The short version
- Typical range: £30 – £300
- Biggest single factor: condition — see the table below
- Category: Cameras & Photography
- Cost to sell on WishThrift: nothing, at any price
What a used vintage camera is worth by condition
Condition does more to the price than anything else. These figures are worked from the top of the range for vintage cameras, so treat them as a starting point and adjust for the specifics of yours.
| Condition | Typical price | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | £300 | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £255 | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £195 | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £135 | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £75 | Not working or incomplete, sold as seen |
These are the five grades WishThrift listings use, and sellers set the grade themselves — see what each condition grade means. Figures are shown in pounds as a reference point. On WishThrift prices display in your own currency, and sellers set their own asking price.
What raises the value of a vintage camera
- Sought-after models with an established collector following
- Fully working shutters across all speeds
- Clean glass with no fungus or haze
- Original case, manual and box
What lowers it
- Sticky shutters, common on cameras left unused
- Fungus threads inside the lens
- Corroded battery compartments on electronic models
- Very common models produced in huge numbers
How to work out what yours is worth
- Fire the shutter at every speed listening for hang-ups
- Shine a torch through the lens looking for haze and fungus
- Identify the exact model and search sold listings for it
Once you have those three answers you can place your own vintage camera on the table above with reasonable confidence. If it sits between two rows, price it toward the lower one — items priced honestly sell faster than items priced hopefully.
Ready to sell it? Listing on WishThrift is free, there is no commission, and you keep the full amount you agree with the buyer — see how selling works or create a free account.
Frequently asked questions
Are old cameras worth money?
Some are worth a great deal and many are worth very little. It depends on the specific model rather than how old it is.
What is a sticky shutter?
Old lubricant gumming up the mechanism so slow speeds hang. It is a common fault on stored cameras and is repairable.
Should I clean a vintage camera before selling?
A careful external clean helps. Do not attempt internal cleaning unless you know how — it is easy to make things worse.
More value guides: cameras & photography guides · all value guides · browse live cameras & photography listings.