Buyer's remorse - Ever had it?

[KerrKid]

$50 for a P&S with a 28mm lens on the wide-side of the zoom is good, these used to sell for a lot more. The Tip I left the waitress for Easter lunch was more.

See? This is what friend's are for. To lift a guy's spirits. And a good tipper besides.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I did that with our Victorian living room set. I gave the seller $500 downpayment to hold the furniture until we could get a truck to pick it. On the way home, I was verbally kicking myself for being such a sucker since the furniture was made by Kimball in the 1970's and wasn't antique. When I got home I did some research on it and discovered that it was worth many times what I paid for it. Instant genius!

Once, only once, I thought that I had made a mistake, however on further investigation it turned out that I had been right along. The mistake was that I thought that I had made a mistake.

 

[Helge]

Last night, I bought a couple of cameras on ebay. One was a Pentax 928M. That is the subject of this thread.

I'd read good reviews about the Pentax 928 and, when I saw this one listed for $49.99 w/ free shipping, I thought it was too much money to pay, but the allure of that 28mm at the wide angle of the lens got to me.

Once I placed the order, I decided to refresh my memory about the 928 and suddenly realized to my horror that I'd bought the wrong model! Reviewers screamed not to buy the 928m. Buy the earlier model, the 928, they said. The newer 928m had a slower lens, couldn't do double exposures, didn't have a focus lock, and a number of other features the older model had. It had been neutered. Suddenly, I had that sick feeling of being a chump. I had the chance to cancel the sale, but for some reason I didn't. Well, not in time. In a panic, I began feverishly looking for any positive comments on the 928m. I couldn't find much, but what I did manage to scrounge up wasn't bad and the images that were posted were actually quite good.

This morning, I've calmed down a bit and have come to terms with the purchase. Sort of. Here's why:

1. The Pentax 928m is a good-looking camera and not a blob of black plastic like the 928. I already have the Pentax 90WR's that fit that bill and don't need another black plastic camera.
2. It's smaller than its older brother and much easier to stick into a pocket.
3. Yes, the lens is slower than the older model but no one was complaining about the quality. Everyone said it was a very good to excellent lens.
4. The features that are missing are ones that I doubt I'll ever miss.
5. The AF on the 928m is supposed to be better.

What I got is a small "bar of soap" camera with a great 28mm lens that should do everything I want it to. It's just not the model everyone raves about.

How about you folks? Ever bought something you've regretted buying?

If anything, you’re a chump for putting money into and fret over a nineties zoom point and shoot.
The lenses are mediocre at best and slow as molasses. They force DX coding and often also flash as default.
These guys, if they should be used at all, should dump into your lab for free or close, not be lusted over in late night eBay sessions.

 

[McDiesel]

Lusting for an SWC here... Not sure how to feel about not seeing SWC in this thread. On one hand, looks like I will be spending money. On the other hand, most likely I won't be disappointed.

 

[McDiesel]

Most regrets i had with the Nikon F3.

I've bought a Nikon F3 camera three times in my life -- three times I bought a F3, to then find out i don't like it and thus sell it, to later buying a F3 again because it looks so cool and it's so desirable by everybody.

I have never been completely happy with that camera. Nowadays a F2SB and a Nikon FE are everything I need for using my Nikkors.

May I ask why? I love the F3 from the distance. Tried to acquire it once, but ran into a copy with a faded LCD in the viewfinder. Wondering if I should try again. My problem with "lesser" Nikons like FM3a, FE, etc is how tinny they sound when a photo is taken. Horrific sound. Makes my shiver.

 

[KerrKid]

If anything, you’re a chump for putting money into and fret over a nineties zoom point and shoot.
The lenses are mediocre at best and slow as molasses. They force DX coding and often also flash as default.
These guys, if they should be used at all, should dump into your lab for free or close, not be lusted over in late night eBay sessions.

Yes, yes, I'm a chump! Please stop me before I do it again.

 

[Helge]

Yes, yes, I'm a chump! Please stop me before I do it again.

Youre not a chump. You're just trying things out.
If you'd like a 28mm point and shoot there is a few other options with a fixed lens.

 

[KerrKid]

Youre not a chump. You're just trying things out.
If you'd like a 28mm point and shoot there is a few other options with a fixed lens.

I'm listening.

 

[Les Sarile]

I'm listening.

The Nikon 28Ti is one such candidate.

 

[Les Sarile]

Youre not a chump. You're just trying things out.
If you'd like a 28mm point and shoot there is a few other options with a fixed lens.

Definitely recommend trying things out. All of them - or as much as you can, so you will know for yourself. You might even have to acquire more then one copy since they're used . . .

 

[mshchem]

I ordered a 400' reel of Eastman Double X film last night. I don't regret that....
yet.

 

[Helge]

I'm listening.

From a casual search (these range from very expensive to super cheap):

Olympus Trip AF 50
Nikon Lite Touch AF
Pentax PC-330
Bell and Howell Point and shoot
Nikon 28TI
Minolta. TC-1
Fuji Tiara
Nikon AF 600
Ricoh GR1 or R1
Vivitar 28mm PnS
Konica U Mini AF
Fuji Clear Shot S Autofocus
Fuji Clear Shot 60/70
Minolta AF101R
Samsung Fino 30S

Granted, a few of them are slower than the lens on your current camera, but they are lighter/smaller/cheaper/better.

 

[Dusty Negative]

I'm tempted to buy two of every camera I have as a "backup" when I don't use what I have.

Doesn't everyone do this ?? [Looks around nervously.]

 

[Down Under]

We all do this. Trust me, I've been doing it since 1961. It's part and parcel of being human(did)...

Buyer's remorse is a useful emotion IF it's handled correctly. You live, you buy, you regret, you consider all the facets, and you learn. Not if you got it on Ebay and then fabricate some thin excuse to hit the seller in the hip pocket and get your money back and then, as a fair few buyers I've known have done, try to keep the item anyway. That's outright thievery, and sadly, Ebay not only goes along with it, but actually makes it easy to do.

Okay. This isn't about Ebay. So you bought a camera you didn't want, and now you regret having made the purchase. Join the club!! None of us are able to walk on water, after all. Which scares all the fish away...

I reckon the two best bits of advice came from moms (#3) and Sirius Glass (#9). Sell and move on.

Above all else, remember the great bit of advice from someone, I've forgotten who (IRRC a famous baseball player, but I may be wrong there) who said, "if at first you don't succeed, you're batting about average". Good for all parts of life when we let ourselves down.

And do let us know how your day or weekend trip with your new Pentax went, okay? Maybe even post an image, we always enjoy that.

 

[Les Sarile]

Doesn't everyone do this ?? [Looks around nervously.]

Of course, at least in black and chrome where possible . . .

Black & Chrome FG by Les DMess, on Flickr

XD-11 Black & Chrome by Les DMess, on Flickr

FT3B by Les DMess, on Flickr

 

[Down Under]

Briefly, briefly, my very own list, covering the Covid period.

2020. A Lumix GF1 kit with two lenses. Lovely little camera, now almost never used. I plan to sell it on Ebay one of these days, but at current prices I'll lose AUD$100-$150, unless I can write a superb ad and a big trout nibbles at the worm. Dream on...

A battery pack for my Nikon F65 (65). Sold at a big discount by Michael's Camera in Melbourne after they shut down the store. It uses AAA batteries and I save heaps of money. Mind you, I've used the F65 kit only one time since, and I have a second F65 somewhere at home with the same battery pack, but that's by the way. Who cares about by the ways?

2021. A Leica iiif/Summitar 50/2.0 with Leitz bits. Initially I thought it was a iiig, but no, it's an f. This from a deceased friend's estate after I helped the family to evaluate, price and sell the late shooter's massive camera collection. I did pay a fair bit for it but it was still cheaper than Ebay/shops. Then I was given a Summicron 50/2.0 and bought a 90/4.0 Elmar. Now looking for a Summary 35. I live, but do I ever learn.

The Summitar and Summicron needed cleaning and de-hazing, which cost almost as much as the iiif. But again, that's by the way. The usual disclaimer applies.

2022. Went mad after some unexpected money came my way. First I bought a Fujifilm XT1 and two lenses (14 and 18), but found I didn't really bond with it. Traded it in for an XT2 which I love, bought two more lenses (18-55, 23/1.4). Now learning to use it.

Also a Nikon D800 from a friend who was cash-poor and selling out of cameras. Paid a little over usual price for it, one does that for friends, and it has 4000 actuations and looks as new. Taking it out this weekend to try it out for the first time.

I keep being threatened with finishing what is left of my life in the garage of our house, with the cats, all my cameras and other photo gear. When I've unpacked/repacked/moved/disposed of the two tons of stuff we have stored there. It has heating and cooling, so I would be comfy and cozy there, and I could set up my home darkroom which is now cluttering up the guest bedroom, And. And.

Okay, so this thread is about buyer's remorse. Do I feel it after all this? I'm not sure. More so, I don't want to go there.

The time may be coming for a clean-out and a massive Ebay splurge sale...

 

[Sirius Glass]

Lusting for an SWC here... Not sure how to feel about not seeing SWC in this thread. On one hand, looks like I will be spending money. On the other hand, most likely I won't be disappointed.

I bought the 903 and the only thing I regretted was not buy it much sooner.

 

[Dusty Negative]

Of course, at least in black and chrome where possible . . .

Black & Chrome FG by Les DMess, on Flickr

XD-11 Black & Chrome by Les DMess, on Flickr

FT3B by Les DMess, on Flickr

Lovely family!

 

[KerrKid]

We all do this. Trust me, I've been doing it since 1961. It's part and parcel of being human(did)...

Buyer's remorse is a useful emotion IF it's handled correctly. You live, you buy, you regret, you consider all the facets, and you learn. Not if you got it on Ebay and then fabricate some thin excuse to hit the seller in the hip pocket and get your money back and then, as a fair few buyers I've known have done, try to keep the item anyway. That's outright thievery, and sadly, Ebay not only goes along with it, but actually makes it easy to do.

I’ve heard of people stiffing sellers. Disgusting. It’s happened to a buddy of mine. He just counts on the fact that most people are honest.

Okay. This isn't about Ebay. So you bought a camera you didn't want, and now you regret having made the purchase. Join the club!! None of us are able to walk on water, after all. Which scares all the fish away...

I reckon the two best bits of advice came from moms (#3) and Sirius Glass (#9). Sell and move on.

Above all else, remember the great bit of advice from someone, I've forgotten who (IRRC a famous baseball player, but I may be wrong there) who said, "if at first you don't succeed, you're batting about average". Good for all parts of life when we let ourselves down.

I like that quote. I’m gonna remember that.

And do let us know how your day or weekend trip with your new Pentax went, okay? Maybe even post an image, we always enjoy that.

I sure will. Should be coming in early next week.

 

[KerrKid]

Of course, at least in black and chrome where possible . . .

Black & Chrome FG by Les DMess, on Flickr

XD-11 Black & Chrome by Les DMess, on Flickr

FT3B by Les DMess, on Flickr

You are NOT helping with my CAS! You have good taste in cameras.

 

[KerrKid]

Briefly, briefly, my very own list, covering the Covid period.

2020. A Lumix GF1 kit with two lenses. Lovely little camera, now almost never used. I plan to sell it on Ebay one of these days, but at current prices I'll lose AUD$100-$150, unless I can write a superb ad and a big trout nibbles at the worm. Dream on...

A battery pack for my Nikon F65 (65). Sold at a big discount by Michael's Camera in Melbourne after they shut down the store. It uses AAA batteries and I save heaps of money. Mind you, I've used the F65 kit only one time since, and I have a second F65 somewhere at home with the same battery pack, but that's by the way. Who cares about by the ways?

2021. A Leica iiif/Summitar 50/2.0 with Leitz bits. Initially I thought it was a iiig, but no, it's an f. This from a deceased friend's estate after I helped the family to evaluate, price and sell the late shooter's massive camera collection. I did pay a fair bit for it but it was still cheaper than Ebay/shops. Then I was given a Summicron 50/2.0 and bought a 90/4.0 Elmar. Now looking for a Summary 35. I live, but do I ever learn.

The Summitar and Summicron needed cleaning and de-hazing, which cost almost as much as the iiif. But again, that's by the way. The usual disclaimer applies.

2022. Went mad after some unexpected money came my way. First I bought a Fujifilm XT1 and two lenses (14 and 18), but found I didn't really bond with it. Traded it in for an XT2 which I love, bought two more lenses (18-55, 23/1.4). Now learning to use it.

Also a Nikon D800 from a friend who was cash-poor and selling out of cameras. Paid a little over usual price for it, one does that for friends, and it has 4000 actuations and looks as new. Taking it out this weekend to try it out for the first time.

I keep being threatened with finishing what is left of my life in the garage of our house, with the cats, all my cameras and other photo gear. When I've unpacked/repacked/moved/disposed of the two tons of stuff we have stored there. It has heating and cooling, so I would be comfy and cozy there, and I could set up my home darkroom which is now cluttering up the guest bedroom, And. And.

Okay, so this thread is about buyer's remorse. Do I feel it after all this? I'm not sure. More so, I don't want to go there.

The time may be coming for a clean-out and a massive Ebay splurge sale...

“I don’t want to go there.” Well, what gave that away? Sounds like you have a good solid camera addiction going.

 

[Les Sarile]

I thought I acquired one of the rarest Leica's - a WWII Luftwaffen Eigentun . . .

Luftwaffe Leica A by Les DMess, on Flickr

Luftwaffe Leica B by Les DMess, on Flickr

But apparently mine was just a knockoff . . . it was cheap so it wasn't really a regrettable acquisition . . .

 

[KerrKid]

From a casual search (these range from very expensive to super cheap):

Olympus Trip AF 50
Nikon Lite Touch AF
Pentax PC-330
Bell and Howell Point and shoot
Nikon 28TI
Minolta. TC-1
Fuji Tiara
Nikon AF 600
Ricoh GR1 or R1
Vivitar 28mm PnS
Konica U Mini AF
Fuji Clear Shot S Autofocus
Fuji Clear Shot 60/70
Minolta AF101R
Samsung Fino 30S

Granted, a few of them are slower than the lens on your current camera, but they are lighter/smaller/cheaper/better.

I’m familiar with many of those and some are indeed pricey. I’ve got a Nikon Lite Touch Zoom120ED AF. It’s obviously not a fixed lens and talk about a slow zoom.

I like Fuji. I was looking at the Tiara the other night. I will check out the rest of the list. Thank you!

 

[KerrKid]

The Nikon 28Ti is one such candidate.

I’ll take a look at that. Thanks!

 

[KerrKid]

I thought I acquired one of the rarest Leica's - a WWII Luftwaffen Eigentun . . .

Luftwaffe Leica A by Les DMess, on Flickr

Luftwaffe Leica B by Les DMess, on Flickr

But apparently mine was just a knockoff . . . it was cheap so it wasn't really a regrettable acquisition . . .

That’s ok. I once bought a 1968 Chevelle that wasn’t a Chevelle. I had no regrets.