Treasure trove of equipment.

*Bramela* · 06-10-2009, 06:19 PM

I was approached this week by a friend who has contact with a widow in the area. Recently widowed, she asked my friend to help her sort out her deceased husbands den/computer room.

It seems in so doing they have turned up a collection of cameras (approx 60 inall) as well as a multitude of lenses etc etc.
Pentax/hassleblad/zeiss and so on. ( I was careful to ask was there Pentax items included

)

He has approached me to help him with valuation of most of it in order to sell. Will be in about two weeks time.

Can anybody recommend a website to help with valuation of all ages of camera and equipment of assorted makes and models.?
I would appreciate any help.

# I am very interested to see if I can purchase a bulk lot. Watch the Market place, guys, you just never know

*RawheaD* · 06-10-2009, 07:21 PM

Wouldn't the best valuation site be Ebay??

Almost all used photo gear are traded on Ebay (and similar auction sites), and since it's the market that decides what used gear is "worth", I see no better place to look.

Of course, there are a few, but notable, vendors that specialize in used gear, e.g., KEH. But their prices reflect the fact that the equipment they sell have been professionally assessed as well as their return policy, etc., hence understandably "inflated" compared to Ebay prices.

Since my guess it that the stuff you're talking about will not be evaluated and sold professionally, again, Ebay prices is the answer you are looking for.

*chalion* · 06-10-2009, 07:36 PM

I hate to say it, but the only way to get close to actual value is to have a professional & licensed assessor come out and catalog the equipment. Online sales (ebay and KeH) can get you a ballpark estimate, but the condition of those sold online may greatly vary with what you are looking at - but, the online equipment prices may give you an idea if it's worth it to have someone assess what you have.

*Oldschool* · 06-10-2009, 07:36 PM

I believe that KEH has a classic camera section. That might help. Good luck.

mi2nc · 06-10-2009, 07:47 PM

Originally Posted by RawheaD

Wouldn't the best valuation site be Ebay??

Almost all used photo gear are traded on Ebay (and similar auction sites), and since it's the market that decides what used gear is "worth", I see no better place to look.

Don't anyone tell the last and current administration that the "free market" can decide things on its own, it will really screw up obama's plans.

*Bramela* · 06-11-2009, 12:03 AM

Thanks a lot guys I appreciate your comments. I had thought of ebay, but in the back of mind, I thought, "often rather inflated prices"
I will look into it anyway, and thanks again.

**Damn Brit** · 06-11-2009, 12:10 AM

Just go for averages Bruce.

*cardinal43* · 06-11-2009, 04:51 AM

Wasn't there a recent thread on here where Peter Zack was helping someone with the same question/problem? Peter might be able to provide some info.

*séamuis* · 06-11-2009, 06:45 AM

putting a list up here on the forums, could yield very good results. as well as getting people interested in buying equipment. there are a lot of very knowledgeable people on this forum. it couldn't hurt to try.

*pingflood* · 06-11-2009, 10:53 AM

Unless it's a rare item I'd probably take KEH pricing and drop it 20%.

alohadave · 06-11-2009, 02:17 PM

Originally Posted by Bramela

Thanks a lot guys I appreciate your comments. I had thought of ebay, but in the back of mind, I thought, "often rather inflated prices"
I will look into it anyway, and thanks again.

Often the prices on eBay are deflated from what you might think things are worth. I sell gear for friends, and sometimes if there is too much of the same thing prices will lower, and if there is a small amount prices can be lower.

You want to sell things that have enough of an market that people are willing to bid up on it, but not so big that there is enough supply that people can move on to the next auction if the price is too high for them.

*Bramela* · 06-12-2009, 02:32 PM

Thanks for all the information and advice guys.
I may take up the suggestion and put up a list maybe for interest as much as input.
The owner has gone away for about 2 weeks so I will get back to you after that.
Should be interesting, I reckon, to have a look as to just what is there

Ron Redwood · 07-03-2009, 01:32 AM

Originally Posted by Bramela

Thanks a lot guys I appreciate your comments. I had thought of ebay, but in the back of mind, I thought, "often rather inflated prices"
I will look into it anyway, and thanks again.

I buy cameras and lenses on ebay and resell locally on Craigs. Forget the "Buy Now" stuff on ebay...way above what I RESELL at. look at the short time prices.

With older bodies...the well known classics and high end gets a nice price. You can't get much for a low end AF body or the poorer/plain manuals though the K 1000 does have a mystique and the Pentax MX and Nikon FM hold price well.

An LX? FAT bucks. Not a lot of those at estate sales.

Lenses? If they adapt well to digitals..that adds price,so an M42 Pentax may go for notably more than an MD Minolta. I could do a DELUXE Minolta manual focus film rig CHEAP.

Obscure and semi obscure like the Konica or bayonet Fujicas don't have good resale. A Contax..does..ESPECIALLY with a Zeiss lens.

Condition matters. I sold an A-1 Canon set,winder,50 1.4,Macro tubes,a few more lenses,Canon Speedlite...NICE $ to a pro. The Canon body/winder/50 and flash were MINT ...not a SMUDGE. It hurt to sell it.

Good luck sorting it out. If you have some specifics on Items I can lt you know what I'd sell at. Do look at butkus.org for the manuals...you need to know what it does.

Ron Redwood · 07-03-2009, 01:49 AM

i looked again at the original post.

Zeiss and Hasselblad do fetch NICE $

Pentax will vary. You can't get much for an ME. A real COLLECTOR may have goodies that are way out there.

All the same...if I had all that gear to sell,I'd do a semi-low start price and bet that the market pretty much decides worth.

wll · 07-03-2009, 08:20 AM

Originally Posted by mi2nc

Don't anyone tell the last and current administration that the "free market" can decide things on its own, it will really screw up obama's plans.

LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL. Very, very true .... but I don't want to go there, if you know what I mean :-)

wll