Re: Collecting vs Using

["BIRKEY, DUANE" <dbirkey@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I know there are many of you users who would like to get a like new 2.8 
Realist for $50.  I know that I would too.  At the the same time people 
who enjoy collecting Photographia know there aren't many like new 
examples out there and find they have to pay an increasing amount to 
purchase one in pristine condition.  Whose fault is that?  Former 
owners who used and abused relatively rare models.  To a user, that 
sounds stupid as cameras were made to be used, actually they were made 
to be sold for a profit, as is everything manufactured.

There have always been people who enjoy a particular hobby or subject 
enough that they find themselves compelled to accumulate everything 
related to that subject, whether it is stamps, coins, figurines, dairy 
creamers, antiques, photographs and cameras.  It would be difficult to 
say that the pleasure that a user derives from using cameras is greater 
than that of a collector who collects.  In looking at Leica collectors, 
they must receive great satisfaction out of doing so because I could 
not think of any other reason to plunk down a couple grand for 
something that will probably never have film run through it.  It seems 
to me that some are being a little selfish in telling people not to 
collect cameras only so that they might purchase the same models for 
bargain prices.  What's the next criteria?  You're pictures stink..... 
so you should sell your camera to someone more gifted????? 

Having said that, I wish that the speculators (interested more in pure 
profit than photography or collecting) in the collectable camera market 
would move to coins or back to the stock market.  Dealers need to earn 
a living and do provide important services.  I have found dealers and 
individuals however that are selling less than mint cameras for mint 
pricing.  Shame on them! That is inflating pricing for everyone.

Duane Birkey Quito Ecuador

Incidently, If any of you are "collecting" money in a bank account 
somewhere (and aren't really using it, in my opinion) I and many other 
users will be happy to put it to use immediately!!!!!     


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