The $40 Challenge - The Contenders

[Greyscale]

This is entry #3

Post-war Franka folder, 7.5cm Radionar. $12 at a flea market. Everything seems to work, and the lens is excellent.


Post-war Franka Solida (?) by Greyscale3, on Flickr

I put a couple of rolls through it (my first foray into medium format) and shipped the film off for processing yesterday.

 

[archeophoto]

Here my first entry:
Petri Color Corrected Super 2.8. This one has a simple 5 speed shutter and works perfectly. Lens is nice. It was a bit dirty when I got it, but it cleaned up nicely. Cost $20 + $16 ship = $36


petri 28 super by Archeophotography - Herbert Eisengruber, on Flickr

Here is a link to the auction:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/281104161637?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

And here a photo taken with it:


Petri super 28 by Archeophotography - Herbert Eisengruber, on Flickr

 

[leroi]

I will go ahead a throw a shot into the mix. I am new to film and rangefinders! I just so happened to stumble across this forum when I was looking to get a film camera and the first one I bought qualifies for the contest, score! It is a Yashica Electro GSN from ebay:

and here is a picture of it (I haven't taken any shots of it so I am being lazy and using one from the listing)

and finally here is my picture taken with the camera. It is a shot of my second roll through the Yashica using Fuji Superia 400, it is my dog Moe lounging on the couch (his favorite activity):

I really like the shot and think it turned out great. I am definitely loving film right now and have since given up on color and moving to developing my own B&W at home. Loving old rangefinders though, I think I am hooked already!

 

[kaiwasoyokaze]

Pentax auto 110 for 15$. lens came later, but i'll stick to my 15$ combo Pentax 110 with 24mm. bought it from Craigslist so don't have a receipt or anything...

 

[Rodchenko]

Black & White photos back for my contenders:

Olympus Trip:

 

[archeophoto]

My Entry #2:
Sorry, I don't have a receipt as I found it on the local fleamarket for $30 a few weeks back. It's a Super Ricohflex. Focus was totally stuck when I bought it, but after a bit of work, it works like new now:


ricohflex by Archeophotography - Herbert Eisengruber, on Flickr

And here a shot with it. Those little Ricohflexes have fantastic lenses:


Super Ricohflex by Archeophotography - Herbert Eisengruber, on Flickr

 

[02Pilot]

Here's my second entry. I bought it at a local antique/junk shop for $30 cash (talked down from the $40 they were asking), so there is no receipt; I understand if the judges will not accept the entry without proof, but that's what I paid.

Here's what it looked like when I got it home:

It is a Rolleiflex Standard Model 621, with a 75mm f/3.8 Tessar. It was clearly used a lot throughout its long life. Everything was functional mechanically (though quite stiff from lack of recent use), though as you can see the lenses were badly fogged, and the viewing lens has some rubbing in the center (the taking lens is fine). I cleaned the lenses and lightly lubricated as necessary, and did a very basic cleaning of the exterior, but that's it.

Here's a shot from the test roll of Ektar 100 that I ran through it.

 

[Rodchenko]

That's a remarkable shot from a sad looking camera. But also a remarkable price for a Rolleiflex, and a lesson in how quality shows through. That and a good photographer, of course.

 

[02Pilot]

That's a remarkable shot from a sad looking camera. But also a remarkable price for a Rolleiflex, and a lesson in how quality shows through. That and a good photographer, of course.

I'm giving the vast majority of the credit to the camera and the film. I'm not good; I just get lucky every once in a while.

 

[Rodchenko]

Another B/W from my Trip:

 

[Dave S.]

Yashica Electro 35 GX: $26.90

Yashica Electro 35 GX: $26.90

Here's my entry...

Camera: Yashica Electro 35 GX

Cost: $15 + $11.90 shipping (Total = $26.90)

Issues: Cleaned exterior, front and rear elements, viewfinder/rangefinder. Replaced batteries.

Proof:

Image from camera:

This camera is a gem! Hard to believe you can pick up a camera like this for such an affordable price?!?

I've had good luck finding Yashica Electro's for modest prices on the big auction site. For example:

Yashica Electro 35 CC: $51.88

Yashica Mat-124G: $89.99

(prices include shipping / both fully functional and in very nice condition)

 

[Greyscale]

Here's my entry...

Camera: Yashica Electro 35 GX

Cost: $15 + $11.90 shipping (Total = $26.90)

Issues: Cleaned exterior, front and rear elements, viewfinder/rangefinder. Replaced batteries.

Proof:

Image from camera:

This camera is a gem! Hard to believe you can pick up a camera like this for such an affordable price?!?

I've had good luck finding Yashica Electro's for modest prices on the big auction site. For example:

Yashica Electro 35 CC: $51.88

Yashica Mat-124G: $89.99

(prices include shipping / both fully functional and in very nice condition)

I think this puts you in the lead. I also just bought a black GX, I paid a little more, but shipping (from Japan) put me over the $40 mark. Great find.

 

[02Pilot]

Here's another from my Rolleiflex entry:

I've put a couple more in the gallery.

 

[Rodchenko]

Cor.

I shall have to up my game.

 

[Dave S.]

Greyscale: I think you will really enjoy the Yashica Electro GX. Having tried the GTN and CC I think the GX is my favorite.

02Pilot: Those are some very nice photos with that Rolleiflex! Great bargain for $30 too.

 

[rhl-oregon]

@Dave: glad to see you didn't overspend your budget from what I paid you for the Minox. That's a pretty GX, and a fine image.

 

[Rodchenko]

Did I miss the poll for this?

 

[rhl-oregon]

Or did the bus leave us at the stop? [ditto, wondering about poll]

 

[John E Earley]

A poll would be nice but I'm really more interested in the <$40 camera finds and subsequent photos.

 

[Rodchenko]

Well, yes, that's been a wonderful experience.