what are the biggest bargains you have found?

uddhava · Expire: 2021-06-21

Thanks for all the details! I'll what i can do. Smile

somayn · Joined: 24 Mar 2013 Posts: 3 Location: Vienna, Austria

Hi guys

Some days ago I bought a Tokina Bokina AT-x 90 2.5 Nikon mount in very good condition for 100 Euros. I think you can call that a bargain. Unfortunately no hood and no macro extender included. Have to get those elsewhere.

My other deals I call a bargain where from evilbay:
Fuji Fujinon SF EBC 85mm F/4 soft focus Lens M42 in mint for 170 Euros
Zoomar Panosoft Soft Focus 110/2.8 in mint for 180 Euros.

Bargains I missed were:
Dreamagon Soft Focus F/4 mint for 50 Euros
Rodenstock Immagon 200 / 5,8 Nikon mount for 98 Euros. Yes it was written "Immagon"!
Nikon 50mm F/1.2 for 200 Euros
Minolta VARISOFT ROKKOR 85mm f2.8 for 80 Euros

At the moment I could get a Canon Fd Mount VIVITAR (KOMINE) 90mm 2.8 Macro lens 1:1 for 60 Euros. I can't say much about condition and not sure if it would be a bargain either. What do do think?

cu
Somayn

!Karen · Joined: 20 Jul 2013 Posts: 837 Location: Belgium Baby

I spend 25� yesterday and got:
Nikon fm body with md-11 motordrive
Nikkor 105mm f2,5 ai
Nikkor 50mm f2 ai
Vivitar 28mm f2,8
Vivitar 200mm f3,5
Some other bits and pieces like filters and a metz 402 flash set

I already have the two nikkor lenses but in pre-ai version.

uddhava · Expire: 2021-06-21

NikonD · Joined: 29 Jul 2008 Posts: 1922 Location: Slovenija

minolta MD rokkor macro 50/3.5 including original 1:1 extender in mint condition for 70�
tokina 17 in mint condition 100�
minolta rokkor 28/2.8 for 30�
hexanon 50/1.7 in mint condition for 30�
jupiter 37AM in mint condition for 40� (industar 50/3.5 included for free also in mint condition)
vivitar series 1 70-210 first version in mint condition for 20�
tokina rmc 28/2.8 in mint condition for 20�

postage (in mint condition Smile

) included in prices Smile

WNG555 · Joined: 18 Dec 2014 Posts: 784 Location: Arrid-Zone-A, USA

JohnBar · Joined: 21 Jun 2012 Posts: 581 Location: Liverpool

SK Curtagon 2.8/35mm
Uncommon for 18E

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/OTMyWDE0MDI=/z/jeAAAOSw1ZBUxOHy/$_57.JPG

cooltouch · Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 9097 Location: Houston, Texas

Okay, I finally did it. I replaced a Canon EF, which was destroyed by a catastrophic collapse of shelves that held almost all of my photo gear a few months back, with another one. The old one was in very nice shape for a camera as old as it was, so I wanted to replace it with one that was just as clean. I scoured eBay over and over and finally hit on one that was being offered from Japan. I made an offer of $100 and, to my surprise, it was accepted. Well, the camera arrived today, and all I can say is that it is completely flawless in every way. I don't think that a lens has ever been mounted or a roll put through this camera, it is literally that clean. So considering what people are asking for very clean EFs on eBay, I'd have to say that, yes, this was one helluva bargain!

Here's my problem. I've never been the sort of collector who will not use his gear for fear of putting wear on it. I used my old, now destroyed, EF, and it was a great picture taker. A big, bright focusing screen with a full-information viewfinder: Shutter speeds along the bottom and apertures along the right side. And it has the same self-timer/mirror lock up/stop down lever system as is found on the old F-1 and FTb. But dang it, this camera is so clean I'm tempted to just put it up on the shelf and stare at its beauty. Fondly referred to as the Black Beauty, it is every bit deserving of such an accolade.

Here are a few shots of the new EF, taken with my NEX 7. I attached my 85mm f/1.2 SSC to it just to make things look interesting. Ignore the overly exaggerated dust motes, which always get blown out of proportion with flash photos.

zanxion72 · Joined: 11 Dec 2012 Posts: 145 Location: Athens, Greece

What a hell of a bargain! Well done! Lots of envy for your great looking EF and the magnificent 85mm 1.2 lens!
Happy shooting!

cooltouch · Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 9097 Location: Houston, Texas

Yeah, I thought it was a bargain until I started giving it a careful once-over today. I noticed that the black shroud that surrounds the lens mount -- I don't know what it's called, but I think you get the idea -- is broken. Snapped in two. It wasn't noticeable until I noticed a slight defect in the finish in the shroud and as I gave it a closer inspection, I saw the break. Well, that was mildly annoying. And then I go and load it up with batteries, and it is deader than a door stop. None of the electronic functions work. So, since the seller didn't reveal this damage, I'm gonna return it, taking advantage for a change of eBay's buyer protection plan. Too bad, it really is a clean camera. But it must have gotten smacked really hard to break that shroud like that. Which might be why its electrics are dead too.

As for the 85mm f/1.2 SSC Aspherical shown in the above photo, that was definitely a great bargain, but it was three or four years ago when I bought it. I found it sitting in a used section at a local camera shop. They hadn't a clue what they had. I forget what they were asking for it, but I ended up putting together a package deal that included the 85mm, a FL 55mm f/1.2, a Vivitar Series 1 28-90mm f/2.8-3.5, and a Vivitar macro-focusing teleconverter in Nikon mount -- all for $350! !!! Definitely one of the best deals I've ever come across.

newst · Joined: 21 Oct 2014 Posts: 617 Location: Troy, MI USA

An Ebay sale. The seller said he didn't know what it was besides what was written on the lens. A single, poor, photo on the listing and no description of condition. Opening bid was $19.99 US and i was the only bidder.

It was delivered in three days and is in great condition cosmetically and functionally. It is clean, the glass is flawless, no noticeable internal dust. The only issue is that the focus ring is a little more stiff than I would like, still usable though.

Steve

uddhava · Expire: 2021-06-21

newst · Joined: 21 Oct 2014 Posts: 617 Location: Troy, MI USA

[/quote]

Congratulations! That's a nice looking lens at a nice price. It looks different than my copy, what mount is it?[/quote]

It is an M42 mount. I have another in M42, aluminum, not chromed, that is about two inches longer and 30% wider, expanding out at the focus ring.

I really don't need this one also but I couldn't turn down the chance to pick it up at that price.

caledonia84 · Joined: 06 Feb 2013 Posts: 203 Location: Glasgow

Biggest bargains!

Well it was my Yashica ML 50mm f1.4 I got for �25 or maybe the Nikkor 50mm f1.8 I gotfor �5. Also got a Tair 3 for �31 the other day but best bargain has t be an OM Zuiko 20mm f2 macro for................................. �45!!!!!

Was a bit specialised for me so sold it on, I tested it though, cracking lens!

eddieitman · Joined: 12 Apr 2011 Posts: 1247 Location: United Kingdom

Picked up a canon 350d with a tamron 18-250 for �55 at a cashconverters The lens is worth at least �100

WNG555 · Joined: 18 Dec 2014 Posts: 784 Location: Arrid-Zone-A, USA

Some of my latest bargain acquisitions....some of these are more relative value than based on absolute amount paid.

A Vivitar Series-1 135mm f/2.3. The Komine-made telephoto with a 72mm front and cone-shaped body.
Glass is in pristine shape, but it's not the VMC version. It has that creamy smooth bokeh and a little soft, when wide open.
The cost averaged out to $15 USD.

On a Tamron streak lately...

Found a pair of Tamrons in the focal lengths I have been searching for these few months. An edge-to-edge sharp 24mm wide angle that is affordable, and a 300mm telephoto prime that I can hand-hold.
I paid a fair but good price for a Tamron 24mm f/2.5 01BB, with a PK/A Adaptall2 mount. The mount is worth as much as what I paid for the lens! It is in very nice condition, and the seller's favorite lens.

The other is a Tamron SP 60-300 f/3.8-5.4 23A also with PK/A. Complete kit with leather case and hood and papers. It's tack sharp and the Macro mode actually produces good macro results. This lens lives up to its reputation.
I have found my 300mm lens! It's sharper than my Konica Hexanon AR 300 f/4.5, the Vivitar (Tokina) 100-300 f/5 zooms, Tamron CT-300, and a match for my Tokina AT-X 100-300 f/4 SD.

I got both with UV filters, and all factory caps, for under $100 shipped.

Looks like I'll be selling off a bunch of long lenses! And I will sell the Adaptall2 PK/A mounts since I have no need for them.

The last is a Tamron SP 500mm f/8 55BB mirror. I can't say I stole it, since these still command a high price for a good sample. I paid a relatively good price for a complete kit in fine condition. And came with an Adaptall2 mount I could use, plus seller threw in a Sony E-mount adapter he no longer needed.
I've always wanted to try one of these, and it is quite sharp when you nail the focusing.
Too bad Tamron eliminated the tripod collar on the 55BB. Will need to see if I can install one around the adapter.

uddhava · Expire: 2021-06-21

newst · Joined: 21 Oct 2014 Posts: 617 Location: Troy, MI USA

Yes it is smaller than the aluminum lens but just as heavy. It is definitely of nicer quality. If I can get the focus ring lubricated I will keep it and sell the larger one.

cooltouch · Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 9097 Location: Houston, Texas

cooltouch · Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 9097 Location: Houston, Texas

A few weeks ago, I mentioned in passing my coming across a complete Lester Dine Dental Photo kit. This is the first time I've ever seen a complete Dine kit -- usually you see just the lens that's been separated from it. So because of it being somewhat unusual to find an intact Dine kit, I thought I'd revisit it here and supply y'all with some photos.

This kit consists of a Nikon N80 body, the Kiron 100mm f/2.8 macro lens and a Yuzo ringlight flash, along with a complete set of paperwork and a nice carrying case.

The N80 was one of Nikon's last advanced amateur 35mm cameras before switching over to digital. So this is probably one of the last Lester Dine configurations before they switched to digital themselves. This particular outfit does not look as if it were ever used. Or if it were, chances are it was never used outside of a dentist's office. Everything is mint. No scratches, rubs or dings anywhere.

I ran across this outfit on eBay with a Buy-it-now price of $100. I couldn't believe my luck. I think I probably ran across the listing just a very short time after it was listed. So I was ecstatic to be able to get it for this price.

Minolfan · Joined: 30 Dec 2008 Posts: 3437 Location: Netherlands

A beautiful set for an incredible price.
Congrats!

Basilisk · Joined: 21 Mar 2013 Posts: 356 Location: UK

WNG555 · Joined: 18 Dec 2014 Posts: 784 Location: Arrid-Zone-A, USA

Basilisk · Joined: 21 Mar 2013 Posts: 356 Location: UK

WNG555 · Joined: 18 Dec 2014 Posts: 784 Location: Arrid-Zone-A, USA