Factors Influencing Value

By Neil Rosenfeld

The value of photo equipment is influenced by the supply/rarity, demand, and condition of the item.

Although supply and demand play a larger role in the value of antique, collectible, and discontinued photo equipment, all photo equipment is affected by it to some degree. When there are limited numbers of a particular photographic item, the value of that item will go up as more people desire it.

Condition is the most important factor influencing the overall value of photo equipment. A camera or lens in excellent condition is worth more than the same model in lesser condition. Condition, however, is a subjective thing; one person’s "like new" condition may be someone else's "excellent."

Many large, used equipment dealers have their own rating scales to determine the condition of photo equipment. The following rating scale was created using those as a reference.

Mint/Like New (100% of original finish): Item should look and function like it is factory new. Original packaging and instructions are often included.

Like New (95-99% of original finish): Used very little. No brassing (when the painted metal of the camera is marred so that the metal is exposed) or obvious surface blemishes. Perfect optics.

Excellent (+/-) (85-94% of original finish): Used, but taken good care of. Above average cosmetics. Slight brassing and/or surface blemishes. Optically and mechanically perfect.

Good (+/-) (75-84% of original finish): Cosmetically average. Metal definitely shows wear. Glass is clean.

Fair (+/-) (65-74% of original finish): Below average cosmetics. Dents, dings, and scratches are numerous but item functions properly. Glass shows average wear but picture quality is not affected.

Bargain (+/-) (55-64% of original finish): Not pretty cosmetically, but functions properly. Glass has more than average wear which may affect picture quality.

Ugly: Hideous, repulsive and so on. Extremely well-used. May not function properly. Glass has flaws that will most likely affect picture quality.

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The preceding material was written by Neil Rosenfeld. These are the opinions of the author, not the opinions of eBay, and therefore eBay does not validate the accuracy of or endorse these opinions.