Analog camera prices

[eli griggs]

Why not change the oil weekly, then? The oil companies as well as the car manufacturers have rigorously tested their products and would not recommend the intervals they do without being certain the oil will easily perform for as long as they state.

Some put premium gas in a car that clearly only needs regular, thinking that somehow "premium" will be better for the car. A waste of money.

If changing oil weekly floats your boat, feel free to sail throught the slick of your own construction, I won't kick.

However, if I had an auto of premium quality or delicate condition that needed daily rather than 4 month changes to keep it in top flight condition, well, I can't help but feel like that's a moderate service schedule that I can live with, just fine.

Live and let live makes for a more Photographic World.

Season's best
Eli

 

[Craig]

But it’s impossible for anyone to say with authority and for certain, that 3000 mpg, changing engine oil does not keep your car in first class condition, so doing so is just a “best practice“ to avoid most engine related issues.

Sure it is, you do oil analysis. All oils have condemning limits of contamination, change when it gets to that level.

I used to work for a company that built large industrial engines and one customers oil change interval was 45,000 hours of running and another was 300 hours. Same engine, the difference was the fuel quality. One was running on almost pure methane, the other was at a city landfill for a gas-to-power project. Landfill methane is exceptionally contaminated, and the oil change interval reflected that.

Oil change intervals for these engines were specified by the oil contamination levels, not by any time or use interval.

 

[mshchem]

We are going to get slapped by the moderators. My concern is what's the best overall. I've done life testing on compressors with increasingly lower viscosity chasing US DOE requirements for electricity consumption.
It's a not always, what makes sense but what passes an arbitrary regulation.

Landfill methane... I guess that qualifies as Biofuel. Let's make more

 

[mshchem]

I wonder if this is a good time to sell my bulk film back for my F2, film being so cheap and processing being so available

 

[MattKing]

3000 miles is not demanding of any modern motor oil. Recycling takes energy, as well as the delivery of fresh oil to the consumer. Adds up if a lot of people are needlessly changing the oil in their engines at 4 or more times the manufacturer’s recommendations.

FWIW, the manual for our Fiat recommends changes as frequently as every 3500 miles for cars that are used in demanding conditions, and in no circumstances should changes be more than 10,000 miles apart.

 

[mshchem]

FWIW, the manual for our Fiat recommends changes as frequently as every 3500 miles for cars that are used in demanding conditions, and in no circumstances should changes be more than 10,000 miles apart.

When I think about all the amazing technology that can produce 185 hp out of my measly 2.5L 30 mpg, full time all wheel drive. Oil is an easy thing to change, just for cleanliness. I'm not beating it, rarely I pull a small utility trailer. I rebuilt the 2L engine on my Fiat spider, it was easy because it was cared for. (Fiat was the first to use a rubber belt to drive the camshaft(s)). That car and my 68 Impala Custom Coupe are two cars that I wish I still had.

 

[Besk]

When I think about all the amazing technology that can produce 185 hp out of my measly 2.5L 30 mpg, full time all wheel drive. Oil is an easy thing to change, just for cleanliness. I'm not beating it, rarely I pull a small utility trailer. I rebuilt the 2L engine on my Fiat spider, it was easy because it was cared for. (Fiat was the first to use a rubber belt to drive the camshaft(s)). That car and my 68 Impala Custom Coupe are two cars that I wish I still had.

My daughter had a Subaru - terrible dealer service. I put 240,000 miles on a Toyota Corolla before
giving it to my granddaughters. Mobil 1 oil and synthetic media filters every 7,500 to 10,000 miles.
Rarely had to add oil between changes - not so with VW Jetta.

Mechanical cameras are the same if taken care of and not abused. Of course things can break.

 

[loccdor]

If I can show a buyer that my 50-70+ year old camera is in perfect working order, maybe I can get an extra 10% over an 'as is, who knows if it works' in same cosmetic condition...that seems too small to me and either functionality isn't high priority or there is more $$ that brains out there.

Unfortunately, that is the case, unless you are selling to the very small pool of photographers using classic equipment as more than a passing frivolous thing to try. Not a big market. The people in that segment usually already have all the equipment they need.

I've paid double for cameras that had been CLA'd, but I had to have a lot of information to determine that the CLA was done in a meaningful way and not a lie to increase sales.

 

[BrianShaw]

Unfortunately, that is the case, unless you are selling to the very small pool of photographers using classic equipment as more than a passing frivolous thing to try. Not a big market. The people in that segment usually already have all the equipment they need.

I've paid double for cameras that had been CLA'd, but I had to have a lot of information to determine that the CLA was done in a meaningful way and not a lie to increase sales.

... but that doesn't stop many from buying more than they need.

 

[minhnk1990]

The Japanese gear for the most part seems to be in better condition too. Japan is almost always my first place to look for used equipment, then in Canada. The USA is last resort if I can't find what I want anywhere else.

If you happen to live in Japan, you’ll probably come across many chances to buy film cameras in excellent condition at very reasonable prices. People here tend to take very good care of their equipment, so it’s not unusual to find cameras that look almost new even after many years.

Another advantage is that camera repair services in Japan are generally very reliable, and the prices are usually quite reasonable as well.

 

[Thwyllo]

If you happen to live in Japan, you’ll probably come across many chances to buy film cameras in excellent condition at very reasonable prices. People here tend to take very good care of their equipment, so it’s not unusual to find cameras that look almost new even after many years.

Another advantage is that camera repair services in Japan are generally very reliable, and the prices are usually quite reasonable as well.

I frequently see stuff I'd love to own but most of the time, once you add import duty and other taxes, and shipping, it gets pretty uncompetitive, which is a damned shame...