tuna
Contributing Member
Posts: 30
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Post by tuna on Jun 26, 2005 6:50:29 GMT -5
Prices for film cameras are unbelievably low. Good for buyers, bad for sellers.
For example, yesterday a nice Minolta XGM with normal lens, zoom, and flash sold for $26.00!
I have so many film cameras sitting around that have become "worthless". I realize they are precision machines that can produce excellent images, but they have no resale value.
In the late 1980's I appraised many camera collections in a retirement community. Among the Leicas and Nikons and other goodies were loads of Bolex 8mm movie cameras. It was my sad duty to inform the owners that their prized movie gear was worthless, due to VHS video gear. Nobody shot movie film any more.
Now I know how they felt. My own film cameras have become dinosaurs due to digital imaging.
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Post by kamera on Jun 27, 2005 11:50:17 GMT -5
Our old film cameras may be 'worthless' as far as money goes, but to we old traditionalists who love those cameras they are 'priceless' in our collection. But not everyone feels that way. I recently heard a guy say he merely threw in the trash an old 35mm RF that was his father-in-laws even though it was, at least cosmetically, in great shape.
Ron Head
Kalamazoo, MI
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Post by paulatukcamera on Aug 15, 2005 13:35:09 GMT -5
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Post by vintageslrs on Aug 15, 2005 13:57:14 GMT -5
Well, at least as prices go down...that's more cameras we can purchase for next to nothing........;-)
and I seriously doubt if many of us who were collecting and using these cameras, were doing so to sell at a profit....we do it because we love 'em and for some unknown reason we gotta have 'em. LOL.
so when the prices are sooooo low...it makes it harder to leave that bargain alone and not buy it.
and I kinda like it that way :-)
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Post by Randy on Aug 15, 2005 18:22:26 GMT -5
The only cameras I sell are ones I can't fix. lol
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AMfoto1
Contributing Member
Posts: 21
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Post by AMfoto1 on Aug 17, 2005 20:39:41 GMT -5
... a very mixed picture. The more I think about it, the more I think it is to do with knowledge. Nobody writes much about Agfas, Retinas & Baldas. Yet the publicity given to Konica Sllls www.cameraquest.com/kons3.htm ... Hi from a Konican, I think you mean the Konica Auto S3.  The Konica SIII is a very different animal (much earlier, much rarer, and one of the few Konica RFs I'm still seeking). Have you ever used an Auto S3? It's a great little camera. If Konishiroku had only given it a manual exposure mode (ala, Canonette QL17 GIII... but what a mouthful the name is!). If only it were manual mode capable, I'd call the Auto S3 about the finest fixed-lens rangefinder ever made. Compact, very good lens (certainly better than the Canonette), and the unique fill-flash control is just plain brilliant, yet simple to use. I've often kept one in a camera bag, as handy backup camera that takes up little space and adds little weight. Another other gripe is that the aluminum top and bottom of the Auto S3 are no where near as durable as the earlier, larger Konica rangefinder cameras. BTW, I think even Auto S3 prices have softened quite a bit lately. A few years ago they'd occasionally sell as high as $250. Now they are lucky to auction for $130-150, often are a lot less. (These are just estimates, I haven't been tracking closely.) Some of the specific accessories can add a lot of value. The everready case used to sell for as much as $60 or more (a far cheaper C35 case can be used, but is a little tight at the focusing lever). Cheers! Alan |
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Post by camsterfactor on Aug 30, 2005 6:49:13 GMT -5
Then suddenly, about a fortnight ago I noticed certain cameras were not going for the low prices I expected. It strikes me that film testing and samples helped raise the prices the two Ricoh cameras went for in those auctions which might explain something of an anomoly as opposed to a trend. I've purchased a number of Ricoh 500Gs via eBay and two particular examples set an ongoing trend in the way I bid. One was described in glowing terms but wasn't film tested and I paid UKP 50 for it. Not due to any fault of omission on the seller's behalf (it would have been very tricky to spot the fault through mere observation) it turned out that the camera's shutter had some problems and the first and only film I ran through it came out woefully underexposed. The other example I paid less than half the amount for and it was listed as having been tested successfully with film, though otherwise the listing said very little about the state of the camera. It's worked well consistently with film since I purchased it. Thus I will bid higher on film tested cameras and take lesser risks when bidding on non tested cameras. |
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PeterW
Lifetime Member
Member has Passed
Posts: 3,804
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Post by PeterW on Aug 30, 2005 12:00:39 GMT -5
Hi,
Well, I'm delighted to see the general price of cameras come tumbling down even though it means I will never get what I paid for some in my collection. But I didn't buy them to sell again, I bought them because I liked them. If I do want to sell any duplicates I won't get much for them, but I can buy ones I haven't got cheaply, almost on a swap basis but with money changing hands in between. Dealers with large stocks are still for the most part unwilling to lower prices, but they'll have to bend to the market.
Yes, there are examples of the most desirable or most rare that will hold their prices, but that's the same in any collecting field.
For too long the market in what may be called 'ordinary' cameras has been pushed up by investment collectors who bought to stash away and see a profit. Other people followed their example and asked silly high prices with the equally silly phrase "It's collectable". Of course it's collectable otherwise collectors wouldn't want it. The result was that people without much money to spare who would have liked to become collectors just couldn't afford it as a hobby. It also means that anyone who gets enjoyment tinkering with cameras will be able to pick up non-workers for chicken feed.
Now perhaps we can get back to what collecting was in the 70s and 80s, and what using and generally playing with old cameras of which there are still plenty about should be: a relatively inexpensive and interesting hobby with always the chance of a cheap 'find'.
Peter
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Post by kiev4a on Oct 3, 2005 16:29:28 GMT -5
Leicas still are "in" and above my budget.
Leotaxes are "in"
Have you priced a used Contax RTS? They definately are "in."
Nicca and Tower Leica-type rangefinders are "in" -- but don't seem to be as in as a year ago.
Canon Rangefinder prices have come down a little -- inless it is a Canon P which is really "in."
Super Ikontas are in and Agfa-made folders seem to be becoming more "in."
Nikon rangefinders are more "in" than Leicas.
FSU cameras are "in" for a small group but still worth very little unless you have a very rare model.
Leaf shutter rangefinders don't seem to becoming any more collectable.
Nikon manual focus F series cameras are some of the best values around.
Everybody should have at least one Argus "Brick" but I suspect 50 years from now they still won't be worth much from a collecting standpoint.
There are lots of great deals on early SLRs but I'm not sure about the potential for appreciation.
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Post by unclebill on Oct 29, 2005 11:52:34 GMT -5
Well, I have two cameras that have enormous personal value for me , one a Leica M3 two stroke and an early Nikon F with the eyelevel prism. Both were given to me by my dad two weeks before he passed on from cancer. I could not put a price on the machines at all.
Now from the point of view of someone who fought tooth and nail for another SPotmatic. I have noticed prices are starting to creep up on them for some reason. It took me 5 auctions before I won a Honeywell Spotmatic 2. Ebay is a funny place and logic does not enter into the equation.
Bill
Bill
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Post by doubs43 on Oct 29, 2005 16:33:03 GMT -5
Leicas still are "in" and above my budget. Leotaxes are "in" Have you priced a used Contax RTS? They definately are "in." Nicca and Tower Leica-type rangefinders are "in" -- but don't seem to be as in as a year ago. Canon Rangefinder prices have come down a little -- inless it is a Canon P which is really "in." Super Ikontas are in and Agfa-made folders seem to be becoming more "in." Nikon rangefinders are more "in" than Leicas. FSU cameras are "in" for a small group but still worth very little unless you have a very rare model. Leaf shutter rangefinders don't seem to becoming any more collectable. Nikon manual focus F series cameras are some of the best values around. Everybody should have at least one Argus "Brick" but I suspect 50 years from now they still won't be worth much from a collecting standpoint. There are lots of great deals on early SLRs but I'm not sure about the potential for appreciation. I don't follow a large number of marques on ebay but I've noticed some upward movement of prices in some items, especially Takumar lenses that people seem to be buying for their digital cameras. A few days ago I managed to land a Spotty along with a Super-Takumar 50mm f/1.4, a Super-Takumar 35mm (I think it's an f/3.5), Soligor zoom, Pentax bellows unit and Takumar extension tubes plus other accessories for just $52.00. That's a pretty decent price for those items combined. Yesterday I won a "New" Exakta RTL-1000 with 50mm f/1.8 Meyer Oreston lens and the left-side release extension. I've seen the RTL-1000 in similar condition bring far more than that in the recent past. I'd caution anyone interested in FSU gear to be careful as new postage rates have increased the cost of shipping to really high prices. Also, I've heard rumors that some of the more popular models are getting more difficult to find in decent condition. An FSU camera or lens presently in the USA will likely sell for much more than one coming out of Europe or Asia. Just my opinion but I think that's what will happen very soon. Walker |
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Post by herron on Nov 3, 2005 11:16:13 GMT -5
Well, I'm delighted to see the general price of cameras come tumbling down even though it means I will never get what I paid for some in my collection. But I didn't buy them to sell again, I bought them because I liked them.... Now perhaps we can get back to what collecting was in the 70s and 80s, and what using and generally playing with old cameras of which there are still plenty about should be: a relatively inexpensive and interesting hobby with always the chance of a cheap 'find'. Peter: I just re-read your post in this thread from two months ago, and realized you hit another one right on the head. If I had been collecting cameras for an investment, I would certainly have picked something other than Mamiya 35mm!  But the point is exactly as you mentioned...I bought them because I liked them, and it was a relatively inexpensive hobby (at least it would have been, if I hadn't bought so danged many of them...or stuck to just Mamiya...but that's another issue altogether!) |
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Post by paulatukcamera on Nov 12, 2005 16:32:06 GMT -5
However Minoltas SLRs are still on the way down! When quality SLRs become cheaper than some of the "rubbish" non working rangefinders that I have bought in the past, then perhaps I should switch horses! My £21 Minolta XD7 cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=15237&item=7549357140has now arrived and this afternoon I put a film through it at the Welsh National Botanical Garden. I took my trusty Nikon FE2 with me as "backup" and the only thing I have to say is that I am very impressed with the ease of use of the Minolta. Focusing is a delight - the microprisms surrounded the rangefinder are much more positive than the FE2s and I think the whole screen is brighter. The viewfinder LEDs I am not impressed with - the FE2s needle display is much more visible. Will publish the results when they arrive. The camera is a lot lighter, but seems very well made. Thanks to the url published here I now know that replacement leather to replace the shrunken original is quite cheap. Now the point of this? (Remember I am a German rangefinder collector!) Well, not any more - how could I resist: This XG9 for £10.50! cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7560576073&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&rd=1and this X700 for £22 cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7560577051&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&rd=1I really fear that I am going down with slritis which added to rangefinderitis is probably going to prove fatal! Paul |
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Post by vintageslrs on Nov 12, 2005 17:24:38 GMT -5
Paul
Yep I see what is driving you to (our) SLR side.
The value per dollar you are getting on your recent purchases are excellent. You will enjoy them immensely!!
So welcome to SLRitis....there is no helping now... ;D
Bob
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The Konica SIII is a very different animal (much earlier, much rarer, and one of the few Konica RFs I'm still seeking). 
