Yrstetday I scored a really great deal on an old Pentax SP 500 with a 55mm f2 Super Takumar in great condition for $28.00. I've never owned an older screw-mount Pentax (only "newer" K1000 and Super Programs). So, I thought I'd search online for a couple of wide angle lenses.
I was in shock to see the high prices on used film gear!! I would say the prices have doubled since last year from what I can tell.
Is there a reason for these price hikes that I'm not aware of?
EB-1 wrote:
It's probably a bunch of internet hype. There are also places where you can make an offer.
EBH
I noticed that even KEH hiked up prices as well. It would be great if these price hikes are a result of supply/demand; that would mean (hopefully) that more people are taking an interest in film!
snegron7 wrote:
I noticed that even KEH hiked up prices as well. It would be great if these price hikes are a result of supply/demand; that would mean (hopefully) that more people are taking an interest in film!
Well I don't know about demand, but I'm pretty sure supply is trending down.
Somehow the title doesn't make sense to me if you got a great deal on a *camera* and are shocked by the price of *lenses* ...
I recently picked up a Spotmatic F for a good price.
M42 primes around 50mm are dirt cheap, but from my research there aren't that many great wide-angle lenses in M42. Even 35mm are relatively rare compared to later bayonet mounts. And some of the better ones carry the Zeiss price premium.
Maybe prices are trending up a bit, but I don't really see evidence for skyrocketing tbh. Might be different here in Europe compared to the US..
In the US, prices on gear shipped from abroad has increased due to tariffs. Domestic gear seems to have risen a little too, but there are also plenty of deals if you're patient.
Film camera prices started rising in the mid teens, peaked during the pandemic and have been trending downward since then. Some models will continue to demand a premium price but often they sit, waiting for a buyer. A lot of sellers still think it's a booming market and continue to ask more than market value and that's what looks like rising prices.
Heron's right about the tariff's. There used to be a steady stream of bargains from Japan to the US, the bump in import fees changed that.
fjablo wrote:
Somehow the title doesn't make sense to me if you got a great deal on a *camera* and are shocked by the price of *lenses* ...
I recently picked up a Spotmatic F for a good price.
M42 primes around 50mm are dirt cheap, but from my research there aren't that many great wide-angle lenses in M42. Even 35mm are relatively rare compared to later bayonet mounts. And some of the better ones carry the Zeiss price premium.
Maybe prices are trending up a bit, but I don't really see evidence for skyrocketing tbh. Might be different here in Europe compared to the US.. ...Show more →
The place where I purchased my Pentax SP 500 was an "Antiques Mall"; a large venue that sells old things. In that "mall" there were many cameras for sale. The prices were high. For example, they had a Nikon EM with a 50mm f1.8 E for $375.00. Not sure about prices in Europe, but $375.00 for a Nikon EM is extremely expensive. I saw several Nikon EM's online a few months ago in the $20.00 range, plus another $30.00 for the lens. The only reason I got a good deal on that Pentax SP 500 was because it was hidden away toward the back of a cluttered display shelf. Only reason I spotted it was because they had an old Sekonic light meter that caught my attention. I spotted a tiny corner of a grey camera hidden in the back of that bottom shelf. A store employee had to unlock the display case so I could see what camera it was and what the price was.
A quick look on KEH shows the Nikon F3HP in EX condition for $704.00. The average price of the F3HP in EX condition a couple of years ago was on the $300.00 range.
Old Canon FL mount (not FD mount) lenses have increased in price as well.
