Buying film cameras in charity shops — Alan Gandy Photography

There’s been a huge resurgence in the popularity of film photography in recent years and the demand for older film cameras has increased. As a result many people are now rummaging through the many charity shops around the world for bargains.

There are a huge number of websites, groups and forums on the Internet and social media covering film cameras and it’s very exciting to read the “gloating” of others about the bargains they’ve found hiding behind tacky ornaments, jigsaws and other weird and wonderful curiosities on the shelves of charity shops. Or is it?

Whilst it sounds an attractive option to go digging through charity shops for bargains: Whilst you might find that Leica for 10 ($, € or £ or any other currency), or the rare lens for a couple of magic beans, let’s stop to think for a minute. These items were likely the pride and joy of their previous owners — people, as photographers, just like us. There’s every likelihood they found their way onto the shelf of that person’s demise and the inevitable resulting house clearance. For that reason alone this kit demands some respect.

But this isn’t really the point being made here. These are CHARITY shops.

charity
[ char-i-tee ]SHOW IPA
noun, plural char·i·ties.

1. generous actions or…