Hi Gary S:
There is illogical pricing going on *here* with the AE-, AE-1 Program and A-1
seemingly clustered together in pricing, although at prices half of what you
quoted - so they look to have less dollar spread. Thus my admittedly
provincial statement. I didn't getting into the Canon A/FD system till I
moved to Vegas.
As an aside w/ OM content, I was holding out to get a friend into the Olympus
OM system, as they previously owned an OM-2. But I was unable to find any
deals, or at least ones that I didn't scarf up myself! So yesterday we
settled on buying an A-1 w/ 50 mm f/1.8 in mint shape for $110. Fat chance of
me finding an OM-2n black or OM-2S w/ 50 mm f/1.8 for that!
Savvy buyers on the Canon FD mailing list say less than Mint A-1's aren't
worth over $200. (I tried to sell an extra 10- body for more and got price
heckled, tisk tisk). But then, computer show buyers don't typically monitor
sales like mailing list members do. I'm finding for the A-1 (on average):
Condition | Buying Price
7 $110
8+ $160
9-9+ $190
10- $200
with a like condition 50 mm f/1.8 worth an extra $20-30 and a f/1.4 worth a
whopping $130 to 140 more. But then, Canon had a legendary 50 mm f/1.4
Perhaps the used market has historical parallels to the new market of the late
1970's through 1980's. Olympus takes the sales lead in 35 mm SLR with the
OM-1 and OM-2 design and innovation. They are then slow to introduce a
programmed exposure camera. Canon floods the US market with advertising and
retail saturation and undercuts Olympus prices, innovation and
lightness/petiteness theme. Buyers move to Canon as manufacturing costs
lessen (AE-1 Program followed by the modular T series bodies and the
polycarbonate lenses) and production increases.
Presently, buyers seem to pass up used Olympus which is priced higher and has
less availability than comparable Canon A or T series w/ FD lenses. I can
sure assure you that there was little activity in Olympus OM System components
at the Chicago Camera Show! I even know one dealer willing to sell his whole
stock of OM System components. No wonder when one can typically buy the same
item in the Canon line for less.
Gary Reese
Las Vegas, NV
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