What Sells: Lenses & Accessories
There are many different types of camera filters, including protective and UV filters, polarizing filters, neutral density filters, special effects filters, and colored and warming filters. There are just as many, if not more, varieties of camera lenses and accessories. Lenses, filters and other small accessories are often sold in lots (as a group versus as individual items). If you offer items in a lot, try to group them by brand and age. Tripods should always be sold separately.
Top-selling brands include:
- Filters: Cokin, Hoya, Leica, Mamiya, Schneider, Sinar, Singh Ray, Tamron, Tiffen
- Flashes: Canon, Minolta, Nikon, Olympus, Quantum, Sigma
- Lenses: Canon, Contax, Hasselblad, Leica, Mamiya, Minolta, Nikon, Rollei, Sigma, Tamron, Vivitar, Zeiss
- Tripods: Bogen, Gitzo, Libec, Miller, Sactler, Vinten
If you don’t know all the specifications, check the manufacturer’s website; they often have product catalogs online that list detailed specifications.
The Photographer’s Guide to Filters (Photographers Guide) (Paperback) by Lee Frost provides complete information on evaluating and using filters.
Tiffen.com features an overview of the range of filter types written by Ira Tiffen, the principal of a leading glass lens and filter manufacturer. Visit the website at http://www.tiffen.com/camera_filters.htm.
B&H Photo & Video provides an outstanding general, online camera resource that includes an introduction to filters in the Product Resources section of the website. Visit the website at http://www.bhphotovideo.com/.
Inspect all items for the following signs of damage:
- Scratched, chipped or cracked glass
- Fogged lenses (Check this by shining a flashlight through the back. If it is fogged, it should e repaired at a camera shop; you can still try to sell it but you won’t receive as much money for it.)
- Discolored patches in lenses (could indicate presence of lens fungus which cannot be repaired)
- Rusted metal parts on tripods
- Broken or missing parts
If a lens is dirty, clean it with a tissue or brush designed for cleaning camera lenses. Remove dust with a can of compressed air. Don’t use eyeglass cleaning tissues, since these have chemicals that can damage the lens; paper towels and facial tissues may scratch the lens as well.
- Brand
- Model,
- Description (UV filter, 80-200mm lens, fluid head tripod, etc.)
- Accessories (cases, cables, manuals, etc.)
Use the original packaging whenever possible to store or ship an item. If the original box is missing or too damaged to use, wrap each item separately in bubble wrap and cushion with packing peanuts inside a larger box. Put lens caps on lenses to protect them during shipment.
If you’re selling darkroom equipment, be aware of any restrictions your carrier might place on shipping chemicals. Trays and tanks should be cleaned before shipping, and chemicals should be in sealed containers. Store chemicals away from pets and children. Never place chemicals in direct sunlight or adjacent to a heat source.
