Darshan
Well-known
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.
is this deal worth it?
thx,
dan.
xayraa33
rangefinder user and fancier
the lens in good shape is worth 200 plus.
coelacanth
Ride, dive, shoot.
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.
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.
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fotomeow
name under my name
the pricing sounds about right. The Summitar is a great old lens as well.
Darshan
Well-known
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.
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
Well-known
Figure on getting a new beamsplitter for the RF. About $100 more from DAG.
coelacanth
Ride, dive, shoot.
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
Well-known
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
Well-known
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")
IMO - the IIf is a much cleaner camera to use than the IIIf.
(Much closer to the original "spirit")
Vince Lupo
Whatever
Seems okay, but I wouldn't exactly call it a bargoon.
Darshan
Well-known
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.
dan.
Melvin
Flim Forever!
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
Well-known
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.
Pass on the 135mm without a finder it's really hit or miss for composing an image.
Darshan
Well-known
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.
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.