Market for film cameras

Hi all

I've moved onto digital photography, so I'm trying to sell my old film
cameras. I have a Pentax MZ-50 with a 28-80mm sigma zoom lens plus a
few filters. I'm currently selling it on ebay UK (I won't tell you the
listing number so that I can't be accused of spamming!)

At the moment it's not exactly selling like a hotcake. I'd be lucky to
get my asking price (£29.99). So I'm wondering:

What exactly is the market for film SLR cameras these days? Who still
buys them? Would I do better to try and sell these things to, say,
photography schools or something?

Essentially, why would someone buy my film camera as opposed to a
digital one? If I could better understand my market, maybe I'd have a
better chance of selling it! Or do people just think that 29.99 is too
high for this camera (it's 5 years old but in excellent condition).

Thanks for any suggestions.

Hmmm, I'm in a similar position. I have an Olympus OM10 body, an OM40
body, and a bunch of OM lenses and accessories, and I don't reckon I'll
get much for the whole lot. I'd like to go for a digital SLR, but can't
afford one unless I get a decent price for the 35mm kit.

I'm hoping there are some retro freaks out there (like those who still
prefer vinyl to CD) who prefer real film with its capacity for ultra
enlargement, and who enjoy playing with messy chemicals instead of
using Photoshop ...

I feel your best bet if you want the best price might be to trade in
your Pentax against a digital camera, if you can find a good used
camera shop.

"Dan Williams" wrote in message
om...
Hi all

I've moved onto digital photography, so I'm trying to sell my old film
cameras. I have a Pentax MZ-50 with a 28-80mm sigma zoom lens plus a
few filters. I'm currently selling it on ebay UK (I won't tell you the
listing number so that I can't be accused of spamming!)

At the moment it's not exactly selling like a hotcake. I'd be lucky to
get my asking price (£29.99). So I'm wondering:


That's a very cheap camera and lens to begin with, and their low resale
price is in no way indicitive of a shift in sales, even if such a shift is
occuring. I'd take my 29.99 lbs. and be happy. And if you think that's
bad, look at 3 year old digital camera resale prices.

--
Regards,
Matt Clara
www.mattclara.com

"Colin" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hmmm, I'm in a similar position. I have an Olympus OM10 body, an OM40
body, and a bunch of OM lenses and accessories, and I don't reckon I'll
get much for the whole lot. I'd like to go for a digital SLR, but can't
afford one unless I get a decent price for the 35mm kit.

I'm hoping there are some retro freaks out there (like those who still
prefer vinyl to CD) who prefer real film with its capacity for ultra
enlargement, and who enjoy playing with messy chemicals instead of
using Photoshop ...

I feel your best bet if you want the best price might be to trade in
your Pentax against a digital camera, if you can find a good used
camera shop.


Even five years ago when I considered selling my dad's old Pentax Spotmatic
kit to fund other purchases in the photographic arena, it wouldn't have
brought enough for an F100, let alone an F100 and a nice lens, let alone a
digital SLR/lens/media card/photoshop/etc. You're SOL in that regard. And
I disagree that a trade in is the best way to go, though it's certainly
worth finding out what they're offering. Ebay, with enough research and the
right opening bid/reserve price will most likely eek the most money out of
just about any system, and it'll only cost you a few dollars to try.

--
Regards,
Matt Clara
www.mattclara.com

"Dan Williams" wrote in message
om...
Hi all

I've moved onto digital photography, so I'm trying to sell my old film
cameras. I have a Pentax MZ-50 with a 28-80mm sigma zoom lens plus a
few filters. I'm currently selling it on ebay UK (I won't tell you the
listing number so that I can't be accused of spamming!)

At the moment it's not exactly selling like a hotcake. I'd be lucky to
get my asking price (£29.99). So I'm wondering:

What exactly is the market for film SLR cameras these days? Who still
buys them?

The prices are very low, I saw a good Minolta X300 go for £19.50.
But the 'specialist' lenses still seem to keep their value, for
now anyway.

H.

In article .com,
Colin wrote:

I'm hoping there are some retro freaks out there (like those who still
prefer vinyl to CD) who prefer real film with its capacity for ultra
enlargement,

There are - decent medium and large format stuff still commands a premium on
eBay.

collin;
which OM10 is it? the black one or silver one?
i've only seen one or two black ones, but i've seen a bunch of silver.
i almost bought an OM10 Black body a couple months ago, till the pawn
shop owner put the price of $125 on it.
after i composed myself from laughing so hard, i left the shop hehe.
whats your asking price for yours?

cheers.

collin;
which OM10 is it? the black one or silver one?
i've only seen one or two black ones, but i've seen a bunch of silver.
i almost bought an OM10 Black body a couple months ago, till the pawn
shop owner put the price of $125 on it.
after i composed myself from laughing so hard, i left the shop hehe.
whats your asking price for yours?

cheers.

"Dan Williams" wrote in message
om...
Hi all

I've moved onto digital photography, so I'm trying to sell my old film
cameras. I have a Pentax MZ-50 with a 28-80mm sigma zoom lens plus a
few filters. I'm currently selling it on ebay UK (I won't tell you the
listing number so that I can't be accused of spamming!)

At the moment it's not exactly selling like a hotcake. I'd be lucky to
get my asking price (£29.99). So I'm wondering:

What exactly is the market for film SLR cameras these days? Who still
buys them? Would I do better to try and sell these things to, say,
photography schools or something?

Essentially, why would someone buy my film camera as opposed to a
digital one? If I could better understand my market, maybe I'd have a
better chance of selling it! Or do people just think that 29.99 is too
high for this camera (it's 5 years old but in excellent condition).

Thanks for any suggestions.

The issue is with autofocus/electronic 35mm SLRs. They are pretty much
disposable items, not economically repairable, and most buyers interested in
"automatic" cameras are going to buy digital or a point and shoot compact
35mm. The market for manual focus non electronic 35mm SLRs on Ebay is
usually very "hot". Older nikons, olympus, pentax and minolta manual cameras
and lenses sell well in working condition and sell for more than they sold
for new (in the 60s or 70s) if they have been refurbished. I have a series
of 9 minolta bodies extending from the Srt201 - XD11 - X370. I can see the
deterioration in build quality with time in these bodies and from the XD
series on if there is an electronic failure repair can be very difficult and
parts may not be available. As for your situation the camera is worth what
the market will pay.
Howard

"Dan Williams" wrote in message
om...
Hi all

I've moved onto digital photography, so I'm trying to sell my old film
cameras. I have a Pentax MZ-50 with a 28-80mm sigma zoom lens plus a
few filters. I'm currently selling it on ebay UK (I won't tell you the
listing number so that I can't be accused of spamming!)

At the moment it's not exactly selling like a hotcake. I'd be lucky to
get my asking price (£29.99). So I'm wondering:

What exactly is the market for film SLR cameras these days? Who still
buys them? Would I do better to try and sell these things to, say,
photography schools or something?

Essentially, why would someone buy my film camera as opposed to a
digital one? If I could better understand my market, maybe I'd have a
better chance of selling it! Or do people just think that 29.99 is too
high for this camera (it's 5 years old but in excellent condition).

Thanks for any suggestions.

The issue is with autofocus/electronic 35mm SLRs. They are pretty much
disposable items, not economically repairable, and most buyers interested in
"automatic" cameras are going to buy digital or a point and shoot compact
35mm. The market for manual focus non electronic 35mm SLRs on Ebay is
usually very "hot". Older nikons, olympus, pentax and minolta manual cameras
and lenses sell well in working condition and sell for more than they sold
for new (in the 60s or 70s) if they have been refurbished. I have a series
of 9 minolta bodies extending from the Srt201 - XD11 - X370. I can see the
deterioration in build quality with time in these bodies and from the XD
series on if there is an electronic failure repair can be very difficult and
parts may not be available. As for your situation the camera is worth what
the market will pay.
Howard