One of the most ridiculous camera markups ever

[Newt_on_Swings]

So I was browsing random articles on the pulse application and I saw this:

http://www.ilottvintage.com/

At first I thought it was a just a cheapo Hipster mod, turns out it's the most ridiculous markup of a camera short of the leica Hermes Co branding.

Their model revolves doing a simple cla on used rangefinders such as canonetes, himatics and the like, wrapping them in wood veneer and marking them up $1000-2000 usd . What a joke, but it seems some fools have taken the bait as some are marked oos.

 

[jordanstarr]

...considering 2/5 of the cameras have sold out, it seems to be working.

 

[benjiboy]

I doubt the company who are obviously selling them think it's "ridiculous", business is about buying cheap and selling for the maximum profit, it's what made America great.

 

[Newt_on_Swings]

I guess their spiel is convincing enough for some. I didn't know if I should laugh about their mumbo jumbo, cry since they probably recouped all their costs on 1st sale, or get mad that people are dumb enough to buy into things like this.

 

[benjiboy]

I guess their spiel is convincing enough for some. I didn't know if I should laugh about their mumbo jumbo, cry since they probably recouped all their costs on 1st sale, or get mad that people are dumb enough to buy into things like this.

"Nobody ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American the public" H.L Mencken.

 

[Mustafa Umut Sarac]

Mahagony have 48 varieties and this is the cheapest one and the American Boat Makers love it as Harvard Library uses at walls. I prefer more exotic woods like Cocobolo or Brazilian Rosewood. Its easy to find them as veneer and apply with oil finish.

 

[viktormadarasz]

Does it worth to invest into a normal working Canon QL19 rangefinder? just to stick with the topic.....one from ebay for 50-90$ if there are some nice cosmetic condition ones..

Viktor


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[hoffy]

Meh - I think they kinda look cool. Would I buy one? No, but why stop others...

 

[Terry Christian]

And I'm an Argus C-3 fan, but >$1800 for one of the most plentiful and ubiquitous rangefinders ever? Heck, I wouldn't even pay $80 for one, even though the veneer covering is indeed handsome.

 

[Andrew Moxom]

Wonder what they use for glue to stick the wood veneer to metal parts?? I reckon this is in the realm of DIY for someone that knows how to make a template that will fit first, then cut out a copy of that on veneer. Then its just a simple soak of the veneer until its flexible, apply glue, and tape it into position and wait until dry. Carefully smooth, then apply finish.

 

[ChristopherCoy]

Wonder what they use for glue to stick the wood veneer to metal parts?? I reckon this is in the realm of DIY for someone that knows how to make a template that will fit first, then cut out a copy of that on veneer. Then its just a simple soak of the veneer until its flexible, apply glue, and tape it into position and wait until dry. Carefully smooth, then apply finish.

Why dont you do that, and undercut them by $500?

 

[Mustafa Umut Sarac]

Andrew ,

You are right. But I dont like the idea to handle veneer in a hot summer day. I am leather guy , especially Barnack Shark Skin fan.
But another idea is coming to my mind , covering the camera with raw wood skin like the camera for hidden animal photography. It would be thick and pinewood and its own gum would make my finger tips feel cool.

 

[CGW]

Love it. These relics are getting rickety, so when they peg out you still get a nice paperweight. Just another floater in the hipster/aspirational chum slick.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

it's better than what i do buy high and sell low!

 

[Mustafa Umut Sarac]

it's better than what i do buy high and sell low!

 

[David Lyga]

After attending the Fort Washington, PA used camera show Sunday, 3 June, and leaving with 11 SLR bodies and 15 lenses, all very decent, for a total of $170, (!) I think that I will pass on the wood veneer. When you have been buying cameras for the decades that I have been buying cameras, you tend to pay more attention to the innards than the outer beauty. Still, mine are not dogs. Little things might have to be patched up but I got (and continue to get) terrific bargains. I do not need, nor want, anything to do with the Holga mentality. - David Lyga

 

[Steven L]

I've read the posts before I looked at the website. I was imagining a beautiful all black and cherrywood elegant camera. These cameras look like they are from some 70's porn photographer. You know, the one with half opened hawaii shirt, Tom Selleck moustache and big gold chain.
Andrew Moxom has given me a good idea. Perhaps a new DIY project? The Pleather from my camera is starting to peel off.

 

[Trond]

I think they look great!

Trond

 

[Nicholas Lindan]

"A fool and his money are soon parted" - Good thing, too, as a fool with too much money is a danger to himself and others.

I like the "Photographer's Notebook": Take 8 sheets of typing paper, 1 sheet of cover stock, fold, cut in two and staple - $10. " ...entirely hand finished in our studio, does not include the pencil in the photograph... " - at that price, with such a thin profit margin, we can all understand why the pencil can't be included.

At one time I believed that "A quality product, serving a real need, at a reasonable price.*" was the key for a successful product.

It isn't. Instead, its being able to read the zeitgeist. It always was. Lesson learned too late in life...

--
* Hewlett-Packard slogan before lawyers and Carly Fiorina. Agilent is what is left of the real hp; too bad it didn't get the calculator division.

 

[Jenni]

I like the idea as a DIY, I'd never buy one.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

Hmmm. Veneered cameras. Pretty, but my Deardorff is solid mahogany, of a grade no longer available....anywhere, at any price.

 

[Nicholas Lindan]

My 35mm cameras take a certain amount of abuse - not to mention wet, muddy and greasy environments. All that wipes off a Nikon with a paper towel and some Windex.

I'm not at all sure how a veneered camera is going to look after a bit of use. Or the effect of a Windex wipe-down.

But I guess the people who would buy these [and assuming the whole thing isn't some joke] wouldn't really use them for taking pictures.

The cameras don't look like bling. If I had seen one I would assume a nice afternoon's DIY.

 

[pbromaghin]

You're all just pissed they thought of it first.:munch:

 

[lxdude]

I'm pissed that I thought of it first but didn't do it!

Though I never would have thought of charging that kind of money..

 

[Moopheus]

C'mon guys, be fair, they come in a bespoke hand made box, not any old ordinary hand made box! And Canonets and Konica S2's are rare. At least according to their condition statement.

It would be funny to actually encounter one in the wild, though.