foxfirerodandgun Loc: Stony Creek, VA

Hello - I'm a new member to the forum and have Nikon (FA-FM-FM2) & Minolta (7000, 700) film cameras, motor drives, various lenses, filters, aftermarket flash units that I would like to sell. My problem is that in the age of digital equipment I have absolutely no idea as to the worth of this older equipment. Any suggestions as to what would be a good approach to pricing and listing these items individually? I am only seeking fair pricing for myself and the buyer. Many thanks. - James

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

James, you can do some research on ebay. See what the same or similar models of cameras have sold for in the past. You can also use google to search for each of the cameras, use for sale as part of the search. That should tell you. There are a number of sites that feature used equipment for sale, check those out.
--Bob

jeweler53

Do a quick search on eBay. Look at "sold items". That will give you an idea of what each item is worth.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-FM-body-only/112938575930?hash=item1a4ba9e83a:g:8ccAAOSwoJ1a0hoF

TJBNovember Loc: Long Island, New York

I asked that question when I first got on the forum, thought I'd share that post and responses to give you a bit more of a start.


www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-429985-1.html

nikonmikey

a word of advice - sit down before you read what your stuff is worth

foxfirerodandgun Loc: Stony Creek, VA

Thanks to everyone for your input. I realize that run of the mill used film equipment isn't worth nearly what it once was before the digital craze hit. However, being a traditionalist, I tend to appreciate the older, vintage, equipment more than possibly the average person. This is also reflected in my fishing equipment, (mostly 1950's - 1970's), Garcia Mitchell salt water rods & reels. To the far end of the spectrum, before I gave up deer hunting, and before there was a primitive weapons season in many states, I used a Thompson Center .50 caliber flintlock. It's just that my film equipment has not been used in such a long time, and I seriously doubt that it will be used by me in the future, that it is now time to "clean the closet" so to speak. Thanks again. - James

newtoyou Loc: Eastport

And get ready for a rude surprise. Have bought and sold a lot to finance my photo hobby. Film gear is everywhere,cheap. The fact that you have a full system will help. Buy and shoot. Include film and batteries, that helps me. Good luck. RETRO IS ALIVE AND WELL,SOMEWHERE. Bill

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

If you are not in urgent need for money, wait a few years before selling. The market value on your old equipment is going up every year, and will likely continue to do so in the future. I am glad I purchased all of my dream film cameras (and accessories) ten years ago while they were cheap, as I certainly could not afford many of them now. If you do hold onto the equipment for a little longer, make sure to keep it properly stored and in working order. To buyers, a functioning camera will always be of greater value than a broken one.

newtoyou Loc: Eastport

Agreed. It has gotten harders to find "deals". That is a reason to sell in sets,bag et.al. in a package. Run a roll of trash film thru every year or so and keep them exercised.

foxfirerodandgun Loc: Stony Creek, VA

No urgent need of money. It's just that due to my age, {I'm not quite ancient yet, but am working on it. :~)} I doubt that I'll use them again. I have a inkling to keep the Minolta 700 and Minolta flash though just so I'd have a film camera. - James

Don, the 2nd son Loc: Crowded Florida

When you see the wide variation in $$ on Ebay "Sold" items keep in mind that there are fluctuations in demand that add to the rock n roll of prices. Luck is a big factor. Also if you are a newbe seller many will be reluctant to spend big.

foxfirerodandgun Loc: Stony Creek, VA

Thanks for your input. I once used e-bay on a regular basis to buy and sell. However, over time, their policies, fees, and limitation of payment methods to basically PayPal, just did not settle well with me. I do use the site to get a rough idea of the market trends as far as prices are concerned. - James

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Do a search on eBay and click on "Sold items" down the left column. You'll see how much people were willing to pay.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

FYI... Lenses you have for the Nikon cameras may well be usable on modern DSLRs. They also probably can be adapted relatively easily and inexpensively for use on modern Canon DSLRs, Sony "mirrorless", Fuji "mirrorless" and probably some others. (To be usable or adaptable, the lens needs to have a manual aperture control ring... which most lenses of that vintage do.)

I don't know if the same can be said for Minolta lenses. If they are AF lenses, they MIGHT be usable on modern Sony... But not adaptable for use on as many other brands of cameras. If they are manual focus lenses, they may be adaptable for use on more different brands of cameras. (Google found this: https://phillipreeve.net/blog/guide-adapters-minolta-mc-md-lenses/)

Vintage, lenses used with 35mm film cameras can give very good results and perform the same, giving the same angle of view on "full frame" DSLRs such as Nikon and Canon offer, or on "full frame mirrorless" digital cameras such as Sony offers.

But the majority of digital cameras sold by all of them today are "APS-C crop sensor" which will make lenses "act" less wide, more telephoto. On APS-C cameras which use a somewhat smaller sensor than full frame/film, the focal length doesn't change, it just "acts" a little differently. For example, a 50mm lens on the APS-C cameras is no longer a "normal". It's still 50mm but on those cameras it instead becomes a short telephoto and will "act like 75mm or 80mm" would on your film cameras (or on "full frame" digital). This is both a good and bad thing... It makes any telephotos you've got more powerful than ever (like they were fitted with a 1.5X or 1.6X teleconverter, except without the loss of light or reduced image quality of an actual teleconverter). But it also makes wide angle lenses less wide. (However, even wider modern lenses are available to help solve that problem.)

Anyway... my point is.... don't be too quick to sell that old gear! You won't get very much $ for the cameras... and it's quite possible you'll be able to put the lenses to good use with the digital camera of your choice.

BebuLamar

When you said the Minolta 700 you meant the X700? or another model? The Nikon FA if in good condition would fetch good money (but many have problems). The FM2 is worth decent money. The Minolta Maxxum generally not worth much but the 7000 if in good condition can be worth good money as most of them available for sale are not in good condition.