Buying a boxed (new) Bronica

Mats_A · May 31, 2010

What about buying a boxed, unused Bronica? I know cameras like to be used and can gum up when left on the shelf. Any experience with buying a MF camera that has been sitting in a box for X years. Should I factor in a CLA in the price or what is your valued opionion on this?

r

Mats

Jeff Kubach · May 31, 2010

I geuss it depends on how long it was boxed and where it was located at (cool dry or humid). If the price is reasonable it might be a good buy. Bronica is a great camera!

Jeff

markbarendt · May 31, 2010

When I bought my RB last year the lens the seller had on it had a frozen shutter from lack of use, it had probably been used twice in the previous 10+ years. It was a complete surprise to him that it wasn't working.

I just made an offer on the rest of the camera and let him keep the lens.

It was easy and inexpensive to replace the lens with a nice working used one.

Going forward if the RB body broke I'd just replace it, hard to justify a CLA when KEH is offering a working replacement for $43 and nice older lenses for under $150.

Rick A · May 31, 2010

Can you test drive it? I'd want to try it before I buy it. If it works, you are in luck, if not, you are still in luck(cause you didn't buy it).

Mats_A · May 31, 2010

ralnphot said:
Can you test drive it? I'd want to try it before I buy it. If it works, you are in luck, if not, you are still in luck(cause you didn't buy it).

No I can't. It's at a dealer several 1000 kms from me.

r

Mats

Tom Kershaw · May 31, 2010

Mats,

I can't help with whether the camera you are looking at will have problems or not, but I did purchase a "new old" stock SQ-B kit with 80mm f/2.8 a few years ago and haven't experienced any issues.

Tom

photobum · Jun 1, 2010

Is it a 645 RF model? That one is becoming a cult camera and I sure would like to have a NOS RF.

tkamiya · Jun 1, 2010

I would only buy it if the seller would give me a return period of say, 7 to 14 days. If it was sitting in box for years, fungus or dried or gummed up oil can be an issue. If nothing shows; on the other hand, in that period, it could also be a great buy. Again, I'd like to have an inspection/return period clearly stated before I hand over the money.

Tom Kershaw · Jun 1, 2010

photobum said:
Is it a 645 RF model? That one is becoming a cult camera and I sure would like to have a NOS RF.

NOS?

Tom

DWThomas · Jun 1, 2010

In some models (SQ-* series), I would imagine the light seals in the backs might have turned to goo and nearly disappeared whether the camera was used or not. That's not a big deal to remedy, but would entail some work and at least cost of materials.

tkamiya · Jun 1, 2010

Tom Kershaw said:
NOS?

Tom

New Old Stock.

Also, NIB is New In Box.

RedTownCats · Jun 1, 2010

I guess there are no guarantees. Having said that, I just picked up some SQA kit including a new in box 80PS kit and spare body -- all were fine including shutter and light seals.

lxdude · Jun 1, 2010

Usually, NOS in an unopened box is OK when it comes to fungus and such, but you never know for sure until you see it. An inspection period is the best bet, just to make sure everything is OK. If you can find out its age somehow that would be useful-seals are usually good for 15 or 20 years. I had an ETR-S older than that, which was fine without ever having had any work done to it.
Price is a factor: if it's cheap enough to be worth giving it a CLA (clean, lubricate, adjust) if it needs to have it then you really can't go wrong.

photobum · Jun 1, 2010

NOS, New Old Stock. Sitting on a shelf or backroom for years, never used, never sold.

5stringdeath · Jun 1, 2010

NOS makes your camera go faster!

lxdude · Jun 1, 2010

5stringdeath said:
NOS makes your camera go faster!

But jet it right or you'll blow it up!

jamesgignac · Jun 1, 2010

I purchased my Bronica ETRSi (which I again recently sold) new in the box. Everything worked exactly as it should - purchased body, back, 40mm lens, and hand-grip new. Perfect...never had a problem with any of it and I would certainly recommend this method if you can manage to find one. BTW I sold it off after using it for about a year and a half for more than I purchased it for...bought and sold on *Bay.

So, my experience was positive. Oh, and I only sold off the kit because I'm shifting my work methods and didn't need a 645.

Buying a boxed (new) Bronica

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