"Dog" lenses on ebay

For any LF lens, you should really assume the shutter needs a CLA, and if it doesn't considered $80 found money.

Same with older SLRs and rangefinders--of course the light seals will need to be replaced and the camera will really need a full CLA. Figure $100-150 usually, and if the camera turns out not to need it, then you're in luck.

That's the difference between buying on eBay and a dealer. Personally, I'd rather buy on eBay and pay for the repair in many cases, because I'll send it to a better repair tech than most dealers will use.

David A. Goldfarb said:

For any LF lens, you should really assume the shutter needs a CLA, and if it doesn't considered $80 found money.

Same with older SLRs and rangefinders--of course the light seals will need to be replaced and the camera will really need a full CLA. Figure $100-150 usually, and if the camera turns out not to need it, then you're in luck.

That's the difference between buying on eBay and a dealer. Personally, I'd rather buy on eBay and pay for the repair in many cases, because I'll send it to a better repair tech than most dealers will use.

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I make a habit of sending EVERY "new" used lens/shutter acquisition out to Carol for a CLA - whether it needs it or not. I don't have the time to tear down shutters anymore, so having a second set of eyes take a look at the mechanism is well worth the small added expense compared to lost revenue if it craps out on a paying job. It's just one less maintenance thing I have to worry about.

MikeS said:

I'm almost ready to state in my listings that international shipping will cost $100.00 extra unless they request a shipping quote from me BEFORE they bid, but I don't know how well that would fly!

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Mike, what's your ebay ID? Just so I know never to bid on one of your items!

I usually look over just what is ending today, and that is sometimes too short a time to get an answer to a question. I may also not be able to get to a computer for 12 to 36 hours, so your kind of statement means I will avoid you at all cost (well - because of all cost then!)

I'm well used to high shipping costs - the highest so far were for a set of Condensors for the Durst 138S: Shipping from Australia to Norway is expensive, and I know that. Second to that was a Gandolfi Tripod from the UK. In both cases I had estimated the shipping costs myself, and bid what I thought was a reasonable price after subtracting "worst case" shipping. I consider both good buys, despite shipping being a lot mors expensive than the item.

So don't assume all international buyers are idiots, just because we assume the international sellers are!

MikeS said:

I'm almost ready to state in my listings that international shipping will cost $100.00 extra unless they request a shipping quote from me BEFORE they bid, but I don't know how well that would fly!

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They still won't read it. I know one seller that got negative feedback because the MF TLR didn't take 35mm film. :rolleyes: