Advice - to buy or not to buy?

[paulatukcamera]

As some of you know, I've been trying to add to the sum total of Cosina knowledge - by dealing with the "clone" rangefinders:
Minolta Himatic 7sII, Konica Auto S3 Vivitar 35ES and the Revue 400SE. In terms of value the Konica is $100+ the Himatic $80+ and the others should be less. However the market seems to have "cottoned on to this" and the Revue & others are now $40+ and climbing!

I need another rangefinder like a hole in the head, but in the interests of academic research on behalf of all Cosina fans here, what is your opinion on this one?
cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7561993487&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

£13 is cheap, but add in £5 postage and we are looking at £18 (around $32). Now, if the lens is really on its way out, its not worth $10! That's why it hasn't been snapped up already.

Considered opinion please. Attractive, like many other siren songs of "bargains" previously which have landed me with cameras that were only "£5" (+ postage of course) and which, on mature reflection, are really total scrap!

It is not just cameras - I have many LPs & CDs which will never more see the light of day as "bargain tubs" are not the most intelligent way of enhancing ones record collection! My secret vice it remains - I rummaged through one this Saturday! Interesting that Elton John's greatest hits & songs of the West Coast were in it! Has his day passed I wonder?

I digress (ramble?) Would you buy this lonely Vivitar or not?

Paul

P.S Too late! As I wrote this someone bought it! Question now altered - have I missed the bargain of the year?

[PeterW]

Hi Paul,

Don't think you missed the bargain of the year, Paul. £18, sight unseen, with the seller admitting the lens might be a bit dodgy (praise to him for that) ...hmm ... I don't think I would have bought.

This class of camera isn't all that rare, and I do like to handle a camera before buying. Ebay prices can be up and down, but I find camera fair prices more stable (I think dealers there have a walk round before the fair opens and have a look at other prices). Prices at camera fairs at the moment aren't riding high except for really top quality or rare stuff. I would expect a camera like this to be offered for about the same price, £15 - £18, but without any suspicions about the lens.

Examples: not all that long ago I picked up a Yashica Minister III and a Minister D in perfect working order and cosmetically excellent for £30 the two after a spot of bargaining (the price tickets said £18 each). I know they've got 'only' 2.8 lenses, but that's a plenty big enough aperture for 99 and a bit per cent of all the pictures I take, and they're lovely cameras to use. OK, I spent £10 on petrol (or actually diesel) going to the fair and back, and five quid on a lunch, but that expense was spread over four cameras I bought plus an enjoyable day.

I know some people can't get to camera fairs, so Ebay's about the only chance they've got of collecting cameras. I'm fortunate in being within easy reach of about six a year so I don't use Ebay. I don't mind so much buying a camera with faults, but I like to know exactly what faults I'm buying. I also haunt car boot sales, and prices there can be anything from giveaway to ridiculously high. Sellers don't usually know what a camera's worth, they just guess (like £150 asked for a FED II recently!!!).

Peter
(Never run after a camera or a bus, there'll be another along soon).

Peter

[kamera]

Peter,

You mention "camera fairs" and they actually sell cameras!? Wow!

We have 'flea markets' here in the US and...they do not sell fleas! ;D ;D ;D

Have a great day!

Ron Head
Kalamazoo, MI

[Rachel]

Always thought this eBay seller's prices are a bit high.

[vintageslrs]

Paul

It looked like a nice camera and a decent value.
But hey...one thing for sure......there is always another one coming around the corner.........so don't depair.....you'll get the next one. ;D


good luck
Bob

[PeterW]

We have 'flea markets' here in the US and...they do not sell fleas!

Wanna bet, Ron? Try buying some clothes from them ;D.

Peter

[John Parry]

Same seller has a 35EE coming along soon, which appears to be part of the same who-made-it? rats nest (sorry controversy!)

John

[vintageslrs]

John

Nothing to base this on but looks........

but I would guess it was made by my friends at Cosina!



Bob

[doubs43]

kamera said:

Peter, You mention "camera fairs" and they actually sell cameras!? Wow!

We have 'flea markets' here in the US and...they do not sell fleas! ;D ;D ;D Have a great day! Ron Head Kalamazoo, MI

Ron, over on the Rangefinder Forum I've posted a picture taken in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, of a "Floemarkt" sign on a street post. It's a permanent metal sign, nicely done and shows a large flea.

I'd post it here but I don't have a web site.

Walker