best buy,worst buy

Best: Sony DSC-R1 with bag, tripod, card reader, and cards off Ebay for $205. Just used it again today (I've been heavily using my Contax G's lately) and had forgotten what a FUN camera this is - and this is after buying, and then selling, a R-D1 and a M8 last year.
 
Since it was in original condition with just minimum signs of use it was simply too valuable for me to use it. Therefor I sold it for an amount for which I would usually have to work for approx. 18 months.
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well... didn't you take a picture? and an original MP would have made a neat shooter...
 
Best - a black dial S2, black versions of the 35/2.5, 50/2 and 105/2.5 with hoods, caps and cases, a variable focal finder and a Sekonic light meter for $800 and change. (Consigned by an estate at my local camera shop.)

I have not used any of it yet - although it all looked pretty clean, the camera is at Pete Smith's and the lenses are at Sherry Krauter's.

Worst - In terms of the amount spent vs. the enjoyment of using it, I would probably say that my Canon DSLR is up there. It's very useful, but a 50D with a 17-55 2.8 is $2,000 worth of shoulder-crushing unpleasantness to tote around. It's like carrying a Volkswagen.
 
Best buy: leica iiia plus Summar + cases --- $39 at a yard sale i had not planned to go to

Worst buy: 5x7 "camera" bought from antique dealer on the bay. Forget how much I paid, but also paid extra for secure packing to protect the GG. What arrived was a front and rear frame, no GG, hacked off struts and I don't remember what else.
 
Best buy: A Canon 1V in great condition for 300 USD, though that's been sold off now.
Worst: A non-SLR sx-70 for 50 USD which smelled of attic which was claimed to be an SLR and in great condition.
 
Best: All within the last year, in good shape, either in Tokyo or Hamamatsu (approximate cost in dollars, but paid in yen):

(a) Contax G2 body (two scratches in the back, but otherwise in excellent shape): $100
(b) CV 35/2.5 PI (in excellent shape): $130
(c) Avenon 28/3.5 (with case, finder, and hood; in excellent shape): $170
(d) Canon P (mint condition, looks new): $160
(e) Canon 50/1.4 LTM (in very good shape): $84

Worst: Haven't had anything crazy, but perhaps overpaid for a used 50/2 Summicron ($500) that started to have trouble with the front element unscrewing. Took it to the Leica boutique in Ginza, and paid $20 to get it fixed.
 
Best:
- Pentax K1000: $11.95
- Pentax K 50mm f/1.4: $14
- Black Pentax K2 and 50mm M f/2 with case: $25
- MINT pentax MZ-5n: $25
- Mamiya C330 f and 80mm f/2.8 in the best shape I've ever seen: $145
- MINT contax RTS II, 50mm f/1.7 planar, 135mm f/2.8 sonnar, yashica ML 28mm f/2.8, 55mm f/2.8 macro, extension tubes, filters, cable release, focusing screens, flash: $340

Worst:
- payed $550 for a mint Hexar AF a while ago. I don't regret it (I'll never sell it) but I should have waited for one that came with a flash.
 
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