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Post by daveinpasadena on Jun 16, 2007 17:46:37 GMT -5
I happen to be a casual collector of Praktina cameras and lenses. As we must be a fairly rare bunch (in fact I don't know any other Praktina fans yet!) I decided to start a Yahoo group called "kwpraktina" to bring us together (I hope!). Everyone is welcome of course. Thanks - David
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PeterW
Lifetime Member
Member has Passed
Posts: 3,804
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Post by PeterW on Jun 16, 2007 18:26:26 GMT -5
Good luck with the new group, Dave. You've picked a rather narrow niche for a group, concentrating only on Praktinas and not Kamera Werkstatten in general (though I suppose that would clash with the Praktica Users Group). Don't forget, if any members admit to collecting other cameras, to nudge them this way. And don't neglect us yourself!  . I belong to several Yahoo groups, and one drawback I find is that you can't post pictures in with the text. You have to keep dodging back and forth between the text and a picture file to read both together or to refer back when someone answers. Much nicer the way we've got it here. (smug, smug). I've never had a Praktina, but I'll be dropping by as a viewer from time to time to see if anyone comes up with some snippets of KEW history I haven't come across before. PeterW |
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Post by doubs43 on Jun 16, 2007 19:04:19 GMT -5
Dave, add my well wishes for the success of your group. I'm sure you'll attract some members who collect Praktinas.
There must be some out there who like Praktina cameras. I've noted that when a lens is sold on ebay that is for the Praktina, it generally brings a pretty good amount. I've put it down to the rarity of lens made specifically for the Praktina.
Walker
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Post by herron on Jun 16, 2007 19:47:10 GMT -5
Dave: Good luck with your group. As Peter pointed out, it's a very narrow niche, but it can be fun. My Mamiya collecting has never put me in the mainstream, but I collect and record for every Mamiya 35mm (with the exception of P&S) they ever made...or planned...so I've managed to build a forum group of over 425 members. It can be done....just have fun doing it!  |
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Post by daveinpasadena on Jul 4, 2007 1:16:20 GMT -5
OK, thanks for the advice. I enjoy the relative obscurity of Praktina! As you say, based on eBay sales, there are certainly more than just a handful collecting Praktina. I think the number of Mamiya 35 collectors is similarly high -- just sell a faster, rarer Mamiya lens on eBay to find that out! (many of these guys are in Japan)
Praktina is very much like Exakta to me: I love the lenses, but almost fear the camera bodies (although I fear Exakta bodies more -- you just never know when they will jam). Praktina bodies are just OK for use, but I have not found any bad lenses yet, and many that are just incredible. Of course they are admirable simply as machines regardless of actual use.
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Post by herron on Jul 5, 2007 11:09:02 GMT -5
........I think the number of Mamiya 35 collectors is similarly high -- just sell a faster, rarer Mamiya lens on eBay to find that out! (many of these guys are in Japan).... For the rarer Mamiya lenses, and some of the earlier rangefinders, there is a large contingent of Japanese collectors. It took me many years to get a Mamiya 35-I rangefinder. First, because they are fairly rare (even on eBay) and second, because I was constantly outbid by the same person! He was not Japanese, but I discovered he was buying for Japanese collectors. I finally won a bid against him for a 35-I when he graciously dropped out of the bidding (he had no immediate buyer, and knew of my web site). |
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Post by doubs43 on Jul 5, 2007 12:27:45 GMT -5
Ron, I've had the same experience a few years back when I was trying to buy Visoflex adapters and extension tubes. A buyer in Italy was paying high dollars that I couldn't begin to match. I don't know if he was a serious collector or buying for re-sale but he was grabbing everything in sight.
Walker
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