Expert: David Silver - 3/23/2005

Question
I don't know if you can help. About 2 years ago I inherited some camera equipment from a distant relative. I have kept some as a keepsake but wish to sell the rest. Only thing is, because I don't know anything about cameras etc this is proving to be very difficult as I don't know what prices to sell them at. I have listed a few of the items below, hope you can help.


LENSES:

Nikon  AF Nikor 70 – 200mm

Nikon  AF Nikor 35 - 105mm

Nikon  AF Nikor 35 – 135mm

Nikon 50mm

Nikon Nikor 300mm

Sigma 70-300mm DL

Sigma auto focus 70 – 300mm APO macro

Sigma zoom master F=35 – 70mm (X2)

Tamron  AF 70 - 210mm

Soligor tele-auto F2.8 – 200mm

Paragon 1:63 F=400mm

Tokina ATX AF 80 – 200mm

Vivitar 28 – 200mm macro



CONVERTERS:

Nikon tele converter TC – 200  2x

Auto tele converer  2x  for Nikon

Jessops MC  2x  N/AFD

Teleplus MC7 N-AFD  2x



FLASHES:

Cobra dedicated D400

Nikon speedlight SB24 (X2)

Nikon speedlight SB22

Nikon speedlight SB22S

Nikon speedlight SB18



CAMERAS

Nikon F50

Nikon F301

Nikon AF F401S



Thanks for your time  

Answer
Hello Adele,

The major problem with this gear is the extra year you waited to sell.  The rampaging popularity of digital photography has absolutely gutted the value of second hand 35mm equipment, even for Nikon, and prices have dropped dramatically since December of 2003 (the holiday buying rush).  A year ago you would have gotten at least 50% more than the prices I quote below, but it will only get worse, so there's absolutely no reason to wait!  The prices I'm providing are general established ranges based on my experience in the current market for items in truly excellent overall condition:



(You neglected to state whether there are lenses fitted on the three cameras, so these are prices for the camera bodies alone)

Nikon F50 (aka N50)   $50 to $70

Nikon F301 (aka N2000)   $60 to $80

Nikon AF F401S (aka N4004s)   $50 to $70



Nikon AF Nikor 70-200mm (no such animal; check it)

Nikon AF Nikor 35-105mm   $90 to $130

Nikon AF Nikor 35-135mm   $100 to $140

Nikon 50mm (which one; AF, manual, and what aperture?)

Nikon 300mm (which one; AF, manual, and what aperture?)

Sigma 70-300mm DL   $80 to $110

Sigma AF 70-300mm APO macro   $100 to $140

Sigma zoom master 35-70mm   $30 to $50

Tamron AF 70-210mm   $60 to $90

Soligor tele-auto f2.8 200mm   $30 to $50

Paragon f6.3 400mm   $30 to $50

Tokina ATX AF 80-200mm   $140 to $200

Vivitar 28-200mm macro   $50 to $80



Nikon tele converter TC-200   $30 to $50

Auto tele converter 2x for Nikon (what brand?)

Jessops MC 2x N/AFD (sorry, don't know this one)

Teleplus MC7   $50 to $80



Cobra dedicated D400 (can't resell these)

Nikon speedlight SB24   $50 to $80

Nikon speedlight SB22   $30 to $50

Nikon speedlight SB22S   $30 to $50

Nikon speedlight SB18   $25 to $40



There's no reason you couldn't get higher results in truly excellent circumstances (and you'll see dealers desperately trying to get double and triple these amounts because they locked into the equipment before the market tumbled), but my experience says you'll be lucky to do this well with the way the market is dropping.  These are all hard items to sell, eBay would be the obvious recommendation, but it's a real crapshoot right now.  If you'd like for me to sell it for you (I have a huge collection of Nikon gear that I'm brokering for somebody in about two weeks), perhaps you can ship it to me and you'd gain the advantage of my reputation when I offer it for sale.  Professional courtesy, I only ask for 10% of the gross to cover my time and expenses, but since I'm selling the other Nikon gear, there's a good opportunity for me to make top dollar for you at the same time.  Just a suggestion.  Get back to me if I can be of anymore service.

Best wishes,

David Silver