Selling LF equipment

madsox · Aug 15, 2022

I inherited my father's photo gear when he passed away a couple of years ago, and some of it I'm just never going to use. He did a lot of large format work, and I've ended up with his 8x10 and (two) 4x5 cameras, which I'd like to sell to someone who will actually use them. Is this forum a good place to start figuring out the actual value of what I have, etc.?

For reference, I'm in the eastern US, and would like to pass the gear on locally if I can. I have all the specs, can easily provide pictures of current condition, etc., but not sure where to start.

Thanks in advance!

Rick A · Aug 15, 2022

If you're a paid subscriber you can post "For Sale" ads in the classifieds.

Alan9940 · Aug 15, 2022

Another outlet for posting "For Sale" stuff is the Large Format Photography Forum. A good way to determine the potential value the equipment is to search completed sales on eBay. The completed sales will tell you what someone actually paid vs what someone is hoping to sell something for.

xkaes · Aug 15, 2022

madsox said:
Is this forum a good place to start figuring out the actual value of what I have, etc.?

Thanks in advance!

As just mentioned, a good way to figure out what something is worth -- I.e., what someone might pay for it -- is to use EBAY. First, you have to know what it is you have. You might need to use a GOOGLE search to nail it down. A lens will have some inscription, and most cameras will as well. Then search EBAY for the same item -- one at a time. If it is a common item, some will show up -- an unusual item may not. If you can find the item, on the bottom left of the screen is a check box SOLD ITEMS. Check this box and it will display what that item sold for in the last 90 days.
If there were no sales in the last three months, you can guess that the asking prices for the currently listed items is too high.

Sirius Glass · Aug 15, 2022

I recommend using the Classified Ads here and on Large Format Photography Forum.

Steve Goldstein · Aug 15, 2022

Remember that eBay takes a substantial (12.9%, I think) commission on sales, so you may want to start you listings here or on the Large Format Photography Forum at around 90% of the completed eBay sales.

You'll need to be a LFPF member for 30 days before you'll have access to the classifieds. That'll give you plenty of time for researcn.

John Koehrer · Aug 15, 2022

There seem to be a lot of East coast(like you asked).. on the site maybe able to save a bit on shipping.
If you do the ebay search it's a good tool but looking at the sold results keep an eye out for very low priced
examples of items like yours. It seems as though there are better days than others to list them.

If you have any questions about a specific thing ask here we're alway willing to give an opinion(they're free)

Sirius Glass · Aug 15, 2022

Call KEH.com and ask what the buying prices are. That will be roughly have the selling prices are for them.

800 342 5534

Marcelo Paniagua · Aug 15, 2022

Agree on both large format photography and this forum. If the equipment is on good conditions I would say you will get the most out of it on this forum or large format forum (ebay fees has increased a bit lately). About price there is a lot of helpful people both on this forum and Large Format forum.

It would help if you could post images of your equppment.

Rick A · Aug 15, 2022

Sirius Glass said:
Call KEH.com and ask what the buying prices are. That will be roughly have the selling prices are for them.

800 342 5534

My experience, KEH has a 400-500% markup on most of what they sell to make overhead and profit.

Sirius Glass · Aug 15, 2022

Rick A said:
My experience, KEH has a 400-500% markup on most of what they sell to make overhead and profit.

Then it has changed. In the past I was offered about 50% of the going price, but then it might have been the choice of equipment.

madsox · Aug 16, 2022

I've sold some gear to KEH, and it's definitely a last resort. They buy things for a fraction of what they mark them up to for resale. I don't like eBay, for anything specialized like decent photo gear - you have to know what it's worth before you put it up for sale.

Marcelo Paniagua · Aug 16, 2022

I use ebay for ther cheap/common/damaged stuff. There is a huge market in there and someone needs whatever you are selling. Stuff that I wouldn't sell elsewhere or I don't expect to get much. Only drawback is the fees. Lately they increased their fees and also my country is charging tax as well so for example, a recent item that the seller paid $110 (including s/h charges) only get me aroun $40 (I still have to pay s/h from there) so that was my last ebay sale. Agree with you madsox, for something specialized like LF cameras, I think you will have better luck selling on forums or in person.

Best regards.

Marcelo

Keith Pitman · Aug 16, 2022

Once you figure out asking prices, you can list things on Craigslist—another no fee sales venue.

waynecrider · Aug 16, 2022

There’s a lot of guys on this forum and the Large Format forum that might help you to at least get an idea of what’s what. I’m sure someone will help if you ask. Some digi photos would be a big help.

grat · Aug 16, 2022

Be careful-- valuation requests are kind of a sore spot at LFF.

How to Value LF Equipment

Large Format Equipment Valuations Requests for evaluations, valuations, and/or appraisals of LF equipment, particularly from members who are still in their probationary period, are not allowed on the LFPF for several reasons. First, such requests are often interpreted as an effort to get...

www.largeformatphotography.info

el_37 · Aug 17, 2022

What is more important? Speed of sale or maximum return? You could always send some photos and descriptions to Cat Labs in Boston and see what they offer. Sure you get banged on ebay with fees, but you will still make much more money than any shop or local CL buyer will be willing to pay unless the items are really rare and desirable.

RalphLambrecht · Aug 17, 2022

Sirius Glass said:
Call KEH.com and ask what the buying prices are. That will be roughly have the selling prices are for them.

800 342 5534

Does KEH still buy analog gear?

Sirius Glass · Aug 17, 2022

RalphLambrecht said:
Does KEH still buy analog gear?

Yes, to my knowledge and they still sell analog gear.

J Durr · Aug 22, 2022

Be REAL CAREFUL using KEH.
They will give you an estimated price for buying your gear,
THEN you must send it to them to check it out (seems reasonable),
AFTER a long wait time, they will come back to you with an offer that is much much lower than your estimate.
They will buy the gear, but you better be wanting to dump it.
I have been thru their process.
It is just business ... buy as cheap as they can and sell as high as they can.

I will still buy from KEH but I will never sell to them again!

madsox · Oct 17, 2022

Coming back to this, it turns out I have more stuff to sell than I thought. Enlarger, two separate Jobo processing systems, the cameras... would sharing a link to the list here be appropriate for advice on pricing, or should I take myself to the classified section?

BradS · Oct 17, 2022

madsox said:
Coming back to this, it turns out I have more stuff to sell than I thought. Enlarger, two separate Jobo processing systems, the cameras... would sharing a link to the list here be appropriate for advice on pricing, or should I take myself to the classified section?

Did you read the replies above? People have given you very good, straight forward advice about how to determine prices and how to go about selling. Have you tried those things?

If you have questions about how to value a specific item, by all means, take some photos, and start a thread asking for help but asking the forum to do your work for you (by posting a list of a bunch of stuff) is probably not going to work out very well.

gone · Oct 17, 2022

My scheme is always to advertise the stuff everywhere. On eBay, here, craigslist, etc. There's no such thing as too much advertising. Sold a condo once on a 3 day Hawaii newspaper ad, and again in Galveston using an eBay ad. That one sold to a Canadian who was tired of the cold.

There are some basic tragedies: If you don't know something, say so. All offers are worth considering, even low ball, because people may change their minds. A quick sale at a low profit is more pleasurable than haggling over a higher price. Your sale should make both people happy, that's the biggest thing I guess. If it doesn't, wait for another buyer.

btaylor · Oct 18, 2022

madsox said:
Coming back to this, it turns out I have more stuff to sell than I thought. Enlarger, two separate Jobo processing systems, the cameras... would sharing a link to the list here be appropriate for advice on pricing, or should I take myself to the classified section?

xkaes had what I consider the best advise- you should figure out what you have and then check the sold prices on eBay. That will get you in the ball park. If it were me I would then subtract 10-20% and list it here and LFPF and perhaps Craigslist. And of course eBay as well, but that’s difficult for large bulky items because of shipping. Do your homework and good luck with your sales!

Selling LF equipment

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