Yup- flea markets are horrible places to buy cameras and electronics.
...
Most people had the common sense to pass these two pieces of junk up at $15 each. Except me. Sucker born every minute.
These are great finds, and I look for things like these old mechanical cameras all the time at places like thrift shops or flea markets -- and then carefully evaluate their condition prior to purchase.
But specific to electronics, unless you can power up the unit on the spot and prove without a doubt that every function works, you're risking your money.
Don't confuse the issue, I'm not opposed to collecting and reusing used technology; far from it - I have a small collection of classic mechanical cameras and typewriters, for instance. But because they're mechanical, they can usually be evaluated, on the spot, prior to purchase. You generally can't do that with electronics, especially at outdoor Flea Markets where there isn't electrical power available.
I've seen all manner of intermittent problems with electronic devices purchased "for cheap" by someone, who later would have to bring it into my shop for an estimate or repair. You can't evaluate the condition inside a transistor or IC or capacitor like you can with mechanical devices, especially when you can't power them up to test them. This is a situation specific to most thrift shops and flea markets, who generally post signs about all sales being final and "as is".
So please don't distort my words; reusing old technology is great, I'm a hardcore luddite in that respect. But things like electronics are always suspect when used, unless they can be tested on the spot. This comes from decades of experience in the consumer electronics business.
~Joe
PS: Brian, I didn't see the battery compartments on those two cameras you posted pictures of. I suppose those weren't the "electronics" you were referring to in your post, huh?
