What to do with old/antique gear?

Hello All,

I'm looking for some help if you can. Someone had a box of "Photography Stuff" and if I wanted it I could have it otherwise they would donate it or throw it out. My question is should I just display them or should I take the time to, if needed, fix and use them?

So here is what they dropped off.
3A Graflex Camera
Graphic View II w/ extra lens
3A Folding Brownie
Kodak Dakon
Konishiroku Hexanon 1:2.8 50mm
Argus Ilex
Mamiya c330 Professional f
Older and new light meters

I'm going to order an adaptor ring to use the lenses

Also in the box along with other stuff I’m still going through
Bell & Howell: Filmo 70DR
Bell & Howell 8mm Movie Camera With Electric Eye

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

more stuff

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

is there a way to add more the just 2 photos at a time?

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

its been awhile since I've been here

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

thanks for any help

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

Perhaps see if an auction house will take them

It's up to you; depends a little on what shape it's in whether it's worth trying to use. You could also sell some of it; I'd be interested, and I'm sure others would be also.

To post more than two pictures you need to upload them to a picture hosting site (flickr, photobucket, etc.) and put links in your post

I recognize almost all of it!
It is easy, google, download manual for each of the item. Then check it for accuracy and light leaks with film, if it is camera. Each camera might need different film, film holder, cassette, take in spool. Develop and inspect each negative for light leaks and other issues. Fix them. Sell.
Does it really sounds easy? If not, most honorable way is to give it to someone who has a clue or willing to list each item As Is on eBay.

IMO and off the cuff without any research, the Mamiya and the view camera (lens especially) might have some value and are likely an easy sell. Hard to say about the meters as I can't tell what the Minolta is and I'm not sure many people would know what the spot meter is used for (Honeywell?). Regarding the others...I've picked up a bunch of similar cameras at flea markets in the $5 range and put them on a shelf at the studio.

...but who knows? Maybe there's a bigger market for this stuff than I would assume. Go to K&H and search for similar items to get a better idea.

Thank you for the feed back scriveyn, yellowt2 & kf095.

I like the idea of giving them a good once over to see if they are in any working order.


Thanks Foodguy...that's what i was going to do with them is just display them but i was wondering if I was missing an opportunity to gain knowledge


Any other ideas are always welcome.

and the other two

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

HOSTED PHOTO
please log in to view hosted photos in full size.

KEH Camera buys used cameras.

Be aware that some "junk" isn't. A co-worker bothered me to buy his obsolete NIKON S2 35MM rangefinder body w/3 lenses for $30.00 I finally did just to shut him up. Thing is, it was a "Black dial" version. A few years ago it was listed for $800. Click the link to see how it's appreciated since then.

That Graflex camera could have some use for small DOF photography with a fast lens. Some people use such cameras (don´t know the different types) and adapt / convert fast lenses on them, so like f/2.8, f/2 and faster. On 4x5 inch that results in quite a small depth of field for photography of complete persons.
There are only relatively few 4x5 inch SLR cameras with focal plane shutters around, I think this is one.

The Minolta exposure meter looks a bit like the Minolta Autometer IV, which is quite good!

Those lenses in the backrow looks interessting too!
Left one seems like Tokina 80-200mm f/2.8, right ones looks very special!

IQ Zero wrote in post #18384301
is there a way to add more the just 2 photos at a time?

Hosted photo: posted by IQ Zero in
./showthread.php?p=183​84301&i=i139727880
forum: Changing Camera Brands

There were 3 C330's Professional, and they definitely earned the "Professional" moniker.

C330 - Original
C330f - Which was an improvement on the C330 (This is the one you have)
C330S - Improvement again on the C330f.

It looks clean, and you have a set of lenses. As long as you check for light leakage as kf095 mentioned, you should get a damn good price for it if you sold it.
Personally, I'd keep it.

The Pentax spot meter is sweet to. I say keep it and use what works. Display the rest.

"give the once-over" is wide term.

My suggestion is to check each item going price on eBay. I have some cameras from OP Pandora box before. Many of them are far away from flea market 5$ cash and go.

So, check it on eBay. If it sound promising, get on-line manual for the camera. Mamiya, old Graflex SLR and monorail camera manuals should be available under Google search. Read and understand the manual. Try to operate camera, lens. See if it works. Works or not, I'll just stop where and sell it as is with description like : not tested with film, checked this and this and it works like what.
If me, I would try to check with film Mamiya kit and Monorail. And check Minolta light meter if it works. This one doesn't looks like cheap one or retro like others (usually dead or inaccurate by now). I'm not sure if TLR is easy to check without film. At least frame counter is not going to work. Monorail could be checked just by its focus glass on the back (if it still where).

TLR is the easiest to check, because it is 120. Easy to develop and scan. Monorail could be 4x5 or larger, might have correct film holder or it might be none. If OP has all for developing and scan it makes sense. If not, stop at the phase one. Manual, read, try without film and sell.

Folders might have light leaks in the bellows and gunk in the lens. They might be also not for 120 film. Small old 35mm cameras, most likely are going to have not working shutters and gunk in the lens as well.