raid
Dad Photographer
I was just mentioning ideas that I heard others mention online. These ideas did not come from me. I am interested in how RFF members feel about those ideas.
When is the perfect time to sell film cameras?
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ZeissFan
Veteran
I would be very judicious about selling cameras in a down economy.
That said, some people have not been affected by the economic downturn.
And that usually means that the high-end brands will still command top dollar, while the lower-end brands will slip in value.
It's also a buyer's market. I've picked up some very good deals as of late -- some of these cameras sold for twice their value a year ago.
That said, some people have not been affected by the economic downturn.
And that usually means that the high-end brands will still command top dollar, while the lower-end brands will slip in value.
It's also a buyer's market. I've picked up some very good deals as of late -- some of these cameras sold for twice their value a year ago.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
raid
Dad Photographer
I agree with your assessments, gentlemen.
I have been buying RF stuff at very good prices.
I have been buying RF stuff at very good prices.
mutikonka
Member
I think the best time to sell film cameras was about 1999. I'm not selling my Leicas or Contax IIa and I'd rather give away my other cheapo rangefinders than sell them on fleabay. I wish I'd never sold my vinyl collection either - even if it just meant I could still admire the sleeve artwork.
ZeissFan
Veteran
Regarding vinyl, I still have my modest album collection. They seem physically huge today.
Side note: I noticed a few weeks back that Barnes & Noble had a vinyl rack. New albums, not older music.
I don't know if vinyl is still popular with hip-hop DJs. I imagine it's hard (perhaps impossible) to do the sampling and scratch thing with a CD.
Side note: I noticed a few weeks back that Barnes & Noble had a vinyl rack. New albums, not older music.
I don't know if vinyl is still popular with hip-hop DJs. I imagine it's hard (perhaps impossible) to do the sampling and scratch thing with a CD.
kazeonrff
Member
Vinyls is very much popular with the Hiphop DJs, i used to do some myself. 🙂
Actually, it is much more used than the digital options. Alot more "respect" you get by doing it through the traditional medium. It's a skill.
In which case Technics is also the Leica of the turntablist's world!
I would continue to shoot film for as long as i can. I don't see myself wading deep into photography if it wasn't for film. I touch (caress and fondle too?) my Bessa R2a everyday but not my Pentax k200d. Yes, film is drying up and prices may fall or rise, but no matter where it goes, i LIKE to be in the niche market. I believe most of us like to be "special".
If it's going to be extinct, i'll be proud to have been together with film at the end of it's life.
kevin m
Veteran
Vinyl never went away entirely, and it's had a rather amazing resurgence the last few years due in part to the quality of new turntables and cartridges. A $1,000 TT simply sounds better than a $1,000 CD player. And, as you mentioned, many artists are still making new releases on vinyl, too.
raid
Dad Photographer
I still have plenty of vinyl. The album covers are often really beautiful and classy. I also vinyl left in Iraq. They should be somewhere with my brother.
italy74
Well-known
An add.
Actually, unless something bad happens (i.e. it's stolen or I really need much money) I don't think I'll ever part with my F6. Not only: whenever possible, I'll get an Ikon with a Biogon T* 2/35 to start. About D700? Yes, I'll keep it (it's a GREAT camera for sure, especially for low light and ceremonies) but I'll already know that at a certain point in the future it will be replaced by something else.
Overall, aside what written before (need or too much surplus), I really think that selling a film camera is pure nonsense.
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MISH
Well-known
and for some strange reason I feel the need for more and unfortunatly I am atracted to the same high quality equipment
that non users like to collect so if the prices come down some more I will be more than glad to give some more of it a good home and a long life of use.
I am sure that B&W film will last beyond my lifetime (and I am buying as much of it as I can to help prolong its life as I would do for any old friend)
I have been able to make many improvements to my darkroom by getting componets for free from people switching over to digital..... one example, the local pro lab was moving to smaller quarters and downsizing called me up and told me if I wanted a 5X7 durst enlarger with a color head to come and get it. when I got there they told me this thing is not not worth anything and that no one would ever give them anything for it. This struck me as rather strange as I knew at least one person (me) that would have been happy to pay a reasonable price for it. ( a dream come true for as another weakness of mine...... I also love to shoot 4X5 and 5X7)
As for LPs ... I left my collection of 200 or so (with much great artwork that can not be fully appreciated at the cd size) at my ex-father inlaws house when I went off to photography school in 1987. he said this would not be a problem, but he listened to one too many tv preacher explaining the evils of rock and roll and hauled them off to the dump "for my own good"
So.... you win some and you lose some
This makes me giggle.
This makes me giggle.
If the introduction of CDs vs. LPs, or the tubes vs. transistors debate offers any wisdom, it explains a few things:
Any new technology is hailed as a panacea, and that which it is positioned to 'replace' is scorned and demonized, mostly by marketing flacks, industry scribes, dilettantes, and the pollyanna set, who buy their inane talk wholesale. They memorize it so it can be parroted on internet forums such as here or Usenet.
Everyone dumped their LPs, cartridges, and turntables in the early 80s, when CD sales grew, only to have an 'oh, SNAP' moment when their CDs began to skip, or people began to realize: "Y'know, it doesn't sound all that awesome" after repeated listenings. Now the market for LPs and turntables is back. I bet the debate on moving magnet vs. moving coil cartridges has been revived.
Vacuum tubes had the same premature, misguided wake: In the late 80s, tubes were "ZOMG GOING AWAY!!!!!1!1", and almost the entire musical instrument industry was jumping on the solid-state bandwagon. Professional and amateurs alike were hoarding 12AX7s, 6L6GCs, and even tubes salvaged from Russian MiGs.
Finally, a majority of listeners realized they didn't like the sound of transistors. Manufacturers from eastern Europe, China, and Russia stepped in. Now tubes are even being sold by a manufacturer in California. They are readily available on the shelves of guitar shops in major US cities - almost as common as they were at Rexall Drug stores in the 50s and 60s.
This makes me giggle.
If the introduction of CDs vs. LPs, or the tubes vs. transistors debate offers any wisdom, it explains a few things:
Any new technology is hailed as a panacea, and that which it is positioned to 'replace' is scorned and demonized, mostly by marketing flacks, industry scribes, dilettantes, and the pollyanna set, who buy their inane talk wholesale. They memorize it so it can be parroted on internet forums such as here or Usenet.
Everyone dumped their LPs, cartridges, and turntables in the early 80s, when CD sales grew, only to have an 'oh, SNAP' moment when their CDs began to skip, or people began to realize: "Y'know, it doesn't sound all that awesome" after repeated listenings. Now the market for LPs and turntables is back. I bet the debate on moving magnet vs. moving coil cartridges has been revived.
Vacuum tubes had the same premature, misguided wake: In the late 80s, tubes were "ZOMG GOING AWAY!!!!!1!1", and almost the entire musical instrument industry was jumping on the solid-state bandwagon. Professional and amateurs alike were hoarding 12AX7s, 6L6GCs, and even tubes salvaged from Russian MiGs.
Finally, a majority of listeners realized they didn't like the sound of transistors. Manufacturers from eastern Europe, China, and Russia stepped in. Now tubes are even being sold by a manufacturer in California. They are readily available on the shelves of guitar shops in major US cities - almost as common as they were at Rexall Drug stores in the 50s and 60s.
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raid
Dad Photographer
giggle giggle giggle ..............
Isn't life strange?
Isn't life strange?
WDPictures
Established
Along these lines, I've been seeing many more of the cafe racer type motorcycles around town these days and at a weekly motorcycle gathering in my neighborhood. Or bicycles, more and more single speeds or fixies on the roads these days. A lot of artists (visual/photography) still favor film.
People like spending time and money on certain things that not only interest them but set them apart from other people. Maybe a diminishing market and profit margin for these things-of-old but I hope they stick around...
Mael
Established
As I'm repairing cameras, here is what I notice about my customers.
80% of them are advanced level amateur, pro or semi-pro photographers. The rest of them collects camera but wants working collectibles.
All of these people are ready to spend much more money in a working/overhauled camera rather than a camera bought on eBay.
Prices wend down with semi-modern SLR's, that's true, except for nice samples of mythical cameras. I usually sell Mint or like new Nikon F fully serviced with prime lens in the 400-600$ range.
In fact, every mythical camera in perfect shape has prices that go higher through the years. Mint Leica M3, M2, Mint Rolleiflex 2.8F, all that stuff gets higher in price every year. There is progressive lack of spare parts do, especially for the Rollei, so nice looking/working cameras prices increases for users.
Film is still there, and if local camera stores closes one after another, internet darkroom and film sells site are everywhere.
I think the best time to sell a camera is when it's fancy at a certain time. Otherwise keep it. But I assume quality RF, MF, or LF camera in good shape will see their price increase more and more.
Today, there is a lot of interest in alternative process and very old lenses. Some times ago, you could find bargain vintage lenses for a hundred bucks. try now to buy a decent looking Wollensak diffused focus verito lens.... Prices went by three at least. Paid mine 450$...
And do not forget collector / user war on certain specific gear. This makes price increases a lot.
Some type of film cameras are a good investment.
And I think I do what I can to make them live a long time, this will give us film for a long time too, i hope !
80% of them are advanced level amateur, pro or semi-pro photographers. The rest of them collects camera but wants working collectibles.
All of these people are ready to spend much more money in a working/overhauled camera rather than a camera bought on eBay.
Prices wend down with semi-modern SLR's, that's true, except for nice samples of mythical cameras. I usually sell Mint or like new Nikon F fully serviced with prime lens in the 400-600$ range.
In fact, every mythical camera in perfect shape has prices that go higher through the years. Mint Leica M3, M2, Mint Rolleiflex 2.8F, all that stuff gets higher in price every year. There is progressive lack of spare parts do, especially for the Rollei, so nice looking/working cameras prices increases for users.
Film is still there, and if local camera stores closes one after another, internet darkroom and film sells site are everywhere.
I think the best time to sell a camera is when it's fancy at a certain time. Otherwise keep it. But I assume quality RF, MF, or LF camera in good shape will see their price increase more and more.
Today, there is a lot of interest in alternative process and very old lenses. Some times ago, you could find bargain vintage lenses for a hundred bucks. try now to buy a decent looking Wollensak diffused focus verito lens.... Prices went by three at least. Paid mine 450$...
And do not forget collector / user war on certain specific gear. This makes price increases a lot.
Some type of film cameras are a good investment.
And I think I do what I can to make them live a long time, this will give us film for a long time too, i hope !
ChrisPlatt
Thread Killer
1983
Chris
Chris
Bill58
Native Texan
Not now or 2010.
raid
Dad Photographer
What do you expect to happen after 2010... an economic growth and extra incom for people?
Bill58
Native Texan
Most things I've read predict recovery after 2010.
raid
Dad Photographer
Bill,
So it is the financial recovery that you are connecting with the selling of film cameras! When I started this thread I meant digital take-over and not financial downfall.
So it is the financial recovery that you are connecting with the selling of film cameras! When I started this thread I meant digital take-over and not financial downfall.