Complete noob in collecting

[koenmol]

So i want to start collecting old camera's.
Type of camera's i want to collect are the box camera's (if that is the right term for these camera's):


Now i am not wondering where to buy them (ebay, flee-markets, ....)
But i am wondering how to find out i dont pay to much for them, and what to look at to make sure i dont get ripped off

[hansz]

As you said, flea markets are a tremendous resource. Also look at on line auction houses like Evil Bay or marktplaats.nl

[truls]

Hello Koen, welcome to the CC forum!

I am also a beginner collector, even if I have attended the forum for a while. Now, the seasoned collectors could disagree, but it would be a big help compiling a list of cameras to collect. For one, to get an overview of how many cameras and the name of them, second it would be easier to find a spesific camera when browsing different listings. This could be a big task relative to how many cameras the collection contains.

Anyhow, ask questions and have a lot of fun during the collecting travel.

[mickeyobe]

McKeown's Cameras is the best available guide to pricing but even those prices must be taken as only approximate.
It is an expensive book. I do imagine the last edition (2005-2006) is available used and, hopefully greatly reduced in price.
Gauging condition is very difficult on the internet and there are too many charlatans out there.
Pawn shops and flea markets where you can touch and try are a better source.
Let your friends and acquaintances know what you are up to.

Have fun and happy hunting.
Mickey

[philbirch]

Hi a nice Balda Box. I havent too many myself but if I see one I'll let you know. My collection is cameras from about 1954-1957. Plus modern Minolta SLR's and lenses.

pm sent, check the messages tab at the top of the page.

welcome to the forum!
Phil

[Deleted]

A good way to get an idea of prices is to go on ebay, search for the specific camera and under advanced settings select "completed auctions" That will show you what people are actually willing to pay, not what sellers believe it is worth. Any item is only worth as much as buyers are willing to pay.

W.

[mickeyobe]

koen, phil,

Was there a fire sale on those caps or are they part of The Camera Collectors' new dress uniform?

Mickey

[philbirch]

Sept 2, 2014 9:13:18 GMT -5 mickeyobe said:

koen, phil,

Was there a fire sale on those caps or are they part of The Camera Collectors' new dress uniform?

Mickey

Who's got the same hat??

[koenmol]

jokers

[belgiumreporter]

Hey Koen, i've been to my favorite camera store today ( Spectrum bredabaan  Merksem) and there's a lot of box cameras on sale at this moment, prices range from 2 (kodak) till 35 € (zeiss tengor) but the major part are around 5€. My advice if your starting to collect box cameras : don't spend more than 10€ on any box when your starting up your collection. Later when you've learned by comparing prices you'll know wich are the ones that justify a higher price tag (though only a few do) If you don't want to collect everything you can lay your hands on try sticking to a theme, here in Belgium gevaert (pre- Agfa), Art deco color schemes, and Bakelite box cameras are popular themes amongst collectors.
A word of warning, a lot of people with no knowledge of photography seem to think that just because a camera is (very) old it has to be worth (a lot of) money don't believe everything they say do your research on the subject so at least you'll be knowing what you're dealing with.

[koenmol]

about the prices my idea was not to go over 15 in the beginning.
And indeed dont let the "old" be a factor in the prices, when i see a more expensive one ill first check ebay and other resources to find out if its worth the money
I know where that camerastore is by the way, long time ago i lived in Antwerp, but now its a long way from home (about 100km)