muf
Well-known
So, a couple of weeks ago I received an Olympus Autowide from the USA to my country of residence, the UK. Wasn't packed well and arrived with the top plate dented and the viewfinder glass cracked. The winder was seized solid. Lens clear, meter not working. So, I got a full refund but was so disappointed that such a lovely 'seemingly' well built camera was unsuccessful at making the crossing over the Atlantic. But it did make me want to try again once I got to see in person what a nice machine it was.
Undeterred, I located another in the USA from a reliable seller. Bought it and it arrived today. Much better packed. Much better optimism. However, upon unpacking it, I discovered the winder seized solid. Again! The rewind crank disconnected internally and a few small dents here and there. Meter works and the lens is clear too. The viewfinder glass is not broken too. Got a full refund on this one too.
So, what to do. Give it up as a bad job? Send both away and get a repair shop to make one good one from the two? Dunno. Gutted tbh. Despondent to be more accurate. Are they really that fragile?
I read they are complicated and not at all easy to work on. What do you reckon. Give up or try to get a working one from the two. Of course option 3 would be great - find one working 100 yards from where I live. But that May just be stretching it a bit...
Paul
Undeterred, I located another in the USA from a reliable seller. Bought it and it arrived today. Much better packed. Much better optimism. However, upon unpacking it, I discovered the winder seized solid. Again! The rewind crank disconnected internally and a few small dents here and there. Meter works and the lens is clear too. The viewfinder glass is not broken too. Got a full refund on this one too.
So, what to do. Give it up as a bad job? Send both away and get a repair shop to make one good one from the two? Dunno. Gutted tbh. Despondent to be more accurate. Are they really that fragile?
I read they are complicated and not at all easy to work on. What do you reckon. Give up or try to get a working one from the two. Of course option 3 would be great - find one working 100 yards from where I live. But that May just be stretching it a bit...
Paul
Beemermark
Veteran
What model do you call Autowide? I know they made a lot of models and I've owned/ owe many of them but can't place this one.
muf
Well-known
Oh damn. Its a Minolta autowide. I'm that worked up i got the make wrong!!! Edited the title.
Deep breaths...
Deep breaths...
retinax
Well-known
Look on the bright side. You got two free cameras, and when you've paid for the repair, you'll have a freshly repaired one for less money than you would have paid otherwise!
Beemermark
Veteran
Minolta Auto Wide, a scarce camera over 60 years old. If you really have your heart set on having a nice, fully working camera I'd suggest repairing the one you have.