[photo-3d] Re: Not buying a collectible Realist

["Mike Kersenbrock" <michaelk@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

--- In photo-3d@xxxxxxxxxxx, "Dr. George A. Themelis" <drt-3d@xxxx>  
> The fact is that the Realist maintains a very healthy demand
> by users.  150,000 Realist were made.  So it is not a hot
> collector's item.  Other cameras of similar era that have
> only collectible value, go for $20.  The Realist is strong
> at the $100+ mark.  Look at ebay. 

On ebay, what were the bids on the Contura?  Were those bids
from users?  I don't think so!

I am a charter member of a camera-collector's mailing list (IDCC)
where I've learned that collector prices vary wildly.... but
generally speaking, a $20 value means that it's NOT a collectable
item.  Or at least not very collectable.  :-)

I've also noticed on ebay that stereo cameras, including the
Realist, sell for MUCH higher prices if they are "mint" and/or
include the original box.  To me, these are signs of collectors.
A user certainly should pay a small premium for a "mint" one, but
not some of those HUGE differences.  A user shouldn't care very much
about the original box either (other than for COLLECTOR resale value).
A user should/would throw away the box (which is why collectors
value them).

Although I agree that most are probably sold for user-purposes
(I get email from my web site too), I suspect there is a good
collector aspect present as well.

Both of my Realists were bought by me for user-purposes.  Both
are currently collectables.  I've even bought a glass
case for display purposes (not that they couldn't be yanked out
for backup user purposes at any time...).

I'm still buying stereo cameras from time to time for collector
reasons, but yet to have gotten one for as low as $20
(although not that much more).


Mike K.