📘 1000 Side Hustle Ideas Home ← Reselling & Flipping ← Vintage & Collectibles
HUSTLE #170 2.7 Vintage & Collectibles

Resell Vintage Cameras as Decor and Functional Collectibles

💰 Startup Cost $0-100
⏰ Time/wk 5-10 hrs
📊 Difficulty ★★☆☆☆
🏆 1st Month $ $150-400
💵 Monthly Range $400-1,500
⏱ First $ In 1-2 weeks
eBay, Etsy, Mercari
Vintage film cameras from Polaroid, Kodak, Canon, and Pentax sell as both functional cameras and shelf decor. Buy them for $5-20 at thrift stores and estate sales. Clean the exterior with a microfiber cloth and alcohol wipes. Check if the shutter fires (listen for a click). Even non-working cameras sell as decor props to photographers, Airbnb hosts, and collectors. A vintage Polaroid SX-70 bought for $15 sells for $60-120.
🚀 First Step
Visit a thrift store and check the electronics and display sections for vintage Polaroid, Kodak, or Canon film cameras priced under $20.
  • Polaroid SX-70 and Kodak Brownie cameras are the most recognized and sellable vintage cameras
  • Even non-working cameras sell well as decor — list as 'untested, sold for display' to cover yourself
  • Clean the lens glass with alcohol and a microfiber cloth — clear glass raises perceived value
🛠 Tools & Resources: eBay app, Etsy app, microfiber cloth, isopropyl alcohol wipes, replacement batteries for testing, bubble wrap, Google Lens for model identification