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

[Mike Kersenbrock <michaelk@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

"Dr. George A. Themelis" wrote:
> 
> >On ebay, what were the bids on the Contura?  Were those bids
> >from users?  I don't think so!
> 
> I don't either... I mentioned that 130,000 Realist were made.
> How many Conturas were made?  10, 50, 100?  There is a small
> difference don't you think?

My overall "theme" was that there is a significant collection
of stereo equipment going on in addition to the users.
The Contura example was starting off with a "dramatic"
example of this (for those who weren't watching, prices were
running in the twice-RBT price range). Point wasn't the reason
for the high price but that it clearly showed multiple stereo camera
collectors in action, and their willingness to pay really big
money for a 50's stereo camera (designed by the Realist's
designer).

> >generally speaking, a $20 value means that it's NOT a collectable
> >item.  Or at least not very collectable.  :-)
> 
> What makes something collectible vs. not very collectible?

If I knew that I'd be working for Sotheby's making millions!


> >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 lot of users will trust a Realist what is better cared for.
> Don't ask me why... it just works that way.  The prices are
> not MUCH higher.  Only slightly higher.

I've seen the price as much as three or four times higher
for MINT units compared with what I'd call normal.


> Why are the prices for the "two-button" Realists higher than
> the one-button Realists?  Because users trust the later models
> more and want a Realist that has this feature.  There were
> more two-button than one-button Realists made.  But you see
> more one-button for sale.  That's because most Realists are
> bought my users not collectors who think that this is a
> desirable feature.

And white button viewers go for as much or more than red buttons
(in my experience).

As to what the percentages are, I also haven't a real clue.  My
contact with the world is heavily skewed toward knowing users. My
web site, as little as I've had time to work on it, is also skewed
in a user direction (IMO), so feedback from there will have a slant.
So not only do I have little real evidence of what the percentages
are, but even if I ventured a gut feel guess, it'd be based on wildly
biased info.  So I won't.  I'll let you do it.  But I have seen
evidence of both groups existing.


Mike K.