Another price differential that absolutely floors me (and I really mean 'floors me')

David Lyga · Nov 15, 2019

In Like New Minus condition, KEH is offering to buy your Canon QL17 with 40mm / f1.7 lens for a whopping $13.

In Like New Minus condition, KEH is offering to buy your Olympus XA for $135.

Now, does ANYONE HERE think that the Canon is any way 'inferior' to the auto-only Olympus? There is more than a 10X differential folks. Why? Trendiness plays too large a part in today's collectible paradigm. - David Lyga

Dali · Nov 15, 2019

Pointless. You are mixing price and value. One is suggested by a vendor. The other is estimated by potential buyers and everyone has his own yardstick.

If I was looking for a Oly WA, I would not care about the QL17 price. Now if I am just looking for a small rangefinder camera, MY criteria would be different. See what I mean?

jtk · Nov 15, 2019

David Lyga said:
In Like New Minus condition, KEH is offering to buy your Canon QL17 with 40mm / f1.7 lens for a whopping $13.

In Like New Minus condition, KEH is offering to buy your Olympus XA for $135.

Now, does ANYONE HERE think that the Canon is any way 'inferior' to the auto-only Olympus? There is more than a 10X differential folks. Why? Trendiness plays too large a part in today's collectible paradigm. - David Lyga

"collectable paradigm" is no more relevant to photography than are old shoes in the closet.

AND the XA is more likely to remain functional after serious use than is that Canon. Better engineering design.

David Lyga · Nov 15, 2019

First, I do NOT see what you mean, Dali, since I was trying to infer a lack of justification for market value.

And, second, jtk, after taking both these cameras apart, I have to say that the build quality of the Canon is FAR superior to the Olympus (which often has a 'lag' after pressing the shutter button. To me, at least, there is no comparison in build quality. To even attempt to infer that the Olympus lens is better than the 40/1.7 is shear nonsense in terms no only of speed, but of resolution.

Of course, this is my opinion but I feel that it is an entirely valid one. To each his (or her) own but the build difference is profound with these cameras. - David Lyga

TO WHIT (concerning the Olympus XA) : from http://stalman.com/blog/2014/07/31/2014610olympus-xa-review

NB: Italics are my edit.

It should have been my dream film point and shoot camera. Unfortunately, I was only able to shoot one roll of film on this beauty before I had to make the tough decision to return it. The shutter would often stick. Sometimes only for a second, and I would ignore it. Other times I left a friend smiling patiently into the lens while I press the button over and over.

This taught me a valuable lesson: before ordering a used camera, do quick search from common problems with it. "Olympus XA shutter problems" is one of the first suggestions in Google, and would have been a useful hint. This camera was designed to be an affordable consumer point & shoot, and wasn't built with longevity as a priority. It's easy to find a lot of positive reviews about it, but that assumes that you are using a functional .

Ariston · Nov 15, 2019

If you like the Canon better, you should be thrilled that the prices are lower. There are only two things that affect price (ignoring government meddling): supply and demand.

BradS · Nov 15, 2019

My gut reaction is, "supply and demand". Maybe, KEH have more Canon QL17 than they need right now?
After a bit of thought on the matter, I still come back to supply and demand but, I wonder what KEH offers for these cameras in Bargain condition (a much more realistic situation).

A very quick look at completed auctions oneBay suggests that Canon QL17 in good, working condition sell for around $80~$120. The Olympus XA in good working condition sell for around $120~$180.

I would not read too much into what KEH offer to buy something for. It is certainly not indicative of the broader market reality.

David Lyga · Nov 15, 2019

Yes, in "bargain" the prices still have a huge difference. In fact the differential is utterly astounding: $4 vs $75 for the XA. I simply do not understand this, but I also do not see the 'appeal' of the 'Trump Card', either. Life is full of idiosyncrasies and photography is also prone to trendiness. - David Lyga

ciniframe · Nov 15, 2019

Not surprising. Just look at the silly prices reached by the Pentax K1000 while the better specification KX and KM languished. Oh but students were told that the K1000 was the quintessential learning camera so prices went crazy.
Meanwhile, I paid all of $5 for a lesser known K mount, a Sears KS500, with it’s 50 f2 and good meter batteries no less.
It is a rebadged Ricoh KR5 but the Sears name on the lens drops the price from what is paid for even that pedestrian SLR.
A few less shutter speeds than the K1000, from 1/8 to1/500 + B, but really, anything you learn using the K1000 can be learned on the KS 500.

David Lyga · Nov 15, 2019

KX and KM are on the SAME chassis but with MORE FEATURES. Nuts, really nuts out there. Perceptions are often dangerous to your financial health. - David Lyga

ciniframe · Nov 15, 2019

David Lyga said:
KX and KM are on the SAME chassis but with MORE FEATURES. Nuts, really nuts out there. Perceptions are often dangerous to your financial health. - David Lyga

For the uninitiated sure, but us knowledgeable bottom feeders know how to navigate the film camera jungle. Even ‘brand name’ lenses and bodies can often be had for .5x the ‘going price’ (or less) if you are willing to settle for user grade equipment with a few more cosmetic blemishes.
But, now at my age I’m ready to divest, reverse GAS if you like. Don’t want to kick off and leave the missus with this lifetime pile of photo related stuff to deal with.

David Lyga · Nov 15, 2019

No 'mussus' to leave anything to as I am a queer! But, at nearly 70, I still buy when the price insists that I buy. Yes, there are off brand names that are JUST AS GOOD. Chinon's CS is JUST AS ROBUST AS ANYTHING PENTAX SOLD. And Ricoh is a very respected name. - David Lyga

Dali · Nov 15, 2019

David Lyga said:
First, I do NOT see what you mean, Dali, since I was trying to infer a lack of justification for market value.

So if you don't see what I mean, there is no possible discussion.

Have a nice day.

miha · Nov 15, 2019

David Lyga said:
Now, does ANYONE HERE think that the Canon is any way 'inferior' to the auto-only Olympus?

I do, no doubt about it. XA was an ingenious camera of the time. Mine was serviced some years ago, works as it should. A week ago I framed two FB 12x16 inch photos taken with my XA in the 90s.

ciniframe · Nov 15, 2019

Ha, I’m 70 and this transformation to reverse GAS just started to happen this year. Not that I have given up dinking around with cameras, but now days you are more likely to find me ‘puttering’ in the garage, building a camera. My next project is a sliding box 4x5.

David Lyga · Nov 15, 2019

Here, as elsewhere: "To each his own"; albeit with political correctness enthroned as the new norm, perhaps I should modify to: "To each their own" (even though the grammar has thus been duly assassinated).

Also, to you, Dali, attempt to have a nice day (and I really mean it). - David Lyga

jtk · Nov 15, 2019

BradS said:
My gut reaction is, "supply and demand". Maybe, KEH have more Canon QL17 than they need right now?
After a bit of thought on the matter, I still come back to supply and demand but, I wonder what KEH offers for these cameras in Bargain condition (a much more realistic situation).

A very quick look at completed auctions oneBay suggests that Canon QL17 in good, working condition sell for around $80~$120. The Olympus XA in good working condition sell for around $120~$180.

I would not read too much into what KEH offer to buy something for. It is certainly not indicative of the broader market reality.

KEH and EBay together are the only "broad market reality" for used equipment. Local experiences and personal theories are not "broad market reality."

.

Chan Tran · Nov 15, 2019

ciniframe said:
Not surprising. Just look at the silly prices reached by the Pentax K1000 while the better specification KX and KM languished. Oh but students were told that the K1000 was the quintessential learning camera so prices went crazy.
Meanwhile, I paid all of $5 for a lesser known K mount, a Sears KS500, with it’s 50 f2 and good meter batteries no less.
It is a rebadged Ricoh KR5 but the Sears name on the lens drops the price from what is paid for even that pedestrian SLR.
A few less shutter speeds than the K1000, from 1/8 to1/500 + B, but really, anything you learn using the K1000 can be learned on the KS 500.

Back about 12 year ago, a guy had a KX with the 50mm f/1.4 and a K1000 with the 50mm f/2.0. He wanted $100 for each. Someone bought the K1000 with the 50mm f/2.0 right away and paid $100 for it. Same person wanted to get the 50mm f/1.4 for $50 but the guy didn't sell. I offered $70 for the KX and the 50mm f/1.4 and he took it. So to both the seller and the other person the KX is worth significantly less than the KX. I still remember back in 76 my buddy paid about $250 for the KX body and another one paid about $100 for the K1000 body in 1979.

dmr · Nov 15, 2019

I've seen the black GIII go for $200 recently.

mshchem · Nov 15, 2019

Could be a simple matter of inventory.

Dan Fromm · Nov 15, 2019

David, why are you so interested in KEH's buying prices?

I've seen you at camera shows rummaging through boxes of junk cameras, can't help wondering whether you bought some for resale to KEH and weren't offered as much as you'd hoped for.

Chan Tran · Nov 15, 2019

dmr said:
I've seen the black GIII go for $200 recently.

Wow black is worth a lot of money. I got my chrome for $3.

warden · Nov 15, 2019

jtk said:
KEH and EBay together are the only "broad market reality" for used equipment. ....
.

It makes sense and that's certainly been my experience. I check prices on both, and generally buy from KEH afterwords (to get a warranty and easy returns). If KEH's price is out of line with comparable eBay sales you can bring it to their attention and they will listen. The two of them are the market reality, at least for me. I imagine together they sell more used camera gear globally than anyone else.

jtk · Nov 15, 2019

mshchem said:
Could be a simple matter of inventory.

I think KEH takes probability of complaints into consideration. Obviously, a lever advance is more likely to break down than is a motor advance.

jtk · Nov 15, 2019

David Lyga said:
No 'mussus' to leave anything to as I am a queer! But, at nearly 70, I still buy when the price insists that I buy. Yes, there are off brand names that are JUST AS GOOD. Chinon's CS is JUST AS ROBUST AS ANYTHING PENTAX SOLD. And Ricoh is a very respected name. - David Lyga

Ricoh was never "very respected" as a brand, which is why Ricoh-branded cameras have always sold for less than Pentax, even when Pentax was made by Ricoh. Ricoh sold a lot of crappy cameras. All manufacturers made crap along with good cameras but that's ancient history...nonetheless, once a brand gets a bad name it pays the price (thinking here of Bronica).

John Koehrer · Nov 15, 2019

Oly XA is uses a thumb wheel for advance, not a motor.

Another price differential that absolutely floors me (and I really mean 'floors me')

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