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I know that older film cameras aren’t that expensive, but for many in these lean times, money is very tight. If you’d like to get a film camera system or darkroom setup without laying down your hard earned money, what can you do?

Barter.

One place you will often see some pretty nice photography equipment is craigslist. Most of the people are looking for cash. However, these people will often express a desire to trade if they can’t sell their gear.

Or if you just want to have people come to you with their trades, then put an ad in the barter section and offer something of value for cash or trade for an SLR.

Here’s an example.

A few years ago, I bought a compound bow like you’d use for hunting. I just wanted to play with it. I’m not a hunter at all. So a couple of weeks ago I got tired of seeing the thing in my house. I offered it on craigslist for $75 or an SLR camera. I specified that I wasn’t interested in plastic point and shoot cameras. I was contacted by someone with a Pentax system and a Konica. My choice.

So I get to clean out the house and get a new (to me) camera. What’s not to love? And if you get good at this, maybe you can even create a second income by buying and selling cameras.

Just make sure when dealing with people that you keep your safety as your top priority and that you’re getting a good value for your trade.

Do you look at the prices of digital cameras and cringe? I know I do. As much as I enjoy putting film through, I mean, saving pictures to memory cards, all these toys cost money and someone has to pay for that. Right?

Well, here’s an insightful article by Ken Rockwell about affording that gear and anything else in life. There are several gems in here that are so true.

How to Afford a New Digital Camera and Anything Else for that Matter

So if you have that urge for a new Canon EOS 5D Mark II or a Nikon D700, this article might get you thinking.