even-steven

For me it was probably the 1.4, 50mm Summilux currently on my M2. I can’t remember what I paid for it, as it was a long time ago and I also traded in a Leica II with a Taylor Hobson 2” lens to get it (that bit was probably a big mistake) . My girlfriend at that time was with me when I bought it and she left me soon afterwards. I don’t think she could understand why anyone in their right mind would spend that much money on something as trivial as a camera lens. However, I have never regretted that purchase.

most expensive: probably the Hassy set..2500 or something like that


best deal: linhof tech 4x5 I found in the dumpster

Most Expensive: Maybe not by the numbers, but "hurt the most": a tie between a beautiful little Canonet QL19 G-III that, after only running one roll of film through it, was stolen...or re-buying the Nikon 70-300 VR that was stolen along with that Canonet. I'd have re-bought that Canonet too, but that's easier said than done.

Best Deal: Another tie, both from the local Craigslist...either a near-mint Canonet QL17 G-III a guy had in his garage collecting dust ($20), or a similarly near-mint Nikon FM2n a kid was selling because immediately after he bought it, he realized the film advance lock wasn't working (making it possible to skip frames). When we met, I asked him to show me the problem, and he did...while specifically depressing the multi-exposure lever. Apparently, he'd not even run film through, or else he'd have realized his diagnosis was incorrect. I'd have set him straight, but the whole time, he had this attitude as if I were paying him for trash that he'd ahve otherwise thrown out.

So I kept my mouth shut and bought a 9.5/10 chrome FM2n for $50.

I can't remember if I've done this already, but I think the most expensive thing I've bought was my Bronica ETR kit. On the topic of digital, most of the stuff I have was given to me as gifts for graduation or some event (x-mas, birthday). Analog equipment purchases usually come out of pocket.

Best deal, I guess would have to be my Minolta Flash Meter II. It was $4 at a thrift store. Oh, but my Yashica T4 was free from the owners of that same thrift store.

One of the best deals I can remember is about 4 years ago someone had Nikon 3t and 4t close up lenses on Ebay. Buy it now 24usd + 5 shipping for both. I grabbed those. Glass was perfect on both and they came with the cases. Now there's many photo gear items I paid too much for. Some things I don't want to admit how much I paid for them It seems like shortly after I get something, I'll read a post like "Got this on Craigslist for(a small fraction of what I paid for it)." It never fails. Does this happen to you regularly?