Reliability of German dealer Grainlab in Essen

[Diapositivo]

Hallo,

I have found an item that I am interested in listed on the web site of Grainlab in Essen, Germany.

This is the item:
http://www.grainlab.com/novoflex-autobellows-slide-duplicator-minolta-p-4350.html

The price (€119,00 + €17,00 shipping) would be acceptable to me.

Before placing an order I would be glad to hear opinions regarding the reliability of this merchant, on this forum or by private site mail.

I also wonder how the connection between the lens and the slide duplicator is made. Is it necessary to use some sort of reduction ring or one just nears the slide duplicator to the lens and covers the entire setup with some dark cloth?

Thanks for your collaboration

Fabrizio

 

[AgX]

The front bellows accepts a special adapter ring, that on one side has a male filter thread and on the other a flange over which the rear frame of the front bellows is put and arrested with that pin/screw seen at the top of that frame.

Novoflex did make special rings for filterthreads of 49, 52, 55, and 58mm.

 

[ath]

I have no personal experience with them but in german forums sometimes people mention they have bought there, but I can not remember a complaint.
Prices are high compared to ebay or some other stores but then they sell the cameras usually serviced.
They offer pickup at their location which is a good sign and I'm aware of this shop since several years so it's not new.
Sorry, that's all I can offer.

 

[AgX]

By lack of an apt ring, take an apt filter ring, cut with a jigsaw a suited disk from metal or ABS and fit both with epoxy-cement.

 

[Diapositivo]

I'm waiting for their answer to my question but overall I would say that I am prepared to give them a try.
If I don't find a suitable adapter ring with the shipping I'll either follow AgX's suggestion or maybe try a faster dark-cloth-and-adhesive-band approach.

I only need this to take a few pictures in fact: for each new negative film material I need to take a picture of an IT8.7 calibration target so that I can make a "film profile" for my scanner. That means a single shot or two (daylight - shade) for each type of material, I might go the makeshift route instead of going for maximum exactness.

Thanks for your gentle collabation friends

Fabrizio

 

[Diapositivo]

The dealer wrote to me that after inspection of the bellows it was found to have a problem and was withdrew from sale.
They did not answer my specific question about how the link is made to the lens.
I appreciate the honesty in withdrawing an item after realizing it had a problem which had not been spotted during the first inspection.