Partial sales welcome · Film & vintage cameras · Photographers & estates
Downsizing your camera collection.
Sell what you no longer need.
Many photographers reach a point where the collection has grown beyond what they actively use. Others find themselves managing a late relative's equipment — cameras carefully gathered over decades, now sitting in a spare room. Both situations are ones we handle every week.
You do not have to sell everything. We are equally happy to assess a couple of bodies and a bag of lenses as we are to handle a full estate. Our written offer breaks down each item individually, so you can decide exactly what to part with.
Get a free estimate →No obligation. No pressure. Free insured postage provided.
Which situation fits yours?
Use this table to think about the best approach before contacting us. We are flexible — the categories often overlap.
| Your situation | Typical scope | Best approach |
|---|---|---|
| Active photographer keeping some kit, selling the rest | Specific bodies and lenses you no longer reach for | List what you want to sell; we assess and offer on those items only |
| Moving house or into a smaller property | Often a full or near-full collection needing to move quickly | Send photographs of everything; we handle the assessment and logistics |
| Handling a late relative's cameras on behalf of the family | Unknown quantity — may include cameras from multiple decades | Photograph what you find and send it all; we identify what has value and explain the rest honestly |
| Selling on behalf of a photographer who is no longer able to manage the collection | Often well-maintained, labelled, and organised equipment | We work at your pace and are happy to explain valuations in plain language for non-photographers |
| Clearing a darkroom alongside cameras | Camera equipment plus enlargers, processors, and accessories | List or photograph the darkroom equipment separately; we will advise on what is within our scope |
If you are handling a collection on behalf of a family or estate, we understand that speed is not always the priority. We will work at whatever pace suits you, and we are happy to provide a written valuation for probate or family records without any obligation to sell.
Preparing your collection — what to do before you contact us
A little preparation makes the assessment faster and ensures you get the most accurate possible response from us.
- Photograph each camera body from the front, back, and top plate. Include any damage or heavy wear in your photographs — we would rather see it from the start.
- Photograph lenses from the front element and rear element. Hold them up to a light source if possible — this reveals any fungus, haze, or internal separation that affects value.
- Note the brand and model of each item as best you can — even partial information (e.g. "Nikon, black body, no model name visible") is helpful.
- Keep accessories — cases, caps, straps, manuals — with the camera they belong to. Do not discard anything until we have assessed it.
- Note whether cameras appear to be working (shutter fires, film advance moves) or not working. You do not need to test lenses.
- If there is an album, folder, or purchase receipt with the collection, photograph those too. Provenance and original papers can add meaningful value.
- Do not clean any items — well-intentioned polishing can reduce value on patinated items and risks damaging delicate optics.
How the process works
-
Send photographs of what you want to sell Email your photographs to support@fairvintage.co.uk with a brief description of each item and any notes on condition or working order. There is no minimum number of items and no need for a formal inventory.
-
We respond within one to two working days We will confirm which items are of interest, give a realistic indication of value, and flag honestly anything that falls outside our scope. If you have a mix of valuable and low-value items we will tell you which is which.
-
We provide free insured postage Once you decide to proceed, we send a fully insured, tracked postage solution at our cost. We provide packing guidance — cameras and lenses need careful preparation and we walk you through it step by step.
-
Physical assessment and written offer On receipt we check each item in person — shutters, apertures, optics, cosmetic condition. You receive a written offer broken down item by item so you can see exactly what we are offering for each piece.
-
Accept what suits you — we return the rest You are under no obligation to accept any part of the offer. If you accept in full or in part, payment is made within 72 hours. Any items you decline are returned to you free of charge.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to sell the whole collection, or can I sell just part of it?
You can sell as little or as much as you like. We are happy to assess a single camera body and a handful of lenses, or an entire lifetime's collection. There is no minimum requirement and no pressure to include items you would prefer to keep. Our written offer lists each item individually precisely so you can pick and choose.
I have a mix of different brands — does that cause any problems?
Not at all. Most collections we see are mixed — a Hasselblad body next to a Zenit, Leica lenses alongside Canon FD. We assess each item independently regardless of brand or format. Mixed collections are the norm rather than the exception and do not complicate the process.
Some of the cameras are digital, not film. Do you buy those too?
Our primary expertise is film cameras and vintage lenses. We occasionally consider early digital bodies with strong collector interest — certain Leica digital M models, for example — but modern digital equipment is generally outside our scope. If you are unsure, describe what you have and we will be straightforward about whether we are the right buyer for it.
Does it matter if some cameras are not working?
Non-working cameras are assessed at parts or collector value rather than a working price. We are transparent about this — the offer will be lower than for a working equivalent, but the item is not automatically excluded. We explain our reasoning in every case so you understand exactly what you are being offered and why.
Related pages
Not sure where to start?
Send a few photographs to support@fairvintage.co.uk or call us on 01234 815116 — a brief conversation often saves a lot of time.
Get a free estimate →