The price / worth of Film cameras

[tasadam]

Hi there.

I was going to put this in the Bargains section but thought it would be better to use it as an introduction to the topic of what "good" film cameras are really worth.

I found this link.
That is, a Nikon FE film camera. As they say, 100% function, 90% new...
And the price? $1100 HK equates, at today's conversion at http://www.xe.com/ucc to $189.86

Hang on, 90% new?? This camera was released when??
And it is only 10% into its life? I dare say it will be going strong long after film is only available from museums?

I wonder if he'd swap my F80 for it - surely the FE is a better camera, if it lives that long!

The point being, it is incredible how quickly the price of film cameras are diminishing. F80's were fetching over $400 when I put mine in the For Sale section. Now they are going on eBay for around $250 - $300.

Thoughts, comments?

[TonyH]

I'm waiting for the F5 model to drop and then I'll buy one of them. I'm sure film will still be available well and truly after I'm pushing up daisies.

Now, getting the film processed will be another matter..... I reckon it will finish up being a through the post sort of set up for processing, similar to what we have for "real" black and white shots at the moment where there are only a few real suppliers.

[gstark]

People want the instant gratification that digital can offer, plus, of course, the lower cost of ownership: no forking out film every few shots. Look at the comments in the CF card thread about the potential numbers of images in the upcoming 32G cards, for instance.

Consider that with a 32G card, many users, two years on, would still only have about a quarter of the card filled with images. It almost becomes permanent storage!

But what exactly does 90% new mean? A camera is either new, or it is not.

What a load of utter crap.

[gstark]

Now, getting the film processed will be another matter..... I reckon it will finish up being a through the post sort of set up for processing, similar to what we have for "real" black and white shots at the moment where there are only a few real suppliers.

Or you do it youself.

[Greg B]

I think that "the price" and "the worth" of film cameras are two very different questions. The price will continue to diminish - although it hasn't got far to go. The worth will be a value placed on a film camera by one of those hardy souls who will persevere because they have a special affinity with film, or they like to go against the grain (no pun intended), or they are the sort of people who may

1. when you mention a band, say that they only like their old stuff
2. ride penny farthing bicycles
3. appreciate the special warmth and depth (and clicks and pops and wow and flutter) only available from vinyl records
4. have a black and white TV because it is more honest
5. refer to the Swans as South Melbourne
etc

[Grev]

I always wanted to get the F80 and I think it might be about time now.

With a good film scanner and low ISO film, film cameras will still produce very nice photos as I've seen in some of the scans...

[TonyH]

1. when you mention a band, say that they only like their old stuff
2. ride penny farthing bicycles
3. appreciate the special warmth and depth (and clicks and pops and wow and flutter) only available from vinyl records
4. have a black and white TV because it is more honest
5. refer to the Swans as South Melbourne
etc

For me 3 out of 5 aint bad........

but which 3?

[kenny12]

just look at the leica, film and not quite worthless yet