Buying from Russia

[Creagerj]

I'm thinking of buying a Kiev 4a to replace the one that I used to own but misplaced. I've been looking on ebay and most cameras for sale there are from Russia. What can I expect as far as customs dues shipping from Russia to the US? Has anyone had any experience with buying from Russia?

 

[Creagerj]

good to know

 

[captainslack]

Never had any luck buying anything from Russia. My item either disappeared in transit or my seller went AWOL.

Ukraine was another story. Had many good dealings with alex-photo and other sellers there.

 

[Creagerj]

I guess than what I would like to know is who are the good ebay sellers from Russia and Ukrane? Has anyone ever worked with ebay seller altai?

 

[David Murphy]

I've had great luck with all of them, but particulary:

Leon Photo Cameras (his eBay store)

His eBay id is: leon1965jazz

Seller cupog in Slovakia is another wonderful Eastern Europe seller.

 

[Keith]

I'm currently waiting for two cameras from eBay seller 'Grizzly Bear' .... I have heard good things about him but at the moment its been a month since I paid and no cameras so I am starting to get a little anxious. Realistically you have to give stuff from that part of the world six weeks before panicking and Oz is a long way from the Ukrane. 😡

 

[fishtek]

Hmmmmm.....

How 'bout someplace a bit closer...

fedko.com

He's in New York, and quite well respected among those who like the FSU gear. His gear is likely to be in quite nice condition, according to what I've seen on the forum.

Regards!
Don

 

[Creagerj]

I'm not interested in buying from fedka because his cameras are priced a bit higher than the amount that I am willing to spend. I would like to buy from somewhere closer because I'd really rather not wait a month for a camera. If any forum members have a kiev 4a I can take off your hands let me know.

 

[lZr]

I bought my Horizon from rugift. No duties paid. $10 for shipment to Israel
I'll do it again if I need some russian equipment
http://www.rugift.com/

 

[payasam]

My experience with www.okvintagecamera.com has been excellent, also that with www.fedka.com. Neither offers the lowest prices going, and neither stocks everything at all times.

 

[shadowfox]

I am waiting for a Kiev 4AM from altai.

It's been 2 weeks, not yet arrived, so stay tuned, we'll swap either horror or sweet story!

 

[captainslack]

My experience with www.okvintagecamera.com has been excellent,

Oleg has been my one exception in my dealings with Russians. He's a class act and an EXCELLENT repairman. His prices are higher, but you'll get a camera in better than new condition.

 

[oscroft]

I've bought from blyatnikov a few times, and he's delivered good stuff quickly (about a week to the UK - don't know how much longer it would take to the US)

 

[rbiemer]

I have got stuff from most of the sellers mentioned above and have been mostly very happy. With a few exceptions.
I have a short list of folks I will deal with:
Oleg http://www.okvintagecamera.com/index.html
Fedka
/http://www.fedka.com/catalog/
Alex-photo on ebay
I got my Zorki 3m from RafCamera
http://rafcamera.com/
But they seem to be mostly movie cameras lately.
And Valdis has a pretty good web site and sells but it's not obvious--email him and ask about specific things and he will promptly answer. Great guy but his English, while much better than my Russian, is sometimes a little surreal.
His web site:http://www.rus-camera.com/
Delivery times for my stuff from the FSU to here in upstate NY has been anywhere from 9 to 21 days. Independent of seller or specific country of origin.
Rob

 

[hitmanh]

I've bought off Blyatnikov with no issues... Just be aware that one of the reasons Oleg and Fedka are more expensive is that you will get a working camera that meets or exceeds the description and that the fine chaps in charge won't disappear after the auction or ignore you e-mails. Both have a fine reputation that has taken years to get.

Matt

 

[Michael I.]

+1 Oleg. I am a regular(fixing and buying)

 

[dee]

I have had great service and cameras from altai / blyantikov / okphotocameras / asterliks .

 

[dee]

oh , and moscowphotos heavily engraved leica copies are fantastic users - if you don't mind the faux German wartime engraving ..

 

[dostacos]

I'm currently waiting for two cameras from eBay seller 'Grizzly Bear' .... I have heard good things about him but at the moment its been a month since I paid and no cameras so I am starting to get a little anxious. Realistically you have to give stuff from that part of the world six weeks before panicking and Oz is a long way from the Ukrane. 😡

if it is any comfort, I have bought several items from Grizzly Bear and have received all ordered, it took a while [30+ days]but it arrived

 

[Keith]

if it is any comfort, I have bought several items from Grizzly Bear and have received all ordered, it took a while [30+ days]but it arrived

I feel much better after reading your post and have just gone and had a look at the calendar. I bought the cameras a day or so before Easter which meant they probabaly didn't post til after the holiday which only makes three weeks ... still can't wait to get to the post office today though ... you never know! 😛