not to be too picky, but gas is a poor price index for comparison, as the
price in real terms has fluctuated greatly (as have prices) and it is
mostly tax in the USA rather than product you are paying for at the pumps
the actual CPI for 1977 versus today has nearly tripled in today's
dollarettes. see http://www.smu.edu/~rmonagha/brondejavu.html#cpi
the big jump was over 10% per year for 1979, 1980, and 1981, so pre-1979
stuff in ads are much cheaper than post-Carter inflation bump items...
My general observations have been that most used items from the 1970s in
medium format sell today for roughly what they cost new - examples being
1977 - hasselblad 150mm f/4 $1185; 1977 500c/m and A12/80mm T* $1635 etc
Kowa super 66 1976 ad - $455; bronica ECTL $630 (1976) etc.
the really eye opening issue is to price today's rollfilm backs etc.
(calumet..) against yesteryear's back ad prices, adjusting for CPI, which
makes it clear that adjusted prices are generally up well beyond
inflation. Whether this is lesser volume or higher mfgering costs??
Incidentally, has anybody tried the 120 film conversion trick of trimming
the 120 spool rim (nail clippers, wire cutting pliers) and seeing if it
will fit in the 620 backs? Less hassles than respooling, cheaper than
buying limited 620 emulsions still available etc. - see related tips at
http://www.smu.edu/~rmonagha/bronfilms.html and ~rmonagha/mf/620.html etc.
HTH bobm
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