Need advice for prices for some OM gear!

Keith

Keith

The best camera is one that still works!
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Today at work one of my fellow employees, who also happens to be a photographer, got a phone call from a friend who wanted some advice about some camera gear he wants to sell. It's all Olympus OM stuff and he wanted to get an idea of what it's worth.

He came in at lunch time with this rather beaten up looking case containing all this gear that had belonged to his brother who was killed in an accident twenty years ago. Judging by the look of the case I wasn't expecting anything too flash but my jaw dropped somewhat when he started dragging things out of it!

Here's the list:


Black OM-2 ... in mint condition.

Zuiko 50mm f1.4 (late version) ... mint with leather case.

Zuiko 50mm f3.5 Macro ... mint with leather case.

Zuiko 28mm f2 ... mint with leather case.

Zuiko 135mm f2.8 ... mint with leather case.

Zuiko 300mm f4.5 ... mint with leather case.

Winder type1 with pistol grip in excellent condition.

Leather ever ready case in excellent condition.


He wants to sell the whole kit complete ... I would really like the late model 50mm f1.4 and the 28mm f2 and possibly the body due to it's pristine condition and the fact that it's black. There's also a selection of filters and a couple of cable releases etc. The body's not too hard to put a price on but I don't have a clue about the lenses? If I can get the whole lot for a reasonable price I'll keep what I want and sell the rest! The macro lens I'm not sure about ... I've heard they are very sharp but it is kind of slow!

What think you ... regarding individual prices?

🙂
 
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That's an incredible list of gear Keith. I can't help you with prices since I don't have so don't follow the pricing on ebay. What you have might be worth a little more since you know something of its history. Selling it as a whole rather than parting it out will get him less than piece-mealing it. Not so good for him, but better for a potential buyer. You might find it worth while to give him whatever turns out to be a fair price, then selling what you don't want. You might pay a good bit towards what you want to keep.

As to the macro, f/3.5 isn't at all unusual from that time period. I have a Fujinon from about 35 years ago that is the same. It isn't 1:1 without its extention tube. I think the Olympus would be the same, since most from that time period were. My Fujinon is sharp as it can be. A Zuiko should be as well. I don't use my Macro that much any more. I got it for crime photos. It worked well. When I want real macro, it is the first one I think to grab.

Good luck on fair pricing for your friend's brother, and on getting what you want as well.
 
Thanks Stewart and oftheherd ... to me the pick of the lenses is the 50mm 1.4 and the 28mm f2. I have the older 50mm 1.4 and it's a little soft wide open and wouldn't mind the update! I think I read that the 28mm f2 is very good and reaonably hard to get.

Not my thing but the 300mm is beautiful!

Bizzare story of this guy's death ... apparently he was a pilot with a vintage Tiger Moth and his wife was a wing walker ... he crashed the plane killing both of them! 😱
 
Tiger moth crash - not the most common way to go.....and topical given the centenary of flight in Australia...

FWIW Keith I bought a 28mm f2 in BGN condition not long ago on ebay for around AUD$225. there are 3 on ebay around $500 which seems steep.
 
I had a 28/2 at one time it's very good, but I preferred the 35, bit less contrast, both sadly stolen now

Shame about them, and the plane for that matter, one needs skill to kill yourself in a tiger-moth
 
Sparrow said:
I had a 28/2 at one time it's very good, but I preferred the 35, bit less contrast, both sadly stolen now

Shame about them, and the plane for that matter, one needs skill to kill yourself in a tiger-moth
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I did a google search and found a report of the accident ... apparently due to the xtra drag of the wing walker the plane developed some sort of engine power issue shortly after take off and stalled, then turned straight into the ground!

Sixteen years ago this happened!

Getting back to the OM kit I may be able to get it for $500 ... he was talking $500.00 to $700.00 and needs the money fairly pronto for some vehicle repairs.
 
jmilkins said:
Go for it Keith. If you decide to sell the 300 I'd be interested!
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I'm not a long lens person but that 300mm was a beautiful looking piece of glass and came with a fitted velvet lined case.

If I do go ahead with this I have to come up with the money in a week or so ... so I'd definitely be looking to get rid of what I don't keep fairly quickly to restore my still bleeding bank account which just took a hit from the Pentax 67ii I just bought ... it never rains but it pours! 😛
 
Keith I have bought, currently own, and sold most of the equipment that you have detailed and if it helps here is my take:

Black OM-2 - nice camera, had one many years ago before it was stolen. Later replaced with a OM1, then Om4ti and OM3. £70-£90

Zuiko 50mm f1.4 - the late MC version is a fantastic lens and it lives on my OM3. I like a sharp and high contrast lens, which this is, and it is excellent at all fstops. A bargain at between £70-£100 (depending on how early/late the lens is)

Zuiko 50mm f3.5 Macro - I agree with newspaperguy, this is a fantastic little lens and i still have it in my kit bag. Although i don't use it very much (i don't shot macro very often - only when very bored) however, when i have it has never disappointed. The lens is very sharp and with the larger of the 3 extension rings (25 i think) you get 1:1. £100-£120

Zuiko 28mm f2 - i used to own the 28mm 2.8 but sold it as it was just too wide for my photography (the 35/f2 is the widest lens i use). The lens was typical OM - sharp/good contrast. However, i recall a review which described the f2.0 lens as one of the sharpest OM lenses. A quick search of some UK dealer sites suggest its value at near the £200 mark.

Zuiko 135mm f2.8 - I no longer have this lens as it was too long for my needs (100mm is the longest i ever need for portraits) but it was quite a good lens (much better than the f3.5 which sell for peanuts). They sell for around £60.

Zuiko 300mm f4.5 - sorry but i have never used this lens. Dealers are however selling them for between £150-£190.

Winder - £20-30

Based on my calculations just the above items bought individually would set you back at least £670, which down under is nearly $1200.

Therefore, IMO, you have got yourself one hell of a deal, particularly if you can get it for $500.

Hope this helps.
 
according to polish auction site its gonna be something like this:

Black OM-2 100$

Zuiko 50mm f1.4 (late version) 150$

Zuiko 50mm f3.5 Macro 100$

Zuiko 28mm f2 300$

Zuiko 135mm f2.8 150$

Zuiko 300mm f4.5 200$

Winder type1 with pistol grip in excellent condition. 50$

Leather ever ready case in excellent condition. 20$

1000$ > 500$ = go for it! 😉

not so long ago I've sold my OM-1 silver with 50/1.4 35/2 135/3.5 for less than 300$...
 
newspaperguy said:
If you've got it, I'd say do it!

(But then, it's your money Keith, not mine.)
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My sentiments exactely! It sounds like an incredible bargain if you have the extra money. As to the 300mm lens, that isn't a common lens to use. I have one and don't use it often, but when you need it, they are great. The olympus should be better than mine in that it should be smaller. Mine is a Vivitar TX. Still nice, but not an Olympus. I don't use it often, but there are times when it is just the ticket. I think if you have it, you will find times you will be glad to have it in your kit.
 
I'm trying to figure out the same thing myself! I have a chrome OM-1n with 85/2 and 28/2. I just don't use them much lately, so I'd like to see them go to a good home.

From what I've seen I think the 28/2 could go for $200-225. Ebay prices are a bit wild so I use KEH as my guide. What they consider baragin is usally pretty nice for me. I know that they are a retail outfit and not individuals, but if you have pristine equipment then I think their prices are accurate.

Let us know what you decide to do!
 
Keith said:
I did a google search and found a report of the accident ... apparently due to the xtra drag of the wing walker the plane developed some sort of engine power issue shortly after take off and stalled, then turned straight into the ground!

Sixteen years ago this happened!

Getting back to the OM kit I may be able to get it for $500 ... he was talking $500.00 to $700.00 and needs the money fairly pronto for some vehicle repairs.
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Yep drag is an issue, and in the engine department it's best to bugger authenticity stick a new Renault unit in

It's a good deal on the set at au$500 in UK terms, but a lot just to get that 50/1.4
 
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I presume that you have had a good look at all the equipment. If its been in a case unopened for 15 years there just might be the chance of the dreaded fungus. The black OM-2 is nice but it works just like any other OM-2 and if you have another OM do you need this one? Have you checked the battery situation?
I would love the 28mm f2 and the 50mm macro is one of those lenes I would like to handle to see if I liked. The 135mm f2.8 is obviously more difficult to get than the f3.5 but I'm not sure if in regular use it would produce obviously 'better' results. When would you use the winder? Do you need the 300mm lens?
The deal seems all very tempting - the price range $500 - $700 very keen IF all is in good condition and working smoothly. Do you know to whom you can sell off what you don't want? And, if you had $500 loose in your pocket without this deal in sight, what would you spend it on?
I remember advice I was given many years ago - 'if in doubt, don't buy'.

jesse - (miserable bu--er that I am)
 
jesse1dog said:
I presume that you have had a good look at all the equipment. If its been in a case unopened for 15 years there just might be the chance of the dreaded fungus. The black OM-2 is nice but it works just like any other OM-2 and if you have another OM do you need this one? Have you checked the battery situation?
I would love the 28mm f2 and the 50mm macro is one of those lenes I would like to handle to see if I liked. The 135mm f2.8 is obviously more difficult to get than the f3.5 but I'm not sure if in regular use it would produce obviously 'better' results. When would you use the winder? Do you need the 300mm lens?
The deal seems all very tempting - the price range $500 - $700 very keen IF all is in good condition and working smoothly. Do you know to whom you can sell off what you don't want? And, if you had $500 loose in your pocket without this deal in sight, what would you spend it on?
I remember advice I was given many years ago - 'if in doubt, don't buy'.

jesse - (miserable bu--er that I am)
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I had a good look through all the lenses and not a trace of fungus to be seen, very clean in fact, and the body was checked last week with batteries and the shutter fires perfectly .... apparently where this gear was stored runs air conditioning nearly 24/7 so that explains the lack of growth or deterioration.

I'm not looking to have much more Oly gear in the cupboard than I already own so what I don't need would probably go on eBay along with my current silver OM-2, 135mm f3.5, 50mm f1.4 and 28mm f2.8 ... I see this as a chance to upgrade some commonly used lenses in particular for virtually no cost, hopefully.

He left the gear with his friend and I intend going back there first thing monday when there's no distractions to have a closer and very thorough inspection!

It could also mean I would have a black OM-2 to match my black OM-1 ... style's important you know! 😛
 
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