yossarian123
Sam I Am
My dad is well aware of my gear acquiring tendencies (he doesn't know anything about photography) so he's always on the lookout for me at various garage sales in Iowa. 99.999% of the time he finds true junk, either the lens/camera is broken or it's a really mediocre APS P&S that the seller wants $50 for.
This time he struck gold. He called me on Friday while I was working and said he was looking at a Nikon camera. My ears instantly perked up when he mentioned that the camera said "Nippon Kogaku" - that instantly put it into the category of "Wait Just A Second". So I had him take pictures of the camera and send them to me on his cell phone. As soon as I saw them my heart skipped SEVERAL beats. I was looking at an S2 with a 5cm 1.4 (SC), with front cap and with original leather case.
The price? $15. That's right. It was an estate sale and the person running it said they had already sold all of the "good" gear and this was the only thing left.
I told him to immediately pay the man. And then I instructed him on the location the nearest UPS store in Iowa, along with instructions on the best way to pack it securely (I've done this dance before). The camera showed up on my doorstep today and it's a doozy. I would say it's in excellent condition, the shutter sounds good (slow and fast speeds) and the lens is in perfect condition. I'm running some B&W through it now, I should be able to process the film tonight and post some scans tomorrow. I'm up in the clouds, I don't think I've ever gotten such a great deal before. I'm assuming that a setup like this is worth $800-1000 on the used market?
Sam
This time he struck gold. He called me on Friday while I was working and said he was looking at a Nikon camera. My ears instantly perked up when he mentioned that the camera said "Nippon Kogaku" - that instantly put it into the category of "Wait Just A Second". So I had him take pictures of the camera and send them to me on his cell phone. As soon as I saw them my heart skipped SEVERAL beats. I was looking at an S2 with a 5cm 1.4 (SC), with front cap and with original leather case.
The price? $15. That's right. It was an estate sale and the person running it said they had already sold all of the "good" gear and this was the only thing left.
I told him to immediately pay the man. And then I instructed him on the location the nearest UPS store in Iowa, along with instructions on the best way to pack it securely (I've done this dance before). The camera showed up on my doorstep today and it's a doozy. I would say it's in excellent condition, the shutter sounds good (slow and fast speeds) and the lens is in perfect condition. I'm running some B&W through it now, I should be able to process the film tonight and post some scans tomorrow. I'm up in the clouds, I don't think I've ever gotten such a great deal before. I'm assuming that a setup like this is worth $800-1000 on the used market?
Sam
andredossantos
Well-known
Wow, sweet find! Congrats!
kdemas
Enjoy Life.
OK, that's awesome! I miss my S2, possibly the best shooter for 50mm in Nikon RF in my opinion. Enjoy!!!
filmfan
Well-known
This makes me wonder what the "good" gear was...
yossarian123
Sam I Am
It could go either way, it was truly great gear or (most likely) something that looked expensive and new but was really pretty mediocre. My guess was a cheezy film SLR that just looked expensive. The heavy old camera that didn't autofocus was probably thrown in the junk bin where my dad snatched it up.
yossarian123
Sam I Am
I've enjoyed the feel of it so far. The shutter is a little loud compared to my M3 but it feels solid. The VF is nice and bright.
raid
Dad Photographer
Congrats! If you need cash, sell me the camera for $16!
johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
Your dad can have my mobile number anytime! 
Enjoy the camera!
Enjoy the camera!
tj01
Well-known
An early generation Coolpix
Frontman
Well-known
Good job, and a great deal. I found an S2 with a lens the other day for $100, and I thought I got a good deal...
yossarian123
Sam I Am
Yours was a pretty good deal!
VTHokiEE
Well-known
Wow, I'm still holding out for a garage sale find like this. Awesome deal!
jon.oman
Well-known
You lucky, lucky, man!
RanceEric
The name is Rance
(Same reaction as the last ten people) Wow.. Congratulations!
Field
Well-known
The only better deal I have seen was someone once got a Leica M3 with a Summicron 50mm for $5 at Goodwill.
I have managed to waste a lot of money and time going to garage sales. The only time I walked away with any camera stuff was once with a not-that-great deal on a Yashica GSN, and when I went to a photographer estate sale where they knew what everything was worth so the prices were good but not steals.
I have managed to waste a lot of money and time going to garage sales. The only time I walked away with any camera stuff was once with a not-that-great deal on a Yashica GSN, and when I went to a photographer estate sale where they knew what everything was worth so the prices were good but not steals.
Mackinaw
Think Different
Great find and a great camera. I would love to own an S2 someday.
Your story sounds very familiar. Years back, a friend of mine who puts on estate sales called me about some old camera the family of the deceased didn't want. They thought it was a P&S and not worth much. It ended up being a Leica M3. I got it for a real good price.
Jim B.
Your story sounds very familiar. Years back, a friend of mine who puts on estate sales called me about some old camera the family of the deceased didn't want. They thought it was a P&S and not worth much. It ended up being a Leica M3. I got it for a real good price.
Jim B.
Colin Corneau
Colin Corneau
Epic find.
I have to check out more estate sales!
I have to check out more estate sales!
sp9107sp
Well-known
nikon s2 w/ 1.1
nikon s2 w/ 1.1
the one that was on ebay earlier this year, the seller bought it at an estate sale in Chicago for $35. nikon s2 w/ 1.1 in the original box, major screw up by the estate sale company!
nikon s2 w/ 1.1
the one that was on ebay earlier this year, the seller bought it at an estate sale in Chicago for $35. nikon s2 w/ 1.1 in the original box, major screw up by the estate sale company!
