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).
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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!