eckmanmj
Well-known
I didn't mean to buy this camera.
I wasn't looking for a Flexaret, I swear!
But there it was, on the 'Bay from a US seller that had no idea what it was. He had an opening bid of $50 and I figured someone would recognize it as a Flexaret VII and would inflate the price to at least $100 or more like the others that have sold.
So I put my bid in, and then 3 days later, I got an email saying I won the unknown "vintage camera" for $50 + $8 shipping.
When it arrived, I was pleased that the camera is in good working order and looks real nice. The lenses have average dirt in them, but no fungus and no significant scuffs, scratches etc.
The shutter works fine at all speeds, even 1 sec.
The viewfinder is a bit dusty, and sadly, it appears that Flexaret viewfinders aren't nearly as easy to clean as other ones out there.
So anyway, now I have this thing and it sits here on my desk looking all pretty....so whats the problem?
I already have 2 other very nice TLRs. My 1957 Yashicamat in near mint condition. Ive already shot film in the 'Mat and it works wonderfully. I also have a really nice 1966-ish Mamiya C33 in very good condition also.
While the C33 is certainly a behemoth, I like that its one of the very few TLRs that can do macro work, and if I ever went crazy, I could swap out the lenses and try something different.
I'm not against keeping 3 TLRs, but knowing theres a chance that with a proper listing on eBay, I could probably double my money on the Flexaret.
It seems kind of odd to use, but I like how the shutter speed and aperture size are set by EV value, which is unlike my other two TLRs. It also has a removable film plate for taking 6cm x 4.5cm pictures. It is missing however, the 35mm adapter that some Flexaret VIIs came with.]
So what would you all do? Logically, I dont need 3 TLRs, but they're all so pretty. Would the money be better used buying something else? (I am currently in need of a M42 lens for my Yashica TL Super.)
Here are two pics of the Flexaret and a third of it sitting next to my Mamiya.
I wasn't looking for a Flexaret, I swear!
But there it was, on the 'Bay from a US seller that had no idea what it was. He had an opening bid of $50 and I figured someone would recognize it as a Flexaret VII and would inflate the price to at least $100 or more like the others that have sold.
So I put my bid in, and then 3 days later, I got an email saying I won the unknown "vintage camera" for $50 + $8 shipping.
When it arrived, I was pleased that the camera is in good working order and looks real nice. The lenses have average dirt in them, but no fungus and no significant scuffs, scratches etc.
The shutter works fine at all speeds, even 1 sec.
The viewfinder is a bit dusty, and sadly, it appears that Flexaret viewfinders aren't nearly as easy to clean as other ones out there.
So anyway, now I have this thing and it sits here on my desk looking all pretty....so whats the problem?
I already have 2 other very nice TLRs. My 1957 Yashicamat in near mint condition. Ive already shot film in the 'Mat and it works wonderfully. I also have a really nice 1966-ish Mamiya C33 in very good condition also.
While the C33 is certainly a behemoth, I like that its one of the very few TLRs that can do macro work, and if I ever went crazy, I could swap out the lenses and try something different.
I'm not against keeping 3 TLRs, but knowing theres a chance that with a proper listing on eBay, I could probably double my money on the Flexaret.
It seems kind of odd to use, but I like how the shutter speed and aperture size are set by EV value, which is unlike my other two TLRs. It also has a removable film plate for taking 6cm x 4.5cm pictures. It is missing however, the 35mm adapter that some Flexaret VIIs came with.]
So what would you all do? Logically, I dont need 3 TLRs, but they're all so pretty. Would the money be better used buying something else? (I am currently in need of a M42 lens for my Yashica TL Super.)
Here are two pics of the Flexaret and a third of it sitting next to my Mamiya.
