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

[david b]

Considering the state of the world and the current state of the film and darkroom materials, how much would you spend on a film camera?

Just curious.

 

[Jeff Kubach]

I wouldn't go much past $350 for a film body, lens not much more.

Jeff

 

[technopoptart]

What about a high class body like nikon f5 / f6

 

[removed account4]

david

it would all depend on what kind of camera it happened to be.

john

 

[david b]

Well...
I have purchased a very high dollar medium format camera and I am thrilled to own it.

But I am wondering if I am just plain stupid or if others would have done the same thing.

I don't want to declare the price or the camera, at least not until Wednesday when it arrives.

 

[DWThomas]

Well, earlier this year I spent $200 on a CLA'd Perkeo II for traveling light -- so I guess I'd go that far.

I have some still-working Canon FD gear but am considering picking up an EOS-something body to share lenses with recently acquired "alternate technology." Alas, given the current plummeting state of my retirement nest egg, that will likely be on hold a while. I would think $300 to $400 wouldn't be out of line for that. By the time I've added accessories and spares, I've probably got at least twice that amount in the Bronica SQ-A I cobbled together in 2006.

DaveT

 

[dpurdy]

I spent 3000 on a Rolleiflex last year, and I love it, but if I had known how bad this year was going to be I probably wouldn't have.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

It would all depend, as John says. I'd spend $1250 on the Bessa III, if it comes out in that price range. I just bought a ULF lens for $750. I recently spent $1200 on a set of 31 8x10" Mido filmholders. I'm pretty much set for film cameras these days (ten at last count, all users), but who knows what might come along.

 

[phaedrus]

For purely functional cameras, about 1.000 € is the limit and that auction house is the source. But don't temp me with a Leica MP LHSA in Hammertone lest i forget myself ...

 

[2F/2F]

I would spend a good deal. Prob. up to around $1,800 or so for a nice Sinar P2 8x10, although I am hoping to just get the back end and bellows for much less. I will spend money on film cameras as long as I think I will actually shoot with them, and as long as film is made. I am looking to purchase in the next several years a couple of EOS film bodies (3s, 1Vs, 1Ns, 1N-RSs). I am also planning on purchasing an RB, as well as a more modern M645 body, like a Pro or Pro TL. Eventually I would like to get rid of my B&J Grover 8x10 and get an 8x10 back end for my Sinar 4x5 instead. I might even go ahead and just sell it now. The new Fuji folder interests me. So does the Fly Blackbird Fly. I would not pay as much as is being asked for either of the last two I mentioned, however. If the FBF comes down to under $100, fine. If there ever was a time to buy used film cameras, now is it!

The state of film has nothing to do with how much I would spend. The camera's bang for the buck and probable frequency of use would matter. If they get rid of any more color films, I might just have to leave a flaming bag on their doorstep, however....They have cut pretty much everything they can cut without simply giving up completely. We have several kinds of Velvia, two kinds of Provia, one Astia, one tungsten, and four Pro color neg emulsions left. I cant see any of these being cut while still being able to claim that they offer a film for every need. It is totally frustrating to me that they offer a few Velvias (which I very rarely desire), but they have no high speed tungsten film (which I desire pretty much 75% of the time that I shoot).

 

[Sirius Glass]

Depends on the camera. More for a Hasselblad, less for a 35mm camera.

Steve

 

[Michel Hardy-Vallée]

Well, so far my two most expensive purchases were a Nikon FM2n kit (24, 50, 105) for about 600$ and a Mamiya C330 TLR (105mm) for about the same price. Of course, I can add more bits and pieces to the kit over time, but in terms of onetime expenses, I would set my limit between 1,000$ and 1,5000$.

That would still be enough to get me a nice Mamiya 6 kit, or maybe a bargain Leica kit, a basic Hasselblad kit, or a Rolleiflex 3.5F in good condition. Which for now is as much as I should care to desire (students loan anyone?).

 

[PVia]

I would (and have) paid good money for used film cameras and lenses...

In the last few years I've acquired a 1964 Leica M2 ($750) and Mamiya RZ kit ($1500+)...actually by the time I sold off the RZ lenses I didn't want, I ended up getting the camera for free. Also an Ebony 45s ($1500) and Mamiya 7...

I'd do the same tomorrow for a nice Hasselblad and/or Rollei and/or 8x10 setup...

This is a great time to be a buyer of film cameras, esp now that the economy is sinking, a lot of folks may be having a fire sale...

 

[MattKing]

What I'd pay if the budget permitted, and what I'd actually pay are slightly different...

If money and budgets didn't matter, I'd like to try renting a Mamiya 7 kit, and if it worked out, buying one new.

Of course, if I could find a Plaubel Makina 67, or a Medalist converted for 120...

Matt

 

[2F/2F]

I would (and have) paid good money for used film cameras and lenses...

In the last few years I've acquired a 1964 Leica M2 ($750) and Mamiya RZ kit ($1500+)...actually by the time I sold off the RZ lenses I didn't want, I ended up getting the camera for free. Also an Ebony 45s ($1500) and Mamiya 7...

I'd do the same tomorrow for a nice Hasselblad and/or Rollei and/or 8x10 setup...

This is a great time to be a buyer of film cameras, esp now that the economy is sinking, a lot of folks may be having a fire sale...

If you can rig up a shutter situation, you are welcome to try out my B&J Grover 8x10. I was just talking about selling it. Not the world's greatest 8x10, but it works, and has a 5x7 back as well (and a 4x5 back). We have spoken before, and we are no more than 10 minutes from each other.

 

[mooseontheloose]

If money didn't matter, I'd buy as many cameras as I could get my hands on...

But that's not going to happen, and I have too many cameras than I know what to do with, so I'll spend my money on film, paper, and chemicals and go from there.

 

[JBrunner]

My record to date for a single camera system is $45,000. I'm into my 8x10 set up less than $1000. It's entirely relative, and purpose driven.

 

[PBrooks]

Jason, if you don't mind me asking "45000" Whoa!? ;>)

I would spend whatever it took to get the camera that would allow me to express conceptual ideas in the best possible way.

As luck would have it, I will be in Tokyo in early January if they have the new Fuji GF folder then it's fate.

 

[nsouto]

Spent 1500 on a F6 two months ago.
And I don't regret it one bit! Worth every cent of the price.

 

[JBrunner]

Jason, if you don't mind me asking "45000" Whoa!? ;>)

I would spend whatever it took to get the camera that would allow me to express conceptual ideas in the best possible way.

As luck would have it, I will be in Tokyo in early January if they have the new Fuji GF folder then it's fate.

Arriflex SRII 16mm with zoom, primes mags, video tap and accessories. Near state of the art at the time.

 

[Removed Account]

If I can afford it and I think I'll use it (or even if I don't) then the sky's the limit on how much I'll spend. Realistically with my current income I'm looking more to sell a camera or two than to buy any, but if I really wanted one and could do a month or two without some of the minor luxuries I indulge in I'd spend $300-400.

 

[Steve Smith]

The most I have ever spent was £500 ($1000) for a mint RB67 with two backs and three lenses. I don't think I will spend that much again unless I get tempted by the Fuji 6x7 folder.

The last camera I bought was a Kodak Retina Reflex III with Schneider f1.9 50mm lense for £20 ($40). That's more my sort of price.


Steve.

 

[Vaughn]

As much as I could afford -- I dream of a 7"x17", but must settle for my 8x10 (and an occasional 4x10 to satisfy the panoramic urge.)

But I have been having great fun lately with my newest camera - an old Diana camera I bought for 75 cents (marked down from a dollar) at a local thrift store (opportunity shop).

Vaughn

 

[eddym]

Hard to say, as I don't really need anything right now. An F6 would be nice, but I can't really justify the expense in terms of the use it would get.
I'd consider more lenses for my Hasselblad or Rollei 6003, but they are not critically needed.

 

[Fintan]

How much I would spend would depend on how much I wanted the camera and how useful it would be for me.

If for instance Hasselblad made a new medium format XPAN rangefinder that shot 6x6 and 6x9, switchable on the same roll, some nice lenses in the lengths I like.

I would probably spend usd$3,000 on a body / standard lens (part financed by selling other gear)