Full 4x5 kit needs a home

[Tim80525]

I'm new here, forgive me for any forum blunders as I learn how things are done here. I just discovered Photrio, and wondered if y'all might have ideas for me.

I'm 70 and need to "lighten the load" by finding a new home for my cherished 4x5 kit. I have a full darkroom (up to 16x20), 2 cameras (a Tachihara and a Sinar Alpina), all with excellent glass. Bells and whistles included.

Selling item-by-item seems very time-intensive. Aside from the big-ticket glass, I'm not sure what any of it is worth these days anyway. I'd happily donate most of it, just to know it's being used, but I wonder if that's realistic.

I just thought I'd ask here if anyone has a suggestion for how I might proceed, either via donation or otherwise.

 

[xkaes]

Welcome to the FORUM. I live "just down the street" in Denver.

It's up to you to decide if you want to sell or donate.

To donate, you could try everything from the GOODWILL (who knows what hands it will end up in) or the Colorado State University School of Art. Get in touch with a Photography professor. They'll be able to put them to good use -- just a phone call away.

Selling could get you a few thousand dollars depending on what you have and how you sell it. I sell old gear on EBAY, but selling takes a lot of time -- even if you sell it all as a LOT.

 

[Don_ih]

Tim, if you pay the yearly subscription fee to this site (Photrio), you can sell your stuff here - you can even stipulate that it's local. This is a place where you will likely find a user to buy your stuff. If you sell of Craigslist or similar, you will field a thousand people asking if you want to sell it for 1/10th what you're asking.
You can also find a local auction house to sell the stuff for you. They'll take care of all packing and shipping, if that's involved.
Don't use ebay unless you already sell stuff on there. Every day, it gets worse for how badly it represents sellers and how much money it takes from what you sell.
Frankly, there is almost no reason to give it away. Whoever you give it to will ultimately sell it. Almost guaranteed. Probably within a week.

 

[neilt3]

Just don't sell it as a job lot as the sale price will plummet .
sell your lenses individually , the camera as a separate item , the tripod separately , same goes for the film holders . sell individually , not as a job lot .

Prices have risen in the last few years , so they have good value if there in good working order .

If you are going to give them away , give them to a collage where they'll get used .
Otherwise someone will likely sell them on individually and make a packet .

 

[Sirius Glass]

Welcome to APUG Photrio!!​

 

[campy51]

Pay for the subscription and list it here first, I might be interested in some of what you have.

 

[Tel]

Pay for the subscription and list it here first, I might be interested in some of what you have.

+1!

 

[Sirius Glass]

Send them to me and I will find a good home for the cameras.

 

[Amartinhenry]

I am currently looking for a 4x5 camera. If you would be willing to meet in the middle on price between donating and ebay prices I would be delighted to chat. I am a graduate student and shoot quite diligently each week as a hobby away from my research: I can promise that the camera would be well used.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I am currently looking for a 4x5 camera. If you would be willing to meet in the middle on price between donating and ebay prices I would be delighted to chat. I am a graduate student and shoot quite diligently each week as a hobby away from my research: I can promise that the camera would be well used.

Welcome to APUG Photrio!!​

 

[Tim80525]

Thanks to all for your replies! I'm undertaking the task of inventorying what I have. Wow. Even an (apparently) "Bakelite" safelight.

It's been said before (and delivered better): "I'll be back."

 

[koraks]

Tim, if you pay the yearly subscription fee to this site (Photrio), you can sell your stuff here - you can even stipulate that it's local.

Indeed. And while I don't mean to pressure anyone into subscribing, I would like to point out that ads, but also requests to buy something, belong in the Classifieds section of the forum.

Asking advice elsewhere on buying or selling is OK. Actually preparing to set up a transaction really needs to go through the Classifieds. Thank you