Roger Hicks
Veteran
There seem to be three kinds of free equipment. Some is worth what you pay for it. Some is worth less (distracts you from taking pictures). And some is a joyful discovery.
Any examples of each kind? Especially the stuff you wish you HADN'T been given, as it's always tempting to rejoice about the discoveries, and easy to ignore the fact that there's a lot of junk out there.
Cheers,
R.
Any examples of each kind? Especially the stuff you wish you HADN'T been given, as it's always tempting to rejoice about the discoveries, and easy to ignore the fact that there's a lot of junk out there.
Cheers,
R.
EcoLeica
Check out my blog!!!
28mm E series Lens - which i love
right angle lens adapter - stupid huge thing that gathers dust on my desk
Diana Camera - Do i really need to say more?
right angle lens adapter - stupid huge thing that gathers dust on my desk
Diana Camera - Do i really need to say more?
kully
Happy Snapper
I really wish I hadn't been given a print glazer, a rusted print drier, two old enlargers, some old UK made enlarging lenses... the list goes on...
Oh, and various cameras / lenses because "you like camera's don't you - here, we have a digital now" - tinkering with them is a time-waster too.
Oh, and various cameras / lenses because "you like camera's don't you - here, we have a digital now" - tinkering with them is a time-waster too.
Ronald_H
Don't call me Ron
I was given a FED5. Rangefinder is so dirty it's next to useless.
BUT because the shutter IS accurate, it works admirably as a wide angle shooting platform, leaving my M2 for other things. The Industar 61 is also quite good, but rarely used with a Summicron DR around.
BUT because the shutter IS accurate, it works admirably as a wide angle shooting platform, leaving my M2 for other things. The Industar 61 is also quite good, but rarely used with a Summicron DR around.
Bike Tourist
Well-known
I had the use of an old Leica film cutting template when I had a IIIf — much nicer than trimming film with scissors. I gave it back when I sold the IIIf.
ClaremontPhoto
Jon Claremont
It wasn't exactly free, but it was only pocket change.
An Art Deco Rolleicord that needed a lot of renovation.
It still needs a lot of renovation!
An Art Deco Rolleicord that needed a lot of renovation.
It still needs a lot of renovation!
Paul T.
Veteran
I was given my dad's Zeiss folder, picked up in wartime Italy, which I treasure but haven't actually used yet.
And I found an Apple G4 in the street, whihc I've upgraded and use for all my iTunes (plus recordings), photos and website stuff. It's especially good in winter as it generates lots of heat in my office...
And I found an Apple G4 in the street, whihc I've upgraded and use for all my iTunes (plus recordings), photos and website stuff. It's especially good in winter as it generates lots of heat in my office...
Soeren
Well-known
I have had lots of enlargers given to me, some I kept and some just stayed i transit for a short while. Best of those must have been the Durst 707 AC which I still have. Worst a Durst 900 which was liberated from its lenses before it went to the scrapyard.
Most of my developing stuff ei. Drums trays etc. was also given to me for free.
Talking about cameras, I have been given four of them. A Minolta 101 in a very poor condition and I havn't used it. Three Nikons, a FM (+ 50mm f/1.8) which unfortunately lost its mirror haflway through the first film, a Nikormat FT3 that sees some occasional use and a F3 (+55mm f/3,5 Micro nikor). I'm using that one regularly.
Still waiting for someone to give me a Leica M2 or M4.2 or maybe a Voigtländer Bessa II
Kind regards
Most of my developing stuff ei. Drums trays etc. was also given to me for free.
Talking about cameras, I have been given four of them. A Minolta 101 in a very poor condition and I havn't used it. Three Nikons, a FM (+ 50mm f/1.8) which unfortunately lost its mirror haflway through the first film, a Nikormat FT3 that sees some occasional use and a F3 (+55mm f/3,5 Micro nikor). I'm using that one regularly.
Still waiting for someone to give me a Leica M2 or M4.2 or maybe a Voigtländer Bessa II
Kind regards
kshapero
South Florida Man
As the local camera freak, people always wanted to give me some old camera that there great grandfather left them. Almost always a clunker broken beyond repair.
But....... sometimes I score big.
Examples of great finds:
Pentax SPII with lots of lenses.
Leica IIIa w/ 50mm/f2 lens
Also I once found a Nikon FM2 with Nikkor 50mm/f1.2 at a yard sale for $25 in great working order.
Alas if only GAS was just a one way street.
But....... sometimes I score big.
Examples of great finds:
Pentax SPII with lots of lenses.
Leica IIIa w/ 50mm/f2 lens
Also I once found a Nikon FM2 with Nikkor 50mm/f1.2 at a yard sale for $25 in great working order.
Alas if only GAS was just a one way street.
nobbylon
Veteran
hilarious! however I was given a box of 'various' and in amongst all the c@@@ was a Contax 159/50mm planar and a 1964 first edition super takumar 50mm 1.4
I still have to sort an ad out for anyone who wants some darkroom kit, color analyser, enlarger etc. First person who picks it up from me here in Amsterdam can have it!
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Great stories! Several times I laughed out loud! Thanks, guys.
Cheers,
Roger
Cheers,
Roger
Mr_Flibble
In Tabulas Argenteas Refero
It was last month when I was given a Franka-Werk Solida Record. Nice gesture, but it was useless without a lens
So I flogged it as a repair/parts camera.
So I flogged it as a repair/parts camera.
eli griggs
Well-known
I'm usually looking for free kit, but I have passed on several cameras, a couple of enlargers, etc, over the years, usually when I've upgraded.
The only one I regret is the Canon F1n I gave to a fellow student at school about 30 years ago. I decided he needed it more than I did, even though it was my all time favorite camera, a latter Leica M3 SS possibly excepted. I sacrificed for over a year to buy it on a Carter Administration Soldiers Pay but I was planing on buying some new kit with some of the moneys had coming in, G.I. Bill, etc, so I thought I'd do something nice for someone else. :angel:
I was able to buy more Canon stuff, but a couple of years latter than originally thought as it turned out. Other than helping someone, there was no good reason for me to have parted with what was a loved and valued tool, I really did need it myself. I should have given him a lesser Canon AT-1 or FTB ql, either would have done just as well. I just hope he used it every day and made a billion dollars shooting swimsuit models and celebrities.
I can't even remember his name and I quit school not too many weeks after.
Did I mention it had a FL 50 mm 1.2 on it when last seen waving goodbye? I miss that lens as much as the camera. :bang:
Eli
The only one I regret is the Canon F1n I gave to a fellow student at school about 30 years ago. I decided he needed it more than I did, even though it was my all time favorite camera, a latter Leica M3 SS possibly excepted. I sacrificed for over a year to buy it on a Carter Administration Soldiers Pay but I was planing on buying some new kit with some of the moneys had coming in, G.I. Bill, etc, so I thought I'd do something nice for someone else. :angel:
I was able to buy more Canon stuff, but a couple of years latter than originally thought as it turned out. Other than helping someone, there was no good reason for me to have parted with what was a loved and valued tool, I really did need it myself. I should have given him a lesser Canon AT-1 or FTB ql, either would have done just as well. I just hope he used it every day and made a billion dollars shooting swimsuit models and celebrities.
I can't even remember his name and I quit school not too many weeks after.
Did I mention it had a FL 50 mm 1.2 on it when last seen waving goodbye? I miss that lens as much as the camera. :bang:
Eli
Muggins
Junk magnet
Hee hee, nice thread, Roger!
I'll second the chap who keeps being given cameras, then wastes time fiddling with them. I'm much the same - thankfully my first love, box cameras, usually just get a clean up and that's all they need.More complex things can be more of a timewaster...
On the other hand, in terms of positive free equipment, my girlfriend's parents overheard a friend of theirs whose science department was moving buildings say that he had a drawer full of old cameras that he didn't really want to throw away. They jumped on my behalf, and I ended up with a Nikkormat ELW plus 50mm Nikkor lens (f2.0, I think)... and an F3 body! To top that, a friend gave me his surplus Micro-Nikkor 55mm so I effectively ended up with the beginnings of an F3 outfit for free.
I've not been that lucky since - I think this might turn out to be me "eureka!" moment for this lifetime.
Adrian
I'll second the chap who keeps being given cameras, then wastes time fiddling with them. I'm much the same - thankfully my first love, box cameras, usually just get a clean up and that's all they need.More complex things can be more of a timewaster...
On the other hand, in terms of positive free equipment, my girlfriend's parents overheard a friend of theirs whose science department was moving buildings say that he had a drawer full of old cameras that he didn't really want to throw away. They jumped on my behalf, and I ended up with a Nikkormat ELW plus 50mm Nikkor lens (f2.0, I think)... and an F3 body! To top that, a friend gave me his surplus Micro-Nikkor 55mm so I effectively ended up with the beginnings of an F3 outfit for free.
I've not been that lucky since - I think this might turn out to be me "eureka!" moment for this lifetime.
Adrian
Ronald_H
Don't call me Ron
Sadly, being a camera freak myself, people have not give me great stuff yet, not even horrible junk
I should go to yard sales more... a Nikon FM2 with a Nikkor 50mm/f1.2 for 25 Euros... drool...
jolefler
Established
Somebody gave me a....
Somebody gave me a....
aluminum FILCA case. Would have been nice, except he scrawled his name all over it!
Jo
Somebody gave me a....
aluminum FILCA case. Would have been nice, except he scrawled his name all over it!
Jo
Hobbes
Newbie
My Retina II and my Century Graphic were freebies! The Retina came in a box of Brownie Hawkeye and similar cameras. There were lots of flash bulbs and such to dig through in the box, but burried at the bottom was the Retina!
Not free, but I picked up a Canon FTb with a 50mm 1.8 and 24mm 2.8 lenses yesterday off craigslist for $10! The camera is spotless and so are the lenses. That is pretty darn close to free.
Not free, but I picked up a Canon FTb with a 50mm 1.8 and 24mm 2.8 lenses yesterday off craigslist for $10! The camera is spotless and so are the lenses. That is pretty darn close to free.
John Lawrence
Well-known
Like others I've been given stuff over the years because, "oh I understand you use / collect old cameras". I've had much of the stuff listed above, disc cameras, 110 "instamatics" the odd flash gun or 20 and a packet of Halina flip / flop flash bulbs - with 4 used!
gb hill
Veteran
I thought Roger was giving away free gear...drats Anyway I was given a Pentax Spotmatic in bad need of a cla. The mirror would lock up & not return. After taking off the bottom plate I immediatly saw the problem. Oiled the moving parts, replaced light seals & it works like new. I was also given a near complete darkroom setup. Durst enlarger, timer, trays, bottles, paper, safelight, & other stuff. I've been quite happy with the free stuff I have got. You know the old saying, One man's junk is another man's treasure. "So send me your junk". Especially if you have a medium format that shoots 120 film laying around.
Anyway I was given a Pentax Spotmatic in bad need of a cla. The mirror would lock up & not return. After taking off the bottom plate I immediatly saw the problem. Oiled the moving parts, replaced light seals & it works like new. I was also given a near complete darkroom setup. Durst enlarger, timer, trays, bottles, paper, safelight, & other stuff. I've been quite happy with the free stuff I have got. You know the old saying, One man's junk is another man's treasure. "So send me your junk". Especially if you have a medium format that shoots 120 film laying around.photo4ls
Well-known
Free Stuff
Free Stuff
I was given a Nikon FM3a by my very good friend that
new he was not going to be w/us very long. He even
gave me the 45 f2.8p lens along w/motor drive.
I would rather have my friend back than all the free
gear on the planet. My wife and I really miss him since
he was truly a good friend.
Nelson
Free Stuff
I was given a Nikon FM3a by my very good friend that
new he was not going to be w/us very long. He even
gave me the 45 f2.8p lens along w/motor drive.
I would rather have my friend back than all the free
gear on the planet. My wife and I really miss him since
he was truly a good friend.
Nelson