8mm Forum: Do films depreciate in value?

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Posted by Brad Kimball (Member # 5) on January 11, 2017, 06:51 PM:

I'm trying to determine what would be the most I should pay for a 200' digest more than 35 years old. Is it truly worth the same or even double its original value even if it is in excellent condition and the original box is in pretty good shape, as well?

Posted by Douglas Meltzer (Member # 28) on January 11, 2017, 07:39 PM:

Brad,

I wouldn't purchase a film with the idea that it would be worth more later on. The value of a film is exactly how much you're willing to pay for it. I had been looking for a particular 200' silent digest for a few years but would not pay unrealistic asking prices for it. I finally found it for an acceptable $16.99. Yes, it originally sold for $5.99 back in the day (that day being one in 1972), but since that title didn't come up often it was worth it to me. The value of a title is very subjective.

Doug

Posted by Joe Caruso (Member # 11) on January 12, 2017, 09:25 AM:

Sometimes a desired short commands a premium - Depends on content and scarcity - Doug is correct, in that the film you want is whatever you're willing to pay - Negotiate a price, that might work if can parlay with the dealer/seller/collector - That is why "live' shows are best, such as CINESEA and CINEVENT - There you can confer and discuss such topics - Shorty

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on January 12, 2017, 11:47 AM:

Very few (such as STAR WARS), but quite a few, based upon popularity and how many are on the market, can at least "hold they're own" in price.

Posted by Brad Kimball (Member # 5) on January 12, 2017, 07:49 PM:

I've only been able to get to CineSea once due to either family events or work-schedule conflicts, but I agree, Shorty, it's better at a Con so you can discuss face to face with others the possibility of mutually agreeing on a price that is fair to both the seller and buyer. I so enjoyed meeting Shorty, Gary, John Black and the "Doug-Meister". You are all such dear ladies and gents on this forum and others like it. Hopefully, I will get to go to another sometime soon.

Posted by Tom Photiou (Member # 130) on January 13, 2017, 06:47 AM:

Doug's right, it's worth what people will pay, however, here is my own guide,
iwouldnt pay more than,
200ft £20/25 max
400ft, no more than 50 max but average 20/25
features depend on the title, no matter how much i want a full length film there is a limit of around 250/300. I'm not an idiot, no matter how much i love film there is absolutely nothing wrong with projecting a good blu ray and at an average cost of £10 it makes paying over a grand, (as many titles command), seem utterly banana's.
Film prices may well go full circle and be worth very little, who know's, i see many well respected collectors of many years selling prints on, if you are an avid collector and love cine why would you do this unless its "i'll make my money now before they become worthless"?

Posted by Alan Rik (Member # 73) on January 13, 2017, 06:44 PM:

Yes everyone has their limit to what they will pay for a certain title. I was recently offered a feature for the princely sum of $800! I told the seller that I use to own the same title and sold it for $400. He wouldn't budge so I told him for $800- I will buy the DVD, watch it on my Tele, and use the extra money to put toward a new guitar! [Smile]

I have only spent a lot of money on 2 prints and that is because they made so very few of them that I know I can get what I want out of it if I need to sell. Well..hopefully!
Terminator 2 for $1900-still can't believe someone paid that much for it. Maybe it was Arnold? [Smile]

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on January 13, 2017, 07:26 PM:

And more's the point...it was completely scratched to death Alan! [Confused]

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on January 13, 2017, 08:43 PM:

I tend to put a limit on what I am prepared to pay. If someone is prepared to pay a lot more than me, then I would say good on them "go for it" and good on the seller for getting there price.

For me $20 dollars for a 200 footer would be my top price and for that it would have to be in good condition ie no scratches or fade, or I am just not interested. I have bought films like The Hindenburg 2/400ft for peanuts just for old time sake even though its probably faded.

In the long run I have no idea if the films I have collected are worth anything so just enjoy them for the moment. I have told my wife when I go, I am taking them, including the Ernemann with me to the big projection box in the sky, her response was.. well we will need a big hole to put you and your films in [Roll Eyes]

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on January 13, 2017, 10:05 PM:

Years ago my film-friend Tim and I used to grab and divide lots of railroad films on Ebay. We lost a few and he'd always say "Someone wanted it more than we did, Steve!"

-So be it!

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on January 13, 2017, 11:47 PM:

I have come to the conclusion that we don't actually really own our films, but more of a role as caretaker.

A few years ago a good friend of mine who for many years was a enthusiastic film collector...some amazing stuff. However his health started to deteriorate to the point where sadly he had to sell everything. Most of his films were bought by another local collector, however a couple of years ago I saw an ad about films for sale. It turned out to be the person who had bought most of those films was himself selling up and moving to a retirement unit, so once again those same films were up for sale. I bought quite a few, but in time ""hopefully not for a while"" the same thing could happen to me, or even someone else on this forum...who knows [Roll Eyes]

Enjoy the hobby while it lasts folks, or should I say.. we last [Smile]

Posted by Panayotis A. Carayannis (Member # 1220) on January 14, 2017, 01:59 AM:

As most everybody agrees,it depends on how much you want the film and how much you are willing to pay! I have never paid over $ 200 for a feature except for two occasions.I paid $250 for THE QUIET MAN,new print, in the good old days and 250 pounds for a 2nd hand GONE WITH THE WIND. For silent one reelers,no more than $20,or $25 for sound ones. But there was an exception.I was looking for a most rare excerpt from a feature. I had ordered it from thew original distributor,in the good old days,but he closed his company down and I never got it,or my money back! It never appeared in any 2nd hand lists. Only once did it appear on ebay a few years ago. I bid for it, but at the last moments I fell asleep !!! at 3 o'clock in the morning and I lost it.It sold for $70 and I would have paid that much.I wanted it very much! So, there are always exceptions to the rules!

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on January 14, 2017, 02:37 AM:

How correct Graham is that we are caretakers of films.
Over the last few years I have bought 993 films from three sources, two were collectors who were too old to continue with the hobby, and one from the son of a recently deceased collector.
Any duplicate titles with what I already had were sold on.
Films bought were Super 8 sound, 16mm sound, 9.5mm sound and silent.
Now, I am 82.
My total collection today is 2749. Where will they all eventually go?

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on January 14, 2017, 07:52 AM:

Hopefully Maurice, to other enthusiastic like minded collectors who will treasure and value them in the manner you clearly have and continue to do so.

That's the hope anyhow, for all collections out there.

Posted by Tom Photiou (Member # 130) on January 14, 2017, 10:42 AM:

There are a couple of titles i am after and, as i said, i will pay a reasonable good sum for them, (guess what one of them is [Roll Eyes]

), putting into perspective, the few films we bought new, The full feature of the Longest Yard was £166,Gone ith the wind was projected once, that was £320, (bearing in mind this is now on 4 1200ft spools), The Texas Chainsaw massacre, 4 x 400ft cost me £99 brand new, so the extreme price of T2 with green scratched in comparison seems nuts.

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on January 14, 2017, 12:42 PM:

Good question Maurice and its one thats been asked by a number of folk out here as well. I wish there was an easy answer but I cant find one.

Posted by Brad Kimball (Member # 5) on January 14, 2017, 07:25 PM:

I like the "caretaker" point of view. My collection will someday be inherited by my wife and 2 daughters. Who knows if they will keep them or sell them off (assuming that 30-40 years from now film will still be a collectible). They're mine for now, but someday, someone else will be the "caretaker" of my collection.

Posted by Adrian Winchester (Member # 248) on January 15, 2017, 12:35 AM:

Although Super 8 prices have been rising, I think many 200' releases are ones that least justify higher prices, especially if they are faded copies of films you can also find as a 400' release that offers better viewing. But (e.g.) Castle b/w horror/sci-fi titles are generally far more sought-after and some have very attractive boxes. But I'm not sure if "double its original value" could be justified without knowing the title and what the original value was.

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on January 15, 2017, 03:12 AM:

An important thought for the future.
Will there be many experts left who can service projectors?
It's no good having a pile of films if the projectors have packed up and can't be got running again.

Posted by Tom Photiou (Member # 130) on January 15, 2017, 04:27 AM:

Maurice, that is a very good point, whilst general servicing can to a degree be done by many collectors, when they need to be stripped as mine was recently then it becomes a problem if you cannot find a projector engineer.
In the motor trade where i work we see many cars come into the workshop be put right where the owner "has had a go first" in order to try to save themselves money. In this hobby there is no new blood any more to learn. I Always said if i lived near one of the projector repair engineers i would to pay a fee to sit with him for a week and learn at least some of the tricks of the trade. [Wink]

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on January 15, 2017, 05:18 AM:

I think there are still enough of us about here, and elsewhere, who are both still hopefully young enough and knowledgeable enough to see the problems through.

Machines like the ST1200 for example, are a very simplistic design by concept with excellent build quality and durable components. The only real issues is either obtaining the necessary parts or better still, a full spares machine to keep at least one good running m/c for a further few decades at the very least.

Most of the skills required to fix a projector, motor car or even FMCG machinery, can be learned just through experience of using and understanding these things, then by developing good troubleshooting skills often through some trial and error, a logical thought process outlook,some basic test equipment and some decent hand tools and skills.

Reading any service manuals for our machines always always hugely accelerates one's knowledge and understanding as does discussion and sharing knowledge among other like minded individuals.

It is also important to collect as much information as possible from your machine while it is running well so you know what values you should have when things are not quite as should be.
Voltage test points, torque values, speed calibration etc etc

For those sincerely interested in offering themselves as a resource, the minimum criteria would be to obtain some decent electrical test equipment, optical or mechanical tachometer,a small range of spring balances,soldering equipment and a wide range of decent hand tools. A workshop area is always of course, hugely advantageous.

If you see the E.V.E. set up,through their video tutorials etc, these are the benchmark standards if at all possible.

[ January 15, 2017, 10:10 AM: Message edited by: Andrew Woodcock ]

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