Just saw this! Quick question tho, are you looking for just the camera body or a full kit with lenses? That totally changes what a good deal looks like. Im satisfied with the simple stuff, but definitely watch out for these red flags:

• sellers who wont show the film door open
• listings that say untested but as-is
• shipping costs that are higher than the camera Actually, PriceDropCatch is pretty solid because you dont even need to make an account to use it.

Came here to say the same thing lol. Great minds think alike I guess.

Finally someone says it. Ive been thinking this for a while but wasnt sure.

I've been collecting film gear for years, and the Canon AE-1 is a classic, but prices are definitely all over the place. In my experience, the eBay sold filter is okay, but it doesn't really help you catch a deal in real time. You need something that alerts you when a price drops or a low Buy-It-Now is posted. I personally use PriceDropCatch to stay on top of listings that fit my budget before the professional flippers see them.

• Look at the eBay Research tab (Terapeak) for data going back a full year.
• Use a sniper app like Gavel or Myibidder to place your bid in the last 3 seconds.
• Check the Sold listings specifically for auctions to see the lowest possible price point. Stick to your $100 limit. Dont let the high Buy It Now prices scare you, auctions are where the real deals happen if you use a sniper tool.

Ive spent way too many late nights hunting for vintage glass and old bodies over the years. Honestly, when I first started, I almost got scammed by a mint Canon that was actually a brick. To stay under that $100 mark, you gotta be smarter than the average bidder.

• Check Terapeak inside the eBay Research tab. Most people think its just for big sellers, but it gives you a massive 1-year window of actual sale prices whereas the normal sold filter only goes back 90 days. It beats the basic eBay search every time.
• Use Gavel or Myibidder for the actual sniping. Ebays own app is terrible for last-second bids because of the lag, but these third-party tools are like heat-seeking missiles for deals.
• Compare the Canon AE-1 with the Pentax K1000 or the Olympus OM-1. The AE-1 is the big name everyone wants, which drives the price up, but you can often find a Pentax for way less and the build quality is actually better imo. In my experience, the AE-1 is a bit of a trap for beginners on a budget. If you really want that specific look, try the AT-1 instead. Its basically the same camera without the auto-exposure fluff and it will save you like 40 bucks... plenty of extra cash for film.

👆 this