good morning digi.
When I used to sell lenses on another ID I would ask a higher price on Buy-Now listings for lenses with original packaging, but this would include the cardboard or foam inserts and not simply a box that let a lens free-ball all over the place IYKWIM. For lenses that were auctioned, I would include ‘+box’ in the title as a way of ensuring that bidders would know that the item would include the box.
I have plenty of empty lens boxes here. This is partly because I didn’t include the boxes in sales I made to schools when the lens was affixed to a camera when I sold them, and I would hang on to the boxes in case I bought an eBay item that did not include the box for a lens.
When photographers, both amateur and professional, carry multiple lenses around they do not carry them in their boxes. Many camera bags have soft padding and all that is needed to protect the lens is a mount cap and a lens cap. When Canon sell cameras with bundled lenses they usually include a soft pouch to put the lens in. Boxes are very cumbersome to use to protect lenses due to them being much larger than the actual lens.
As far as lens boxes being collectable, I wouldn’t think so . . . . . . but then again, I have seen empty/flattened breakfast cereal boxes listed for prices much higher than when purchased new (and full of cereal) so what would I know!
