rbsinto
Well-known
Somtimes yes, and sometimes no.
I got a DE-1 about 30 years ago for about $35.00 from Doug Napier (Dugwerks). It has a "vee"-shaped chip in the glass centered right at the top of the field so it was being sold very cheaply even then. I knew it was a bargain and grabbed it, and I've used it ever since without any problems. One of the best photo-purchases I ever made.
My meterless F prism was purchased about ten years ago for $175.00 so it was not quite the same great bargain, but nevertheless good value.