Are my cameras worth anything?

[ryan0480]

Hey everyone, I am new here, but hope to be seeing more of you all! I recently received two cameras from my Dad to either use or to try and sell for money to buy a DSLR. He sent me a Nikon FG and a Minolta X-700, both are in decent condition and have prime lenses. He also sent me a 135mm lens for the Nikon. All in all, pretty nice, but I am looking to get myself a DSLR (probably a Nikon D40 or D60), but am wondering if these cameras are worth much at all?

[walterick]

Welcome Ryan!

Those are both good film cameras you have there. If your passion is digital, then selling all your gear might get you up to the price of a DSLR, depending on how many lenses you have. Individually, that gear might not be worth very much, but together you may be able to pull a nice sum. Check www.keh.com for their prices on used gear and if you want to place a free ad, check out our classifieds.

But... keeping one of those systems around might be fun! Film is a totally different experience than digital and has many merits of its own. So maybe consider selling one system and keeping another (maybe the Nikon, if you plan on moving into a Nikon digital system) for fun!

Rick

[photophorous]

Welcome Ryan! Like Rick, I would like to encourage you to keep one of those cameras and give film a try. It's a different experience and lots of fun. But there's nothing wrong with trying digital either. I don't know much about the Nikon, but I actually have several X-700s and I've been looking into selling one of them. If you have a Chrome X-700 or a Black one with a data back, KEH is a good place to go, but they already have so many of the more common Black (no data back) version that you won't get much from them. I think they told me $18 in Excellent condition. Not worth the trouble. However, these cameras go for 50-100 on Ebay, depending on condition. You could also try to sell it to B&H or Adorama. I'm about to sell my Nikon D70s to Adorama, because they gave me the highest quote of all these places.

Good luck,
Paul

[franciax]

Hey Ryan

I had a canon A1 in mint condition and a Nikon F1 I was offered a derisory amount of money for them so when I upgraded to digital I made sure to choose the same mount which meant I could use the same lenses filters etc., but the best thing is that I am now starting to look at film again - something that I could not have considered if I had sold them.

franciax

[reverberation]

Film cameras are getting cheaper everyday. Medium format cameras can be had for less than an entry level DSLR. That said, they are both great cameras and I am sure you could get more than a hundred for everything if you found the right person. I have a Nikon FG and I love it for street photography. You could seek out a thrift store and just donate them and take a tax write-off. I just saw a Nikon F-3 on Craigslist for under two hundred. Whatever you decide, good luck and I look forward to seeing your photography.

[ctg]

How much are they worth to you? That being said, you won't get much of a down toward a digital but let them go for a song & dance . . after all you may be giving some one a real chance in photography by selling them. Oh, by the way I am in the market for 2x adapter for a Nikon AF, if that is in your list of lenses? I shoot a Nikon N9"s but I started without Minolta. Man I really loved the Minolta 9000 & it cost a pretty penny back then.

[sillypore]

Keep them as classic collectibles

singapore corporate and industrial photographers photography

[Axle]

As mentioned both are great cameras! I would keep them, one or both. If you have a lens for the Nikon keep it (if it's the 135mm 1:2.8 Nikkor...it's a great lens, have one myself).

But I wouldn't sell both, you may have the urge to try film at some point in the future.

[cameron665]

Rather than give them away for a tiny sum I would encourage you to hang onto them and shoot the odd roll of film now and again. You will also have the sentimental value. And finally, when you can't get film anymore, they will make a good door stop

[Xia_Ke]

...when you can't get film anymore, they will make a good door stop

Blasphemous! I order you to go out and shoot 2 rolls as penance

[cameron665]

Blasphemous! I order you to go out and shoot 2 rolls as penance

Aaron, I plan to shoot a roll or two this Friday at my sons school sports day. I'm sure I'll be the odd one out with a film camera. And, even worse, it will be B&W. I can see the looks of disdain from the other parents already.

[Axle]

Aaron, I plan to shoot a roll or two this Friday at my sons school sports day. I'm sure I'll be the odd one out with a film camera. And, even worse, it will be B&W. I can see the looks of disdain from the other parents already.

Yes, but they'll be using little point and shots. So you're good.

All hail the god of Emulsion, the great Silver Halide!