How to Donate 35MM Cameras

Put your old 35mm camera in the hands of a deserving photographer.

As the photography world moves closer to digital domination, many professional and amateur photographers are retiring their old 35mm film cameras. Many of these reliable, functional classics will collect dust in a storage box or serve as eye candy in a display case. Instead of letting your collection go unused, donate the equipment to a college photography department, local charity or secondhand store. You'll walk away knowing that you've given someone a special gift -- the ability to capture a memory.

Things You'll Need

• Canned air (gas duster)
• Microfiber cloth
• Packing material

Instructions

1. Clean up your equipment. Blow away surface dust with a few bursts of canned air duster. Wipe the lens barrel and camera body clean with a damp microfiber cloth.

2. Test your equipment to ensure that it is in working condition. While some establishments will accept cameras for parting out or eventual repair, most prefer fully functional equipment.

3. Bring the equipment to a local camera shop to estimate its value. If its value is over $500, you'll need to have the equipment professionally appraised. Record the final value of the equipment for tax purposes. This amount constitutes a charitable donation and can be listed as a deduction at filing time.

4. Contact local high schools, community colleges or universities and ask to be referred to their photo department. Most academic institutions still teach traditional photographic technique and will accept donated 35mm film cameras for student use.

5. Inquire at local charities, churches and thrift stores. Organizations like Goodwill and the Salvation Army accept a range of electronics for donation, including camera equipment. Churches and thrift stores will also take used functional cameras.

6. Pack your equipment carefully into a box, using bubble wrap or foam peanuts if necessary. Deliver your equipment to the campus, church or charity that will accept your donation. Some organizations may offer a pick-up service at no charge.

7. Obtain a receipt for your donation. For tax purposes, save this receipt, along with any other paperwork received from your appraiser.

Tips & Warnings

• During tax filing, complete and attach Form 8283 if your equipment is valued over $500.

• Do not inflate the value of your equipment or attempt to forge any appraisal paperwork, as this may result in legal consequences.

References

• IRS: Publication 526, Charitable Deductions
• Shutterbug: Donate Your Cameras to Help Others at RTP

Resources

• IRS: Form 8283, Noncash Charitable Contributions