djon
Well-known
I bought a 40mm K2 (yellow) from these folks, got immediate delivery... old-new-stock Walz, nicely built, coated...better machining than current Vivitar/Kenko.
Ia's a good UV/protection solution, slightly warm. But I sprang for an expensive used Heliopan UV elsewhere.
" Thank you for your email.Shipping is $4.75 Yes we do have the 1a filter for $29.99 if you wish you can add it to your order and no addittional postage is needed. We do have many other canon items even a 2X range finder coupled teleconverter for $249.99 Call me.Are you looking for anything else? we have a very large selections of new and used items for your camera well as for others at a very low discount prices. Email me your wish list. We will save you $$$. http://www.airwatches.com/. You can also reach me at 1-718-858-8637 or 1-800-311-4073 Regards DAN "
Ia's a good UV/protection solution, slightly warm. But I sprang for an expensive used Heliopan UV elsewhere.
" Thank you for your email.Shipping is $4.75 Yes we do have the 1a filter for $29.99 if you wish you can add it to your order and no addittional postage is needed. We do have many other canon items even a 2X range finder coupled teleconverter for $249.99 Call me.Are you looking for anything else? we have a very large selections of new and used items for your camera well as for others at a very low discount prices. Email me your wish list. We will save you $$$. http://www.airwatches.com/. You can also reach me at 1-718-858-8637 or 1-800-311-4073 Regards DAN "
peter_n
Veteran
Isn't AIR Watches the same as Cambridge Camera Exchange? 
If that is the case, you may have had one good experience but RUN RUN RUN, as fast as you can!!
PN is down at the moment but here's a snip from a PN Google cached page on AIR:
"Well, I see that A.I.R. Watches is selling some 40mm sky filter on eBay, but since they are the new alter-ego for Cambridge Camera Exchange (the absolute scum of the camera store world), there's no way they'll see any of my money. (I dealt with them a couple of times in the 1970's, and the dirty feeling still persists.)
Note that their feedback rating is falling fast, due to un-concluded transactions, and apallingly high shipping charges."
If that is the case, you may have had one good experience but RUN RUN RUN, as fast as you can!!PN is down at the moment but here's a snip from a PN Google cached page on AIR:
"Well, I see that A.I.R. Watches is selling some 40mm sky filter on eBay, but since they are the new alter-ego for Cambridge Camera Exchange (the absolute scum of the camera store world), there's no way they'll see any of my money. (I dealt with them a couple of times in the 1970's, and the dirty feeling still persists.)
Note that their feedback rating is falling fast, due to un-concluded transactions, and apallingly high shipping charges."
djon
Well-known
I'd CERTAINLY deal with *both* AIR & Cambridge again.
IF they are two marketing arms of the same business, and I doubt it, I have recently had TWO good experiences with them, July and August.
I got the Walz filter from AIR, got a Canon P from Cambridge: $162.50. An incredible deal. KEH would certainly call it Exc + except for some light engraving and the faintest possible wrinkle...so they'd call it Exc and list those details.
Cambridge's rating has one negative on Ebay, and it seems dubious.
Cambridge called me twice, before shipment to explain delay and after my receipt of the camera to confirm that I was happy (I'm VERY happy). Shipping had been delayed because their postal meter had trouble with my zip code...to make up for the delay they sent UPS- 2-day to compensate.
IF they are two marketing arms of the same business, and I doubt it, I have recently had TWO good experiences with them, July and August.
I got the Walz filter from AIR, got a Canon P from Cambridge: $162.50. An incredible deal. KEH would certainly call it Exc + except for some light engraving and the faintest possible wrinkle...so they'd call it Exc and list those details.
Cambridge's rating has one negative on Ebay, and it seems dubious.
Cambridge called me twice, before shipment to explain delay and after my receipt of the camera to confirm that I was happy (I'm VERY happy). Shipping had been delayed because their postal meter had trouble with my zip code...to make up for the delay they sent UPS- 2-day to compensate.
peter_n
Veteran
Well djon, I would quit while you're ahead. All I can say in reply is take a look at the PN Community link on this store below and don't even bother reading the articles, the list of titles will tell you everything you need to know about CC. Oh and BTW, they are a name chameleon - they operate under many names and change them often. The eBay feedback system will not protect you against companies like Cambridge Camera.
Camera Shops : Cambridge Camera
Camera Shops : Cambridge Camera
djon
Well-known
Peter, if you find 29.95 too much to risk to get a Walz 40mm filter, my heart goes out to you. Well, that's not fully true of course. But you know what I mean.
Personally, I'm together enough to be earning a living that allows occasional 29.95 risks.
Presumably you have a better source for 40mm filters. List it.
Djon.
Personally, I'm together enough to be earning a living that allows occasional 29.95 risks.
Presumably you have a better source for 40mm filters. List it.
Djon.
peter_n
Veteran
Djon, I'm happy for you that you've gotten good deals from CC and I apologise if you think that I'm questioning your business acumen. Nothing personal here I was just pointing to evidence accumulated over a long period of time from a fairly large number of disparate sources.
I've had one or two experiences with dodgy suppliers that at first seemed to be great - would hate to see it happen to someone else!
I've had one or two experiences with dodgy suppliers that at first seemed to be great - would hate to see it happen to someone else!
djon
Well-known
Peter, AGAIN, I don't see how it's a great risk to send $30 by PayPal, an extraordinarily safe system, hoping to get a RARE 40mm filter.
It seems unlikely that AIRWATCHES, who advertised 40mm filters on Ebay, then actually delivered one immediately and at a fair price , has some evil plot up their sleeve. But who knows, maybe they're planning to kidnap me and sell me to a Middle Eastern princess with a taste for balding gentlemen of a certain age. I'll have to take the bad with the good.
I'll personally email the several (perhaps 4 since 2002, 1 in 2005) credible-seeming complainers on your PN list and will report my findings here, since I put Canon rangefinder users among us at risk by describing my success with 40mm filters.
B+W and Heliopan and Hoya and Tiffen and Walz, which are the best manufacturers IMO, evidently no longer manufacture 40mm filters.
If you have good sources for New Old Stock (like my Heliopan) PLEASE list them for the convenience of other proud Canon lens owners.
My "business acumen" has nothing to do with my distaste for unfounded gossip.
It seems unlikely that AIRWATCHES, who advertised 40mm filters on Ebay, then actually delivered one immediately and at a fair price , has some evil plot up their sleeve. But who knows, maybe they're planning to kidnap me and sell me to a Middle Eastern princess with a taste for balding gentlemen of a certain age. I'll have to take the bad with the good.
I'll personally email the several (perhaps 4 since 2002, 1 in 2005) credible-seeming complainers on your PN list and will report my findings here, since I put Canon rangefinder users among us at risk by describing my success with 40mm filters.
B+W and Heliopan and Hoya and Tiffen and Walz, which are the best manufacturers IMO, evidently no longer manufacture 40mm filters.
If you have good sources for New Old Stock (like my Heliopan) PLEASE list them for the convenience of other proud Canon lens owners.
My "business acumen" has nothing to do with my distaste for unfounded gossip.
peter_n
Veteran
OK Djon, the link below is not bad for some older filters, not necessarily new though. The items are generally as described, I have bought a couple described as "mint" and they looked new to me but the shipping can be a bit on the expensive side.
Camera-Collectors Filters
Camera-Collectors Filters
I bought a bunch from here too.
http://www.filterfind.net/index.htm
Actually, at the time I cleared them out.
http://www.filterfind.net/index.htm
Actually, at the time I cleared them out.
back alley
IMAGES
i think heliopan does make new 40 filters.
i have seen them advertised but i just can't justify 43 bucks for a filter.
unlike djon, my salary is way more of a limiting factor when it comes to some of the extras.
(poor but dedicated human service worker)
joe
i have seen them advertised but i just can't justify 43 bucks for a filter.
unlike djon, my salary is way more of a limiting factor when it comes to some of the extras.
(poor but dedicated human service worker)
joe
John Shriver
Well-known
It looks like Cambridge has stopped trying to charge ridiculous shipping fees on eBay purchases. They were charging $20 to $30 for very small items.
I'd say that they are a safe place to buy the old stock stuff they bought too much of 30 years ago. They obviously really have it in stock. However, on some items the starting prices are way over eBay market price.
However, I bet that all their New Old Stock RE GN Auto Topcor 50mm f/1.4 lenses have frozen focusing mount, because the factory grease on these has turned to gunk by now. I had to take mine (bought elsewhere) apart a year ago to re-lube.
Where they are dangerous as hell is buying new stuff. They won't have it in stock, will charge your card immediately, and then you wait 6 months to see if they ever get it in stock. Trying to get your money back lands you in a circle of hell.
When I bought Topcon lenses from them new, the first one they REMOVED items that came in the box from the factory, since they wanted to try and charge me extra for the case, the strap, etc. They would charge you extra for the warranty card if they could get away with it. Bait and switch artists of the first order. (Second lens I clearly demanded "Everything that came in the box from the factory.")
They used to have the lowest prices in the photography magazines, but you really wouldn't get the complete item for that price.
It's not that they are first order theives. The Police would have shut them down if they were. But they are CHISELERS! They WILL lie to you, especially when you're trying to get money out of them. But it's all a very calculated scheme. If you don't look like an obvious mark, they won't take advantage of you.
I'd say that they are a safe place to buy the old stock stuff they bought too much of 30 years ago. They obviously really have it in stock. However, on some items the starting prices are way over eBay market price.
However, I bet that all their New Old Stock RE GN Auto Topcor 50mm f/1.4 lenses have frozen focusing mount, because the factory grease on these has turned to gunk by now. I had to take mine (bought elsewhere) apart a year ago to re-lube.
Where they are dangerous as hell is buying new stuff. They won't have it in stock, will charge your card immediately, and then you wait 6 months to see if they ever get it in stock. Trying to get your money back lands you in a circle of hell.
When I bought Topcon lenses from them new, the first one they REMOVED items that came in the box from the factory, since they wanted to try and charge me extra for the case, the strap, etc. They would charge you extra for the warranty card if they could get away with it. Bait and switch artists of the first order. (Second lens I clearly demanded "Everything that came in the box from the factory.")
They used to have the lowest prices in the photography magazines, but you really wouldn't get the complete item for that price.
It's not that they are first order theives. The Police would have shut them down if they were. But they are CHISELERS! They WILL lie to you, especially when you're trying to get money out of them. But it's all a very calculated scheme. If you don't look like an obvious mark, they won't take advantage of you.
djon
Well-known
Collectors pay premiums for defunct cameras (eg Topcon) and filters (40mm Heliopan). Life in ye olde farte's lane. There's zero business or ethical reason to price tsuch items on the basis of packaging / pricing policies that were in effect before the touchtone telephone (Topcon era).
I'm used to $10 or so for fine used B+H and Hoya (just as good) from KEH (just bought several for 55mm and 52mm). $29.50 plus cheap shipping seemed a lot for Walz but the rarity absolutely justifies it. About the same as current retail price for junque from Kenko and Vivitar, but far more nicely machined.
Cambridge gave me free UPS two day shipping, and two courtesy calls: they delayed shipping on that Canon P over a long weeekend due their doubts about my zip code. I'm not passive in dealings with camera stores: those that are are will get screwed by everybody. It's natural selection.
The only store I'd tend fully tp trust would be KEH and KOH, but Cambridge treated me well.
KOH, very classy, sold me a mint Leica screw-in UV filter for $9, along with the new 25mm CV they sold at a bargain price.
If Heliopan would provide a new 40mm filter for $43, that'd be fair...it's the best, after all. It's a lot less than a new Leica or Hassleblad filter and no more than list price for new Canon filters.
I'm used to $10 or so for fine used B+H and Hoya (just as good) from KEH (just bought several for 55mm and 52mm). $29.50 plus cheap shipping seemed a lot for Walz but the rarity absolutely justifies it. About the same as current retail price for junque from Kenko and Vivitar, but far more nicely machined.
Cambridge gave me free UPS two day shipping, and two courtesy calls: they delayed shipping on that Canon P over a long weeekend due their doubts about my zip code. I'm not passive in dealings with camera stores: those that are are will get screwed by everybody. It's natural selection.
The only store I'd tend fully tp trust would be KEH and KOH, but Cambridge treated me well.
KOH, very classy, sold me a mint Leica screw-in UV filter for $9, along with the new 25mm CV they sold at a bargain price.
If Heliopan would provide a new 40mm filter for $43, that'd be fair...it's the best, after all. It's a lot less than a new Leica or Hassleblad filter and no more than list price for new Canon filters.
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sooner
Well-known
It sounds like djon had a good experience with Airwatches. However, I had a bad experience with them and will never buy from them again. It was some time ago on Ebay, I bought an item that they never shipped, never replied to email, and I had to avail of the free Ebay mediation just to get them to respond to me. Part of the mediation "settlement" was that no feedback was left, for either of us. But I did finally get my item. For what it's worth.....
djon
Well-known
If there was a mediation "settlement" that left no bad comments, it meant specifically that Ebay found no fault, or that it found fault on both sides.
djon
Well-known
I'm sorry to be in the position of defending two companies that have treated me professionally and courteously. This has to do with personal ethics.
sooner
Well-known
Djon,
I'm not sure why you insist on defending a company that may have treated you alright but obviously not treated others alright. If I am willing to admit that the company that nearly screwed me on a deal isn't always bad, then surely you can admit that they aren't always good, either. And I don't like your implication that I was partially at fault. I was not. I won the auction, sent my payment within a day or two, and never received the item or even heard back from Airwatches. They never responded to frequent emails, and only responded to Ebay directly, never me, after the mediation. I accepted the compromise of not leaving negative feedback because let's face it, if they were going to take negative feedback from me in any case then there would have been no incentive to send my item or return my money. I just wanted the item or money back, and was willing to give up my right to feedback for either. But after that experience, if you want to continue buying from them, go ahead.
I'm not sure why you insist on defending a company that may have treated you alright but obviously not treated others alright. If I am willing to admit that the company that nearly screwed me on a deal isn't always bad, then surely you can admit that they aren't always good, either. And I don't like your implication that I was partially at fault. I was not. I won the auction, sent my payment within a day or two, and never received the item or even heard back from Airwatches. They never responded to frequent emails, and only responded to Ebay directly, never me, after the mediation. I accepted the compromise of not leaving negative feedback because let's face it, if they were going to take negative feedback from me in any case then there would have been no incentive to send my item or return my money. I just wanted the item or money back, and was willing to give up my right to feedback for either. But after that experience, if you want to continue buying from them, go ahead.
djon
Well-known
Sooner, the reason I "insist on defending a company" that... DID IN FACT ...(not "may have") treat me well is ethical.
You asked "why." My answer to you has to do with the way I was raised. :bang:
You asked "why." My answer to you has to do with the way I was raised. :bang:
djon
Well-known
Anyone who actually had an idea about where to find 40mm filters would probaby have posted the info by now. Unfortunately Rover's fine link didn't offer a size I needed.
Looks like it's Airwatches or nothing, if you want 40mm filters.
Looks like it's Airwatches or nothing, if you want 40mm filters.
look under clearance items, they had a number of 40mm filters when I last looked.
bmattock
Veteran
For what it might be worth:
http://hoary.org/toys/40mm.html
And not to throw fuel on the fire, but I didn't know that AIR Watches was an AKA for Cambridge. I've purchased a couple of things from AIR via eBay and the experience was fine - no problems. Got what I ordered and it was as described. I knew what the shipping was up front, so no surprises there. I'm not recommending them, just saying what my experience was.
Frankly, I got all my 40mm filters by watching eBay and waiting. I eventually got a full set of everything I need. No extras, or I'd offer them, unfortunately. But by being patient, I ended up not paying very much. In several cases, I was the only bidder.
Best Regards,
Bill Mattocks
http://hoary.org/toys/40mm.html
And not to throw fuel on the fire, but I didn't know that AIR Watches was an AKA for Cambridge. I've purchased a couple of things from AIR via eBay and the experience was fine - no problems. Got what I ordered and it was as described. I knew what the shipping was up front, so no surprises there. I'm not recommending them, just saying what my experience was.
Frankly, I got all my 40mm filters by watching eBay and waiting. I eventually got a full set of everything I need. No extras, or I'd offer them, unfortunately. But by being patient, I ended up not paying very much. In several cases, I was the only bidder.
Best Regards,
Bill Mattocks