Selling my RF's for a OM?

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PlantedTao

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The rangefinder way of shooting is what I learned on and I have really enjoyed using them...
However, I am smitten with my OM-2n :) I really like everything about it, the build quality, the accurate AE, the simplicity, the size, the sound, and the glass. I have had very good results with this camera and I really enjoy working with it. I am not one that likes to have cameras sitting around and collecting dust, plus I could use some $... so I’m thinking about selling my RF’s. I will probably take the money from the sale and expand my OM system with an OM-4T, a winder and a 50mm 1.4, saving the rest for film and paper.

I have a Black Zeiss Ikon and an Olive Bessa R2, a 50mm summilux and a VC 35mm color skopar. (all about 85-90% condition)

What are these worth ???

I still haven’t convinced myself that this is a great idea, so let me know your thoughts or if ya want to trade :)
Thanks!
Jason
 
Hi Jason. I can tell you that there is life after RFs. I recently sold my Leicas and a few lenses for extra cash and went back to the Olympus OM system that I used for many years but had previously sold most of them off. I too found an OM-4Ti and an OM-2SP. But beware, I started buying more and more lenses! I'm not the least bit sorry I migrated back to the OM system, after all, it's small, light, well built and many of the lenses are top quality, just like many quality RFs.

I can't tell you what your gear is worth, but a good starting point is to search the eBay completed auctions, and look at what places like KEH are selling the same stuff for. Kind of figure 70-80% of what they cost you new if they are in truly nice shape. The bodies nearer 70% and the lenses probably 80%. Good Luck!
 
I picked up an OM-1 for doing some repair work, and traded a Canon P body (picked up in a trade for a custom lens) for a set of Olympus lenses. It's a nice camera, great lenses, but I would not trade an R2 for one.
 
Don't sell, nothing will make you want them back faster. Put them away for now. OM's are great, but also not very expensive. Shoot with what you've got, save and add things you really want when you can. Trust me, nothing is worse than sellers regret (well a lot of things are worse) anyway, it will surely cost you more to buy them back and you'll be kicking yourself. Speaking from experience.
 
I don't think I'd be bailing out of my rangefinder system no matter how little I was using it ... a good rangefinder will focus much more quickly in low light than the best SLR with the brightest screen IMO.

As I age and my eyes suffer more and more in low light my Ikon takes up a permanent unthreatened space in the cupboard for those occasions when I know I'll struggle with an OM or similar.

In short ... I agree with others who have said not to part with the RF's!
 
I love my OM very very much, but RF and SLR are two completely different animals and complement each other. I wouldn't sell RF system for OM, and I won't sell OM for RF.
 
ok.
maybe a compromise.
Sell off the Bessa R2 and the skopar... both see little to no use and should go to a good home. This would give me a little cash to get a lens or put it to a OM-4T later.
I may kick myself later if I sell the ZI and 'lux
 
PlantedTao said:
ok.
maybe a compromise.
Sell off the Bessa R2 and the skopar... both see little to no use and should go to a good home. This would give me a little cash to get a lens or put it to a OM-4T later.
I may kick myself later if I sell the ZI and 'lux
Click to expand...

This is better decision. As for me, I have both systems and believe me, they are not interchangeable.
 
Everything is available later and selling will force you to use your remaining gear to the max.

Try to see how little you really need. One camera, one lens? Maybe a second camera and second lens? And leave it at that. What good is a winder other than to burn film and batteries and add bulk and weight?

But treat yourself to something nice too. In the OM system I'd go with a fast f/2 wide and the fast f/1.2 50mm. Why is an OM4 superior to an OM2 when you're out shooting? Why not get 2-3 OM-2 bodies when you find a good deal? Multiples of the same body make sense in terms of getting used to the camera, etc.
 
erik said:
Don't sell, nothing will make you want them back faster. Put them away for now. OM's are great, but also not very expensive. Shoot with what you've got, save and add things you really want when you can. Trust me, nothing is worse than sellers regret (well a lot of things are worse) anyway, it will surely cost you more to buy them back and you'll be kicking yourself. Speaking from experience.
Click to expand...

+1 more on this. It's my experience that money gained from selling gear goes quickly, and not very far. Soon, it and your cameras are gone.

Sometimes some of my gear sits unused at times; but when I want or need it, it's there.
 
Frank Petronio said:
Everything is available later and selling will force you to use your remaining gear to the max.

Try to see how little you really need. One camera, one lens? Maybe a second camera and second lens? And leave it at that. What good is a winder other than to burn film and batteries and add bulk and weight?

But treat yourself to something nice too. In the OM system I'd go with a fast f/2 wide and the fast f/1.2 50mm. Why is an OM4 superior to an OM2 when you're out shooting? Why not get 2-3 OM-2 bodies when you find a good deal? Multiples of the same body make sense in terms of getting used to the camera, etc.
Click to expand...

Thanks Frank! You make some good points... especially about the winder :)
I really like the simplicity of the OM-2N and all that the OM-4 would offer is spot metering... which I honestly don't know if I need. I have a OM-2SP, which I have not been using because it is hard on batteries, but maybe I just need to get over that:eek: Use what I have and go from there.
Anyway, I know the course of action now... sell the Bessa R2 and skopar, take the cash and get a fast lens (50 1.2 would be sweet!)... and more film.
 
I use the OM2s. The battery drain issue disapeared for me when I discovered from a Rick Oleson article that it was the battery check switch to blame. Never use the battery check and the battery should last like normal. It's a nice little camera and the spot metering works great. The sound of the mirror and shutter are not as nice as the older OM's. Same though for the OM4's. But I don't mind.
 
sonofdanang said:
Good call. As far as I'm concerned the ZI beats all the Leica M-bodies. Great finder, AE, and the build is in the same league.
Click to expand...

What?! No way in h@ll is the build quality that close. Press your finger on the middle of the ZI's back. That's all you'll need to see ( and feel ). I've owned/own Leicas, ZI, Bessas, Zorkis, Yashicas, Argus, etc. Nothing is in the same league in strength, fit/finish and overall quality.
 
George S. said:
... Nothing is in the same league in strength, fit/finish and overall quality.
Click to expand...

except for the OM :)
and in RF's; the XPan , which is one RF I will never give up!


I am selling the Bessa Olive R2 with the 35mm 2.5 Skopar to fund the 50mm 1.2. The price I am thinking about for the total Bessa package is $500. I would say the camera is in EX condition (KEH Grade) and EX+ for the lens. I would also include the original never-ready case, a luigi crescenzi strap (light brown), B+H F pro yellow filter, a B+H F pro UV Haze filter (which always have been on lens), and the camera manual.

Does this seem like a fair deal to offer???

Thanks!
Jason
 
PlantedTao said:
except for the OM :)
and in RF's; the XPan , which is one RF I will never give up!


I am selling the Bessa Olive R2 with the 35mm 2.5 Skopar to fund the 50mm 1.2. The price I am thinking about for the total Bessa package is $500. I would say the camera is in EX condition (KEH Grade) and EX+ for the lens. I would also include the original never-ready case, a luigi crescenzi strap (light brown), B+H F pro yellow filter, a B+H F pro UV Haze filter (which always have been on lens), and the camera manual.

Does this seem like a fair deal to offer???

Thanks!
Jason
Click to expand...


looks a lot like an ad...
 
I sold my RF stuff a while back, of all of it I miss the Mint- Canon 50/1.2 I had...so hard to find in that condition. Anyway I went to DSLRs, but here I am; back with a Leica in my hand and no digital cameras (except my wife's K10D) in sight! I am developing my own film again, and even about to buy a huge rangefinder (Century Graphic w/roll film back) I wish you luck but you may find yourself in my position some day soon. :)
 
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