Shopping websites for old cameras

<p>There are the company sites--like KEH, B&H, and Adorama<br>

They all sell used cameras, and often their prices are cheaper than what people are actually paying on the internet flea markets. The largest selection of used cameras is at KEH and their ratings are extremely conservative. Their "bargain" is frequently better than eBay vendor's "minty".</p>

<p>You might also find a deal at Goodwill's online auction site: <a href="http://www.shopgoodwill.com">www.shopgoodwill.com</a></p>

<p>It's one website, but it represents many individual Goodwill centers across the USA.</p>

<p>The caveats: there's no expertise in the checking, no warranty, photos (of the items) can be dodgy, they come from all around the USA, and shipping charges are all over the place. Always get a shipping estimate! I've seen shipping charges vary by $5 and more for Pacific NW to NJ, depending on the GW center you buy from, and they could be just a few miles apart (That $5 camera is no longer a bargain if it costs $20 to ship it!).</p>

<p>But stuff usually starts off cheap. $5 or $10, maybe $15 for a film SLR, usually with a lens or lenses. Beware, though that collectors are aware of the site, so there can be bidding wars for rare or highly-valued items!</p>

<p>I've picked up a Minolta MC Tele Rokkor 30cm (yep, not 300mm! ;-) f/4.5 with OEM case & caps for under $50, and most recently, a current-model Apple Air Port Base station for less than half the new price.</p>

<p>Craigslist is a good place to pick them up, too, but you need to be able to evaluate the camera onsite to make sure it works. Check eBay selling prices (not asking prices) to determine the right price.</p>

<p>All I can add here are some other companies like Igor's, Koh's Camera, and National Camera Exchange. I also found Collectible Cameras prices to be quite high, but the one time I bought from them they were friendly and professional about the item that had some issues, and were more than happy to issue a refund on it. West Coast Camera sometimes has what I'm looking for too.</p>

<p>I would steer clear of Goodwill because of the problems listed. They just don't have any expertise with photo gear.</p>

<p>Try <a href="http://www.acecam.com/usedndex.html">http://www.acecam.com/usedndex.html</a></p>

<p>and <a href="http://www.equinoxphotographic.com/index.htm">http://www.equinoxphotographic.com/index.htm</a></p>

<p>I love CraigsList and I have bought a number of items - some have been "hits" and some have been "misses". My best "hit" was the boxful of Minolta cameras and lenses that I purchased from a gentleman via CraigsList Orlando. There were several fairly well-beaten SRT and X-series camera bodies along with a couple of lenses. But one of the lenses was a 50mm F1.2 MC Rokkor in near-mint condition. I got the whole shooting match for $75.</p>

<p>Another find included a 135mm f2 and a 20mm F2.8 FD Canon lenses. The 20mm showed some wear to the exterior but the glass is very nice. But, best of all, the 135mm is near-mint. I had actually gone to purchase the 20mm and wasn't even in the market for a tele. I'm not really a Canon guy and didn't even know anything about the 135. But I went ahead and took it, too. I got both for $150.</p>

<p>I have the good fortune of working with sales reps in a variety of locations around the country. So I peruse CraigsList listings in several different cities. My rep in Ohio has picked up a couple of items for me in Columbus including a very nice 55/3.5 Micro-Nikkor for $60. Paid my rep $10 to ship to me.</p>

<p>I enjoy going over the various CraigsList sites looking for goodies. But, as Jay pointed out, it is imperative that you know what things are worth. You can score some treasures but there is a lot of trash, too.</p>