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Question: Is it true that film cameras are costing less and less as time goes by!?
I suggested to my dad that if we sell his old vintage film cameras, we can most likely raise enough money to buy a Canon Digital Rebel XTi, a camera I personally have had my eye on for a while, and would like to share with him!. The whole bundle of cameras and camera equipment we have currently is estimated to get us around $750!. But, as I asked in the title, do you think the prices will get lower and lower as digital becomes more mainstream!? Or will they get higher because of the value of antiquity as the years go by!?Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
Let's just say that a film camera I paid over $1000 for when it was new sold recently for $250!.

The only way your Father's 'antique' is going to gain you anything is if he still has the original box and the item is in mint condition and certified to be operational!.

I'm finding myself using both!. I sold my older film version and bought a high end replacement (also film) for $150 LESS then the one I sold!. I still LOVE shooting slide film!.!.!. it's just pleasurable to be challenged by the limited range of latitude in slide and the gratitude of a perfect exposure!. I do shoot digital for cost savings but slides are just fun!.

Just remember when you buy that Canon that one day you may want to upgrade to another camera system and you're going to have to sell your Rebel along with all the lenses as a system because the lenses you have on THAT camera won't fit the upgrade!.

I don't have that problem!.!.!. I upgrade my Nikon!.!.!. my lenses still work on the new system - digitals AND film!. (eat your hearts out Canon owners)!.

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Many film cameras will devalue over time until they are antiques and then appreciate in value if they are quality units!. However the high end film cameras are still at the top of the chain for capturing quality pictures and therefore should be around for awhile longer!. Yes digital is improving every year but there are so many die hard photographers out there that it'll take another 10 years to eliminate it from the main stream almost completely!. The first major blow was Kodak discontinuing Kodachrome film!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

By the time your camera gear becomes antique you will probably have forgotten that you've had it!.

There's nothing wrong with film, in fact film manufacturers are still developping higher ISOs!. But people don't usually by film anymore so that industry has slowed down considerably!. Selling it probably wont net you enough to buy another camera, people are more interested in digital!.

Look on your local CraigsList and see what other models like yours go for!. I bought my daughters Canon AE-1 with a 135mm lens and a bag for $20!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

Generally, only rare cameras and lenses in exception condition become collector items and increase in value over time!. For 35 mm, Lecias probably hold there value the best!. If you own some brands like Canon EOS, Nikon, Minolta, Pentax, Lecia their old lens can work on new digital camera check before selling!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

well, the prices might be going up due to the antiquity of them!.

we only say this because we had to recently find TWO film cameras for our photo class and it was really super hard!.

so, you could probably go to a couple of pawn shops and get some estimates and that might help!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

You bet!

Film cameras can be bought for a song now!.

I've seen formally $10,000 Hasselblad kits trade for $850 in today's market!.

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