Leica DRP, Nikon, Nikkormat

An elderly neighbor wants me to sell some of her late husband's camera equpment. I know nothing about

cameras, but of course would like to get her the best price. I know that her husband was an active

photographer and used and cared for his equipment. These cameras have probably been sitting in their

cases for the last 15-20 years or so however. This is what she has:

 

Leica DRP Nr. 691975

 

Nikkormat FT 4204902

 

Nikon F2 7277691

 

A case with assorted lenses and stuff.

 

 

Are they even worth selling? What is a range of possible prices I should expect?

Should I be trying to sell these individually, or as a lot, or ?

 

Any advice or web sites that you could point me toward would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Pretend you want to buy these items, and do an hours worth of searching on the

internet. Start with ebay, as that's where at least 50% of the world's used camera

market has gone. Pay attention to asking and bid prices, and also check the closed

auctions for prices that have been realised and ones which were left

untouched.<p>Do a google search for "Leica serial numbers" and find one of the

many sites on line where you can find out what model the Leica is, and then plug that

into the above searches.<p>Go through the case of assorted lenses and stuff, and

plug some of that info into the same search method. Once you've done this, you'll

know what to expect. Offer the Leica and related stuff for sale here, but the Nikon

equipment up on the photo.net classifieds, and/or ebay. Good luck.

"Leica DRP Nr. 691975"

 

IIIf D/A (selftimer) ca. 1954. ~400 in 9 cond assuming mechanically 100%

 

"Nikkormat FT 4204902

 

Nikon F2 7277691"

 

I'm not a Nikon collector but those are not rare or unusually desirable items.

 

"A case with assorted lenses and stuff."

 

An inventory list would be necessary before any estimate could be offered.

 

"Are they even worth selling?"

 

Of course. I think you could probably put used TP on eBay and someone would bid on it. The Leica IIIf D/A is a less-common variety and still has interest from users and collectors. I don't know what floats Nikon people's boats. My only Nikon is a digital. Other than the rangefinders and original F model I've never been interested in Nikons, sorry.

 

"What is a range of possible prices I should expect?"

 

As above.

 

"Should I be trying to sell these individually, or as a lot, or ?"

 

Most definitely individually. eBay is your best best. Largest market exposure and the bidding psychology often leads to selling prices that are higher than retail and almost never less than wholesale.

You'll always get more selling in these items individually, rather than as a group. As it is, the Leica and Nikon items don't really interact with each other.<p>Speaking as a Nikon person, I don't think there's much interest for the Nikkormat FT. The F2 was the last of the hand-built top of the line Nikons, and there will be some interest. Of course, everything depends on the condition - cosmetic and functional. Presence or absence of certain accessories will affect the value too e.g. the type of meter head that the F2 is carrying.

I assume there were lenses. The lenses can have significant value in their own right.

 

Absotutely sell them separately. Except for 50mm lenses, I would sell the lenses separately as well.

 

The Nikkormat FT (by the way, was there a little 'n' after the FT) will not bring much value. A good camera, but large, heavy, older, and uses a battery no longer available.

 

The F2 is of considerably more value. But there were a number of F2 models, differentiated by the meter prism. The one you have was made in 1972, so probably a F2 Photomic. F2s had a common problem with their meter. Here's a link to some F2 information: http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/nikonf2/index.htm

 

Do you have any idea of the working condition of these cameras? I don't mean "cared for his equipment"; I mean working now. If you want top $, you should at least run a short roll through.

Mark, as Vinay did with the Leica in the stuff, it might be worth while to actually list all the items, and any of a number of helpful people here would probably give you some specific and decent info. Some of the lenses could be worth very little ($75?), but he might very well have had some lenses from the very early 80s which are/were completely compatible with his 70s bodies and are still usable today with some current Nikons, and would be worth a bit more if they are really in excellent condition like maybe $150 or a good bit more. These numbers are pretty much arbitrary without knowing which gear.

Not a big issue, but the Nikkormat FTN has an 'N' over the meter window on the top plate whereas the earlier FT doesn't.

 

Best, Helen

Yes, these cameras and any associated lenses would definitely be worth selling on behalf of your elderly neighbor. If they were in good mechanical and cosmetic condition, and you were able to sell all of them, you would probably make several hundred dollars for her. If some of the lenses were rare or unusual models in excellent condition, you might make more than that. You could auction them on eBay. Alternatively, if you could find an independently-owned local camera store, you might consider selling them that way for convenience, although you would probably make more money by selling them on eBay.

 

A fundamental rule here: no fair taking advantage of an elderly widow, especially not a neighbor! Don't rip her off. If you agree to auction or sell these items for her, give her the full benefit of the proceeds of selling them at market value.

 

Comparable items are routinely auctioned on eBay, and sell. The value of the specific items would depend upon the specific models; their current mechanical, optical, and cosmetic condition; and any accessories. Run searches for these items on eBay, and look at listings on www.KEH.com, to develop some idea of what they might go for.

 

Of the three camera bodies, the Nikon F2 would probably be worth the most. While an older model, it was marketed as a professional rather than amateur camera, it was considered to be one of the most durable and reliable 35mm cameras ever built, and it is still possible to find firms that will service and repair this camera. If the meter is working properly and the camera is in good to excellent cosmetic condition, it would definitely sell, and might bring $250 or more; a really clean one might bring $500. Even an F2 with a broken meter and average cosmetics would sell, although the price would be lower.

 

The Leica is sufficiently old that it would be viewed as vintage equipment and be of interest to collectors as well as photographers. That said, it is not a particularly scarce model, so not extremely valuable. Asking prices on ebay are all over the lot, from $175 on up, depending upon what mechanical and cosmetic condition the body is in, and what lens or lenses come with the camera. A really clean one with an good lens might bring $350 or more.

 

The Nikkormat FT was an amateur model, is not old enough or scarce enough to be considered a vintage or collectable camera at this point, would probably sell if working properly, since it can use most Nikon non-ai lenses. It would probably bring a modest price in the range of $35 to $75.

 

If the Leica only has one lens, sell it with the camera. If there is more than one Leica lens in the outfit, however, they would be worth selling individually. Prices would vary depending upon focal length, speed (f/stop), rarity, the presence of any accessories, and optical, mechanical and cosmetic condition. Buyers on eBay epect to be told the focal length (in cm or mm), the maximum aperture or speed (f/#), whether the lens glass is clean or scratched, whether it is clear or cloudy, whether the focusing mount and aperture controls turn smoothly (some Leica lens focusing rings have buttons that have to be pushed before the ring will turn), and whether the lens includes a lens cap, lens shade or case. A common production model of a normal lens, such as a 5cm f/3.5 collapsible Elmar or 5cm f/2 Summitar, might go for $50 to $150 or so, depending on condition. Even with somewhat hazy glass, a dented front filter ring and no accessories, a commercial photo vendor has a 5cm f/1.5 Summarit drawing multiple bids on eBay, currently $72 with a couple of hours left to go. There is a 5cm f/3.5 Elmar in better condition, currently listed on eBay, with 1 bid at $139 and one day left to go on the bidding as I am writing this.

 

Other focal lenses, such as a 3.5cm (35mm) or other wide-angle lens, or 9cm (90mm) or other telephoto lens, or lenses in Leica screw mount made by other manufacturers such as Nikkor (Nikon), would have value as collectibles and, if in excellent condition and accompanied by accessories such as a lens cap and lens shade, might bring a surprisingly good price. There is a Nikkor 5cm f/1.4 in Leica screw mount currently listed on eBay for $629 on a "buy it now" basis, for example. A particularly rare Leica screw mount lens in exceptional condition, such as an 8.5cm f/1.5 Summarit, might draw bids in the range of $750 to $1,500. That would be a rare exception rather than the general rule, however, since most of the ordinary Leica screw mount lenses in average condition go for $50 to $150.

 

Nikon non-ai lenses for SLR cameras, while generally somewhat less valuable than Leica lenses, would still be worth selling. As with Leica lenses, the prices would depend upon the focal length, speed, rarity, condition, and accessories. Common models such as a 50mm f/2, 50 mm f/1.4, 35mm f/2.8, 135mm f/3.5 or 135mm f/2.8 might go for $25 to $75, depending upon the model and condition. More desirable lenses such as a 35mm f/2, 85mm f/1.8 or 105mm f/2.5 might go for $75 to $200, depending upon exact model, condition and accessories. Rare model lenses in excellent condition would be worth more.

 

Good luck selling these cameras and lenses for your neighbor. It's more than just the money. If she's lost her husband of many years, it would be a good thing to offer to help her, even if the items turn out to have only modest value and there is some hassle involved. I think you knew that already or you wouldn't be asking the question, though. So go ahead and sell them for her. If you sell on eBay, either sell without a reserve price or set a low reserve price, as high reserve prices often boomerang by scaring off potential bidders, reducing competition and thus keeping winning bids lower.