Cash in your pocket, space in your closet.
Digital and AI is here to stay, but a resurgence of film/analog photography and film-making by artists and former pros, who miss the "analog" experience, is trending. They are looking for "old school" technology and pre-digital gear, that works.
Let me help turn your old camera gear into classic tools for someone else’s creative journey.
Share the details: Email robjwat(at)gmail.com with the make, model, and condition, and any other details you can think of. A few quick photos of your gear are helpful as well.
The 30-minute "checkup": If it fits my workshop’s scope, and if your location is within greater Santa Cruz County, we’ll meet for a brief in-person evaluation. I use a portable "triage kit" to audit the gear’s basic functionality, condition, and resale potential.
The offer: If I make an offer, it will account for my restoration time, material costs, and the risk I take for "hidden unknowns" that may be present, can affect sellability, but which cannot be fully determined in a 30 minute cursory inspection. With any offer, you get rid of the old gear, and some extra cash to boot.
Immediate payment: I can pay on the spot up to $100 cash, or higher amounts via Venmo.
I audit every piece of equipment against three core benchmarks:
Functional Baseline and condition: Is the gear basically operational, and functionally sound? Are the optics and essential features generally in potentially sellable condition?
Market Demand: What are current trends across forums, collector platforms, and second-hand marketplaces?
Restoration ROI: I estimate the time and materials needed for deep cleaning and restoration tasks such as light baffle and mirror pad replacements, film testing, and other needs.
Try it for an approximation of what gear similar to yours has recently actually sold for or is currently being offered for on the second-hand market, and a general preview of what I may offer for your gear, and how it is determined.
My Appraisal Approximator tool is intended to provide ballpark numbers. While it uses real-time market data, any final acquisition offers are subject to my hands-on technical evaluation of critical functions and condition of your gear such as mechanical and electronic condition, optical conditions, and cosmetics. The Appraisal Approximator provides a helpful starting point, not a guaranteed purchase price. An offer from me could be similar, lower, or higher, depending on condition and current market trends.
Terms of ownership & provenance
For the protection of both parties, you must meet one of the following criteria:
Original owner: You acquired the equipment legally and have been its primary owner since then.
Authorized agent: You are authorized to sell or release the equipment (e.g. with the permission of the owner).
I provide a written bill of sale that includes every serial-numbered item.
Non-working, untested or untestable all-electronic gear: Most cameras newer than about 1985.
Obsolete formats: 126 cartridges (Instamatics), APS, Disc film, roll-based movie cameras, or old folding bellows cameras.
Consumer and mass-market gear: Disposable cameras, novelty cameras, mass-market "point-and-shoot," promotional, or unbranded or fake so-called "scameras."
Instant cameras: Polaroid or Instax models, and similar products.
Items with missing serial numbers: Any equipment without a legible serial number where applicable.
My name is Rob Watson. I am a freelance graphic artist and longtime photography enthusiast, now semi‑retired after nearly forty years in a creative and tech‑focused career. I live in Ben Lomond, CA. I've worked for software companies, startups, and in the financial world, where I spent 18 years as lead graphic designer for a respected local credit union. PhotoRejuvo is a passion‑driven extension of that journey.
Hope to hear from you soon!
