still have a bunch in the fridge, but if you're worried about commercial lab processing becoming scarce, I'd go with Tri-X or FP4+ or something else you can soup at home in D-76 or ID-11, rather than C-41 process film.
 
raid said:
Will,
Statistics is not as cold as mathematics. It allows you to bring your own interpretation of the results. I sense emotions from the responses posted and not from the poll itself.
Click to expand...

Ah, maybe that's why I like it :rolleyes:

As for the emotions, I know you got it from the responses, but aren't the responses also part of the results? if they are not, they ought to be.

I know that I trust "polls" less if all I can see is the numbers, precisely because I can't sense the state of the emotion of the voters.
 
Perfect time to sell a rangefinder?

When it has dragging slow shutter speeds, poor rf alignment with a very low contrast patch making it near impossible to focus ... maybe even some pinholes in the shutter curtains.

Then you put it on eBay ... advertise it as 'mint' and explain how you inherited it from a recently deceased uncle who bought it new while serving in the middle east shortly after the second world war!
 
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Well,
theoretically NEVER in my opinion, unless as someone pointed out, you need money for food or you have really too many cameras (whatever is YOUR measure of "too many") you don't use. Theoretically already one more unused is enough ;)

Edit: of course a broken camera - unless it's really a collectionist item - should be sold if you can't repair it...
 
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back alley said:
except in a few niche cases, like interchangeable lens rangefinders i think it's too late already. the prices have plummeted and i doubt they will rise again.

film is already hard to get (choice wise) around here and even online is drying up.

i think we are close to being mostly digital, thus my entrance into the world of the rd1. it offers the rf experience that i enjoy and no hassle looking for film.

let me add, though, that i intend on stocking up on some xp2 in order to still have a film experience.
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I basically agree with this post. I've seen film camera prices really drop in the last few years. In addition, for all but true devotees, film is difficult to buy. It's expensive to process, both in time and money. I still have alot of film cameras and film around. I notice now that I like the idea of them more than using them. My recent purchase of the Lumix G1 has really pushed me over the edge. I'm actually thinking of selling all but one or two of my film cameras (just in case!), and the remainder of my film stock, because I just don't use them very much any more. This goes for my MF gear and panoramic gear, too, which no digital camera can touch still.

/T
 
Long Term Economics Now Favor Film

Long Term Economics Now Favor Film

I think film camera prices have depreciated as far as they will go. Now the long term economics of "picture taking" are balanced film. The cost of film is offset by the low cost of used film cameras plus the need to replace digital cameras every several years.

The casual photographer can pick up a used film SLR for $150 (or a fixed RF for less). They will have to pay for the film and processing but they can delay that purchase into the future (Time value of money is important). Conversely they can buy an entry level DSLR for $600, but need to buy a new body every four years or so. I can shoot about 20 rolls of 36 per year for 10 years and break even economically with digital.

For the hobbyist, while the cost of Leica gear has retained much of its value, it's now cheap compared to the full frame DSLR world. $3000 can get you an M6 and several lenses. A FF DSLR and comparable lens selection cost at least $4000. Now consider that you may need to replace the DSLR body after 5 years, but the used body is near worthless. I could shoot over 60 rolls per year and break even with digital.
 
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