Advice on a camera Dilemma

[cp_ste.croix]

So I have a dilemma...

I own a great SLR which I haven't been using at all since I got addicted to RF's. It's the Canon EOS 1V HS and as automated and whizz bangy as you can get, back from when I thought I was that kind of guy. Because I haven't been using it, I've thought about selling it and even put a half hearted effort in here and there. My dilemma is that I know I'm not going to be able to get enough via that auction site for the RF rig I want straight away, the Leica M6 plus a good lens.

So, should I sell it now and cut my losses and hope for the best or continue to save at a glacial pace and own both sometime in the year 2015?

I've thought about an M3/2 or a bessa as well, but really am not sure they suit all of my desires/needs in an RF which are: indestrucability, compactness, light meter, and discretion.


I'm not abandoning the SLR as a system either, as I'd probably get an old manual one along the road...

Thoughts? Opinions? Am I doomed to camera purgatory for ever?

[pvdhaar]

So I have a dilemma...
..
So, should I sell it now and cut my losses and hope for the best or continue to save at a glacial pace and own both sometime in the year 2015?
..

I'm facing a similar situation. I haven't used my 6x6 SQB system for more than a year now (except for exercising the shutter every 4 wks or so, but that doesn't count). I've seriously thought about selling it, but whenever I look at second hand prices, I almost start to cry.

In the end, I've decided I'm not going to sell it for next to nothing. I'll either hang on to it or trade it for something of equal value (high) and price (low).

[ClaremontPhoto]

I'm keeping my old Olympus OM although I hardly ever use it because it just isn't worth selling it. I'd probably end up charging more for the shipping than for the camera and lenses.

[Doug]

Well, as an "accumulator" my suggestion is to hang onto it... if it may be worth more to you than the amount it would sell for. I'm certainly not alone in going through photography phases where I do certain projects with certain kinds of gear, then transition into other projects and other gear.

I've been shooting mostly RF gear for some years now, but that has not stopped me getting a few more Pentaxes... mostly older nostalgic stuff I wanted back when it was new, but I also have a yen for a new Pentax 67II while they're still available new.

There are uses for your Canon that cannot be equalled by RF gear, and as you say, that's top-notch stuff, expensive to replace. Might as well hang onto it and concentrate on saving up! :D

[Jocko]

Well, as an "accumulator" my suggestion is to hang onto it... if it may be worth more to you than the amount it would sell for... There are uses for your Canon that cannot be equalled by RF gear, and as you say, that's top-notch stuff, expensive to replace. Might as well hang onto it and concentrate on saving up! :D

Which exactly describes what I do and tell myself.... Yet a Leica will always be expensive and the price will probably remain fairly constant in relation to inflation and so on. But film SLRs are falling in price. In real terms, if you intended to sell, selling now might be the best idea in terms of Leica per Buck. You could always replace the SLR later, when hopefully they go for the price of a Zenit :)

But selling at all is the problem. I regret selling everything I've ever sold, even the stuff I didn't like...

Ian

[ClaremontPhoto]

New Leicas are heading into collectors and rich fondlers land price wise. Look into FSU or new Voigtlander for everyday usable cameras. Much less expensive.

[jaapv]

The problem with that Canon is that it is a very good camera and you'll never get its real value when you sell it. On the other hand, sadly the price of used film-bodies can go just one way - down, so if you are 100% sure that you'll never regret selling it, do so. The way things are going :( :( Chances are that you will be able to pick up as good a body for even far less than you are getting now in a few years time.

[jaapv]

The problem with that Canon is that it is a very good camera and you'll never get its real value when you sell it. On the other hand, sadly the price of used film-bodies can go just one way - down, so if you are 100% sure that you'll never regret selling it, do so. The way things are going :( :( chances are that you will be able to pick up as good a body for even far less than you are getting now in a few years time.

[wyk_penguin]

There are things that you cannot do with the Leica, esp. macro. Unless you are certain that you will NEVER do such things. Keep you SLR.

However, my ebay experience says film SLR price is plumetting.

[payasam]

Keep the Canon for its utility and get a Bessa. It won't be indestructibe -- nor are Leicas -- but if you treat it with care, it should serve you for a long while. I still have and use a Canon FTbN which I bought in 1975. It can do extreme close-up and even macro work, for which a Leica would need all manner of additional stuff. In fact, I don't even know if all that is made for the M series which was made for the screw mounts.

[dmr]

I say that the cheapest camera (more correctly, the most economical) is the one that's already paid for.

I suggest you keep the SLR. That way you'll avoid having to buy it back in the future. :)

[Finder]

I thought the answer was easy. Get a higher paying job. :)

[oftheherd]

I say that the cheapest camera (more correctly, the most economical) is the one that's already paid for.

I suggest you keep the SLR. That way you'll avoid having to buy it back in the future. :)

A lot to be said for that. You are having trouble saving for what you want now. Why go through that again? Of course, only you can decide what is best for you. I seldom sell things I buy because I seldom buy something I don't really want. There have been exceptions, but in general, I keep what I have bought and paid for.

Just me.

[nihraguk]

I'd say hang on to the SLR as well and get a cheaper Leica or Bessa. The SLR offers you the option of shooting in a different style (or shooting different subjects, as mentioned above), and you can perhaps spend any surplus money that comes along on developing a set of lenses that your future M6/M7/Mx can inherit.

[wtl]

So I have a dilemma...

...

I've thought about an M3/2 or a bessa as well, but really am not sure they suit all of my desires/needs in an RF which are: indestrucability, compactness, light meter, and discretion.

...

Thoughts? Opinions? Am I doomed to camera purgatory for ever?

Contrast to what most people said already, if the Canon does not work for you photographically anymore, then sell it. The best price is the one the current market is willing to pay. The worst price is to let your camera sit in the shelf collecting dust.

Having said that, both M3/2 or Bessa fit your description of desire/needs as indestrucability. compactness, and discretion. And I believe newer Bessas also have light meter built in. A handheld meter beats built in meter any day and they are cheaper compared to an M6.

Not disputing the power of an M6 - I have two and they are my main cameras. So please search again, and harder this time, why you want an M6?

I don't mind to tell you my reasons of having two M6s instead of M3/2 but that will not do you much good. Most of us have different reasons for what we choose. But if you insist, the faster film loading and rewind are the two main reasons, for me. And I also use 35mm and 28mm lenses most of the time so an M3 will not work for me.

Good luck on your search.

[Rafael]

I agree that SLR prices will continue to drop over the coming years. However, the way things are going in the SLR world, it is not at all clear that Canon will be upgrading the 1V-HS any time soon. So eventhough it was introduced back in 2000, your camera may remain the "current" pro SLR body for some time and, consequently, hang on to its value a bit better than will other SLRs (my 1Ns for example). So, if you can afford to, I would probably hang on to the 1V-HS. It's a great camera and, as others have pointed out, certainly has its uses. Watching those prices dropping on the auction site, however, I certainly sympathize with your dilemma.

[wlewisiii]

Hmm... how about I trade you an AE-1 for the EOS-1V? :angel:

More seriously, I'd suggest trying to get as much out of it as you can if you don't ever see yourself wanting the functionality of the EOS system. Depending on condition, phase of the moon, and so forth, you could get half of what it cost back. Don't forget you'll be selling any lenses you own as well, since you won't be using EF mount anymore. Apply most of what you get to your savings for an M.

Then since you are familier with Canon and say that you want a older manual system, a good FD mount Canon SLR can be had for essentially pennies. Get probably the FTbN, New F1, or A-1 and as much glass as you desire and you'll still be paying pennies for it.

Good luck, whatever you decide.

William

[BJ Bignell]

So I have a dilemma...You'll have a hard time selling one llama, let alone two of them. Good luck!




:D

[cp_ste.croix]

Thanks for the thoughts guys...even though I'm not using the camera, I am having such a hard time decidin to get rid of it, especially given that it is, indeed paid for and I might not be able to get another camera for it right away (my main concern) and that the money might be frittered away on useless things like rent and food...

*sigh*

The only thing to do is to win the contest :D ...

[FrankS]

Chris, I empathise with you. I have a Nikon F4 that I bought new when they first came out for $2400Cdn. Now I'd be lucky to get $500 for it. It's not worth selling at that price. I'm holding onto it in case I need the capabilities of an SLR one day.

[photogdave]

Judging from your Flickr site, you're from Vancouver?
Go to Leo's or Kerrisdale (not sure if they sell consignment) and see what it will sell for on consignment. If the value seems acceptable have them put it up for sale. Once it passes the 30 business day police inspection and goes up for sale you can take the camera back any time you like and have the choice to accept or refuse any offers made on it.

[Brian Sweeney]

You will get a fraction of what you paid for it. It's probably worth more to you than that, and will get you a "start" on the M6.

If you really want an M6, go for it. A used one is less than what you paid for the bleeding edge SLR in its day, so why stop now.

[cp_ste.croix]

In my defense I most certainly didn't buy it new...I only paid about $1200 for it, but am worried I'll only get 1/2 that.

Ah well...thanks again folks, and I may go see Leo.

[Brian Sweeney]

> "I only paid about $1,200 for it"

You should be able to get an M6 well within that budget! See, you've "been there, done that". Why change now? And the M6 will hold its value.

[OpenWater]

I won't say that cameras can't be an investment, but they haven't been for me. Some are worth more than I paid for them, most are worth less. (I now see that buying used takes most of the sting out.) But I've kept them because as others have said, some cameras do some things better than others can. (And I've also grown attached to them.) I really like my Canons. They are manual focus (Ftbn, A-1, T70) and not very modern at all. FD lenses are now inexpensive and I think they are of wonderful quality. (I won't even get into my wife's growing MF collection.) But they are not an investment, just tools to make photos.

I kept my Leica on a shelf for years I am sorry to say. But when my interest in RF re-emerged, it was there like an old friend. So if you like your SLR, keep it.

[Flyfisher Tom]

Why don't you advertise for a WTT? There might be someone with a spare body that might be looking for a top fo the line Canon SLR. IT is a great camera, afterall. good luck