Reviving Old Slr Cameras And Lenses: Creative Ideas

If you have old SLR cameras and lenses lying around, there are several options to consider. You could sell them online on websites like eBay or to local businesses. Alternatively, you could donate them to schools, charities, or individuals who would appreciate the opportunity to learn photography. If you're feeling creative, you might even turn them into art pieces or plant pots. For broken equipment, consider recycling to ensure proper disposal of electronic waste.

Sell them

If you have old SLR cameras and lenses lying around, you might be looking to sell them and make some money. Here are some options to consider:

Online Businesses

Selling your old cameras and lenses to registered businesses online can provide more security than peer-to-peer platforms. Some online businesses offer instant quotes and free shipping. You can choose between camera shops that buy to resell in their 'Used' section and websites that accept various electronic gadgets. Examples of the former include KEH, MPB, and Used Photo Pro. KEH, a trusted camera reseller since 1979, provides a free instant quote using its dynamic pricing engine and offers free shipping through FedEx. MPB, the largest global platform to buy, sell, and trade used photography gear, also offers free insured shipping.

EBay

If you prefer to set your own price, you can sell your old SLR cameras and lenses on eBay, the world's largest online marketplace. eBay allows you to reach a global audience and set your own shipping rates. The platform handles payments and offers some protection during and after transactions. However, selling on eBay may require more time and effort, as you'll need high-quality photos and descriptive listings to attract buyers.

Local Marketplaces

If you prefer to handle transactions in person, you can list your old cameras and lenses on local marketplaces like Craigslist, Facebook groups/communities, Facebook Marketplace, or second-hand groups on Facebook. Local camera stores are another option, offering the benefit of a hassle-free transaction and immediate payment in the form of store credit or a check. While you may get a lower price, you avoid the effort of photographing, listing, collecting payment, and shipping the items.

High Street Businesses

You can also sell your old SLR cameras and lenses to high street second-hand, thrift, or pawn shops, or even at a flea market. However, keep in mind that these shops will buy your gear to resell, so it's essential to research the value of your items before negotiating a fair price.

Tips for Selling

When selling your old SLR cameras and lenses, here are some tips to consider:

• Keep the original packaging, boxes, manuals, warranty cards, straps, cords, and discs. This adds value to your items and makes them more appealing to buyers.
• Remove all personal data from memory cards or storage media before selling.
• Clean your gear and ensure it is in good condition. Buyers prefer items that appear new or are well-maintained.
• Be honest about any damage or issues and provide detailed descriptions and photos. This transparency helps ensure satisfied buyers and positive transactions.
• If selling locally, always choose a safe, public meeting spot, especially if meeting at night.
• When accepting payment, cash is usually the safest option to avoid scams.

Donate them to schools or charities

Donating your old SLR cameras and lenses to schools or charities is a great way to support your community and promote the art of photography. Here are some ideas on how to do this:

Donate to Schools

Schools are always in need of resources, and your old SLR cameras and lenses can be a valuable addition to their photography programs. Contact local schools in your area, especially those with photography classes or clubs, and inquire about their equipment needs. Schools often have tight budgets, and your donation can make a significant impact on their photography education. You can also reach out to universities or art schools that offer photography courses. They may also be able to connect you with students in need of equipment.

Donate to Charities

Charity organizations often rely on donations to support their various initiatives. Your old SLR cameras and lenses can be a welcome contribution to charities focused on photography or the arts. For example, the Film Photography Project (FPP) is an organization that accepts donations of functional film cameras, lenses, and other photography equipment. They have a school donation program where they refurbish and distribute the cameras to schools and students in the US at no cost. Urban Ventures is another charity that teaches photography to youth from underserved communities. They accept donations of any camera or camera gear, which they refurbish and eventually give to students to keep.

Other Options

In addition to schools and charities, you can also consider donating to other organizations or initiatives. For instance, Youth in Focus is a non-profit organization that teaches photography to youth in South Seattle. They accept donations of digital cameras, lenses, lighting equipment, and other photography supplies. They use these donations to support their mission of empowering youth through photography. Alternatively, you could also donate to local community centres, youth groups, or after-school programs that may benefit from having photography equipment for their activities.

When donating, ensure that the equipment is in good working condition and provide an inventory list of the items. Some organizations may also accept expired film, photo printers, or other related items. If you have any questions about what can be donated or how to schedule a drop-off, don't hesitate to reach out to the organization directly. They will be happy to assist you in finding a new home for your old SLR cameras and lenses.

Give them away to individuals

If you have old SLR cameras and lenses lying around, you can give them away to individuals. Here are some ideas on how to do that:

Give them to youngsters

You can give your old cameras and lenses to children in your family or neighbourhood. They might be interested in learning how to use the equipment and develop their photography skills. This could be a great way to spark their creativity and interest in a new hobby.

Give them to your blog readers

If you have a photography blog, you can organise a giveaway for your readers, where the winner receives your old camera or lens. This can help increase traffic to your blog and engage your readers. You can set up the giveaway using a platform like Rafflecopter, which allows you to include social media sharing as a condition of entry, maximising the reach of your giveaway.

Donate to a local school or after-school program

You can donate your old cameras and lenses to a local school or after-school program, provided they are in working condition. This can be a great way to support education and give students the opportunity to learn the basics of photography and develop their creative skills.

Donate to a charity

You can also donate your old cameras and lenses to charities, such as the Josephine Herrick Project, which offers free photography programs to people facing social and economic disadvantages. Your donation can help these organisations provide valuable equipment to their students, supporting their mission.

Keep them as backups

If you've bought new gear to replace your old SLR cameras and lenses, it's likely that your old equipment is worth a decent amount of money. So, instead of selling them, you can keep them as backups. This is especially useful if you're going somewhere your new gear may not survive, such as a boat or a polar trip, or if you're going to be in conditions that could damage your new gear, like a sandstorm or extreme temperatures. That way, you have a backup that you don't mind sacrificing if something goes wrong.

Additionally, if you have old film SLR lenses, they may still be compatible with your new digital SLR. However, it depends on the camera brand, as some companies have changed the way their lenses and cameras fit together. It's important to check your camera and lens manual first, as attaching the wrong ones together could damage your camera or lens. If they are compatible, you may find that your old lenses zoom in further on a digital SLR, which could be a problem if you need wide-angle lenses for landscape photography or real estate.

If you have old manual-focus lenses, they can still be very good to keep as backups for shooting still subjects like landscapes or still-life scenes. However, they may be challenging to use for capturing moving subjects, as most non-professional digital SLRs have small, dim viewfinders that make manual focusing more difficult.

Finally, if you're keeping your old SLR cameras and lenses as backups, you can also consider donating or selling your other old gear that you no longer need.

Recycle them

Recycling your old SLR cameras and lenses should be your last option if you can't find anyone to take them off your hands. However, it is still preferable to throwing them away, as some of the materials used to make them can be harmful to the environment.

Old digital cameras need to be recycled due to the materials used to make them. Some, like copper, platinum and aluminium, are valuable and can be used again. Others, especially those found in the batteries, can be harmful and need to be properly processed.

Fortunately, finding a place to recycle your old cameras, lenses and batteries is easy. Suggested places include:

• Recycling for Charities
• Electronics Industrial Alliance (EIA) and their eCycling Central website, which lists recycling centres state by state

Digital cameras, and particularly their batteries, contain both valuable rare earth materials and nasty, environmentally dangerous toxins. Consequently, never throw these items into the garbage. At the very least, take them to a recycling centre or pickup station.

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