Stupidity or a Weak Moment?

[MrRanger]

I'm not sure which. I have just sent a man some money for a Bessa R. I saw a black bodied one on #-bay with a Jupiter 8 on it and something just clicked in me! 😱
I bid, but it kept going up until it went for $310.00 (or something there abouts).

I thought it was too much (for me) but the little voice inside would not be quelled - "Bessa, Bessa, Beeeesssssa". Found another used one on the 'bay - just the body, cap and strap - no lens. I bid and then upped my max just before it finished. "I GOT IT!!!!"

Only problem is, once I started doing some research (which I should have done BEFORE hand) I saw I could have bought one new for what I paid for this one! :bang: The funny thing is, I don't care! Now I need to find me a 35mm lens some where or maybe go after one of those J-8's!?

I think I'm really sick with RF Fever!

Mike 😀

 

[bmattock]

Well, um, congratulations, I'm happy and sad for you! Other appropriate exclamations as necessary.

Seriously, hope you have fun - I love my Bessa R. If I could only keep ONE camera, that would probably be the one.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[MrRanger]

Thanks for the reply Bill, I feel a lot better now! 😛 Seriously though, I just let my heart get ahead of my head - that was all I was pi%%ed off about! I happened to get a "Message from eBay Member - herwal" after the auction with the note "Hello,
If you'd looked at the website on the Bessa R, you'd have found
that they sell new for $249 at Camera Quest. http://
www.cameraquest.com/voigrf.htm".
I really didn't need that.

That is what I paid for this one, which according to the description had "a couple of rolls through it". Oh well, I really don't care - I wanted a Bessa R and now I've got one! Hot Da*n!! 🙂

Mike 😀

 

[FrankS]

Hi Mike,

In an effort to help you feel better, it is not such a bad thing to buy a camera that has been lightly used and found to work properly. Many brand new Bessa R's had to be returned due to rangefinder problems. You know you've got a good one. How's that?

 

[MrRanger]

(Sniff) Thanks Frank, (sniff, sniff) You always know how to make someone feel better!! 😛

Mike 😀

 

[former member]

We've all done that, EBay fever. I have seen Nikon F serial number plates sell for more than you paid for your Bessa. My daughter wanted an out-of-print computer game for her reward for taking some miserable medicine. I found one closing within minutes and placed a bid. If I had checked the sellers other auctions, I would have seen the same item for less on a BIN. After a while you learn that no matter how much you want something, and no matter how rare it is, another one will be along within months and the guy that wants it worse than you will already have bought one.

Good luck with the Bessa.

 

[Pherdinand]

Well, at least you have made the seller really happy! And that's good isn't it, to make a fellow human happy? And, you've got a great camera in the same time, even better.

 

[cbass]

Mike -

You've gained some Kamera Karma. What goes around comes around (especially on the 'bay), and sooner or later you will get a great bargain on something that you really want. The universe isn't always cruel. :angel:

Enjoy your Bessa. It's a nice camera.

 

[MrRanger]

Mike -

You've gained some Kamera Karma...
Enjoy your Bessa. It's a nice camera.

Kamera Karma....I like that! I didn't mean to start this thread on a sour note - it's just sometimes I can't believe I can just jump on something even when I know better.

Anyway, since the purchase, I have cruised the Cosina Voigtlander Bessa forum and the 'Net and read everything I could read on the Bessa - including the "cons"! 😱 I'm really excited about this camera and look forward to it's arrival.

I've looked at a lot of Albums here featuring photos using a Bessa. I'm not that naive to think that a piece of equipment is going to make me a better photographer, but at least I will be able to use a better piece of glass on it. That, along with developing an "eye" and practice CAN make you a better photographer - IMHO.


Mike 😀

 

[rover]

You are on the right track. The R is a great carry around camera. So light and easy to use, a real joy.

 

[sockeyed]

If it makes you feel better, I can send you a FREE Industar-26m lens (if you pay the shipping). It's no Summicron, but it's LTM and not bad. Let me know via PM or email.

Cheers
Ben

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Hi, Mike, I have stories to tell about paying a bit over the usual cost... but heck, in the end, you have a nice product in your hands. And, as Frank put it, your camera is bound to be free of kinks, as they will have been ironed out by the previous owner.

Besides, think of this: when the Bessa R came out, it costed a lot more than what you paid. So, you still got a bargain.

Now the stories: a Minolta X370s with zoom lens, impulse buy for $400, during a trip. I came to the US only to find out I could have gotten it for $250. However, as they say, what goes around, comes around. I did "recover" my expense when I nabbed a Leica Elmarit 135/f2.8 for $166 (shipping included).

So, there are compensations in life. Yours will come soon! 🙂

 

[doubs43]

Mike, as so many have already pointed out to you, overpaying for a camera or lens or accessory is all too common among those of us who actively go after the great bargains on ebay. I once paid too much for a Gossen Luna-Pro exposure meter and watched the second one from the same seller go for 1/3 the price I paid only moments before. Still, it's a fine meter and I really can't complain. (Grumble, grumble..... #%*^! it!) 🙁

Walker

 

[MrRanger]

Well, I didn't expect quite so many confessions! Sounds like some of you have done the same - at least I know that I'm not the only one. Good point about the price when new. At least I didn't pay anywhere's NEAR that! 😛

...So, there are compensations in life. Yours will come soon! 🙂

Sounds like mine's already here with that generous offer from Ben!


Mike 😀

 

[Fedzilla_Bob]

Mike- Step away from the ebay listings. You are where I was a few months back. Save yourself before it's too late. 😀

 

[MrRanger]

Okay, Fed_Bob, if you say so!

Must......fight....urge to look! I.....can.......live without......%-bay! Already have......enough.......cameras....

Oh, who am I trying to kid!? 🙄

Mike 😀

 

[jan normandale]

MrRanger

'Stupidity or weak moment?'.... let me see... if you had lost that would have been the weak moment. Congrats! Nice camera, nice lens, now go use it! Everything you buy could have been purchased for less, from tomatos to toothpaste. Quit beating yourself up.

'don't worry be happy!..'

cheers Jan

 

[Fedzilla_Bob]

It's shame. Some folks just don't want to be saved.

Show it off onc eyou have it, then rush out and shoot with it.

 

[MrRanger]

'don't worry be happy!..'

cheers Jan

Okay! can't argue with that kind of logic!

It's shame. Some folks just don't want to be saved.

Quilty as charged!

Mike 😀

 

[MrRanger]

...Industar-26m lens (if you pay the shipping). It's no Summicron, but it's LTM and not bad...

Hey Ben! Sent you a PM. 🙂

Mike 😀