If film is dead....

2F/2F · Nov 6, 2010

Buy It Now prices are a bad way to judge value. You would be better off looking at completed auctions, KEH, and placing the average value somewhere in between the two.

Moopheus · Nov 6, 2010

mopar_guy said:
The OM-3Ti is a Hand made camera and only a few thousand were produced, unlike the K-1000. The price in today's auction is not really that "crazy".

Apples and oranges.

Yes, I get that. In fact, that was sort of the point. It's a collector's item, that has little impact on the market for people buying cameras for actual use, or whether people are paying more them, which I don't really think they are.

mopar_guy · Nov 6, 2010

Moopheus said:
Yes, I get that. In fact, that was sort of the point. It's a collector's item, that has little impact on the market for people buying cameras for actual use, or whether people are paying more them, which I don't really think they are.

Thanks for pointing that out. I should take the roll of Kodachrome out of my camera and put it away in a box or in a cupboard. I am sure that the 20 or so rolls of film that I have put through my OM-3Ti have decreased it's value for collectors. On the other hand, I really like to use this camera. Olympus made these to be used, and that is what I will do.

Darkroom317 · Nov 6, 2010

Snapper said:
So are we seeing Olympus as flavour of the month at the moment? If film really is 'dead' then who is buying these cameras? Collectors? Hoarders?

High school and university photography students

nsurit · Nov 6, 2010

As a user/collector of things OM, I can often times help folks satisfy their itch for OM gear. Send a PM with your needs/wants and 3% goes to Apug. Bill Barber

kb3lms · Nov 6, 2010

I've watched various Pentax cameras on the auction site for a number of years now and I will say that prices have definitely stabilized, maybe even starting to trend upwards a bit. Granted, though, the prices are a fraction of what they once would have brought.

Someone is buying these cameras and I think you can combine this data with the comment from Kodak about feeling a resurgence in film. I think there is, although it would be very small. People get tired of sitting in front of the computer. Not your average teenager or soccer mom, of course, but the sort of people that would end up here IF they decided to get out their ME Super or OM-10 again. (or Nikon, Canon, what have you.)

Film isn't dead at all - it's just that a much smaller number of people use it. The big companies will eventually get out, but I truly believe smaller companies will get in or stay in. There are all kinds hobby industries that probably have much smaller markets than film has now. They won't be coating 6000 foot master rolls, but they might be making 600 foot rolls.

Good luck finding your OM!!

Ken N · Nov 6, 2010

The sale price of that OM-3Ti is about right for a good, clean example. It is not out of line. I'm confident that it will be a good investment, like Leica bodies. There will never be more made and it was a low-production camera to begin with. Estimates are approximately 6000 units total. Other OM bodies won't hold value like this camera.

Now, I'm off to shoot some film in mine. Going for a hike. Maybe take my two favorite lenses: The 35/2.8 and 100/2.8.

CGW · Nov 6, 2010

"I'm confident that it will be a good investment..."

If OM 3-4Ti bodies appreciate in value at a higher annual rate than interest earned on a term deposit, then yes. Otherwise, it's just self-justification but you'll get no complaints from your fellow junkies around here. I've never found that argument cut much ice with my accountant 8^(

MattKing · Nov 6, 2010

Of course there is the other factor to consider when you are considering whether or not a purchase is a "good investment".

Will having it stop you from buying other cameras ?.

Moopheus · Nov 6, 2010

Ken N said:
Other OM bodies won't hold value like this camera.

Like I said, I paid $60 for mine. I'm not really worried about it "holding value"--it doesn't have a lot of value to hold. It's value is that it works. If you're worried about your camera holding value, then it's an investment, a collector's item. A usable one, maybe, but still.

Kisatchie · Nov 6, 2010

kb3lms said:
I've watched various Pentax cameras on the auction site for a number of years now and I will say that prices have definitely stabilized, maybe even starting to trend upwards a bit. Granted, though, the prices are a fraction of what they once would have brought....

I'm always looking at Nikon camera body prices on eBay and KEH.com, for example. Nikon bodies in excellent condition, from what I've seen, are holding steady or even going up. I have some F3HP bodies that I bought used in the past 5 years for about $180 each, some a little less, some a little more. Way back in 1982, I bought a couple of F3HP bodies for $450 each. In 28 years, the price has depreciated about 60%.

Now, go back just 10 or 15 years and see how much a given digital camera cost back then and contrast it to its used price today.

I looked up Nikon's D200. It came out, what?, 5 years ago? I googled it and found a new one being offered for $1300. KEH has a used one in excellent+ condition for $645, for 50% depreciation in 5 years. Wanna be shocked. Look up the selling price for a Nikon D1 when new and see how much they're worth now used.

I feel like I'm preaching to the choir.

Moopheus · Nov 6, 2010

Kisatchie said:
Way back in 1982, I bought a couple of F3HP bodies for $450 each. In 28 years, the price has depreciated about 60%.

In nominal terms, but if you figure in 30 years of inflation, it's more than 80 percent.

The other parameter to consider is the number of cameras sold. If there is actually an increase in prices paid--and I'm not convinced there is anything more than maybe a small increase due to changes in the overall economy--you still can't really say if it's due to a real increase in demand or constraints of supply unless you know how many cameras are actually available on the market and being sold.

wblynch · Nov 7, 2010

One thing to consider is every time a 35mm found in someone's camera is offered up for sale it likely goes to a collector (hoarder? )

From 1975 to 2000 I had one OM1 and never considered needing another. Now I have 4, plus 3 OM10s, an OM4t and a dozen others from XA, Mju, Brownies, rangefinders and TLRs.

I've been using them all too. So I now buy and process about 10x as much film as I did in that earlier 25 years.

But, as I add to my hoard (er, collection) it does take cameras off the market. I know I'm not alone.

Snapper · Nov 30, 2010

Finally, success! Om-2n body, £40, looks in a decent condition. We shall see what turns up in the post.

Meanwhile, all the Buy-it-Nows for £100+ are still on Ebay, unsold.

Now... some more lenses (here we go again....)

Pumalite · Nov 30, 2010

I'm selling my OM-1 and OM-1n bodies at 200 bucks eack. They lasted 3 days.(Chile)(Recently CLAD)
In contrast; I bought a IIIf LTM for 200 bucks.

j-dogg · Nov 30, 2010

The price of 35mm always goes up around this time of year for two reasons, students taking photography courses and people wanting extra cash for the holidays. I have seen some ridiculous prices on Craigslist, 350 for a 50mm 1.4 non-AI, 1500 dollars for a Canon F1 with a motor drive. Get the hell out of here.

Best time to shop 35mm is right after the holidays people are looking to unload after running up credit card bills and needing to pay them off quickly. Look for your OM then.

mr rusty · Dec 1, 2010

Finally, success! Om-2n body, £40, looks in a decent condition

Hi snapper. Hope it turns out OK. Have a good look at the light seal foam and the mirror cushions. If they are even slightly sticky it needs a CLA and the foams changing. I am sure you know about the prism foam - under the top cover the OM 1s and 2s had foam on top of the prism that degrades and eats away the mirroring - shows up as "stains" along bottom of viewfinder.

I would recommend getting in touch with Mike Spencer at http://www.camerarepairs-r-us.co.uk/ and think about a service - he only charges around £45 including foam replacement, and if you are intending keeping it for a good while, it would be a good investment.

benjiboy · Dec 1, 2010

Film is not dead, but to base any assumption of it's current health on the availability of Olympus OM cameras is mistaken logic.

jacarape · Dec 1, 2010

To bad you don't live closer, I have an OM-1n with 2 lenses you could have had for a few bottles of good cider.

rhmimac · Dec 1, 2010

Did I read something about the d.g.t.l PEN camera's with adapters giving new connections for old lenses?
Maybe the camera's are worth "nothing" but the f1.8 lenses are worth "hundreds" $/€/£?

rhmimac

mr rusty · Dec 2, 2010

It's true http://www.olympus.co.uk/consumer/21693_pen-camera_mf-2_21785.htm watch prices rise on old zuiko!

John Hermanson · Dec 2, 2010

I usually sell OM-1/1N, 2/2N bodies (overhauled of course) for $200 - $225. What might be listed as a bargain by some dealers (which I have seen several times in the last month) have speeds that are all over the place along with rotted back foam. John

Pumalite · Dec 6, 2010

I've been buying Ilford B/W of all ASAS at 8 bucks a rool.

If film is dead....

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