Where is All the Film Camera Gear?

[sooner]

I personally bought 33 cameras last year, mostly film but a couple of digitals as well. Cameras are pricier because of Covid, just like stocks. That said, looking at annual sales figures for film cameras over the years, with the high being in like '97 at like 40+ million, that means there are hundreds of millions of film cameras out there--but how many in landfills?

 

[james.liam]

I personally bought 33 cameras last year, mostly film but a couple of digitals as well. Cameras are pricier because of Covid, just like stocks. That said, looking at annual sales figures for film cameras over the years, with the high being in like '97 at like 40+ million, that means there are hundreds of millions of film cameras out there--but how many in landfills?

That's mainly low-quality P&S cameras or disposables. The best stuff was not made in the multi-millions.

But that's 24 years ago. How many model year 1997 cars are still on the road today?

 

[jsrockit]

Doubt this is the cause. There's a finite number of 30+ year-old gear that's in top shape that a reseller would be interested in picking up. No sense buying a camera for $150 that sells for $250 retail, only to require a $150 CLA.

I would suspect that the best examples already exchanged hands and while there's a demand, there's no new supply. B&H, Adorama barely have 20 camera bodies (35mm film) listed between them.

I’m glad you think that it’s not the cause, but I can assure you that it has affected shipping and supply and demand. You do realize that B&H does not have the foot traffic it is used to as well. That place relied on tourism as well. People came from all over to buy (and sell) there. Cameras have not dried up overnight... people will always buy and sell gear. The classified ads here show that...also, the what have you just bought thread... a lot of nice gear there. https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97852&page=243

 

[james.liam]

I don’t discount the disruption in shipping as a (big) factor. And you're right, foot traffic and random walk-ins have disrupted inflow of new stock at B&H, Adorama. But mail-in kit is the way Tamarkin, Igor Camera Exchange and PopFLash have always functioned and with the exception last Spring, those vendors seem to have new items available. The variety has been less an on the decline. Just think that other factors may also weigh in.

 

[rfaspen]

That's mainly low-quality P&S cameras or disposables. The best stuff was not made in the multi-millions.

But that's 24 years ago. How many model year 1997 cars are still on the road today?

Hey, are you makin' fun about my vehicle? (1995 and going stong) 😀

I quite agree about the P+S dominating production in 80s to 90s.

I remember about 10 years ago when all of the thrift/second-hand stores were bursting with film cameras and stuff. I found some great deals back then - good stuff like Nikkor primes and Rollei 35s. The last time I perused the local thrift stores (e.g., Goodwill) I found no trace of film gear. Just a couple super-cheap digital P+S.