Question about Olympus pen FT

[Setarip]

Hello!
Quick question... I have the opportunity to purchase a Olympus Pen FT with the 40mm Zuiko 1.4 lens for about $160. I will try to offer about 120-140, is this a good deal? Is this worth my time to try to pick up?

 

[shadowfox]

If it has a healthy shutter, and a clean viewfinder, it's a good deal.
But if it needs service before you can use it, skip it.

 

[Setarip]

Thanks for the reply Shadowfox. The guy said that the optics and viewfinder are clean. The shutter fires on all settings. He stated the light meter may work, but he has no batteries to test it. It was his moms camera so its good to know the full history as far as owners go. Also, from what I have seen the 40/1.4 lens is pretty darn valuable so I may just take the gamble.

 

[ZeissFan]

Yes, this is a very good deal. Make sure the battery chamber is clean. Otherwise, you can use a handheld meter.

The viewfinder doesn't use any prisms, just a series of mirrors.

Oh, and make sure that the shutter doesn't have any kinks in it.

 

[raid]

This set has market value $300-$400+ if no damage is present. Congratulations.

 

[Setarip]

Wow! Ok then, I will be heading over in a couple of hours to check it out. Thanks so much guys! Maybe this is a silly question, but how do I make sure the shutter has no visible kinks?

 

[raid]

You open the back of the camera, and you take a look at the shutter curtains. If you are lucky, the seller may give you a 24 hour warranty during which you shoot one roll of film and get it back developed.

 

[Setarip]

Ok! Thanks again Raid, I'm hoping this all works out. I'll update later with pics if it did!

 

[rhl-oregon]

The lens is worth 140% of the asking price and often goes for more. This was a Mom camera, not Eugene Smith's! There's such a thing as too much caution when a generous deal lies at hand, and there are times when haggling is miserly rather looking out for one 's interest. IMHO, of course.

 

[ZeissFan]

I agree with the Robert Hill. I would buy it at that price for the lens alone.

I also say live a little and buy the damn thing. Geez, man.

 

[Setarip]

Im ticked. The deal fell through. I called the dude this morning, told him I was coming to get it after I got out of work at 2:00pm, got there by 2:30 with the 160, and he tells me "Im sorry but I sold it 2 hours ago...some guy REALLY wanted it so I sold it to him. Im new at this" So yeah im pretty upset about it as I was looking forward to using this camera, and I drove nearly 30 miles to get it. Ugh. Sorry for wasting everyones time with this.

 

[Griffin]

Sheesh! Man what a dick. New at this or not, that's just bad manners!

 

[raid]

You have no control over ethics when it comes to buying/selling online. Many people here at RFF have been burnt at one time.

Sorry man.

 

[rhl-oregon]

Yet it may have been someone who knew the value and offered it (or more). We say caveat emptor but we should also say Buyer act fast! When something worth $300-400 is being offered for far less. I got my FT + 50-90 for $125 off the Bay. But I was willing to take the chance with the seller's declarations and the return guarantee, and it proved to be a good intuition/decision.

Best of luck in finding another F and lens you like.

 

[raid]

Yes, I agree with Robert on this issue. We don't know the details.

 

[btgc]

Well, you had your chance. Sometimes one has to shoot and then ask questions.

Once I saw local ad - black Rollei 35S for about $30. I called seller, she said she will be back in town two days later. Someone who wanted it more were smart enough to drive to her farm and hand her more than she had asked. I don't know how much exactly but I can't blame her for agreeing.

 

[Setarip]

I got to him as soon as I could, right after I left work. He just cold not wait for some reason. Thinking back I kinda wish I told him that the camera was worth upwards of $400 once he said he sold it to someone else. At the same time I didn't want to be a jerk back. Ah well. Thanks for the input guys! This is a great forum, I can't even begin to tell you how much I have learned in the last couple of weeks! I cant wait to find the next deal.

 

[rhl-oregon]

Yes, there are more FTs in the sea. Learn and move on and enjoy the hunt, or quest, or game. And there is always good reliable fairly priced gear here. And using the Want to Buy may get you your heart's desire....

 

[shadowfox]

I got to him as soon as I could, right after I left work. He just cold not wait for some reason. Thinking back I kinda wish I told him that the camera was worth upwards of $400 once he said he sold it to someone else. At the same time I didn't want to be a jerk back. Ah well. Thanks for the input guys! This is a great forum, I can't even begin to tell you how much I have learned in the last couple of weeks! I cant wait to find the next deal.

Been there.
It stings. But it isn't worth the space it occupies in your mind.

You did the right thing not telling him off. Now you know more about the values of Pen F series, that's the real value of this lesson.

There will be other times.