posted on December 9, 2006 03:50:03 PM new
I have two 35 MM film cameras next to me here.
One is a Ricoh SLX 500 and the other is a Minolta SR T 101. Both come with a couple of lenses flashes and other acessories.
I know that make/model are important as well as the lenses, condition and other acessories. Is there anything I am missing or does that about sum it up. Any Vintage camera sellers willing to share a Tiny bit of knowledge?
posted on December 9, 2006 04:06:59 PM new
Paloma, I collect earlier cameras so can't give you much advice on these. I suggest you Google the models and see what the camera sales sites cover. I do know that all the information on the lenses should be listed, local length, f stops, etc. With 35s (except for some very early models) it might also be important that they work, the film advance, focus, shutter, etc. if you can test it.
I once sold a very collectible camera. Had my husband check the film advance and shutter operation but never looked through the view finder. Did not notice it was scratched. Had to give a hefty refund and still got my only neutral.
Good luck.
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“The illiterate of the future will be the person ignorant of the use of the camera as well as of the pen.”
Maholy-Nagy, Vision in Motion, 1947
posted on December 9, 2006 04:10:48 PM new
Thanks Photo, I started doing the research before I posted here. Good idea to check the entire camera out before selling it including loading some film.
I just checked ebay. It seems that these camera bodies aren't worth anything but maybe the lenses are as well as the acessories (telescopic, wide angle, strobe light, flash, their individual cases and the users guides. I originally planned to test it all and sell each camera including all of the acessories.
[ edited by paloma91 on Dec 9, 2006 04:12 PM ]
A year or so ago I sold several vintage cameras for my Mom. Besides Googling for specific identification, the biggest source of help for me was the eBay Photography board.
The people there really know their stuff!
They helped me figure out how to check out the cameras and lenses, all sorts of things like that. What titles to use, etc.
posted on December 9, 2006 05:37:05 PM new
I just sold 2 vintage collectible cameras. One I didn't have any questions on it other than what all was included with it. The other had more typical questions.....did it have any mold and/or fungus? The winning bidder actually emailed me specific questions on how & what to look for concerning those items. I received positive feedback for both cameras thankfully......whew!
I was a little leery about not knowing everything there was to know about those particular cameras but I just stated in the auction that I didn't know anything about them but to feel free to ask questions in advance.
All in all they were great auctions. Good luck with yours!
posted on December 9, 2006 06:09:40 PM new
I have 20+ years experience in the photography business. Unfortunately, your cameras are not worth much at all. The Ricoh takes K-mount lenses, which is good... because those will fit most later Pentax SLR models, as well as Ricoh, Chinon, Sears and a host of others. That said... lenses like that are a dime-a-dozen, so unless you've got something actually made by Pentax, the lenses probably aren't worth much at all. The Minolta SRT 101 isn't very valuable either, and takes Minolta MD mount lenses... which will only work on the older Minolta SLR cameras. You'll get more $$$ piecing everything out. Individual auctions for the camera bodies, the lenses, the flashes, etc... and possibly even some of the accessories. (Fitted cases, straps, eyecups, etc...) But... start the prices real low, or they probably won't sell at all. I'd guess you won't get much more than $50 for everything.
And that's assuming that they're in good condition. For the cameras, check the mirrors to make sure there's no damage (but don't touch them or try to clean them!), make sure the advance works, if you have batteries to test the light meter check that out as well, and unless you've run film through it I'd put a disclaimer in your ad stating that you can't guarantee against light leaks.
As for the lenses, you need to check to make sure that there are no scratches, pitting, fungus, or oil on the aperture blades.
Flashes should have no battery corrosion in the battery compartment, and should of course fire when you press the test button.
Honestly, it's a lot of work to accurately list used equipment. I used to do it a lot on eBay... but it just become to much work for too little profit.
Hope that helps! (although, I'm sure that wasn't exactly the type of news you were hoping for...) 35mm film cameras are MUCH harder to move now with digital cameras... just about the only ones that use them are some die-hard old-school photographers, and photo students.
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posted on December 9, 2006 10:22:42 PM new
Oh but it is so much fun to play with real film and settings and challenge of getting that perfect shot. Now if I could afford a digital SLR I would be in heaven.
Good luck with selling them, I would also piece them out . I would also get a roll of film and take pictures with it and if it all works great scan and post one of the images you took.
************** Check it out
posted on December 10, 2006 09:44:44 AM new
Gee, THANKS SO MUCH Everyone ! There is alot of great info I can use. I'll piece it out but check everything first, taking fotos etc with the cameras before I sell it all.
