how is this deal?

[Darshan]

at a local neighborhood camera store, there is a IIf + 50 mm summitar for $385 (excluding 8% tax). the camera and lens are in great shape and everything works, but RF is a little dim which might make focusing in low light difficult.

is this deal worth it?

thx,
dan.

 

[xayraa33]

the lens in good shape is worth 200 plus.

 

[coelacanth]

KEH has IIf BGN for about $200. antiquecameras.net lists Summitar $150 for good condition. (But "Higher if free from cleaning marks / haze")

I think it's a fair deal if it's in great condition, but you don't know if it's really "everything works" until you shoot a roll or two. (sometimes it needs more than that to determine)

If you think the camera is worth a trip to Youxin for CLA (or possibly beam splitter mirror replacement), then I think it's good. You'll get quite reliable (no problematic slow speeds) little camera in the end.

I'd personally use it as-is and ignore week RF. Summitar can be a fun lens on other bodies as well.

at a local neighborhood camera store, there is a IIf + 50 mm summitar for $385 (excluding 8% tax). the camera and lens are in great shape and everything works, but RF is a little dim which might make focusing in low light difficult.

is this deal worth it?

thx,
dan.

 

[fotomeow]

the pricing sounds about right. The Summitar is a great old lens as well.

 

[Darshan]

thanks for your responses.

the reason i like the deal is they have a 7 day return period, the sales rep tells me i could shoot for 7 days and return it for a full refund if its not up to the task. within that period i can definitely test a few rolls 😎.

they have a 135 mm lens also, didn't look at the specifications and the total is for $440. i was thinking of skipping the 135 as i don't know if i will use it much.

dan.

 

[Robert Lai]

Figure on getting a new beamsplitter for the RF. About $100 more from DAG.

 

[coelacanth]

thanks for your responses.

the reason i like the deal is they have a 7 day return period, the sales rep tells me i could shoot for 7 days and return it for a full refund if its not up to the task. within that period i can definitely test a few rolls 😎.

they have a 135 mm lens also, didn't look at the specifications and the total is for $440. i was thinking of skipping the 135 as i don't know if i will use it much.

dan.

7 day testing period sounds good. That's the benefit of local business.

I believe Youxin typically has the mirrors in stock as well.

 

[John Shriver]

If the Summitar is clear and haze-free, that's a fine deal. If it's coated, even better. Serial numbers around 589000 are where Summitars started getting factory-coated.

 

[newspaperguy]

Sounds like a fair deal, especially with the "try it."

IMO - the IIf is a much cleaner camera to use than the IIIf.

(Much closer to the original "spirit")

 

[Vince Lupo]

Seems okay, but I wouldn't exactly call it a bargoon.

 

[Darshan]

i will be revisiting that store tomorrow to pick up my tri-x prints, and i am sure going to handle that little iif again. lets see...

dan.

 

[Melvin]

I don't think it's a good deal unless it has been overhauled recently by a Leica specialist. Old mechanical cameras are money pits.

 

[Landshark]

You're looking at retail values here. If you like the camera, offer them $250-$275. The worst they can do is say no.
Pass on the 135mm without a finder it's really hit or miss for composing an image.

 

[Darshan]

thanks for your responses guys. i was looking at that iif as i saw it in a store and i have been looking for a mech leica for quite some time. currently use yashica gsn, but i don't like not having full control.

so to counter that, i bought a M4!!! now just have to wait for it 🙄🙄. i was looking at M2s as i like the look of the top panel and i am not going to use 135 mm, but i think i got a fair deal on the M4 (don't we all think like that after buying something?).

now the quest is to look for a 35 mm (i like 35 mm FL better than the 45 mm on my gsn).

dan.