mysteria

Hi i have a friend whose husband had a collection of antique cameras (some working , some not)and he has since passed. I was wondering where would be the best place to sell the collection to people who are into that thing. Thank you in advance.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Try to find someone who has a knowledge of antique cameras. You could have a valuable old Leica camera. You'll have to determine which are operable, and which are not. Once, that is done, you can ldentify the name and model of the camera. You never gave the number of cameras you have?

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Welcome to the forum.The key is images and a list of the cameras. Also, known condition. Then we can help with estimated value

jamesyandre Loc: Greenville, SC

I’ve done my own fair share of antique camera purchases. Upwards of 80% of what I bought was through eBay. That may not be the answer you’re looking for, but most antique traders do have some presence on the site which can lead you to their personal business where you can find some great experts in antique cameras. They can often answer questions for you, and might be interested in buying from you. Also if you want to gauge how much an item is worth searching, eBay listings is usually the logical first step.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

"Completed sale" listings, not active listings on eBay......

Photocraig

I believe an inventory of all of the items is the first step. Most old gear fits into categories--Golden Oldies like Leicas, Kodak Retinas, Rolleiflex and other workable cameras that people still use and buy today. There are also some Specialty cameras like the large format view cameras (think Ansel Adams).

Among the old film cameras, unless they fit the Golden Oldie or super pro like the Nikon F's and Canon F's, most of them have lost their value. However, there are some spectacular old lenses (a few) that can still fetch a few hundred dollars (despite their few Thousand Dollar original purchase price).

Surprisingly, perhaps the most valuable item may very well be an accessory like a special tripod or tripod head, or a specialty viewfinder, rangefinder or lens or anything. Sometimes a rare instruction book will be worth $20-$50.

Start with the inventory. List Brand name (Nikon) Model (F5) Description (SLR) Condition (Working/not) Clean finish etc. Then find a friendly Camera Shop--I hope there's still one in your area, and go at a non busy time and ask for some help. They probably won't be a buyer. But they may know who is. The antique route for photo specialties may be worthwhile if your photo dealer thinks so. Ask if they think a large USED Seller might be interested.

Also, go to the websites at KEH.com, B&H.com and Adorama.com and contact the Used department, IF The Local Store (or hedge hoggers think that's a good idea.

I've done this for a few friends. It is a difficult job because these once very expensive exquisite gems from days gone by now are worth very little. But the last thing a widow needs is to sift through a bunch of old camera gear she knows nothing about--but will trigger, perhaps, sad memories. There's plenty of other unpleasant stuff in store for her.

Publish the list here and folks will help. Somebody may find just the thing that's missing from his or her old "Hectomatic." If Folks here think there's a chance to sell some of it, there is a buy sell function here. We'll let you know.

C

Mister H Loc: Michigan

Went thru a similar scenario. Start by searching the different cameras on the net. I learned so much that way as far as what they were. Then as many have suggested, follow eBay listings to the end to get a feel for the market. Knowing what you have as well as what is wanted helps so much. In the end, some items will have little market appeal. I gave away a few items on this forum. They just paid shipping.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Do a search for them on eBay and then go down the left column and click "Sold items." That will show you what people were willing to pay.

finnmap Loc: N Illinois

McKeowns camera price guide is THE resource for antique cameras. Unfortunately they are very pricey (a 2006 copy is going for $206 on ebay right now). If you can find one to borrow (library - tho my library does not have a copy). Evidently there has not been an updated version for some time but they are working on a new one - http://mckcamera.com/ .

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

When my father-in-law passed, he had what could only be considered a museum's worth of antique cameras, all working. Unfortunately, even on Ebay, most only got lik $5-$50 tops. Not a huge market lately.

The funny thing is, I've seen those same $5 cameras cleaned up and made into lamps going for upwards of $200 at craft shows, and little antique shops. It's sad that such a wonderful piece of history has to be ruined to make it worth anything.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

The category "antique cameras" is too generalized for me to advise you on where to seek buyers. You may have items that are indeed very valuable based on age, format, rarity, historical value, country of origin, military usages or designations, condition and original value or usage. There are some nice collectable cameras that are desirable but not particularly valuable. There are collector or enthusiasts that specialize in certain brands, formats and categories of equipment. There are several social media and other websites that are dedicated to some of theses specializations.

There are user collectables-classic camera that are still serviceable. Some collectors will pay handsomely for something that is missing in a series in their existing collections.

Sometimes the books on collectable cameras are published by collectors or brokers that publish values that THEY want to pay for cerin cameras- way below their collectable value.

I am not a collector nor am I a dealer or broker, however, I have several colleagues, friends and cohorts who are collectors or operate camera stores- one old friend has a business that specializes in used and old photographic equipment.

Of course, collectors and dealers like to acquire cameras a very low prices but bereaved folks who are left with a collection shoud be ethically and fairly compensated for valuable collector's items. Some of the well-known ethical ad reliable dealer will offer fair compensation, however, the need to purchase items at a low enough cost to enable profitable resale.

If you are up to it- post a list and I and others in this site will give you a fair assessment. You might even find a customer or two!

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

I agree that the first thing to do is develop a careful inventory of all the items. Maybe the husband already had something compiled. If not, it will be some work but a list with as much specific detail as possible is the place to start. It would be best if things could be properly tested, effects value if you can say it's known to be working, but some things have value either working or not.

Best place to sell them is on eBay. That gives you access to collectors worldwide (and there are collectors of almost everything photo related).

You can do searches on eBay for specific, identical items and use the "sold" filter to get some idea of values. To get good info, you must be VERY careful to search for the exact same item and read the descriptions for condition, free shipping, etc. that can effect value. (Also research things online.... Google them carefully.)

Best way to maximize your profits on eBay is to sell things individual, to a large extent.

For example, if I had a camera body with several lenses, flash, and other accessories, I'd sell the camera with only a "standard" lens and lens hood for that (if I have it). I'd sell the other lenses and flashes separately, but be sure to put them up for auction at the same time. I would keep together in one auction a lens and the caps, hood & case for it... or flash and specific accessories for it such as case, filters, etc.

Selling on eBay, true "auctions" that start out fairly low and are well-described and illustrated with good images will usually bring the best prices, thanks to a lot of competitive bidding. Use "reserve prices" very sparingly, if at all. Too high they will kill sales. Too low and you won't make what you could have done.

The main headline and images in auction ads are incredibly important. I have "stolen" some very valuable things that were "hidden" in poorly written and illustrated listings! One very rare camera worth around $2000 was not even mentioned in the headline of a bundle of three "antique cameras", the other two being rather more common and not very valuable. There were relatively few bidders and I got the whole batch for $400... then turned around and sold the other two cameras for roughly $200. Maybe I should feel guilty, having got that camera for about 10% of what it's worth! But the seller could have done better research and realized a much better profit if they'd just sold the cameras separately with a better headline, description and photos.

Chris T Loc: from England across the pond to New England

Mysteria - something we all seem to be forgetting, here - is this: UHH is a Photography Forum, and in that - it welcomes pictures, as much as it does comments. How does that saying go? … A Picture is worth a thousand words - right? … It is so easy to post pictures, here - all you have to do is resize it, first - so it's easier to upload to the site, then save it with a catchy name you'll remember, then - open a post, as you did - this one - Antique Cameras - with pics (for instance) - write a foreword, then go to the bottom of the box and click on Browse, and search for that catchy name you made up before. If you had put it on your Desktop for easier access - search your desktop. If you'd made a folder such as - Antique Cameras of Fred's - then go to the folder and look for the pics you took and saved. (I would suggest an overall pic of the entire collection, and then, individual shots of each piece.) Then click on it, and wait for UHH to "swallow" the pic, and then, after that, name each - giving it a fancy name under, and then - when all is to your liking - click on Send. You can do this once for each pic, or you can upload a bunch at once (ten is the max, though - for one Send.) If you have more than that, you will need to do subsequent posts in another box - it can be under the same subject heading - or, you can open up another posting - Antique Cameras with Pics, Part 2 - for instance. Whatever you think might be catchy. Good Luck, Mysteria …

PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place

Get an idea of what they are selling for on Ebay and list them for sale right here on UHH.

Don

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Like any specialty antique, vintage cameras vary widely by price. Sometimes the difference between the color of the lettering on a camera can mean a swing of several hundred dollars in value. Checking eBay sold listings is a good guide, but if the collection is big and varied, you will need some expert advice before listing her, on eBay, on Craigslist, or on any other forum.

You will generally get good and honest advice here - at least from most members. Many are collectors and have a very good sense of price.

Unfortunately, there is no shortcut to compiling photographs and detailed listings of everything in the collection. Post in Main PHotography Section for advice and discussion, the on "for sale" when you decide to actually sell. I collect many vintage cameras and lenses, like many others here, and will be glad to share anything I know.

Andy