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Frequently Asked Questions

How much is my camera worth?
How much is my Leica camera worth?
Do you buy modern secondhand cameras?
Do you buy cine cameras?
Do you buy books?
Do you buy darkroom equipment?
Do you accept orders from overseas?
If I order a camera, how do I know that it works properly?
Do you have an online ordering facility?
How do I calculate postage (shipping) charges?
Which methods of payment do you accept?
What is your policy on returns?
Where can I buy 127 film?
I'm having trouble finding a battery for my camera. Is there a specialist supplier?
Where can I buy flashbulbs?

How much is my camera worth?

The short answer is that your camera is worth whatever someone is prepared to pay for it; all values are theoretical until you have found a buyer. However, there are several ways of finding an approximate value for your camera.

Search the camera name and model on the Internet - you may find one for sale or a record of a recent sale
Purchase one of the many excellent camera price guides - see bookshop
Ask us what we would be prepared to pay for your camera. If you are having trouble identifying the camera make or model, please contact us for advice: peterloy@peterloy.com

Unless the camera is pre-1900, age has very little relevance to the value. For example there are many Kodak box and folding cameras from the 1920's and 1930's that have little, if any, commercial value. Rarity is one factor to take into account but then again there are several rare, simple cameras that have very little value. Quality is probably the most important factor when determining value and this is coupled closely to condition. Therefore if you have a quality, rare camera in first class condition, it may be quite valuable. And, if you're considering selling it, we want to hear from you. See Selling to us.

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How much is my Leica camera worth?

With the exception of some of the recent compact models manufactured in Japan, all Leica cameras in good or better condition have some resale value. Prices vary according to rarity and condition. The condition of the camera is of particular importance and in some cases a mint example can be worth ten times more than the same model in poor condition. The appearance of the camera is much more important than whether or not it’s working properly – Leica cameras can nearly always be repaired but restoring the paint or chrome is rarely cost effective. Additional lenses and accessories will all add to the value and some of the rarest accessories are worth as much as the cameras.

Even if the camera appears to be in excellent cosmetic condition and in full working order, there are other factors to take into account. The value will be reduced if flash synchronisation has been added to a model which was not originally synchronised. Marks on lens elements will again reduce the value. There is also the possibility that your camera is not a Leica at all even though it has “Leica" engraved on the top-plate; there are an increasing number of fakes on the market based on Russian Feds and Zorkis. These are distinct from Leica copies which do not have the Leica name on them and in many cases are worth more than the model they are a copy of.

Bear in mind that your camera or collection is only worth what someone is prepared to pay for it.

If you are considering selling your Leica camera, outfit, collection or Leica copy, please contact us. See Selling to us

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Do you buy modern secondhand cameras?

Yes, we buy all types of quality secondhand cameras. Please let us know what you have

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Do you buy cine cameras?

There is much less demand worldwide for collectable cine cameras than there is for still cameras but there are certain models that we purchase. Please let us know the make and model of the camera you are selling

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Do you buy books?

We buy books about cameras but we do not buy books about photography. We usually only purchase collections of books but we may be interested in purchasing a single book if it's particularly rare or desirable. Please let us know what you have

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Do you buy darkroom equipment?

No. There are very few dealers that purchase secondhand darkroom equipment. Demand has dropped considerably as more and more have changed to digital printing. However it may be worth trying to sell your equipment privately as there are still some keen darkroom enthusiasts. With the exception of items from the earliest days of photography, there is virtually no demand for darkroom items as collectables

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Do you accept orders from overseas?

Yes. We ship worldwide. Shipping is charged at the cost price for all international orders. We have years of experience of international shipments and know the cheapest and most reliable carriers to use. All items are carefully packed and labeled and will reach you in the same condition that they left us. Shipping charges vary according to the destination, weight & value of the package. Please see Ordering & Shipping.

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If I order a camera, how do I know that it works properly?

We grade our equipment very carefully. Unless the item is described otherwise, it will be in full working order. Please see Condition Grading.

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Do you have an online ordering facility?

No. We do not have an online ordering facility but this has certain advantages. You are ordering from a person, rather than a computer and we can physically check that the item is in stock. We can also inform you of shipping charges. We try to make our listings as descriptive as possible but the nature of the items is such that many customers ask questions before placing an order. Ordering is simple - please see Ordering & Shipping.

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How do I calculate postage (shipping) charges?

Shipping charges vary according to the destination, weight & value of the package. We can tell you the exact cost when you place your order. For further information and some examples of shipping charges, please see Ordering & Shipping.

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Which methods of payment do you accept?

For customers in the UK we accept: cheques, postal orders, cash (sent registered), Visa, MasterCard and debit cards.

For customers outside the UK we accept: bank drafts in Pounds Sterling, Visa, MasterCard and wire transfers.

Please contact us if you have any questions regarding payment.

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What is your policy on returns?

We check, grade and describe everything very carefully so you should know exactly what to expect when you place your order. However, occasionally an item may not be quite what you expected. We allow 2 weeks from the date of purchase (3 weeks for international orders) for you to check the items and return them for a refund or exchange. Returned items must be in the condition received.

We want you to buy from us again so please tell us if you are not entirely satisfied with your order.

Further questions and comments to peterloy@peterloy.com

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