Help with camera collection

[popsleica]

Hello
I was left a large camera collection.
I need some help with value etc.
I have 3 24x24x24 boxes packed neatly.
Leica
Minolta
Nikon
Minox
Contax
From cameras to leather cases to filters winders boxes and manuals
light meters film 35mm Kodak display etc. some really nice stuff.
Need appraisal May want to sell
Maryland
Thanks
Richard W

 

[MikeBcos]

Check ebay, that'll tell you what the items sell for. It sounds like you may have some nice equipment in the collection.

 

[waday]

Hello
I was left a large camera collection.
I need some help with value etc.
I have 3 24x24x24 boxes packed neatly.
Leica
Minolta
Nikon
Minox
Contax
From cameras to leather cases to filters winders boxes and manuals
light meters film 35mm Kodak display etc. some really nice stuff.
Need appraisal May want to sell
Maryland
Thanks
Richard W

Hi Richard, pictures may help, along with any names/models/model numbers/etc.

 

[table1349]

I have found that things sell for what people are willing to pay for them and that most collections by the average person aren't worth near what they think they should be. You want an appraisal take them to a brick and mortar camera store and they will give you an appraisal.

 

[john.margetts]

Check ebay, that'll tell you what the items sell for. It sounds like you may have some nice equipment in the collection.

Remember to check completed sales as that tells you what peopled paid. A lot of people ask ridiculous amounts for old cameras but do not actually sell them. Old cameras are not worth as much as you might think. I have a couple of professional cameras in as-new condition that I paid £20 for.

 

[Light Guru]

Well we cant really give you values on them when all you give us is extremely vague information about them.

Like others have said look up sold listings on ebay.

 

[table1349]

Sorry have to disagree. Ebay buyers are notorious for paying way too much for someone else used stuff. They get that "I want it" mentality and will pay way too much for what things are worth. Even worse I have seen people pay 5, 6, even 10 times as much for stuff that is still available new in box from a store.

Go to someone that is familiar with cameras and have them appraised.

 

[MikeBcos]

Sorry have to disagree. Ebay buyers are notorious for paying way too much for someone else used stuff. They get that "I want it" mentality and will pay way too much for what things are worth. Even worse I have seen people pay 5, 6, even 10 times as much for stuff that is still available new in box from a store.

Go to someone that is familiar with cameras and have them appraised.

You may think that eBay buyers pay too much but the fact is an item is worth what someone is willing to pay for it, sold items on eBay indicate what people are willing to pay.

 

[table1349]

And the lottery is the Redneck retirement plan.

Just because a few foolish people pay a ridiculous price does not make it an appraisal nor provide a true worth for an item. In collecting appreciation is the goal, not depreciation through foolish investment. Many a person has purchased that "great buy" only to find it not worth anything near what they paid.

“There’s a sucker born every minute.” (David Hannum)

 

[Netskimmer]

If you are pricing these things to sell them, the best course of action would be to see what people are CONSISTANTLY paying for the item to establish a baseline for an asking price. If only a few people are getting suckered into paying more than they should, the you shouldn't assume you can get that price for the item. If a large number of people are paying high prices for it, then sure. The point is to establish a baseline price, then you can decide how far above that you want to set your price and how far you are willing to budge during the negotiation.

If you are pricing these items for insurance purposes, you should base the value on what it will cost to replace them, not what you could sell them for. Once you have that number, add a bit to it just to be safe.

 

[john.margetts]

Sorry have to disagree. Ebay buyers are notorious for paying way too much for someone else used stuff. They get that "I want it" mentality and will pay way too much for what things are worth. Even worse I have seen people pay 5, 6, even 10 times as much for stuff that is still available new in box from a store.

Go to someone that is familiar with cameras and have them appraised.

I wasn't suggesting the OP should look for the highest price paid on EBay but look at the spread of prices paid. I regularly both buy and sell cameras on EBay and I only rarely see people paying over the odds - certainly not when buying from me.

Then again, if the OP is looking to sell, he wants to go where people pay the most, surely?

 

[jcdeboever]

I just sold a friend's late father's collection to adorama. Could have possibly got more on eBay but time is pretty valuable. He was happy to get a check for a little over two grand. The glass brought in the majority of the haul. I properly estimated condition of most everything except for 1 lens and a camera body up one. So I actually got a little more than the quoted estimate. I spent a few hours going through it, submitting estimate, and shipping. Pretty painless really. He gave me his photography books as payment for helping him out.

 

[compur]

Vintage photo gear doesn't have fixed values. Condition is everything and cameras and lenses are complex.

Trying to determine values without a physical inspection by someone who is experienced in vintage cameras is folly.

For example, a Leica in need of service is worth far less than one in good repair, etc, etc. and only an experienced person can determine the condition and only by physically inspecting the equipment.

If you simply "look up eBay prices" you are ignoring the condition factor and your results will be worthless.

If lacking a real appraisal by a competent local person then take lots of clear photos and list the gear online for sale to highest bidder stating the honest truth that you don't know cameras and are selling the items "as is" based on the photos and whatever you can honestly say about them.

Otherwise, you'll likely get a bunch of angry buyers and returns/refunds and headaches for your trouble. Trust me -- eBay returns are no fun and you will have to pay return shipping as well.

This is my opinion based on selling camera gear online for nearly 20 years.

 

[Netskimmer]

I just sold a friend's late father's collection to adorama. Could have possibly got more on eBay but time is pretty valuable. He was happy to get a check for a little over two grand. The glass brought in the majority of the haul. I properly estimated condition of most everything except for 1 lens and a camera body up one. So I actually got a little more than the quoted estimate. I spent a few hours going through it, submitting estimate, and shipping. Pretty painless really. He gave me his photography books as payment for helping him out.

I have wondered if you get a fair deal selling to Adorama.

 

[jcdeboever]

I just sold a friend's late father's collection to adorama. Could have possibly got more on eBay but time is pretty valuable. He was happy to get a check for a little over two grand. The glass brought in the majority of the haul. I properly estimated condition of most everything except for 1 lens and a camera body up one. So I actually got a little more than the quoted estimate. I spent a few hours going through it, submitting estimate, and shipping. Pretty painless really. He gave me his photography books as payment for helping him out.

I have wondered if you get a fair deal selling to Adorama.

I think it's a good way to move gear quick. Fair is relative in that they have to make a profit. You may or may not get what you would with the hassle of doing eBay, Craigslist, or Etsy. It's an alternative. They could have accepted my judgement but did give me more on a couple items. I also included a list of my findings for each item. I tested everything to the best of my ability.