How much would you spend on a film camera, today?

Poisson Du Jour · Nov 7, 2008

Martin, you said:

"• And on the other you are bemoaning the fact that manufacturers are getting out of film and film cameras"

That's exactly what they (manufacturers) are doing, but at the moment, it appears confined to 35mm i.e. digi SLRs. Sure you can buy really good used or mint (boxed, new) film cameras but the lack of any new models and stagnation of the market has me thinking that manufacturer's will sooner or later pull the plug on film bodies. It's an unpleasant, ugly thought, I know. I do not know what sort of inroads digital is making into MF or LF, but I suspect it's not at the same ridiculous pace as 35mm. The bigger problem is that the market is being driven by a rampant consumerist, "me too" society that is computer centric and time-sensitive.

I think anybody planning on using film-based equipment for the next quarter of a century is overly optimistic. Good luck.

Martin Aislabie · Nov 7, 2008

Poisson Du Jour said:
Martin, you said:

" And on the other you are bemoaning the fact that manufacturers are getting out of film and film cameras"

That's exactly what they (manufacturers) are doing, but at the moment, it appears confined to 35mm i.e. digi SLRs. Sure you can buy really good used or mint (boxed, new) film cameras but the lack of any new models and stagnation of the market has me thinking that manufacturer's will sooner or later pull the plug on film bodies. It's an unpleasant, ugly thought, I know. I do not know what sort of inroads digital is making into MF or LF, but I suspect it's not at the same ridiculous pace as 35mm. The bigger problem is that the market is being driven by a rampant consumerist, "me too" society that is computer centric and time-sensitive.

I think anybody planning on using film-based equipment for the next quarter of a century is overly optimistic. Good luck.

You may well be right but I hope not

I can see Colour (both C41 & E6) going the way of the Dodo in the next few years.

B&W I am more confident about its medium term future (10+ years).

It has already been down-sized when the mass market moved to colour film in the 60s & 70s.

We who shoot B&W do so out of choice not because everyone else is doing it in what you accurately describe as the me too mindless mentality.

I do think we will be paying a LOT more for our materials though, as we become a very much more niche exclusive/elitist faction.

Regards

Martin

nyoung · Nov 7, 2008

I've looked at the economics of D**** v film and come to the conclusion that because my vision/work requires professional level tools, I can soak up quite a lot of increased film/processing costs.
Bottom line, to equal my quality of output - shooting 35mm film and scanning negs for publication or print - I have to move to the very cutting edge of D**** and the $5K that the D**** Nikon would cost will buy a whole bunch of film and processing.

Sirius Glass · Nov 7, 2008

nyoung said:
I've looked at the economics of D**** v film and come to the conclusion that because my vision/work requires professional level tools, I can soak up quite a lot of increased film/processing costs.
Bottom line, to equal my quality of output - shooting 35mm film and scanning negs for publication or print - I have to move to the very cutting edge of D**** and the $5K that the D**** Nikon would cost will buy a whole bunch of film and processing.

I agree. Taking this logic further, the Hasselblad d-backs for the V system run from a mere $20,00US for 16 megapixels to $50,000US for 50 megapixels. Granted those backs deliver 16 bits/color, but heck they do not cover the full field of view of 6cmx6cm more like 6cmx45cm or 48cmx48cm! And for that kind of money, I could pay for a lot of film and processing.

jd callow · Nov 7, 2008

I'd spend (and will at some point) 2k for a hand held 6x9 body that would take modern lenses and 1-1.5k each for 35/38mm and 47mm lenses. I'd pay an additional 1k for one that was range finder coupled that would accept similar lenses.

Ralph Javins · Nov 7, 2008

Good morning, David B;

The question of how much I would spend for a film camera is not easy to answer. It is a many variable function. Other economic factors may intrude into my fun things. Who knows?

If it is at all informational for your purposes, I can tell you what I have spent in certain categories recently: 35 mm film body; $ 750. 4 by 5 kit; $ 950. Lens for 4 by 5; $ 300.

The 35 mm purchases are winding down. I have just about everything I want there. I know that I have more than I need. I agree with Eddy McDonald. But, other formats are still going.

Noting Michael Hardy-Vallee's $ 15000 (assuming that is not a typing error) and Jason Brunner's $ 45000, I am not a major player on this field.

David, of all of the people who have responded, your posting about your last purchase is quite impressive. The last four words are the most telling.

Pupfish · Nov 7, 2008

Regarding used pro-level gear that's common enough to not be collectible, it's entirely possible right now to cherry-pick mint condition stuff for $.10 to $.20 to the dollar v. retail new prices. There are some truly astounding bargains this year.

I'm equally astounded at some of the silly-season prices some seem willing to pay for the rarer or cult lenses, most of which would seem to have little chance of being good long-term investments given the darkening economic climate. It's reminiscent of 1988, when lots of money was pulled out of the stock market and there was a sudden run-up in luxury items from Ferraris to Arabian horse flesh-- by greenhorn buyers with excess cash they needed to invest somewhere.

TheFlyingCamera · Nov 8, 2008

I've spent most recently $500 on a Rolleiflex, and $1100 on a set of studio strobes (calumet Elite II 2400 w/s power pack with 2 heads, cables, reflectors and accessories - used). The most I've ever spent in a single drop was $3K for my Canham 5x12 with three film holders. I'm really about done with buying camera toys (well, MIGHT get a tele rollei someday), but I'm more interested now in getting lighting stuff for the studio. One of these days, I'll own Broncolor

haris · Nov 8, 2008

At once, maximum 1000 Euros for body and one lens, regardless of film size. Second lens or else after some time.

nsurit · Nov 8, 2008

The amount is no different today than it has been in the past. It is the number that I figure reflects the value of the camera to me. Some have been expensive and others not. The question is a little like, "How much would you spend on an automobile today?" Bill Barber

Jim Jones · Nov 8, 2008

Since film cameras are so durable I haven't spent much on them for the past 30 years. However, yesterday I did splurge and buy a like new Canon P&S to keep in the car. It cost $2.00 USD. A new battery for it is much more expensive.

funkpilz · Nov 21, 2008

Consumer 35mm 50€
Rangefinder 35mm 50-100€
Professional 35mm 300€

I'm a student, I'm poor.

P.S.: Anyone got a Nikon F5 for 300€?

dvanlondon · Nov 21, 2008

Really depends on the camera. I'd spend £700 on a good film camera more quickly than I'd spend that money again on the Nikon D80, which I only use when people oblige me to. Just bought a Hasselblad 501cm on ebay for a frankly bargainous £420 - this is surely the time to buy into this market. While my D80 is already apparently obsolete, neither my Mamiya 6 nor my new Hassy will suffer. Luckily the economics work for me too - I develop my own b/w and have a good place near my work that can turn round develop-only c41 120 roll film in an hour for a decent enough price.

Polybun · Nov 21, 2008

I don't think I would spend more than $100 for a 35mm SLR. I don't need fancy metering. I have something much nicer, a spot meter and my brain. Medium format, large format however, I'm perfectly happy to drop $1000 on something. The thing is i don't ever want to own a camera I can't afford to replace inside of a month or two. I shoot my cameras, I abuse my cameras, they are going to die. With any luck they are repairable. I actually feel sorry for my exakta, it doesn't deserve it, but... tough luck for him.

I honestly see no need to ever buy new. Used, 40 years old, but freshly rebuilt, new curtains, hey, i'm all there. Older is just as good. I'm a geek, very right brained, but photography is my left brain outlet, and I let it have its way on the gear. You know what, it doesn't care what camera it is using. My right brain just wants something it can trust to function and not get in the left brains way.

Markok765 · Nov 21, 2008

funkpilz said:
Consumer 35mm 50
Rangefinder 35mm 50-100
Professional 35mm 300

I'm a student, I'm poor.

P.S.: Anyone got a Nikon F5 for 300?

How about $250 USD + Shipping? Check KEH.com, search Nikon F5. The BGN grade ones are $250 or so, and those show good signs of use, but are still in great shape. I bought mine there!

funkpilz · Nov 24, 2008

Markok765 said:
How about $250 USD + Shipping? Check KEH.com, search Nikon F5. The BGN grade ones are $250 or so, and those show good signs of use, but are still in great shape. I bought mine there!

Wow, thanks a lot. I will definitely be buying mine from there!

Stephanie Brim · Nov 24, 2008

Right now, I'd like to buy the enlarger I've been saying I'm going to buy for months now, a nice 150mm lens with shutter for my 4x5, a Packard to use with the two lenses I have that don't have shutters, and one of those wee Petzval-type lenses that Jim Galli loves so much. I'd be happy for quite some time with this and some film.

All in all, probably about $600 worth of stuff, most of it spent on the lenses.

Paul Jenkin · Nov 24, 2008

There are times I can't resist a trade.....

A few months ago, I grew tired of the fiddlyness of my Leica M6. I had a 35mm 'Cron, 28mm f1.9 and 75mm f2.5 Voigtlanders to go with it.

My local camera dealer had a Nikon F100, NB?? power-winder, a 24mm f2.8 Nikkor and a Bronica SQ-B (prism finder and plain WLF) with an 80mm PS-B and 150mm PS. All absolutely mint. I threw in an old Nikkor 80-200mm f2.8 'one-touch' and a few quid and we did the deal.

I don't really care too much about the financials as I am delighted that I have a really neat F100 that I can use with most of my other Nikkors as well as the Bronnie (for which I've just recently got my hands on a well-used but functioning 40mm PS).

The M6 was a bit of a 'one-trick pony' for me. Despite the fact that I'd lusted after one for many a year, when I finally got it, I found loading it to be a real pain and I've fallen out of love with rangefinder focusing - especially when in a hurry.

The simple answer to the question is 'not much' as I prefer to do a trade for something I've wanted / never owned before.

benjiboy · Nov 26, 2008

I'm nearly seventy, and don't want or need any more cameras, I greatly enjoy what I have, however I have had most of my cameras for more than twenty years and this year, since I have had the majority of them for more than twenty years without being serviced, have had them CLAd and spent about £750 they are like new now, I hope that film is available for another twenty years, and I am around to use them.

mhcfires · Nov 27, 2008

If I had the money, I would probably get a Nikon F6. It would work with all the Nikon lenses I have for my D80. I also have a Topcon RE-Super which I bought in 1968 when I was in the Navy. I have a number of lenses for it. I still use all my cameras. My latest acquisition is a Kodak #3A Brownie Folding Camera which takes size 122 film. I have a few rolls of VerichromePan and a few rolls of Verichrome which I will put through the camera when i figure out how I am going to develop it. Also have a Toyo View which I am learning how to use. I will be retiring soon, so I may have a little more time to get things done. I need a source for the old film, that stuff is hard to find. Kodak stopped making size 122 in 1972 or so.

benjiboy · Nov 27, 2008

On further reflectionon, the original question about buying cameras and the reference to the current financial crisis, it strikes me that in the next few years we'll be lucky to hang on to to the cameras we already have !

Gene Crumly Photo · Nov 27, 2008

As long as there is film and paper I will keep buying. This year I have spent over $4000 on large format and more darkroom supplies. Don't tell the wife. I used a Nikon F4 since it came out, untill I switched to a large format Gandolfi Vaiant III. The nikon F4e was the best workhorse from nikon. If you hand meter and want knobs for instant control (no LCD push buttons) remember there are only 2 things you can do to the camera, SPEED and APERTURE all other controlls are bells and whistles. OK got off track, my point is you can get a $2500 Nikon F4e or F4s for under $300. Lots of deals for large format as well. I will keep on spending.

bluedog · Nov 27, 2008

Just spent $50 on a Voigtlander Vito B. It arrived today in the mail. It is a beautiful bit of gear and I can't wait to shoot a few rolls with it. Although I shoot digital at work I love the feel and look of the old metal bodied film cameras. I'm well stocked with film cameras but would spend up to $600 on another MF body or lens.

David A. Goldfarb · Nov 27, 2008

I just spent $950 on a Noblex 6/150F, but I sold off a few items to cover a bit over half the cost.

j4425 · Nov 28, 2008

Just picked up a leica M6 TTL for $1,200.. Oh, what a camera !!

How much would you spend on a film camera, today?

Poisson Du Jour

Martin Aislabie

nyoung

Sirius Glass

jd callow

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Ralph Javins

Pupfish

TheFlyingCamera

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haris

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funkpilz

Stephanie Brim

Paul Jenkin

benjiboy

mhcfires

benjiboy

Gene Crumly Photo

bluedog

David A. Goldfarb

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j4425

How much would you spend on a film camera, today?

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