NikonGear'23
Gear Talk => Lens Talk => Topic started by: Michael Erlewine on December 09, 2019, 15:01:58
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I know. Kind of disgusting and beautiful at the same time. I have dug all the lens boxes and a few others out and am deciding what to do with them. This is a ten-foot table. The worse part is these are not even all of them, I have about half that amount in rails, tripods, heads, and all manner of support equipment.
I’ve showed you mine, what do you do with all of your boxes? When we go to sell an item, a box counts. Problem is, I have not ever sold many. However, I recently decided I am NOT a lens museum and plan to sell a score or so lenses and keep the rest, those I actually use often and those I am looking for the time to use. I thought this would be a fun photo for those who can appreciate it. 😊
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I kept boxes for a long time, one day i threw them out hogs up space, i have kept soft pouches and (faux) leather boxes etc.
I have some still though i notice...
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I keep most of the boxes for when I sell equipment it is nice to ship them in original boxes.
Are there lenses and cameras safe from selling? I do not know.
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When we go to sell an item, a box counts.
I don't think so. I have bought several preowned lenses, and only one time with the original box. If the box had conted, I would expect more boxes. I think most of us just throw it away.
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PS: I do not keep boxes of Tripods and the like because I use these up
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Even empty boxes have their own market value: a quick search on Ebay with keywords Nikon Empty Box turned up 125 results, with prices from 11$ (+shp) for a common lens (e.g. a 28-85 MF Nikkor), up to 300$ for an S3 rangefinder (super-rare) original box.
The conditions of one's boxes give a potential buyer an idea of the treatment a lens has been subjected to, I can infer that Michael has been pampering his lenses (and boxes), and if he's selling something it's certainly going to be in top condition. No scratches, no dust, no fingerprints.
I usually keep all my boxes, and I prefer if the lens or camera I buy comes with its own box (see consideration above), but I am not 100% strict about that.
Vintage cameras and lenses have a greater value if they come with the original box and papers, and if the serial #s match
Ciao from Massimo
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I keep the boxes *(if I have them). I sell too much and a number of serious buyers are willing to pay extra for the box.
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When I have bought used lenses, the presence of boxes is no indication of condition of the lens. I have bought used lenses with box that turned out to be defective and needed service, and used lenses w/o box that haven't needed service in 20 years. I've saved a few lens boxes in cases where I thought I might re-sell the lens soon.
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If a lens is a rare or a collectors' item, the original box and the original accompanying items (user's manual, pouch, warranty card, etc.) will count.
Otherwise, the original box would only add some coins when you sell the lens.
I have bought and sold many lenses and cameras. So, the boxes has't take up too much space. :o :o :o
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I keep all the boxes with manuals, cables etc. in a storage space in the attic. Luckily my wife never looks there ;) Now and then I sell gear and it definitely helps for the resale value. I don't buy much used gear myself but I'm also biased when the whole package and content is complete.
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I keep all the boxes with manuals, cables etc. in a storage space in the attic. Luckily my wife never looks there ;) Now and then I sell gear and it definitely helps for the resale value. I don't buy much used gear myself but I'm also biased when the whole package and content is complete.
Nowadays, I normally download the PDF manuals and leave the plastic bag containing the printed manual unopened. Also, I rarely use the accompanying video and/or USB cables, and their plastic bags remain unopened.
So, my items bought new will mostly remain in the pristine condition. 8) 8) 8)
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+1 for me Akira on that.
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Boxes and lens manuals are the first things to throw into the bin when I buy new lenses. In fact, i usually discard these items straight away, while still at my dealer's. They are in the same class of superfluous oddities as covers for sync terminals or hot shoes. To be discarded immediately.
If the presence of a box is what determines the attraction of a lens, it simply isn't worth my hard-earned money.
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And then you pile everything up in the « little red Peugeot » ? 😂
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Not the boxes :)
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the boxes and associated materials make resale much more attractive to buyers and it is for that reason that I keep them.
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+1 for me Akira on that.
Also, I rarely use the accompanying camera strap. I always use my Nikon AN-4Y strap on all cameras of any brands unless it is worn out.
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the boxes and associated materials make resale much more attractive to buyers and it is for that reason that I keep them.
Here in Japan, recent cash-back campaigns typically require the buyers to cut the bar-code printed on the box to send to the manufacturer along with the copies of the receipt and the warranty card. I suspect it is to discourage people to put their cameras and lenses into the second-hand market. ::)
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A box adds $50-$100 when reselling, so I do keep them all. I buy used when I can and often or not, there's no box which is a shame.
I've rotated through numerous lenses, buying used then selling them again if I didn't like it or didn't use it as much.
Over the years, I've only held on to several lenses that I both use often and won't sell.
70-200 F/2.8E
24mm F/3.5 PC-E (will get rid of it if there's ever a newer better version)
95mm and 105mm Printing-Nikkor/Rayfact lenses
Schneider Xenon-Sapphire 97mm
I might even sell my Mit 5x and 10x. The 20x is definitely going, found a better copy.
Out of all these lenses, I only have the box for the Mit 10x which I purchased new and the 70-200E which was also bought new. I do have a 17-35 F2.8-F4 Tamron, impressed with the quality, but I'm sure I'll sell it one day as well. I have the box for it too.
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a lot of controversal opinions about boxes - BTF (box transfer function) is alive. At B1.4 you get a lovely soft card box in your house, at B22 your desk is filled with subjects, that steel your space - be aware, boxes have no diffraction.
Now nobody wrote about the real reason to keep them (see picture in initial post). There are 8 chairs. If you clean that table and some of your friends come once per week to sit down and talk, only as an assumption, :P having one coffee and two beers, means 8 times $10, you end up in buying drinks at $ 80/week or $4000/year for throwing away your boxes. You just waste one Otus. Never throw away one box - or vice versa, now you know why some of us have so many friends
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Sure some people are more than happy to pay more for a lens or camera if the paperwork and box is included but some of us don't care at all.
I only have a few of them left for lenses where there is a big chance they will be sold soon for one or the other reason.
I never kept boxes for other stuff like tripods
Interesting variety of boxes you have there Michael ;) very varied!
Nikon D1x omg that was fun shooting 8)
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I keep all my boxes and don't sell any gear. I'm not sure that logic computes!
Now that i have a Z6 I will be selling a D750 and some F glass, a Sony A5600 and Sony crop lenses.
Not sold: D70S, D300, Df. Too much attachment and I wouldn't get any money except for the Df.
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When selling a lens, apart from any extra value the it may add, the box also packages and protects the lens very nicely for shipping.
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Even empty boxes have their own market value: a quick search on Ebay with keywords Nikon Empty Box turned up 125 results, with prices from 11$ (+shp) for a common lens (e.g. a 28-85 MF Nikkor), up to 300$ for an S3 rangefinder (super-rare) original box.
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Vintage cameras and lenses have a greater value if they come with the original box and papers, and if the serial #s match
I understand collectors has it's own marked for this. But for having something for them, one has to save the box for a very long time, in many cases way longer that the actually gear's lifespan
The conditions of one's boxes give a potential buyer an idea of the treatment a lens has been subjected to,
Ofcourse. I worn out box can indicate that the gear has been put back into the box for transport or retention. A like new box, only indicate the the box has been stowed away in a closet, in the meantime the gear has been worn out in the field, unprotected.
A box adds $50-$100 when reselling,
OK, maybe that is the reason I never get the boxes with pre owned gear. For otherwise likewise gear, I will buy the one $50-$100 cheaper.
Why will anyone pay that much more, just because of a yellow box?
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I keep all the boxes I get with the purchase of a factory new camera or lens. I currently have one box.
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A lens box adds some value on ebay, so, I keep all of them, at least when I buy a lens new.
Ebay buyers like original boxes, mostly collectors.
I keep the bodies boxes which you can flatten and all accessories, original straps I never use and user's manuals.
And some time, the box worth more than the lens...https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Soligar-200mm-F2-8-Tele-Photo-Camera-Lense-With-Original-Box/123792766532?hash=item1cd29fb644:g:UgEAAOSwnpBc9yaf
;D
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A lens box add some value on ebay, so, I keep all of them, at least when I buy a lens new.
Ebay buyers like original boxes, mostly collectors.
I keep the bodies boxes which you can flatten and all accessories, original straps I never use and user's manuals.
And some time, the box worth more than the lens...https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Soligar-200mm-F2-8-Tele-Photo-Camera-Lense-With-Original-Box/123792766532?hash=item1cd29fb644:g:UgEAAOSwnpBc9yaf
;D
I agree. And many folks, perhaps some kind of collector, have a lens but no original box and want one just for the beauty of it.
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In the past, I kept my boxes as well as all contents for Zeiss lenses I bought in 90s in Europe. When I moved to Canada in 2009 I left them behind. I only took with me the quality control check list signed by Zeiss engineers. And the lenses, of course :)
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Why Yes ,Yes I do.
Took the photo outside in our backyard because most of the photos I take are outdoors. Wanted to be a little artsy :)
Only have sold off 1 camera and lens a D300 with a 80-400.
The only other lens that I don't have a box for is a 24-70 that I got off of Craigs List.
Store them in a container that goes in the loft of our storage shed.
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I always keep my lens and camera boxes when bought new in 1980 and until now, from the F3 to the Df (the last which was actually bought used). The boxes are stored different places in my house. It works well!
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As I will be PXing four lenses and a battery grip(Panasonic) soon, I’m glad I kept the boxes as my preferred dealer always enquires about the boxes!
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I just threw away the last 2 lens boxes I had. They belonged to lenses that I wasn't sure I'd keep at the time(2008). Still have the lenses: Zeiss 100/2 and 21/2.8.
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my routine when obtaining new gear is to remove the item itself (camera body, lens, iphone, ipad, etc) and leave virtually everything else in the box. then the box goes into a much larger box in the deep recesses of the central storage.
lately i have been selling gear after a shorter use period rather than letting it sit unused in a drawer. over the past 5 years i'd estimate i've sold 50 items or so, and the complete original packaging plus manuals, accessories, etc in literally like new condition has certainly added a few thousand dollars to the value of the items.i can't really tolerate clutter, so i wouldn't do this if they had to live anywhere i could see them. the only bummer is the trip to the storage to retrieve when i've decided to photograph and sell an item!
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I usually try to keep the boxes in my barn, but little creatures sometimes take advantage of them, so my actual supply of boxes that do not have holes gnawed in them to turn them into nests and public toilets has dwindled. If by some freakish mischance I ever have to sell my 200-500, the buyer had better not expect the box. Too roomy.
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If by some freakish mischance I ever have to sell my 200-500, the buyer had better not expect the box. Too roomy.
Can't you flat it ? Easy to tidy when is flat. Behind a piece of furniture for instance.
I always noticed that buyers like the original box of a lens. it'd add a value to it.
A fortiori when is it a long telelens. ;)
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Flattening boxes doesn't work if they contain foam inserts and other packing, or you store spare manuals, cables and other accessories in them :)
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Can't you flat it ? Easy to tidy when is flat. Behind a piece of furniture for instance.
I always noticed that buyers like the original box of a lens. it'd add a value to it.
A fortiori when is it a long telelens. ;)
I could have, but alas, it's too late. I've generally kept the styrofoam and stuff in the boxes as well, so of course they won't go flat then. Anyway, the little blighters moved in, and definitively ended the box's career as a collectible. The up side is that I like the lens and if I have my preference it will be my heirs who have to figure out what to do with it. However, given the suggestion, I might consider flattening any remaining boxes that haven't been eaten up.
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I might consider flattening any remaining boxes that haven't been eaten up.
I also use to keep each invoice in its box, so that I don't lose them !
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I've kept all of mine, stored against the back panels of various book cases. There they do a great job preventing the smaller books sliding too far in!
Just realised that some have been there since 1978, I find it hard to part with my favourite toys. ::)
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Just realised that some have been there since 1978, I find it hard to part with my favourite toys. ::)
Well, you probably have some hidden treasures behind your book cases... :D
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For those who (hopefully) utilize their gear on a regular basis, if not on a work schedule, all the while neurotically caring for it's cosmetic condition as well, and anticipate an emergent necessity (G.A.S.) to trade-up to newer models or systems, original boxes and all attendant accoutrements therein will measurably increase the trade-in value of good and garbage alike. Mind you, I speak from the perspective of a poser and bum residing in the United heaven-Sakes of America. (That really big and famous store in NYC routinely asks about original boxes, paperwork, matching serial numbers etc when making trade-in estimates or evaluations towards the purchase of new, even newer used, gear.)