ordicio

Collecting guide

How to Collect Cameras and Lenses

Cameras, lenses, accessories and darkroom equipment.

Camera collecting combines engineering, design and the history of photography. Many collectors also use their cameras, so a good record covers both sides: what the camera is, and whether it still works as it should.

Getting Started

Choose a maker (Leica, Zeiss, Nikon, Canon, Rollei), a system, a type, or a period such as the early days of the 35 mm camera.

What to Record

Condition

Describe the working order and the cosmetic condition separately, as dealers do:

Care and Storage

Store cameras and lenses in a dry, ventilated place - dry cabinets with controlled humidity prevent fungus. Release shutters before long storage and remove batteries. Use cameras now and then: moving parts last longer when they move.

Mistakes to Avoid

Kinds of Cameras & Photographic Equipment

The Data Sheet for Cameras & Photographic Equipment

The 25 fields worth recording for cameras & photographic equipment, grouped as in the ordicio app.

Identification

Brand Text
Brand or manufacturer under which the object was sold.
Model Text
Model or product name given by the manufacturer.
Variant / version Text
Variant or version, e.g. black paint, chrome, military marking, first version with cold shoe.
Serial number Text
Individual serial number of this object, as marked on it.
Year Year
Year of making, issue or publication when known exactly.
Country Text
Country of origin or issue, by its usual English name (historic states as named at the time, e.g. Kingdom of Bavaria).
Reference link Link
Web page about this object or its reference entry (catalogue, database, sale).

Condition

Function and appearance, described separately.

Working order Choice
Whether the mechanism or device works.
  • Working
  • Working with faults
  • Not tested
  • Not working
  • Restored to working order
Cosmetic condition Choice
Outer condition (body, finish, glass surface) as described separately from the function.
  • Mint / as new
  • Excellent+
  • Excellent
  • Very good
  • Good
  • Fair
  • Poor / for parts
Optics Text
State of the lens glass, e.g. clean, light haze, fungus, balsam separation, scratches.
Condition notes Text
Faults, wear and damage in detail.
Restoration & repairs Text
Restorations, repairs, replaced parts and cleaning, with who did them and when if known.

Completeness

Completeness Text
Parts, accessories, inserts and instructions present or missing.
Original packaging Choice
Original box, case, manual, certificate or warranty card that came with the object.
  • Original box and documents
  • Original box only
  • Documents only
  • None

Acquisition

How and when the object came into the collection.

Acquisition date Date
Date the object came into the collection.
Acquisition method Choice, or your own
How the object came into the collection.
  • Purchase
  • Auction
  • Gift
  • Inheritance
  • Exchange / trade
  • Self-collected / found
  • Commission
Acquired from Text
Seller, auction house (with sale and lot number), donor or place where it was found.
Purchase price Amount
Price paid including fees and premiums.
Provenance Text
Earlier owners and the object's history, oldest first, with sources (labels, invoices, sale catalogues).

Value

Estimated and insured value.

Estimated value Amount
Current market value as estimated.
Valuation date Date
Date of the current value estimate.
Valuation basis Choice
What the estimated value is based on.
  • Own estimate
  • Recent sales / auction results
  • Dealer offer
  • Catalogue value
  • Professional appraisal
  • Insurance valuation
Insured value Amount
Sum the object is insured for.

Collection record

Your own inventory data.

Inventory number Text
Your own number or label for the object, e.g. C-0042, as written on its label or album page.
Storage location Text
Where the object is kept, e.g. room, cabinet, drawer, album and page, box.

Standards and References

The data sheets follow the standards collectors, dealers and museums use:

Updated October 24, 2026