Very, very old cameras

JaneH

JaneH

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I have some very (emphasis on that word) old cameras that would be of no use to a photographer, so not much use posting this in the selling forum. Doubt you could even get film for them.... but they'd be of use as movie props, or restaurant props, etc. Is there a market for these kinds of things and if so, could anyone please point me in the right direction. I've attached a photo.

Thanks for any ideas.
 
Jane, you would probably be better putting the thread in the Film and Conventional forum, you will get more response there as there are more film users than you think!
Could you also tell us the name on the folding camera as it is difficult to make out on the photo you posted.

The Argus is a 620 film camera and you can still get film for it, or you can re-spool 120 film onto the 620 spool.
http://www.aadl.org/argus_instruction_manual-argus_75
Average to good examples are fetching 5-15 quid, mint about 20-25 quid.
 
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I can't make out what the folding camera is, but the Argos 75 uses 620 format film - which is out of production - but can be persuaded to use 120 film (there are sources that will provide 120 film already "prepared" for use in 620 cameras) which is still widely available and used by many members of this forum.

Nothing wrong with trying to sell them here, oddly enough some of us have an interest in old cameras. It's very presumptive to assume we're only interested in the modern and shiny stuff. Alternatively, Ebay. Don't expect very much - it's likely that the odd one or two of those Argus cameras might reach the giddy heights of £20+ sold as decorative objects on Etsy, but in the real world the value is likely to be £2-£10 on a good day. They are more decorative than functional, but i in the right hands they are still functional.

Why not try using them yourself? - these types of film cameras are really very easy to use.
 
I'm not sure whether you could sell them for much, but I've started a little bit of a photography museum collection going myself. People giving me things, buying things in charity shops, car boot sales, etc. Maybe you should start something like that?
 
Like everything else, eBay is your friend. Well photographed, well-described, stuff finds its value. I suspect that beautiful, but obsolete old cameras still go for great money.
 
That Argus 75 is a lovely little thing, but probably not as old as you think...its certainly post WW2.

As suggested try posting on the TF&C section. There was a thread there a while ago about the oldest cameras we are still regularly using. Mine is a 1930s Leica, but someone was still using cameras from the 1890s if I recall.
 
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Good point Steve, there are members of this forum who are younger than that Argus and will probably resent the implication that they are "very old" and perhaps beyond use.. .. ;)
 
Alastair said:
Good point Steve, there are members of this forum who are younger than that Argus and will probably resent the implication that they are "very old" and perhaps beyond use.. .. ;)
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There are members that are older than that Argus too! :p
 
Forgive him Monica, he's probably suffering from old age!!!
 
Nod said:
Forgive him Monica, he's probably suffering from old age!!!
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Lack of sleep.. :D

You know what I meant.. ..
 
In words of one syllabub or fewer...
 
Thanks for all the replies. The Argus 75 was my grandmother's camera, so has a lot of sentimental memories with it. I remember her always wanting to stop and take pictures of wildflowers with it, even though the film was always black-and-white! She loved that camera and took it everywhere! The folding camera was also a family one, but can't remember much about it so it doesn't mean so much. It says "Jiffy Kodak Six-20" and one website I looked at said "with the very stylish Art-Deco faceplate was produced between 1933 and 1937. It was Kodak's entry-level offering." I don't think that one would work as it's really stiff and well-worn, but on ebay they sell from about US$10 upwards. The Argus is selling for slightly more, but there seems to be a lot of both of them around. I'm just surprised that anyone would want them for anything but looks. Hey-ho... beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
 
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JaneH said:
........ but on ebay they sell from about US$10 upwards. The Argus is selling for slightly more, but there seems to be a lot of both of them around. I'm just surprised that anyone would want them for anything but looks. Hey-ho... beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
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Not that surprising, really! Some people enjoy trying to put these older cameras back into commission, if it's possible, and they're usually pretty cheap so there's not much financial risk involved. Collectors are generally more interested in desirability, rarity, condition and a few other things such as original boxes and paperwork; but that's at the higher end of the scale. There's also a market for older cameras amongst people who are just building up a personal collection, without any thought to investment value, or think they're quirky and attractive. I'd probably hang on to the Argus anyway, as a family keepsake.
 
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