One that got away

[KoNickon]

This is the opposite of "What have you just bought?" A guy was offering on Craigslist locally an M3, serial number over 1 million, MC meter, 50 Summicron, 90 Elmarit, and 135 Hektor, all in nice condition and working, all for $1,000. Sadly, when I called him yesterday he said a guy was coming down from New Hampshire to look at it today. Now the ad's down. He who hesitates.... I console myself that I already have all of this gear (though a DS Summicron instead), so it's not the end of the world, for sure.

Any other near miss stories out there? I'm sure there are!

 

[Steve Bellayr]

You probably have the summicron. The 90 elmarit & 135 Hektor are the most desirable. Basically it was a deal for the M3. Most of all CONDITiON? Did they need repairs or cleaning? You did not say. With all these deals as a member advise budget a cleaning or repair into the price. I have had many deals that looked good on paper but did not hold up.

 

[Saganich]

Agreed, it's all counter factual unless you first have possession, then let it go. I think for 1K that was about where it should be without knowing details about performance. A friend of mine traded an M4 for a VW bus. Although he had a fun summer in the bus, it broke. and that was that. Today he wishes he had an M4. Oh well.

 

[p.giannakis]

Quite a few years ago I went to a car boot sale with £20 In my pocket. I did not bother getting my debit card with me. I found a nice Minolta 8000i with the 50f/1.7 - the guy asked for £5, I was more than happy to get it.

On the way to the car, one of the last sellers had a tatty photography bag, inside it was a Canon VT . He asked for £20. I had only £15 left. I begged him to accept 15 and put it aside until I bring 5 more. Nope...

I run back home to get more money. You can imagine the rest....

 

[KoNickon]

You probably have the summicron. The 90 elmarit & 135 Hektor are the most desirable. Basically it was a deal for the M3. Most of all CONDITiON? Did they need repairs or cleaning? You did not say. With all these deals as a member advise budget a cleaning or repair into the price. I have had many deals that looked good on paper but did not hold up.

The posting indicated all was working -- agree; I'll be the judge of that -- but he seemed knowledgeable and the pictures looked good. The price does make you wonder, though. In any event, I wouldn't have forked over the money without checking everything out. (I think you meant that the Elmarit and Hektor were least desirable, yes?)

 

[KoNickon]

I should say that I've had my share of great deals, so I mustn't grumble.

 

[Dogman]

Wista 45SP metal field camera, 75mm Super Angulon, 135mm Symmar, 210mm Sironar, 300mm Fujinon T, all film holders, Pentax spot meter, Gossen Super Pilot meter all in one big bag. Lost in a burglary in the 1980s. Very disappointing letting those get away.

 

[Pál_K]

Totally mint condition Leica R3 Safari with 35, 50, 90 Safari lenses, also mint. Bought it from KEH. I’ve wanted a Safari from the moment I’d first seen them. Decades waiting.

The box arrives and indeed the camera and lenses appear to be new, untouched. Beauty. Elegance. Craftsmanship. Leica.

The R3 is deader than a possum on an Atlanta truck route. I cannot revive this thing.

Almost crying, I sadly ship it back. Thinking about it just now, I should’ve kept the lenses. But I was overwhelmed with sadness and wanted to make the whole thing disappear.