Jocko
Off With The Pixies
Hallo! Having finally worked up enough courage to contribute a post I thought I’d introduce myself.
I’ve been using Soviet Rangefinders since 1984, when I bought a second-hand Fed 4. So began both a never-ending love and a spiralling descent into photographic madness!
I’ve been intrigued by the recent correspondence on e-bay, bad service and rising cost. At risk of sounding like a garrulous old twerp, the following tale may help put things in context. Back in 1988 I bought a second-hand Kiev 4 for £60 (now around $110) - a typical price at the time. The camera had clearly had the TOE treatment. Everything worked perfectly - even the meter. Being dazzlingly inept, I soon broke the shutter and took it for repair at a classic camera shop. Weeks passed, then finally I was told it was ready. I arrived to find the shop was shut - my camera was waiting at the jeweller next door, elaborately sealed in a gaffer-taped box. Unable to wait until I got home, I ripped off the wrapping and found a peeling Zorki!
These were the years of Gorbymania, when anything Soviet was suddenly hip. The dealer, a regular in “Amateur Photographer”, had sold my camera for £200 to a Brighton interior design shop! The trading standards people got my £60 back, but by now dealers asked £90 for Kievs. I was a student and just couldn’t spare the cash.
The moral? Scamming didn’t start with e-bay or in the FSU - and believe me, the cameras are still really cheap!
It’s a real pleasure to be part of this community; you’ve taught me much already and I hope to learn much more. Best wishes to everyone!
Jocko
I’ve been using Soviet Rangefinders since 1984, when I bought a second-hand Fed 4. So began both a never-ending love and a spiralling descent into photographic madness!
I’ve been intrigued by the recent correspondence on e-bay, bad service and rising cost. At risk of sounding like a garrulous old twerp, the following tale may help put things in context. Back in 1988 I bought a second-hand Kiev 4 for £60 (now around $110) - a typical price at the time. The camera had clearly had the TOE treatment. Everything worked perfectly - even the meter. Being dazzlingly inept, I soon broke the shutter and took it for repair at a classic camera shop. Weeks passed, then finally I was told it was ready. I arrived to find the shop was shut - my camera was waiting at the jeweller next door, elaborately sealed in a gaffer-taped box. Unable to wait until I got home, I ripped off the wrapping and found a peeling Zorki!
These were the years of Gorbymania, when anything Soviet was suddenly hip. The dealer, a regular in “Amateur Photographer”, had sold my camera for £200 to a Brighton interior design shop! The trading standards people got my £60 back, but by now dealers asked £90 for Kievs. I was a student and just couldn’t spare the cash.
The moral? Scamming didn’t start with e-bay or in the FSU - and believe me, the cameras are still really cheap!
It’s a real pleasure to be part of this community; you’ve taught me much already and I hope to learn much more. Best wishes to everyone!
Jocko
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