Used Camera Database Blog

Well, kind of.

For those of you paying attention to this spot, you can access the lens database at http://www.usedcameradb.com/lenses/.  I promised I’d release something this week, so I’m doing it.

That said, it is very much still a work in progress, and I’ve got a long list of features I want to add as time goes on.  So do not be alarmed if things look odd for a while.  But, do let me know if you find any bugs or problems!

It seems like whenever I have a good idea, I always find out later (i.e. after I do the work) that someone else already had the idea!

For instance, on my recent post, someone asked if I had seen Pixel Peeper before.

Well, uh, no… I hadn’t.

All those great ideas I’ve been planning and implementing?  Pixel Peeper already has them!   Historical prices, eBay listings, ratings, comments, specifications, etc.  Pixel Peeper has already done it!  With a nice interface too!

So, I spent a few hours debating about what I could add here that would add value beyond pixel peeper, and then it hit me in the face: Pixel Peeper is only digital.  The Used Camera Database covers (will cover) all used cameras, including (or maybe especially) film cameras.  So, that’s how UCDB will distinguish itself — a repository for all used cameras, even the film ones (which don’t seem to get much coverage elsewhere on the web since you can’t make much profit).

* * * * *

While I’m at it, I should make a list of the various websites that include large databases of lens and camera information.  Here are a few I’ve found — feel free to suggest more in comments!

• Bob Atkins’ LensPlay.  This is the site that inspired UCDB and showed me that a large database of camera information is super useful when you are looking for used camera equipment.  Sadly, it only covers the Canon EOS series.
• Pixel Peeper.  A great database of all brands of digital lenses and cameras.  The name hints at one of the claims to fame of the site: it indexes Flickr pictures so you can view actual images from specific lenses and cameras at full resolution.
• Photography in Malaysia.  While not a true “database” (meaning you can’t search it) this is a very impressive site containing tons of information on a variety of cameras and lenses with tons of pictures.  It includes Canon FD, Nikon, Olympus, and Leica information.  Worth a look!

Like I said, if you have others, leave a comment, and I’ll add it to this list!

See my other blog for the post.

(I’m too lazy to figure out how to post a full screen cap here right now)