When I was a teenager, I worked in a Fotomat booth. It was one of the most chill jobs one could enjoy. It also created my interest in cameras and photography. While in my late teenage years, I worked in the electronics department of Montgomery Ward. It was during what I refer to as the golden age of 35mm cameras. There was the Minolta X-700, Nikon FA, Canon AE-1 Program, Olympus OM-10, Pentax K1000, among others. They sold as fast as we could stock them. The FA was out of reach, but with my employee discount, I was able to purchase an X-700 kit which included a Vivitar zoom lens. I adored that camera!
Later, in my twenties, a former friend/roommate, stole my camera bag, because he was upset that I was moving out. It bothered me, but I let it go and pursued other interests. Years went by and I reflected on that camera and what it had meant to me. I casually kept an eye out for a replacement X-700. I eventually came across one for sale that someone had purchased in college but no longer used. It was in great condition, so I purchased it. I shot a couple of rolls with it, but didn't feel an attachment to it. I sorta missed my X-700. It ended up stored back in the camera bag.
Recently, I was browsing listings online of used cameras. I scrolled past a blurry picture of the top of a camera in its retail box that was listed as new. I didn't think much of it, as there are countless listings of "new" cameras, which clearly are not. I can't explain the reason, but before logging off, I decided to scroll back to view the listing. I clicked into it and discovered more blurry pictures of an X-700. I reached out to the seller to ask for clear pictures and was surprised at what I received. The camera appeared extremely clean and it had the hallmarks of being a Japanese made unit. I was interested - very interested - and we spoke by phone.
The seller is in his 60's and he shared that his father gifted the camera, along with several accessories, to his mother one Christmas. He said that he recalls thinking at the time, that she'll never understand how to use it. Sure enough, it went back into the camera bag and there it remained for decades. His mother passed several years ago and his father recently passed, so they were going through his belongings and selling items. I didn't attempt to haggle, because I had to have the camera!
Sure enough, it arrived in absolute pristine condition along with several still sealed accessories. Finally, I reconnected both physically and emotionally with an X-700! The only issue was that there were black spots in the viewfinder. I contacted a reputable local camera shop and the owner invited me to take it to him. He explain that the seals had deteriorated from age and that particles had fallen onto the focusing screen. Normally, they only work on cameras that they're reselling, but for a nominal fee, he cleaned it out and replaced the seals. Apparently, more of it has worked its way onto the focusing screen since then though. What's the best and safest way of getting it completely cleaned of the debris? Your valuable guidance is greatly appreciated.
Attached are the pictures that the seller sent to me.
Later, in my twenties, a former friend/roommate, stole my camera bag, because he was upset that I was moving out. It bothered me, but I let it go and pursued other interests. Years went by and I reflected on that camera and what it had meant to me. I casually kept an eye out for a replacement X-700. I eventually came across one for sale that someone had purchased in college but no longer used. It was in great condition, so I purchased it. I shot a couple of rolls with it, but didn't feel an attachment to it. I sorta missed my X-700. It ended up stored back in the camera bag.
Recently, I was browsing listings online of used cameras. I scrolled past a blurry picture of the top of a camera in its retail box that was listed as new. I didn't think much of it, as there are countless listings of "new" cameras, which clearly are not. I can't explain the reason, but before logging off, I decided to scroll back to view the listing. I clicked into it and discovered more blurry pictures of an X-700. I reached out to the seller to ask for clear pictures and was surprised at what I received. The camera appeared extremely clean and it had the hallmarks of being a Japanese made unit. I was interested - very interested - and we spoke by phone.
The seller is in his 60's and he shared that his father gifted the camera, along with several accessories, to his mother one Christmas. He said that he recalls thinking at the time, that she'll never understand how to use it. Sure enough, it went back into the camera bag and there it remained for decades. His mother passed several years ago and his father recently passed, so they were going through his belongings and selling items. I didn't attempt to haggle, because I had to have the camera!
Sure enough, it arrived in absolute pristine condition along with several still sealed accessories. Finally, I reconnected both physically and emotionally with an X-700! The only issue was that there were black spots in the viewfinder. I contacted a reputable local camera shop and the owner invited me to take it to him. He explain that the seals had deteriorated from age and that particles had fallen onto the focusing screen. Normally, they only work on cameras that they're reselling, but for a nominal fee, he cleaned it out and replaced the seals. Apparently, more of it has worked its way onto the focusing screen since then though. What's the best and safest way of getting it completely cleaned of the debris? Your valuable guidance is greatly appreciated.
Attached are the pictures that the seller sent to me.
