The short version
- Typical range: £30 – £250
- Biggest single factor: condition — see the table below
- Category: Cameras & Photography
- Cost to sell on WishThrift: nothing, at any price
What a used film 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 film cameras, so treat them as a starting point and adjust for the specifics of yours.
| Condition | Typical price | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | £250 | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £212 | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £162 | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £112 | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £62 | 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 film camera
- A working light meter, which many buyers assume is dead
- Clean, fungus-free glass in any attached lens
- Sought-after compact and SLR models that gained a following
- Original strap, case and manual for collectors
What lowers it
- Sticky or slow shutter speeds, common on cameras left unused for years
- Light seals that have perished into black dust
- Fungus or haze inside the lens, which is expensive to correct
- Battery corrosion in the compartment
How to work out what yours is worth
- Fire the shutter at every speed and listen for ones that hang
- Open the back and check whether the light seals are still supple
- Shine a torch through the lens looking for haze or fungus threads
Once you have those three answers you can place your own film 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 film cameras worth anything?
Many are worth considerably more than they were a decade ago. Film photography’s revival has pushed up prices for well-regarded SLRs and compacts, though ordinary models remain modest.
Does a broken light meter reduce the value?
Yes, but less than you would think for fully mechanical cameras that work without one. On electronic bodies it matters much more.
What are light seals and do they matter?
They are foam strips that keep light out of the film chamber. They perish with age and cause light leaks. They are cheap to replace and worth mentioning honestly.
More value guides: cameras & photography guides · all value guides · browse live cameras & photography listings.