Trading 2nd hand lenses

Kev M

Kev M

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I've just bought myself a digital camera and figured I might as well sell some of my under used Bronica gear to fund the new purchases.

I've tried shifting it on here but we've got a pretty small Bronica SQ user base I've had no luck and I don't really fancy using eBay if I can help it.

What are the trade in prices like at places like LCE? I've got two within an hour of me and thought I might get a better deal trading my used gear for used gear in stock than just trading them for cash.

Where else is worth a look at?

I've got a boxed Polaroid back which isn't worth a great deal and a boxed 500m F8 which hould be worth considerably more.
 
The biggest market is eBay, I'm afraid. Take good pictures, describe it well and brace yourself for possible disappointment. Always use the best tracking you can, and hope for the best. For all the bad stories of eBay, there are some honest buyers (as well as honest sellers).

LCE's trade in prices aren't great, but it's worth calling and just asking, they should be able to give you a very rough estimate down the phone if it's a reasonably common lens (relatively, of course!). Bear in mind they have to pay wages and overheads, but their trade-in price may be acceptable, it's worth a try :thumbs:

Might be worth contacting ffordes as well.
 
Ffordes sell on commission if you aren't in a rush, exchange for store credit (best deal) or can buy direct from you.
 
I cannot see when you tried to sell an SQ, gone back 7 months?
 
MindofMel said:
LCE are a rip off when your selling to them in my experience. Great staff in strand; great service and nice people but you get undervalued. They run a high profit margin. Might be a little better for a part exch. Maybe try Ffordes or Mifsuds?
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Cheers for the suggestions. Mifsuds might be my best bet as I can send the lens down there with family.

freecom2 said:
The biggest market is eBay, I'm afraid. Take good pictures, describe it well and brace yourself for possible disappointment. Always use the best tracking you can, and hope for the best. For all the bad stories of eBay, there are some honest buyers (as well as honest sellers).

LCE's trade in prices aren't great, but it's worth calling and just asking, they should be able to give you a very rough estimate down the phone if it's a reasonably common lens (relatively, of course!). Bear in mind they have to pay wages and overheads, but their trade-in price may be acceptable, it's worth a try :thumbs:

Might be worth contacting ffordes as well.
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eBay will definitely be the last resort I think. I'll give LCE a chance if nothing else but it's good to have some alternatives now.

robhooley167 said:
Ffordes sell on commission if you aren't in a rush, exchange for store credit (best deal) or can buy direct from you.
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Cheers Rob, I'll have a trawl through their stock to see if there's something I can exchange my stuff for. That would suit me fine.

medwaygreen said:
I cannot see when you tried to sell an SQ, gone back 7 months?
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It was a couple of years ago now at least. At the time I wasn't looking to sell the 500mm but I think I've only used it once or twice since then so it might as well go too.

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=198594&highlight=bronica
 
I don't want rid of all of it, just the bits that don't really get used and don't justify having the money tied up in them. I can't say I've seen anyone else asking about a 500mm lens in here but you're right, it's worth another go. I might stick the 50mm up too as I don't really use that either.
 
I found Ffordes trade in prices to be better than most, especially for a part-ex.

Andy
 
Well I've had no reply to my email to ffordes so I went to I
Lce in Derby today.

They offered me nothing for a 220 back which didn't surprise me, nothing for a boxed Polaroid back which did surprise me, £50 for a 50mm which didn't surprise me and a paltry £150 for the super rare 500mm which makes me think I'll try my chances with Ebay after all.
 
No surprise with the Polaroid back at all, the method of 'test exposure with Polaroid then shoot with film' hardly happens now.
 
It's what they invented digital for isn't it? For taking test shots before using up your film.
 
freecom2 said:
No surprise with the Polaroid back at all, the method of 'test exposure with Polaroid then shoot with film' hardly happens now.
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Indeed I got rid of mine quick about 25 years ago as once you have a certain set up for light, for portraiture, you get to know the aperture to use and don't need it. Same for out of the studio.... with incident\spot light meters or grey cards to use why use a polaroid test shot.
And I'll never understand why anyone would use a polaroid camera or back when you can use a digital camera :shrug:
 
Strappy said:
For the same reason they want to shoot on film rather than digital?
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Well yes but I still don't understand :D well there yer go....and some people like eating chocolate covered ants and I can't work that one out either :suspect:
 
excalibur2 said:
Well yes but I still don't understand :D well there yer go....and some people like eating chocolate covered ants and I can't work that one out either :suspect:
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haha +1 :)
 
FFordes are good. If you package it, they will send a courier to get it then they will let you know how much they will offer you for cash or credit (the credit value being a little higher).


Steve.
 
excalibur2 said:
And I'll never understand why anyone would use a polaroid camera or back when you can use a digital camera :shrug:
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So you can see what you are going to get on the film with the same camera and setup.

Kev M said:
It's what they invented digital for isn't it? For taking test shots before using up your film.
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I have used digital to get lighting set up before switching to film for the actual shots. Polaroid is great but it's expensive.


Steve.
 
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You can also do emulsion transfers, retrieve the negative or other crazy stuff with polaroids or the fuji stuff as well

Some people even shoot it because they like them as a finished article (me for example :P)
 
Kev M said:
I've tried shifting it on here but we've got a pretty small Bronica SQ user base I've had no luck and I don't really fancy using eBay if I can help it.
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Link or list of what you were trying to sell?
Never mind found it. Nice to see an F&C section in the classifieds section, no more wading through Fuji X series cameras.
 
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raathistle said:
Some people even shoot it because they like them as a finished article (me for example :P)
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lol

I didn't get mine to check flippin exposure either, I just like likkle polaroids..:lol:
 
Steve Smith said:
FFordes are good. If you package it, they will send a courier to get it then they will let you know how much they will offer you for cash or credit (the credit value being a little higher).


Steve.
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Hi Steve, nice to see you around here again.

It's £30 to use their courier which is why I wanted a guideline price in writing before I spent £30 shipping it up there, for them to offer the same as LCE and spending another £30 to get it shipped back.

I'll give them a call to chase the email and make sure they got it before sticking it on ebay though.
 
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