The value of large format cameras

[E. von Hoegh]

Okay, so I'm totally wrong. I forgot about the rear movements!

As well as the rotating back, the interchangeable RF cams, the incomparable build quality, the range of lenses, accessories, etc., etc..

[Ash]

I use my LF gear like it won't be worth anything in the future.

[Frank Petronio]

Once Kodak stops making color film, the prices of all this stuff will start to decline.

What is strange to me is that I bet there are very few vintage "collectible" LF cameras in mint condition. They almost all have been used.

What would an unused, pre-WW2 Deardorff or a late 1940s Sinar Standard be worth?

[Brian C. Miller]

A while back a sheriff's office in California put an unused Graflex Super Graphic up for bid on eBay. It was genuine new-old stock. It went for nearly the price of a new Toyo 45AX.

[Corran]

Once Kodak stops making color film, the prices of all this stuff will start to decline.

Gosh I hope not.

As we continue to see larger digital sensors I personally believe there will be a market for these cameras/lenses for use on them. At least I hope so.

[Frank Petronio]

I doubt the larger sensors will ever need to be anywhere near 4x5 inches large as already the results from smaller than 6x4.5cm medium format digital back sensors are competitive, if not better than, the best film scans. It just doesn't seem economically viable unless somebody creates some magic new way to make sensors....

And then, with such an amazing sensor, you'll really need a very fine micro-geared camera, as the medium format digital view cameras have evolved into. Your old 4x5 won't cut as-is.

[Ben Syverson]

As well as the rotating back, the interchangeable RF cams, the incomparable build quality, the range of lenses, accessories, etc., etc..

The Super has a rotating back and interchangeable RF cams...

[Corran]

Isn't that what they said about APS-C sized digital sensors from Nikon/Canon? Who knows what we may see sometime in the future.

And I don't think Kodak's ability to make color film or not is the sole decision maker. I think it would have to be Kodak, Ilford, and Fuji ALL not making ANY film before people really started dumping the 4x5's like crazy. Which will hopefully never happen.

[J. Fada]

When film is gone people will still want to make images of an organic nature and we have already seen this with resurgence of wet plate photographs. Large format black and white film should be around for quite a long time but I am afraid color film won't last that much longer. I don't shoot much color sheet film but I feel it will be a sad day when it is gone. Whether or not we see a digital sensor being economically feasible at the 4x5 size who knows, but with the miniaturization and efficiency of sensors I doubt it.

[domaz]

Joe,


Here's a used DSLR for $10,000.

This didn't sell, and seriously he was trying to sell his own DSLR camera for "historical" value? Seems a little bit conceded if you ask me.