I got my S4 back from its CLA today, very smooth running now and rangefinder perfect, purchased it from eBay Japan and CLA by Dave Camera Repair in MI and in the end the total cost to me camera and CLA was $625. I highly recommend Dave, but it took 5 weeks but it seems worth it. He reported the camera was basically dried out inside and had some loose screws but overall in good shape.
Yes, Japanese dealers, they do go from fantastic to fantasist. I've only had one poor experience (and it wasn't game changing) so I'm glad you've got your S4 firing on all cylinders and can enjoy using it. I think one thing is certain, your Nikon is likely to be far more reliable than a Contax, or even a Leica M3.
I bought a Canon 7s from one of them listed with working meter. When I got it the meter was as dead as a doorknob. The seller claimed it must have died during shipping?? He did reimburse me $40.00 for the trouble.
I think its worth adding to this small thread that I purchased the camera from a dealer in Japan who described it as EX+++++ and when I got it, the shutter button stuck 3-4 times in the course of a roll and the film advance was very stiff. I realize its a 58 year old camera but I have found the eBay dealers in Japan have their own sense of what is EX+++++ and any buyer needs to take that into account. I
In Japan, if it looks good it is good, to to mention th occasional bait-and-switch.
Difficult to carry off if you've made the purchase and when it arrives the serial number number is wrong. I mean, you have evidence of the thing you clicked on don't you? And there are countries where 'never give a sucker an even break' rules over any possible and residual code of ethics the Japanese have. I recently bought from Japan on eBay a Voigtlander SP 35mm Skopar for my Nikon SP, described as mint condition, delivery 21 days. It was mint when it arrived, perfect in fact, and it arrived in three days from Japan to the UK. The only time I've had a problem was a Nikon F2 and with a DE-1 head, but when I put a DP-1 head on it didn't work, solution, clean the battery contacts. There is a lot of hand wringing and worry about bogie men out there to get you, especially dealing with foreigners, and it's largely paranoia.
I avoid that by buying from KEH which has a great return, replace or reimburse the money policy.
Which is impractical to access if you are outside the USA.
In Japan, if it looks good it is good, to to mention th occasional bait-and-switch.
Speaking of Ebay, I recently sold something for $1300 and they told me they had to hold payment for a month due to "security concerns." I've bought and sold on Ebay for over 30 years and have a 100% rating, but I guess I'm not trusted. They must make a fortune on all the money that they "temporarily hold."
No idea what they think other than making more money at my expense. Even though I got positive feedback on this sale they are still holding my funds.
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