I Bought 19 Cameras on eBay for $20 | Here's What I Got!

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Ever wondered if buying untested, bulk camera listings on eBay is worth it? I recently took a chance on an auction for 19 random cameras for only $20 total. That's just $1.78 per camera, even after taxes and shipping!

Here's how it went down, what worked, what didn't, and if I ended up with any hidden gems.

Unboxing the Mystery Camera Box

The eBay description was simple: untested cameras, some possibly broken, some working, some with batteries, and some without. It was a total gamble, but that's part of the fun.

Here's what I got:

Camcorders and Vintage Finds:

• JVC GR DVL367 Camcorder: Early 2000s DV camcorder with a tiny 8MB card. Untested due to outdated media.

Update: I found the right DC adapter laying around for this camera and its fully functional! Just need to order a battery now.

• Sony CCD TR61: Vintage camcorder using DV tapes. Broken battery; likely a parts-only camera.

• Sharp VL-AH50U High-8 Camera: Quirky 90s camcorder with a unique rotating screen but missing battery and charger.

• JVC DA30U: Blocky, vintage camcorder with a sliding screen—super cool design, but again, no battery.

Digital Cameras (Hits & Misses):

• Nikon Coolpix L26: Powers on, but lens jammed—probably a lost cause.

• Kodak EasyShare Z812 IS: Works perfectly after replacing batteries. A nice find!

• Kodak EasyShare DX7440: Functions only with external power; the battery is shot, but otherwise in good shape.

• Kodak EasyShare M1033: Fully functional after plugging in externally; zoom and controls are working.

• Kodak EasyShare DX7440: Powers perfectly with external power, but dead battery needs replacement.

• GE 10 Megapixel M1033 & Unknown Waterproof Camera: Both turned out non-functional due to either battery or internal issues.

• Generic Waterproof Camera: Displayed a persistent "card error"—likely a deeper internal problem.

Film Cameras (Untested Vintage Gems):

• Canon Sure Shot: Battery compartment corrosion, likely unusable.

• Fuji Discovery 1000 Zoom & Sharp Film Camera: Decent cosmetic condition but unable to test without film.

DSLR Discovery:

• Canon DSLR (Rebel): Exciting find turned disappointing due to broken and bent memory card pins—sadly a lost cause unless used for parts.

Final Results:

• Fully Working: 6 Cameras

• Broken or Untested: 14 Cameras

Was It Worth It?

For just $20, the deal was surprisingly good! Even though many cameras were broken or impractical to fix, the working models alone made it worth the small investment. Plus, it was genuinely fun to uncover each camera’s quirks.

Key Takeaways:

• Buying bulk "untested" listings is risky but can yield interesting finds.

• Vintage cameras are cool but challenging to test without specialty equipment.

• Even seemingly broken cameras can have resale value for parts.

Would you try your luck on an eBay camera haul? Let me know your thoughts!