Hallo everyone, and welcome back to my site. Thanks to those who have the patience to follow my posts. A warm welcome to those who are here for the first time.
The cost of vintage lenses is increasing, the quality is difficult to find… what to do? – Crazy prices! Vintage Lenses!
The cost of quality vintage lenses is increasing substantially, the quality of lenses on the market is decreasing proportionally.
The availability of good vintage lenses, usable and for use in everyday photography is increasingly difficult. Especially the category of medium quality lenses, NOT entry-level, has undergone a substantial increase. Crazy prices!Vintage Lenses
Since the beginning of this year, as I promised myself, I began a rather careful and detailed search for various lenses with various focal lengths.
I then explored the local (Italian) market for vintage lenses. With great disappointment I found the mismatch between MY needs and product availability.
Research aimed at GOOD QUALITY lenses and above all usable on a day-to-day basis is currently suspended due to the unavailability of products with an acceptable quality/ratio.
Prices: The online second-hand market (typically E-Bay and similar platforms) offers prices increased by at least 20% on average compared to the last 2 years. An honest (basic) lens that was sold on average for around €50 is now on sale in the best case scenario for around €10/15 more.
Italian resellers of used photographic material (I am referring to vintage lenses), even the famous ones known to all. Where I myself have purchased in the past. Also in this case, prices increased significantly. Any possible exchanges have become ridiculous, the figures possibly offered by the dealer for an exchange are totally out of the market. The amounts claimed to compensate for a possible exchange are totally ridiculous. Unsustainable price differences for a normal amateur photographer who wants to try his hand without excessive costs.
Today I don’t think anyone has money to throw away. Especially knowing that if you wish to resell or exchange a product in a hypothetical future, the economic loss will be very large.
Second-hand markets, the classic stalls, are perhaps the only possibility to find some products at reasonable prices, and with the added possibility of verifying the quality and functionality in person.
Furthermore, these markets do not always have photographic material, much less interesting lenses. But sometimes if luck favors, it can happen. The disadvantage is that you have to waste a lot of time. Which unfortunately I don’t have.
My desire to carry out trials, tests and experiments with new VINTAGE lenses is currently awaiting valid opportunities.
I’m sorry, but this is the situation. Exactly as I describe it, and also verified with other friends and acquaintances who are passionate about vintage lenses.
Until the next post, happy end summer everyone. A warm greeting
