5 Old Cameras That Can Be Worth Thousands Today

Don’t just throw away those old cameras you have lying around in the attic. Some old cameras can still pull serious money because collectors, film shooters, and design fans want them. The condition matters, along with lenses, backs, special editions, and whether the parts are working. Here are five old cameras that often end up being worth thousands today.

Rolleiflex 2.8F, $1,500+

Rolleiflex 2.8F cameras came out during the 1960 to 1981 era, and collectors still treat them like royalty. Information from CollectiBlend shows average values around $1,500 to $1,600 with a lens, while very good examples sit closer to $2,000 to $2,200. Mint examples can reach $3,000 to $3,200. That’s not pocket change. 

Special editions push the story even higher. For example, the 1983 Rolleiflex 2.8F Aurum, a gold model limited to 1,500 units, has recorded sales above $5,000 in clean condition. Very old-school tech, but still very collectible (and valuable). 

Hasselblad 500C, Up to $1,700

Hasselblad’s 500C was produced from 1957 to 1970, and it still has that serious professional look that can make people stop for a second if you’re carrying one about in a tourist destination. 

According to Hasselblad, about 76,700 500C bodies were made during that run. CollectiBlend data shows body-only values around $300 to $800, depending on condition, while examples with a lens can rise from about $700 to $1,700. It’s pretty common to see auction sales for these old cameras of over $1,000, with prices hitting around $1,509 to $1,700 in 2021. For a boxy old film camera, that’s serious value. 

Polaroid SX-70, Up to $2,000

I’ve always had a soft spot for the Polaroid SX-70 because it encapsulates the 70s and 80s perfectly. The SX-70 launched in 1972, and Wealth Gang reported that it was the first instant SLR camera. 

Most standard examples aren’t huge-money finds, with typical sales around $40. Still, certain versions and listings can go far higher; some iterations can be listed for more than $2,000. The value comes from more than nostalgia. The folding design, instant photo magic, and pop-culture cool all help keep this camera on collector radars. 

Voigtländer Bessa R, $1,000+

The Voigtländer Bessa R is newer than the others here, but don’t write it off. This 35mm rangefinder arrived around 2000, which makes it feel almost modern compared with the heavy hitters from the 1950s and 1960s. 

Kosmo Foto states that Cosina brought the Bessa R to market after acquiring the Voigtländer brand in 1999. Wealth Gang found that Bessa R bodies can be listed for more than $1,000. That surprised me a bit, but it makes sense as film shooters like bright viewfinders, simple handling, and cameras that feel mechanical without being ancient. 

Hasselblad 500C/M, $1,300-$1,400

The Hasselblad 500C/M launched in 1970 as the follow-up to the 500C, and Hasselblad states that it added an interchangeable focusing screen. CameraWorth adds that auction hammer prices for the 500C/M have ranged from roughly £280 to £5,500, which is $330 to $6,500. 

Amazingly, many mid-market bodies cost around £1,000 to £1,100 ($1,300 to $1,400). That range depends heavily on the condition, lens, back, and accessories. A clean kit with a Carl Zeiss lens could be collector gold. Not Leica M3 rare, but rare enough to get camera collectors interested.