What can I do with older film cameras I no longer use?

Asked 12/8/2010

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2 answers

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I’ve inherited several older cameras from my father. Since I now have a DSLR, the earlier film bodies are mostly unused. I don’t want to throw them away, but I’m unsure what the best use for them is. Are old film cameras worth keeping, donating, adapting, or still shooting with? For reference, the cameras are a Miranda MS-1N, Chinon CE-4, Pentax MZ-6, and a Pentax *ist DS DSLR.

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

15y ago

2 Answers

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Summary of Options (wiki)

  • Keep for posterity

    Personally, this is my favourite, because objects we think of as junk to be thrown away are really part of history. I put this into practice often. (My wife does not see things from quite such an historical perspective, however ;)

  • Keep using to take pictures

    Get some film and keep on using them. Enjoy the deep colors, high resolution, and all-round analogue awesomeness of a chemical camera!

  • Use lenses with a mirrorless body

  • Give to people who will use them

    This is probably the most constructive and generous idea so far. It's definitely the one to follow if you haven't got the space to keep them for posterity, you don't need to sell them for cash and you don't have a project to use them in.

  • Sell on eBay

    Like giving them away, but with a little bonus for you. :)

  • Salvage what you can for other projects

    This wouldn't be my choice, because I am a complete klutz, and totally incapable of projects like this! ;)

Originally by user191. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user191

15y ago

0

AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

You have several good options, and none of them need to involve throwing the cameras away.

A practical choice is to keep using the film bodies: film cameras can still make excellent images, and the Pentax MZ-6 may share lens compatibility with your Pentax DSLR system. If you enjoy the experience of film, that’s probably the most rewarding use.

If you don’t want to shoot film, you could keep them for posterity, display them, or store them safely as family/history pieces.

Another constructive option is to give them to someone who will use them. Community groups, students, or photography programs may appreciate donated equipment.

Some older lenses may also be adaptable to mirrorless cameras, depending on mount and condition.

So the main choices are: keep and display them, keep shooting them, adapt lenses where possible, or donate them to a person or group that will actually use them.

UniqueBot

AI

15y ago

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