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Dear Japan....

Joined
Aug 9, 2011
Messages
3,605
Location
On a boat.
Format
Multi Format
Dear Japan,

I could be wrong, but that hole in the door isn't "good operation", and the appearance is NOT "in good condition."

Regards.



https://www.ebay.com/itm/384163084092?hash=item5971e7773c:g:fhYAAOSwxyxgm3NH



 
Other than not being light-tight, that's a really nice F2!
 
Actually I consider that a most interesting sample of a F2. Not that I would by it (not into Nikons), but it makes one think.
 
I've bought countless items from Japanese sellers since the early 90's. The worst item I bought (4x5 Cambo) from an ad in the back of a photography magazine, wreaked of ciggies. It was described (in Japanese) as fully functional (which it was)... I've had this camera almost 30 years...no longer pongs. A few months ago I bought a Mamiya Six folder from an ebay seller. I asked them to send it to my mother-in-law's house. When it arrived, my wife's uncle, who's a photographer dropped by to check it out for me. He ran a roll of film through it outside in the sun, and all are came out fine. No leaks (that's what I was worried about, mainly). So it came as described by the seller. Sadly, when many write descriptions in English, things sometimes are lost in translation. For a country that has English rammed down their throats from kindergarten to high school, most cannot speak beyond, I have a pen.
Anyway, the only thing I would buy with a hole in it is a doughnut!
 
Seriously, what is this for? Someone actually made that opening on purpose.

The first thought would be a homemade data printer. However for a classic one you would not cut out that much of the pressure plate. Thus more access to the filmstrip rear was needed.
Anyway, then still the question remains why the remnants of the memory-card holder was not taken off. And how any such attachmemt was fixed at the back.

Maybe the whole shebang was used just as relay optic for another optical device/camera mounted behind it.

Maybe it was used a projector. We once had it here about projecting an image by means of an SLR illuminated by a flashlight.

Some questions... thus I find that sample so interesting.
 
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That really is a well-made hole, though....

Really? The bottom isn't anywhere near even. I thought it looked like it was cut with a rusty butter knife myself.
 
Really? The bottom isn't anywhere near even. I thought it looked like it was cut with a rusty butter knife myself.

You don't judge a cut in metal by the straight lines, you judge it by the corners. The bottom may look like that for some (possibly delusional) reason.
 
Dear America, I'd take that camera if it works and is cheap. Hole is easy enough to close, and it's a conversation piece.
 
So the ground glass is missing, how many holders are included. I see no rear movements.
My mistake, on second look it has rear swing.
 
Cosmetically, it looks reasonably clean, and if everything works, then it is indeed functional.

It's effing useless as a camera-- but they didn't claim that it was. I find their statements to be factual.

There's one particular Japanese seller (that I *have* bought from, multiple times) who likes to put arrows in the photos showing where the defects in the item are-- and on more than one item, they've pointed out defects I hadn't noticed on first examination. I bought a film back, knowing it had a problem (I had the replacement part in another "defective" back)-- when it showed up I started laughing, because the arrow from the photo was still attached to the film back. I hadn't realized they were little arrows cut out of tape.
 
That's one of the rare Nikon convertible cameras! Not for rainy days, but why shouldn't both sides of your film get some sun now and then? One of those little umbrellas from a mixed drink would keep the film dry in light sprinkles. Plus, you don't have to take the lens off to clean the rear element! Those guys at Nikon are always thinking. Might be a little tricky to meter though.
 
Is it relatively easy to obtain a replacement back for that model?
Just trying to help everyone obtain a bargain!
 
No... I mean Japan. It's a trend right now.

I will agree. I also noticed that quality of used items has declined. I have also seen some really well known sellers from japan (not in the auction site) who used to sell really high quality items, but now look a bit dubious at best. For example, body scratches might be described as "paint loss" instead of actual damage.

Of course you can still find reliable sellers.