What cameras cost in 1976

Nesster · 07-30-2009, 06:17 AM

Back then 47th Street Photo was one of the top dogs - B&H and Adorama were on their way up.

geauxpez · 07-30-2009, 07:40 AM

That was really interesting. Cool to see what gear has depreciated more than others or even gained value over the years.

k100d · 07-30-2009, 07:43 AM

Originally posted by geauxpez

That was really interesting. Cool to see what gear has depreciated more than others or even gained value over the years.

trying to look for the Yashica you sold me but couldn't find it

$177.50 for a KX body

straightshooter · 07-30-2009, 08:00 AM

A SMC 85mm F1.8 was $156.50. I would pay that now for one. LOL

CW

Nesster · 07-30-2009, 08:22 AM

Leica M4 - $700, Summicron 50/2 $237 = $937
Yashica FX-1 silver with f/1.4 $310
Pentax 6x7, Penta prism, 105mm $650
Nikon F2 Photomic $380, 50/1.4 Nikkor $137 = $517
Nikkormat EL chrome $270 + 1.4 = $407
Olympus OM1 with f/1.4 $275
Olympus OM2 with f/1.4 $435
Pentax SPF with 1.8 $210
Pentax ESII w/1.8 $330
K1000 w/2 $165
KX w/1.4 $285
K2 w/1.4 $379

stevebrot · 07-30-2009, 08:52 AM

I look at those prices and think "What deals"! Then I remember that I was only making $4 per hour in 1976. Still though, there were some great values on some very capable hardware.

Steve

ILoveVerdi · 07-30-2009, 09:02 AM

inflation calculator says that the $165 K1000 would be $617 today. Interesting to think about what you can get now for the same value.

The Inflation Calculator

jgredline · 07-30-2009, 09:12 AM

Looks like a better investment than a 401K !

raymeedc · 07-30-2009, 10:15 AM

Originally posted by Nesster

Back then 47th Street Photo was one of the top dogs - B&H and Adorama were on their way up.

Along with the top classic camera stores on 32 st. & Broadway, which was still "The Camera Block" back in those days..... Olden's, Camera Barn, & Willoughby's..... all out of business today.

Nesster · 07-30-2009, 10:26 AM

Willoughbys - Digital Frames, Digital Cameras, Camcorders, Lenses, Memory, Point-and-Shoots, Digital SLRs, Professional Video, Optics, Photography Books, Accessories & more
they at least still exist... and have some interesting used cameras in the store, but not online, it seems.

I'll scan some old Olden's yellow-page ad at some point, back in the day they advertised lots of used equipment mixed with the new.

BetterSense · 07-30-2009, 12:03 PM

OM2 with f/1.4 for $435? A quick google shows that would be about $1700 now. That's pretty middle-of-the-road for modern digital cameras.

**ChrisPlatt** · 07-30-2009, 05:20 PM

The trick was actually getting it for the advertised price...

Chris

jgredline · 07-30-2009, 06:29 PM

Originally posted by ChrisPlatt

The trick was actually getting it for the advertised price...

Chris

Really? Where the advertised prices lower?

TomK · 07-30-2009, 06:57 PM

Back about then I also bought sometimes from Cambridge Photo.

And - - - what would we have done without Spiratone for lenses, accessories, and all sorts of darkroom equiptment!

TomK

stevebrot · 07-30-2009, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisPlatt View Post

The trick was actually getting it for the advertised price...

Chris

Originally posted by jgredline

Really? Where the advertised prices lower?

Sometimes they would be "sold" out, but more often they would charge extra for items that should have been in the box. They would also sell a camera with a no-name lens rather than the manufacturer's kit. Basically just sort of nickel and dime the price up.

The best thing was to inquire by mail prior to purchase to pin down the details and request an expiration date for the pricing. You would then order and enclose their reply as documentation. I bought a couple of cameras, some lenses, and an enlarger mail order between 1970 and 1985 and had no problems once I documented the terms.

Steve

07-30-2009, 06:17 AM	#1
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072	What cameras cost in 1976 Back then 47th Street Photo was one of the top dogs - B&H and Adorama were on their way up.

07-30-2009, 10:15 AM	#9
raymeedc Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Brooklyn, New York Posts: 951	Originally posted by Nesster Back then 47th Street Photo was one of the top dogs - B&H and Adorama were on their way up. Along with the top classic camera stores on 32 st. & Broadway, which was still "The Camera Block" back in those days..... Olden's, Camera Barn, & Willoughby's..... all out of business today. Last edited by raymeedc; 07-30-2009 at 01:35 PM.

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07-30-2009, 07:40 AM	#2
geauxpez Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Atlanta Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,196	That was really interesting. Cool to see what gear has depreciated more than others or even gained value over the years.

07-30-2009, 07:43 AM	#3
k100d Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,911	Originally posted by geauxpez That was really interesting. Cool to see what gear has depreciated more than others or even gained value over the years. trying to look for the Yashica you sold me but couldn't find it $177.50 for a KX body

07-30-2009, 08:00 AM	#4
straightshooter Inactive Account Join Date: May 2008 Location: Forest Park, Georgia/Jacksonville, Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 633	A SMC 85mm F1.8 was $156.50. I would pay that now for one. LOL CW

07-30-2009, 08:22 AM	#5
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072 Original Poster	Leica M4 - $700, Summicron 50/2 $237 = $937 Yashica FX-1 silver with f/1.4 $310 Pentax 6x7, Penta prism, 105mm $650 Nikon F2 Photomic $380, 50/1.4 Nikkor $137 = $517 Nikkormat EL chrome $270 + 1.4 = $407 Olympus OM1 with f/1.4 $275 Olympus OM2 with f/1.4 $435 Pentax SPF with 1.8 $210 Pentax ESII w/1.8 $330 K1000 w/2 $165 KX w/1.4 $285 K2 w/1.4 $379

07-30-2009, 08:52 AM	#6
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	I look at those prices and think "What deals"! Then I remember that I was only making $4 per hour in 1976. Still though, there were some great values on some very capable hardware. Steve

07-30-2009, 09:02 AM	#7
ILoveVerdi Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Grand Rapids, MI. USA. Earth. Posts: 139	inflation calculator says that the $165 K1000 would be $617 today. Interesting to think about what you can get now for the same value. The Inflation Calculator

07-30-2009, 09:12 AM	#8
jgredline Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: LosAngeles, Ca. Photos: Albums Posts: 10,628	Looks like a better investment than a 401K !

07-30-2009, 10:26 AM	#10
Nesster Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NJ USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 13,072 Original Poster	Willoughbys - Digital Frames, Digital Cameras, Camcorders, Lenses, Memory, Point-and-Shoots, Digital SLRs, Professional Video, Optics, Photography Books, Accessories & more they at least still exist... and have some interesting used cameras in the store, but not online, it seems. I'll scan some old Olden's yellow-page ad at some point, back in the day they advertised lots of used equipment mixed with the new.

07-30-2009, 12:03 PM	#11
BetterSense Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Dallas Posts: 98	OM2 with f/1.4 for $435? A quick google shows that would be about $1700 now. That's pretty middle-of-the-road for modern digital cameras.

07-30-2009, 05:20 PM	#12
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,692	The trick was actually getting it for the advertised price... Chris

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07-30-2009, 06:29 PM	#13
jgredline Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: LosAngeles, Ca. Photos: Albums Posts: 10,628	Originally posted by ChrisPlatt The trick was actually getting it for the advertised price... Chris Really? Where the advertised prices lower?

07-30-2009, 06:57 PM	#14
TomK Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: NJ USA Posts: 281	Back about then I also bought sometimes from Cambridge Photo. And - - - what would we have done without Spiratone for lenses, accessories, and all sorts of darkroom equiptment! TomK

07-30-2009, 07:07 PM	#15
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Quote: Originally Posted by ChrisPlatt View Post The trick was actually getting it for the advertised price... Chris Originally posted by jgredline Really? Where the advertised prices lower? Sometimes they would be "sold" out, but more often they would charge extra for items that should have been in the box. They would also sell a camera with a no-name lens rather than the manufacturer's kit. Basically just sort of nickel and dime the price up. The best thing was to inquire by mail prior to purchase to pin down the details and request an expiration date for the pricing. You would then order and enclose their reply as documentation. I bought a couple of cameras, some lenses, and an enlarger mail order between 1970 and 1985 and had no problems once I documented the terms. Steve