Cameras/Old Cameras
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Question
My father in law recently pased away, he was a keen photographer and had many cameras from box cameras to cine cameras and projectors. I have 2 questions
1) What would be the approximate value of a Zenit ES in a leather case.
2) Where are you based and would you be interested in viewing his collection (including stereo cameras and viewers) and providing a valuation or purchasing any/all of it?
Hello Gordon,
The Zenit ES is an extremely common 35mm single-lens-reflex camera, of questionable (at best) quality, made by Krasnogorsk of the USSR in the late 1970's to early 1980's. A truly excellent example would bring no more than $40 today. There are, seriously, zillions of late model series E Zenit cameras out there, and nobody wants them.
I'm located in San Francisco, California, but I've helped families all over the world properly liquidate camera collections from estates. Every situation is different. We've bought some things outright, helped find a specific motivated buyer to take everything (in the case of collections that had a strong specialty), had the collections shipped here where we either hosted an auction or sold everything over the course of several weeks, or recommended a selection of honest buyers to contact for quick stress free transactions. It depends on the breadth and depth and value of your collection. The best way to begin is by e-mailing a list to me at <silver@well.com> and I'll do an initial evaluation. The stereo market is generally strong, so that's a positive indication for you. We'll review the list and take it from there.
Best wishes,
David Silver
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David Silver
Expertise
I'm an expert on all types of antique, classic, and contemporary cameras, as well as the general history of photography. Everything from ancient box cameras to modern single-lens-reflex; from simple Kodaks to sophisticated Leica and Nikon; from glass plates and roll film to movie and 35mm. I can identify and appraise them, explain how they work, and offer insights on their restoration and care. I can also provide historical background on vintage cameras and equipment, and guidelines on their purchase and sale.
Experience
I've been a professional photographer and a student of the history of photography for nearly 30 years. During that time my collection of vintage cameras and photographic paraphernalia has grown beyond 2000 significant pieces. I've published nearly 70 articles in the field, including 16 in the popular "Buying Classic Cameras" series for PHOTO SHOPPER MAGAZINE from 1995 to 1997, I'm currently a contributing editor for CAMERA SHOPPER MAGAZINE and McKEOWN'S PRICE GUIDE TO ANTIQUE AND CLASSIC CAMERAS, and I've written numerous entries for WORLD BOOK ENCYCLOPEDIA. Portions of my collection have been displayed in museums and special exhibits in the past two decades, and many of the items were photographed as illustrations for books. In 1985 I founded the International Photographic Historical Organization (InPHO), which eventually evolved into its intended purpose as the best first resource for information on the history of photography. I'm also a founding member of several e-mail forums dedicated to specialized areas of photography, and I'm the moderator of the Internet Directory of Camera Collectors (IDCC), which remains the largest and most successful such group in the world. For more information about the International Photographic Historical Organization and its many services, please visit its web pages at:
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