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

[Herbert C Maxey <bmaxey1@xxxxxxxx>]

>>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.  :-)

Question: what does the cost have to do with something being a
collector's item? Cost has little to do with it in my opinion. If a
collector wants something,  regardless of the cost, the collector will
try to obtain it. If you have a collection that is missing something,
then even if the price is low, it becomes collectable.

As for collector's prices varying wildly, I think this is true. I used to
be on the IDCC List as well, and I have seen examples of this happening.
However it seems to be with ordinary and common camera models.  If I had
a Leica Stereo Attachment, or a camera prototype, or some other item that
was well recognized as being the rarest of the rare, the prices do not
vary much. All they will do is go up.

Consider the Macro Stereo Realist - a recognized rareity from the Realist
Line. I am not a price expert on that camera, but I would guess that if
50 dealers or collectors had these in the same condition, there would be
little difference in price. 

I think there are collectors who collect the object just to have it, and
those who collect something to use. I collect several things that I use,
and they are still collectable. 

I do not consider the Realist a Collectable Camera. I consider it to be a
tool to make stereo images. 

Cheers,

Bob