Omega view 45c value?

[Jimi3]

I have an old Omega View 45c monorail camera- rail, front and back standards, bellows, ground glass, and two lens boards, one deeply recessed and the other standard. Everything works and I’ve got a big ol case for it. The local analog photo store in Boston offered me $100 for it, and I might go for that as I never use it now that I have a Chamonix, but I’m seeing wildly varying prices on eBay. Of course shipping this big heavy camera/case is an issue. Any thought on whether it’s worth trying to get more online?

 

[xkaes]

Omega View and Toyo View cameras were made by the same company, and a couple of their cameras were sold with both labels. The C was one of them. That's related to your camera because most of the Omega & Toyo accessories and parts are interchangeable -- often between different models, like lens boards.

That being said, the ASKING prices for Omega View and Toyo View cameras on EBAY are all over the place. Fortunately for you, EBAY allows you to search for SOLD items. That's what you should look at, but those SALES prices will vary too. Much has to do with whether you have a good description and good photos -- and your camera's condition, and accessories.

The model C was the economy model in the 1990's, but the selling price at the NY warehouses was about $1,000. The top GII model at that time was selling for $2500, new.

Some sellers think that they can get as much as they paid for their camera -- thanks to inflation. You'll find out when you look on EBAY.

If your local camera shop offered you $100, that means they think they can sell it for at least $200, and up to $400. Compare that to EBAY SALES.

 

[Nicholas Lindan]

As a rule, as a business, you have to sell for 3x more than you paid. Less than that and you can't stay in business. Selling to a dealer is the lowest "profit" option; selling to the end user is the highest.

Sometimes you just want to get rid of something and any offer is a good offer - don't tell that to the shop you are selling it to, though.

 

[Jimi3]

Thanks. This place tends to charge a lot - they’re in a trendy part of the city and apparently the film stuff I learned on is now in style. Which is fine, I’m just saying their selling prices seem to be inflated, so it’s a little hard to judge. If this camera wasn’t so huge and heavy I’d definitely try to get $200 for it, maybe on here. Shipping seems like a challenge though.

 

[AnselMortensen]

Bellows on Toyo/Omegas of that era are known to develop lots of pinholes.
Probably best to take the $100 and run...otherwise you might spend $200 on a new bellows in order to get $200 for the camera

 

[John Wiegerink]

Thanks. This place tends to charge a lot - they’re in a trendy part of the city and apparently the film stuff I learned on is now in style. Which is fine, I’m just saying their selling prices seem to be inflated, so it’s a little hard to judge. If this camera wasn’t so huge and heavy I’d definitely try to get $200 for it, maybe on here. Shipping seems like a challenge though.

There's always places like Facebook Marketplace if you don't mind taking a couple picture and typing a little. No middleman and pretty much clear profit. Plus, it reaches a lot of folks that never make it to your store or town for that matter. Your call I guess. Good luck!

 

[Jimi3]

There's always places like Facebook Marketplace if you don't mind taking a couple picture and typing a little. No middleman and pretty much clear profit. Plus, it reaches a lot of folks that never make it to your store or town for that matter. Your call I guess. Good luck!

That’s true, I should put it up there for a couple weeks and see what happens. I’ve sold guitars on there before and it can be a crap shoot, but it’s free and local, so I think I’ll try it before going to that store.

 

[abruzzi]

I think they are giving you a great deal. Monorails don't sell for much, monorails that don't easily pack up into compact packages sell for even less. (Most LF buyers today are looking for field cameras.) Robert's Camera has a "good" condition Omega 45D for $75 (but the shipping cost is ugly):

Pardon Our Interruption...

Ok, so the real world price is closer to $185 when you roll in shipping, but cameras like that are just hard to sell, especially ones that aren't from one of the well known brands like Sinar, Arca, Linhof. I got a Sinar F from KEH for $30 once, and with Sinar I can find all of the accessories, expansions, etc for cheap on eBay or all the other online stores. Omega I think or much more for enlargers than cameras. I'm sure their 45 is a great camera, but I doubt it will be easy to sell.

 

[John Wiegerink]

That’s true, I should put it up there for a couple weeks and see what happens. I’ve sold guitars on there before and it can be a crap shoot, but it’s free and local, so I think I’ll try it before going to that store.

Let us know how you did or didn't do on Facebook Marketplace. I find it's a good place to buy from and sometimes a good place to sell on, but not always. I found a Kodak No.1 Autographicd Special with the very rare TTH Cooke lens that is impossible to find, for a measly $30.00. The last deal I got was a like new Pentax digital spot meter with case for $20.00 + $8.00 shipping. I really thought the meter was probably a scam since it was coming from a Russian fellow, but for $20.00 gave it a shot. To my very big surprise it looked perfect and worked the same way. I'm sure people get fooled there too, but it's a "Buyer beware" type site and not for folks who aren't a little street-smart.

 

[KinoGrafx]

$100 for an omega view anything is a good deal - I’d take it in a hot second. Nobody wants those cameras. Maybe tangential but I just sent a nice, working Nikon F2as to KEH and they offered $0.00 for it because they thought it needed new seals…

 

[xkaes]

If this camera wasn’t so huge and heavy I’d definitely try to get $200 for it, maybe on here. Shipping seems like a challenge though.

While it weighs about eight pounds as I recall, the camera comes apart easily and will fit in a flat box when separated. No big deal at all. You can separate the back (with the ground glass) for extra protection. The one I bought was shipped WITHOUT being taken apart so the box was huge -- but it doesn't need to be shipped that way.

You should check the bellows for leaks, as mentioned. Mine had a ton of leaks, but these are easy to get and not expensive. I got a $30 DIY kit -- not a good idea for everyone -- but it looks great now with a dark green bellows!