How to values my Canon FD Aspherical collection? Is it time to sell?

dnhkng · Sep 19, 2022

Hi Analogers,

Back in the day, I had an AE-1 and decided to upgrade to an F1. This was about the mid-2000s, and I knew that digital full frames were on the way, so I invested big in lots of FD lenses.

Anyway, I slowly collected a really extensive set of FD lenses, which I tested, and then mostly sold, leaving just the following 3:
24/F1.4 Aspherical
55/F1.2 Aspherical
85/F1.2 Aspherical

These are the Chrome-Ring S.S.C. lenses with Thorium elements. All are in great condition (>90% near as-new).
I just found them again, as they are packed away in a cupboard, and I thought I would see what they are worth, as the wife wants to take a holiday and they haven't been used in a decade...

Wow, the prices seem to have jumped! However, they are all over the place. The 24 seems to go for between 5K and 18K. Does anyone know how to get a fair valuation on these things, so I don't get ripped off?
I have never sold camera gear of this price range before (I sold the other Canon FDs for at most 80 euros per piece back in the day), and selling online makes me nervous!

-David

gone · Sep 19, 2022

Just look at eBay's completed listings to see the average selling price, and sell the lenses there.

dnhkng · Sep 19, 2022

momus said:
Just look at eBay's completed listings to see the average selling price, and sell the lenses there.

Is eBay safe for high-value items? I hear there are a number of scams, and eBay/PayPal always favour the buyer.

flavio81 · Sep 19, 2022

They are at insanely high prices right now, prices that even I, a hardcore Canon FD fanatic, can't justify.

I'd recommend to sell before the hype deflates. Because there's no way to substantiate current prices for those lenses other than by hype, and hype eventually dies out.

Even non-aspherical or non-L lenses are inflated. I love my FDn 85/1.8, but how can it cost almost twice what a good Nikkor-H 85/1.8 (another killer lens) costs? It makes no sense.

Another inflated one is the 28/2.0 SSC... It can cost 10x what a FDn 28/2.0 costs, a more practical lens. It makes no sense.

benjiboy · Sep 19, 2022

I have the 50mm f1.2 L FDn, the 85 mm f1.2 L FDn, and the 20 - 35 f3.5 L FDn zoom, and they will have to prise them from my cold dead hands
.

Paul Howell · Sep 19, 2022

We may be in a bubble in terms of used gear prices, don't know if is just a bubble and prices will drop once the "fad" goes away. It is always a risk to sell good gear, if you sell and find out that your lens double in a year you will hate yourself, but if you don't sell and the bottom falls out and are still holding your gear you will hate yourself.

Patrick Robert James · Sep 19, 2022

Paul Howell said:
We may be a bubble in terms of used gear prices, don't know if is just a bubble and prices will drop once the "fad" goes away. It is always a risk to sell good gear, if you sell and find out that your lens double in a year you will hate yourself, but if you don't sell and the bottom falls out and are still holding your gear you will hate yourself.

I think what Paul is trying to tell you is either way you are going to hate yourself, so you might as well sell then you can hate yourself on a beach with a margarita. And that will definitely make your wife not hate you, so win win.... Lol.

dnhkng · Sep 20, 2022

Thanks for the Tips!

I mentioned the prices to my wife, who is now planning a holiday in Turkey, so I guess the decision is made...

I have started calling around for camera sellers here in Germany. I will take a lower price for some security, as I don't want to get scammed and end up with no lenses OR cash.

I found one potential buyer, https://www.pstechnik.de/, but it seems they cannibalize the lenses for cinematography (PL-Mount rehousing). I'm not sure I want to sell it to them, as the housings are in such good condition... seems a terrible waste

woodlandSerenade · Sep 20, 2022

Sadly enough, the primary driver for these lens’s prices are the people who rehouse them for use in cinematography… which will inevitably raise the price of the remaining lenses.

beemermark · Sep 22, 2022

dnhkng said:
Hi Analogers,

Back in the day, I had an AE-1 and decided to upgrade to an F1. This was about the mid-2000s, and I knew that digital full frames were on the way, so I invested big in lots of FD lenses.

Anyway, I slowly collected a really extensive set of FD lenses, which I tested, and then mostly sold, leaving just the following 3:
24/F1.4 Aspherical
55/F1.2 Aspherical
85/F1.2 Aspherical

I just found them again, as they are packed away in a cupboard, and I thought I would see what they are worth, as the wife wants to take a holiday and they haven't been used in a decade...

-David

Buy a F1 New and send the wife off on holiday. You stay home and have fun with your gear. I was out shooting today with my F1-New and 24mm/2.0 and thing the more manned lens is just as exciting.

Nitroplait · Sep 23, 2022

dnhkng said:
I found one potential buyer, https://www.pstechnik.de/, but it seems they cannibalize the lenses for cinematography (PL-Mount rehousing). I'm not sure I want to sell it to them, as the housings are in such good condition... seems a terrible waste

That is the main driver of the insane prices (my camera shop send all the used 1.4 Leica R lenses they can get their hands on to cine-conversions - no regular photographer is willing to pay that money for a lens).
It is very likely that your lenses will end up cine-converted regardless of who you sell them to.

Just take the money. It is not like it is your children you are putting up for adaption, and your wife will have a new appreciation of- and respect for your hobby

eli griggs · Sep 24, 2022

Good lenses are like a marriage, if it works and you're happy, there's nothing really driving a change.

However, if you want to sacrifice that good marriage, then go ahead and dump what you have now, for new to you, strange (lens/cameras).

You might enjoy the excitement of fresh kit, but you'll likely come to awfully regret what you traded away that was so nice!

IMO.

gorbas · Sep 25, 2022

https://www.pstechnik.de/ is very reputable company. The main problem now with rehousing photo lenses to PL is enormous waiting time for job to be done. Sometimes measured in years. That is one of the reasons of cooling market for those aspherical lenses. Sell them before it's too late.

How to values my Canon FD Aspherical collection? Is it time to sell?

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