Expectations when buying older cameras

hgaude · Oct 2, 2014

Hi all,

I'm considering getting a Pentax MX and I wanted to understand what to expect from a dealer like KEH. I look at their ratings and I see many many comments that they are conservative. For a camera of the MX vintage, what would the expectation of an EX or EX+ be, can anyone tell me? Would I expect it to probably need a CLA or that one had probably already been done some time in the camera's past.

Thanks in advance!
Hayward

Hatchetman · Oct 2, 2014

KEH does not test the camera with film. They fire the shutter and if it works, they assume all is good. However, you can return it if it doesn't work. Most likely it will need new light seals and mirror bumper.

BrianShaw · Oct 2, 2014

You should set your expections fairly low. You are buying an old camera. It may need overhaul or repair to perform... even if it has ben serviced sometime in its history.

Pioneer · Oct 2, 2014

If KEH sells the camera as a working camera, and you discover it has problems that stop it from being used, they will fix it.

I have a wonderful Leica III that is in cosmetically wonderful condition that I bought from them and found that the shutter was not working properly. They offered to repair it free of charge if I wanted to keep it.

I did, and they did. Beautiful little camera!

hgaude · Oct 2, 2014

What you guys are saying is pretty much what I expected I think... I appreciate the feedback; I have just never bought something that old and wanted to get an idea how the rating would apply in that case.

BrianShaw · Oct 2, 2014

Think of it like buying a used car.

pbromaghin · Oct 2, 2014

I always expect to put more money into a CLA or some kind of maintenance for any older camera I buy. The amount usually varies from what I expected, but I always do add something to the purchase price to come up with an expected cost for a good, usable camera. For example, right now I am considering a 60-70 year old Graflex SLR from a private party. It should require about $150-175 more for a roll film back and shutter/lens work.

Kyle M. · Oct 2, 2014

I have bought 5 cameras from KEH in the past year all 35mm slr's all in KEH EXC condition. All 5 of them arrived looking almost brand spanking new, all of them functioned flawlessly and had perfect light seals. Maybe I'm just lucky or maybe there always this good.

BrianShaw · Oct 2, 2014

You're lucky, Kyle. But that luck happens often enough if one is not trying to pinch pennies by hoping that the BGN grade will turn out to be LN. I, too, have had good luck with EX and above. And then there are the other times when the camera appears LN but needs overhaul anyway because it is o-l-d.

snapguy · Oct 2, 2014

LF

I bought a large format lens from KEH. It was listed as UG, as in ugly. It was in just about perfect condition.

mrred · Oct 2, 2014

I have bought a fair amount for KEH, but they have not been particularly old components, maybe 15 years at worse. I've only had two issues and KEH dealt with them immediately. One was a shipment error (wrong address) and the other was a damaged item (likely shipper). The best part is you can actually phone these guys.

hgaude · Oct 2, 2014

Kyle M. said:
I have bought 5 cameras from KEH in the past year all 35mm slr's all in KEH EXC condition. All 5 of them arrived looking almost brand spanking new, all of them functioned flawlessly and had perfect light seals. Maybe I'm just lucky or maybe there always this good.

Congrats! I don't expect this, but its one more great endorsement of KEH that I've read.

Jeff Kubach · Oct 2, 2014

I had good luck with KEH.

Jeff

hgaude · Oct 2, 2014

Well I talked to a local camera repair who also endorsed KEH and said that when it comes in they can have a look at it for me to assess if I find any issues, so I pulled the trigger on an EX grade MX and an EX+ 50mm 1.7 M lens... I owned one of these back when it was new and I was starting out and I'm REALLY looking forward to some throwback fun!

pbromaghin · Oct 2, 2014

Good choice!

mopar_guy · Oct 2, 2014

It just so happens that I just bought an old camera too. I found this Nikon F on eBay and I stupidly bid. Well, I won the auction and for $81 I am the owner of a 1968 vintage Nikon. You would have to be completely out of your mind to expect to not have to put some money into something like this.

Les Sarile · Oct 2, 2014

Then I must be lucky too as I have bought many used cameras that are in beautiful shape and fully functional and accurate. Of course if your Pentax needs some work, we have the Pentax guru Eric at http://pentaxs.com/

hgaude · Oct 3, 2014

Les Sarile said:
Then I must be lucky too as I have bought many used cameras that are in beautiful shape and fully functional and accurate. Of course if your Pentax needs some work, we have the Pentax guru Eric at http://pentaxs.com/

Good to know! They are all old and will eventually need some work, hope specialists can find a way to hang on.

blockend · Oct 3, 2014

Enthusiast SLRs like the Pentax MX tended to lead sheltered lives. They were typically kept in never-ready cases, had lens caps and filters in place and were treated with kid gloves. They were made in the hundreds of thousands or millions, and values are low. It makes no financial sense to spend large amounts of money on a camera for which there are another fifty working examples readily available. Professional cameras lead much harder lives in shutter count and physical knocks. A fine example off, say, a Nikon F or Canon F1 will be inherently more valuable and worth spending money on.

The SLRs I've purchased over the years, all required foam seal replacement. Their intended lifespan was probably 5 - 10 years and they are 30 - 40 years old. Foam replacement is a DIY job.

Les Sarile · Oct 3, 2014

blockend said:
Enthusiast SLRs like the Pentax MX tended to lead sheltered lives. They were typically kept in never-ready cases, had lens caps and filters in place and were treated with kid gloves. They were made in the hundreds of thousands or millions, and values are low. It makes no financial sense to spend large amounts of money on a camera for which there are another fifty working examples readily available. Professional cameras lead much harder lives in shutter count and physical knocks. A fine example off, say, a Nikon F or Canon F1 will be inherently more valuable and worth spending money on.

The SLRs I've purchased over the years, all required foam seal replacement. Their intended lifespan was probably 5 - 10 years and they are 30 - 40 years old. Foam replacement is a DIY job.

I have bought many old cameras and I believe it is fair to say that someone considering the smallest fully manual SLR with the biggest viewfinder - the MX, is probably not the same buyer as the F3 or New F-1.

However, if you are considering the F3 or New F-1, you might also consider the LX.

Condition makes a big difference when it comes to value but you never really know the true financial value of something until you sell it. But if you use and enjoy it, it may be priceless.

blockend · Oct 3, 2014

Les Sarile said:
But if you use and enjoy it, it may be priceless.

I agree. There's a difference between market value and individual worth to the user.

hgaude · Oct 3, 2014

Les Sarile said:
I have bought many old cameras and I believe it is fair to say that someone considering the smallest fully manual SLR with the biggest viewfinder - the MX, is probably not the same buyer as the F3 or New F-1.

This is exactly where I am. I have an EOS 3, you can't pry it from my hands, an absolute joy, BUT, it is big and noisy. Great for sessions for my business, but I wanted something small but capable for walking around that was less obtrusive.

Les Sarile · Oct 3, 2014

hgaude said:
This is exactly where I am. I have an EOS 3, you can't pry it from my hands, an absolute joy, BUT, it is big and noisy. Great for sessions for my business, but I wanted something small but capable for walking around that was less obtrusive.

I know exactly what you mean . . .

hgaude · Oct 3, 2014

Les Sarile said:
I know exactly what you mean . . .

OMG I'm laughing so hard... a picture is worth WAY more than a thousand words!!!!!

dynachrome · Oct 3, 2014

If I am going to use a camera more that a few times I like to get it overhauled even if another used working model is available for very little. Sometimes you just have good luck. I recently got a Minolta SRT 201 (last version, non-CLC) with a 50/1.4 MD Rokkor-X (last version before the plain MD model) and a Vivitar 2X, all for $19.95. It's all in perfect condition. I shot a test roll and the results are fine. I am in the process of getting the 1975 line of Pentax K cameras up and running. I have an overhauled KM and I recently sent out a K2 for an overhaul. This week I got a KX and it will be overhauled too. My K collection also includes a Japan-made K1000, another KM which hasn't been worked on yet and many non-Pentax K bodies. I am interested in finding a K2DMD but probably not the motor that goes with it. It is difficult to process 250 exposure bulk loads or to find someone to process them so a fast motor with a 36 exposure roll is a short experience. A Nikon N90S with the extra battery grip is fast enough for me and if I have to I can use a DSLR in burst mode. The K2DMD is supposed to have stronger gears than the other K models so that's interesting. I have always thought the MX was a nice camera but never got around to buying one. If I do get one it will be the only Pentax or K mount camera I have with interchangeable focusing screens. I think that at one time Pentax offered a factory screen change to a plain matte or grid type for Spotmatics. I also endorse KEH. While I was on vacation in August one of my lenses was acting up. I bought another lens and got it shipped up to my hotel in Canada. It worked fine and I got some nice shots with it.

Expectations when buying older cameras

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