Buying and selling vintage cameras

With any collectable item, condition is paramount, whether its a painting, clothes, watches, cars or any vintage condition is probably the most important factor apart from rarity, cameras and lenses are the same. Cameras can suffer from a multitude of issues and some can be very difficult to spot especially to an untrained eye. Its best to buy any items from a reputable shop that has a sound return policy, you may not notice a problem for a few days or even weeks, make sure they have been tested either film tested or tested with servicing equipment. We often get asked if our items are film tested but this can be tricky, especially if you have hundreds, it is also not fully testing the camera. Film testing is not 100% as there are a great deal of factors, so this is often used by individuals. Some companies use other checks and tests that reveal more than a film test would ever show. For private sales if they are stated as film tested ask to see the negatives, have a good look at them. We have various purpose built equipment that check everything and makes sure it is working reliably and then we fix and adjust anything that isn't. Some of these are bespoke and have be designed specifically for us. What ever the situation make sure all possible tests have been done and spend time carefully checking yourself. Make sure there is a sound return policy ask for more time to test if you are unsure, we always offer this and any shop who trusts its stock should do the same. Look for people who will help you get started and know their cameras, this will save you 100s of hours and pounds learning by trial and error. Look for online tutorials and local clubs. We offer full support and tutorials to customers and often are still in touch long after the sale. We perform light seal changes and bumper cushion changes just before our final tests when it is prepared for postage. This is a practical way of insuring the best condition when sent and that the glue is fully set and in place. Make sure these have been changed before purchasing or factor in the replacement price when negotiating with the seller. You can do this yourself but it doesn't work out much cheaper if you are only changing on one camera, its also a tricky thing to get right ! Just because you've seen it for sale at a particular price, does not mean your camera is worth this or the price you've seen is accurate, have a good look at SOLD prices and what's on the market there will be a point in the ,middle that is reasonable and has the service you need. We have various purpose built equipment that check everything and makes sure it is working reliably and then we fix and adjust anything that isn't! Some of these are bespoke and have be designed specifically for us. What ever the situation make sure all possible tests have been done and spend time carefully checking yourself. Make sure there is a sound return policy ask for more time to test if you are unsure, we always offer this and any shop who trusts its stock should do the same.

Look for people who will help you get started and know their cameras, this will save you hundreds of hours and save pounds, learning by trial and error. Look for online tutorials and local clubs. We offer full support and tutorials to customers and often are still in touch long after the sale.

We perform light seal changes and bumper cushion changes just before our final tests when it is prepared for postage. This is a practical way of insuring the best condition when sent and that the glue is fully set and in place. Make sure these have been changed before purchasing or factor in the replacement price when negotiating with the seller. You can do this yourself but it doesn't work out much cheaper if you are only changing on one camera, its also a tricky thing to get right!

Just because youve seen it for sale at a particular price, does not mean your camera is worth this or the price youve seen is accurate, have a good look at SOLD prices and what's on the market there will be a point in the ,middle that is reasonable and has the service you need.

Looks are only skin deep !

Just because the camera looks good and its been kept in a safe place does not necessarily indicate good condition. Just like vintage cars, a service history and recent service or CLA (clean lubricate and adjust) is a key factor. Not only does a recent service help keep your camera working its a point to pick up on any issues and catch them, just like an MOT or regular health check. Dont assume the camera is going to be working just as it did 20 years ago when it was put in the back of a cupboard, its almost definitely going to need a servicing and adjustment after a few years of no use.

Check battery compartments and if the batteries have been left in the camera rotting and leaking.Its often that the camera that has been left in a cupboard for years will have more issues than he used camera with a few age relate marks. Using your camera and keeping it in in the light and not locked away can also benefit. Fungus is a curse of the vintage camera collector, this can present itself in many forms and comes from being kept in warm dark places. We store our cameras in air tight bags, with desiccant silica to keep the humidity out and a UV light is used at intervals to flood and sterilise the whole room. Some fungus can be cleaned but some leave some optical scaring even if it is successfully removed.

Standard lens with visiable fungus

Pricing

Pricing is often very difficult but try to have a price in mind when trying to buy or sell your items. Be realistic and remember items listed for sale on eBay or other sites are, by definition, are unsold, they are not always a good reference. Shops also have overheads so remember although you may get more from a shop and the process is quicker don't expect to get the same as the one in their shop window that has just been CLAd and is guaranteed, advertised and demonstrated.

Taking the photos

Try to take photos in full daylight from all 6 sides (front, back, left, right, top, bottom) as well as one with the back open. With a lens its very difficult to show the clarity of the glass so its just about trying to get the right angle. Alway bring your items to a shop if you can as they can often spot the valuable items from the less. If you get a shop to value the items get them to write them down and make an official estimate, this may cost a little but it can really help later, especially if selling elsewhere or online. We often have people state they were offered very high amounts by a shop but never seem to be able to provide any evidence! Try to list as much technical detail as possible. One 50mm lens is not the same as another and can range from a few pounds to many thousand. The lens definition is usually in to parts the focal length i.e. 50 mm (usually on the barrel or front of the lens, not to be mistaken for the thread size which is usually a circle with a line through it) and f stop. The f stop is important as it indicated the widest aperture the lens is capable of. It would be something like 50mm f1.8 Often the lower the f number the better quality of lens but not always !

Fungus is fairly common and can look like a spider web or lightening across an element in a lens of viewfinder. It can sometimes look like a furry creature has died in the middle of the lens or be so subtle that it can only be seen if viewed at an angle. Fungus grows only under particular conditions namely damp and dark. Even the moisture in your house may be enough to start it. If you do spot something get it cleaned early before permanent damage is caused. It can grow very quickly so when buying a camera or lens make sure you have a few weeks to check and return if you are not happy.  Haze is also another thing to look out for, is the glass clear and free from milky marks, sratches or chips ?  Dont clean the lens yourself, unless you know what you are doing and have the correct equipment.  More damage is done by attemping to clean, dust wont hurt if its removed properly so leave it alone.

Who we buy from ?

We generally buy from specialist auctions or private collectors. As we take only the best examples, many are rejected. If you think you may like to part from your beloved cameras we ask you send a full list first before sending hundreds of photos. We will generally ask for photos of the ones we can use or put into our teaching stock for workshops. Give an idea of their condition, as best you can and try to be honest.

We generally pay with Pal Pal, other business do it differently so make sure both sides are covered if things go wrong. I know of no shops that will transfer money to back accounts for unseen items, so if they say they will, be wary ! It is important to be as honest as you can about your knowledge of the items and have an idea what you would like for them. Valuation takes time so its good to know we are in the same ball park of price before moving forward, a little research is helpful here.

We only send with Royal mail and ask you do the same, they are the only company to insure the cameras and pay out if things were to go wrong. If you are posting it is likely we have agreed on a price including the postage and insurance. it is your responsibility to make sure the items are correctly wrapped and insurance is enough to cover the items if something does go wrong. This applies to any shop, unless they arrange collection for you, they will not take responsibility until they have been delivered and checked. Shops can tell you how to wrap them but please use lots of bubble wrap on each item and around the box itself. Shops cant accept damage if the items are sent in a carrier bag or just in a camera bag (even if its padded) they were not designed for posting. We've seen it all from bin bags to sweet tins, sadly the cameras rarely survive such poor packing! If things are not what the buyer was expecting your payments may be put on hold or they may send them back, again there is no point saying you have a mint, fully serviced item and send it to a poor old gent in America when in reality you have no idea how long its sat in the garage or where the batteries go.

There are plenty of scams out there and people jumping on the vintage scene, fortunately there are not many fake items out there, but there are some that pretend to be something they are not, as always if the price is too good, there is probably a reason.

All in all make sure you have support, return policy, the items are checked and serviced so you can get on with mastering analogue photography and all its wonders without worrying something is about to break on you !

If you are interested in selling items follow the above advice and send emails to keith@rewindcameras.co.uk