collector value

[David Lyga]

I picked up a Tower 32A with 55mm lens. Everything is perfect except 1/30 is the same as 'bulb'. A workaround is to use the 'X' instead. This model came out before rapid return mirror and, as a result, is exceptionally quiet (like a Leica RF). Is there any collector value as the cosmetic condition is excellent? - David Lyga

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

There's an eBay auction of one with two lenses with a Buy It Now price of $80 USD. That should give you some sense. 12 pics there so you can compare yours.

 

[Mustafa Umut Sarac]

David , Its not a very cheap camera. I found 32B for 174 dollars , 32A with two bent lenses for 80 dollars. If the 30 speed is not correct , you could not ask for collector price also. I think you can ask 150 dollars in water.

Umut

 

[Mustafa Umut Sarac]

Rich , that 80 dollars camera have heavily bent lenses.

 

[Rick A]

IDK, I suppose it would matter as to the manufacturer of the beasty. Sears used Ricoh and a couple of other manufacturers to fill the contracts, never made anything themselves, sold under store brands.

 

[David Lyga]

Yeah, it is an interesting camera though. It fun to see something that is both 'rare' and 'not all that valuable' but, nevertheless, at least somewhat desirable. - David Lyga

 

[Rick A]

I always enjoyed shooting obscure makes and models, it keeps me grounded in the basics. I have a couple of modern(mid 80's) auto exposure cameras, but I prefer to shoot old mechanical marvels.

 

[Terry Christian]

In my collection I have only two SLRs without instant mirror return: a Zenit 3M and a Miranda A.

 

[frank]

Hasselblad 500cm

 

[StephanA]

In my collection I have only two SLRs without instant mirror return: a Zenit 3M and a Miranda A.

My old Exakta VX didn't either.

 

[Rick A]

My old Exakta VX didn't either.

I believe David was refering to 35mm cameras.

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

In my collection I have only two SLRs without instant mirror return: a Zenit 3M and a Miranda A.

My Praktica does not have it either. And it sounds like a Hassy.

 

[tessar]

No instant-return mirror on the 1958-60 Voigtlander Bessamatic either. The camera has a leaf shutter mounted behind the lens.

 

[ic-racer]

You have just established the most up-to-date collector value of this camera. How much did you pay?

 

[Yeeski]

The Tower 32A and 32B are rebadged Mamiya Prismats from the early 1960s:

http://herron.50megs.com/prismat.htm

They're not particularly rare or valuable (at least in the US since they were marketed by Sears). The prices in the eBay auctions noted above are on the high side from my experience. However, one of the normal lenses available was the somewhat rare Canon OM 50mm f/1.9. The lens mount is essentially an Exakta bayonet with the semi-automatic diaphragm mechanism moved from the camera's left side to the right side and built in to the body. By the way, Rick, the Exakta VX mentioned by StephanA is a post-WWII version of the first significant and successful 35mm SLR introduced in 1936. Exakta's first 35mm SLR with an instant return mirror was the TL1000 introduced in 1967.

 

[Richard S. (rich815)]

View attachment 71796 Rich , that 80 dollars camera have heavily bent lenses.

And remains unsold at $80. As I mentioned if it sells he can compare his to that for some idea. Then again you proposed some prices. Maybe you'll buy and set the value?

 

[David Lyga]

IC- RACER: I paid about $10 complete. I buy 'deals' and sometimes either the public or even dealers want to simply get rid of stuff. I am lucky to live in an area that has probably the greatest concentration of cameras in the whole world: the NYC-PHILADELPHIA area. - David Lyga