Many people inherit film cameras from their parents or grandparents, either through rooting through the loft or being handed down 35mm to complete a school art project. These cameras are well made and can often be used as usual as they lack digital components. However, to develop the film, you will need to contact a specialist or learn the art of darkroom development. Some may find this enjoyable, however for many, this is an arduous and expensive process for something they could get instant gratification from with digital photography.
Antique cameras are a specialist art form, with rare film types and old mechanics, unlike modern electronic cameras. Popularity for vintage cameras grew substantially in the 2010s. The millennial generation discovered an appreciation for traditional photography and developing methods. During this time, vintage became trendy, and creating photographs that looked like they were taken on a conventional camera became increasingly popular, so much so that filters were designed to mimic this. This has increased the value of old cameras, making it a great time to sell the cameras you found in the attic.
There are many different camera brands available, particularly for vintage cameras. Still, some of the most well-known names include Hasselblad, Zeiss, and Canon. Old cameras are heavy, made of sturdy metal components and designed to withstand time. Unfortunately, they often require repairs to get the full functionality and quality they offer. At Pack It Post It, we buy a range of vintage and antique cameras, including 35mm vintage cameras, medium format 120 film cameras and large format antique cameras. Other film sizes include the lesser-known 127, 110 and APS cameras. It is possible that if the market is trending, these rarer sizes are worth more due to scarcity. Along with all the different camera film sizes, there are also three general types of film cameras, including the most popular, SLR, compacts and rangefinders.
SLRs are the classic form of camera that many people recognise when imagining an analogue vintage camera. You can change the lenses, the quality of the glass in the lens determining the actual quality of an image. The viewfinder lets you see through the lens and what you wish to take a photo of, where the name single-lens reflex (SLR) came from.
Compact cameras are also called point and shoot cameras, the automatic version of the SLR, prominent in the 20th century. They were brought back to market recently with new technology to allow further easy film shooting. However, they are a point in click, not allowing much creative freedom from manual controls.
Rangefinders are a camera type between compact and SLR. The lens is coupled with the viewfinder to know when something is in focus, but you don't see through the lens as you would expect. This type of camera is a try before you buy and is more suited to the experienced camera collector or those interested in trying a whole new kind of photography.
The popularity of vintage cameras has even caused the decline in desire for DSLRs, and camera manufacturers have developed a new digital camera in the style of their legacy models. But what could replace the original article? The real deal? There is something special about developing your film and learning to use a darkroom, creating photos to your standards and specifications through practice and skill.
At Pack It Post It, we value a massive range of cameras sent to us. If you are interested in parting with your old cameras, you can send them to us for evaluation. Industry experts in their fields carry out our appraisals, so you can safely know that your items will be assessed appropriately. We have specialist extensive item delivery options for you to choose from too. If you want to get the process underway but are unsure how to start, feel free to contact us at admin@packitpostit.co.uk or drop us a call at 08001125512, we can't wait to hear from you.
If you like the idea of getting cash for your vintage memorabilia, collectibles and antique furniture, order a seller pack and send us your items using our prepaid postage labels or select the option for a home visit if they’re too large to pack and post.
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