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Bargains are still out there
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PostPosted: Wed Oct 12, 2011 4:32 pm    Post subject: Bargains are still out there Reply with quote
A while back I followed the thread ... http://forum.mflenses.com/rangefinder-recommendation-t42724.html

Mentioned there by quite a few was a Konica S rangefinder, so started looking and found this one.....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200656915136?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649#cvip_desc

When it arrived I was pleasantly surprised to find it was in Pristine condition. I mean it doesn't appear to have been used at all...AS NEW condition!!!! Can't wait to try it out. Selenium meter works great too. Lens is crystal clear. Super smooth and quite shutter.

Then I found this one.....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/320770287673?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649#cvip_desc

I may have found another cheap addiction. If the Aires is as good as the Konica I'll be ecstatic.

The great bargains in Rangefinders are still out there. For very little money the fun of trying out different brands and models should keep me satisfied for a while yet. Laughing Laughing Laughing


PostPosted: Wed Oct 12, 2011 6:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Jeez, you certainly can't beat the prices, and these are some excellent cameras. It is fun bottom fishing!


PostPosted: Wed Oct 12, 2011 7:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Aires are very pretty.

I have no less than five right now, two repaired and working, of the other three I might get one running, and maybe another with luck.

Downside on some of them is the possible problems with blades, both shutter and aperture. As usual these are gummed up, but the special problem I've found is that when gummed up and forced the little studs on the blades like to break off. I can repair a lot of things, but this seems a step too far.

The body covering is extremely brittle and flakes off, a real problem if you need to remove the mounting plate, to fix cocking linkages for instance.

Other things to worry - stuck helicals, which is not uncommon, and worse the shutter nut is EXTREMELY difficult to unscrew, if you need to get to the back of the shutter, to fix the blades perhaps.


PostPosted: Thu Oct 13, 2011 4:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
luisalegria wrote:
Aires are very pretty.

I have no less than five right now, two repaired and working, of the other three I might get one running, and maybe another with luck.

Downside on some of them is the possible problems with blades, both shutter and aperture. As usual these are gummed up, but the special problem I've found is that when gummed up and forced the little studs on the blades like to break off. I can repair a lot of things, but this seems a step too far.

The body covering is extremely brittle and flakes off, a real problem if you need to remove the mounting plate, to fix cocking linkages for instance.

Other things to worry - stuck helicals, which is not uncommon, and worse the shutter nut is EXTREMELY difficult to unscrew, if you need to get to the back of the shutter, to fix the blades perhaps.


Let's hope it is a good one. I also got this one today......

http://www.ebay.com/itm/320770410836?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

Next to a K1000 this is a favorite of mine. And with all my Zeiss lenses this one will get a good workout. Laughing Laughing Laughing


PostPosted: Thu Oct 13, 2011 6:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Not many chances of bargains in 120 RFs as I'm finding out. Well, apart from my free Iskra if I can get it fixed cheaply.


PostPosted: Thu Oct 13, 2011 2:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
martinsmith99 wrote:
Not many chances of bargains in 120 RFs as I'm finding out. Well, apart from my free Iskra if I can get it fixed cheaply.


I've noticed that too. They all seem to go for a much higher price than the 35mm cameras. I seem to be looking more and more at cameras made from the 1940's through the very early 1970's. More metal and less plastic. I just like the heavier feel of them.


PostPosted: Thu Oct 13, 2011 6:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Spotmatics are solid.

I've had 5-6 pass through my hands, still have two.

The usual thing with them, if anything, is a stuck mirror release mechanism.
Remove the baseplate and a little lighter fluid + oil and its as good as new.
The simplest possible fix.


PostPosted: Thu Oct 13, 2011 9:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Big Dawg wrote:
I also got this one today......

http://www.ebay.com/itm/320770410836?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

Next to a K1000 this is a favorite of mine. And with all my Zeiss lenses this one will get a good workout. Laughing Laughing Laughing

Congratulations BD, what a geat choice. If we can have a special sub-section for NEX cameras, maybe we should have one for the Spotmatics in Film SLR/TLR Cameras. Can't wait to hear what you think of it and see some pics.

I've completely refurbed at least 6 of them now, so if you need any advice please ask.


PostPosted: Fri Oct 14, 2011 4:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
luisalegria wrote:
Spotmatics are solid.

I've had 5-6 pass through my hands, still have two.

The usual thing with them, if anything, is a stuck mirror release mechanism.
Remove the baseplate and a little lighter fluid + oil and its as good as new.
The simplest possible fix.


Thanks Luis. I'll keep that in mind.


PostPosted: Fri Oct 14, 2011 4:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
peterqd wrote:
Big Dawg wrote:
I also got this one today......

http://www.ebay.com/itm/320770410836?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

Next to a K1000 this is a favorite of mine. And with all my Zeiss lenses this one will get a good workout. Laughing Laughing Laughing

Congratulations BD, what a geat choice. If we can have a special sub-section for NEX cameras, maybe we should have one for the Spotmatics in Film SLR/TLR Cameras. Can't wait to hear what you think of it and see some pics.

I've completely refurbed at least 6 of them now, so if you need any advice please ask.


Thanks my friend. Let's first see if it is worth anything at all. Laughing Laughing Laughing Laughing


PostPosted: Fri Oct 14, 2011 4:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
i have an S III. superb lens ...


PostPosted: Fri Oct 14, 2011 5:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
fish4570 wrote:
i have an S III. superb lens ...


I have a friend in Atlanta that on hearing I had bought a Spotmatic said he would send me his Spotmatic with a Takumar 50mm f/1.8 lens and carry case for free!!! How lucky can one man Be after all?
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