treasure or trash?

Frank Miller · Mar 22, 2019

this came up on my local craigslist for 200. As you can see, the photo sucks.

I can identify the Nikon as, well, a Nikon. But I have no idea about the rest of it. Would any of you be interested in applying your expertise in ID'ing any of this?I kind of doubt the seller knows what it is or how to properly list it...

BrianShaw · Mar 22, 2019

For 200 bucks it could be treasure or it could be trash. It all depends on your willingness to possibly have to spend more money bringing them to the point of reliability.

Eric Rose · Mar 22, 2019

Heck I'd take the gamble.

BrianShaw · Mar 22, 2019

Meee toooooo

Pentode · Mar 22, 2019

Odds are pretty good there’s $200 worth of stuff there. It’s just a question of whether or not it’s all working and how much you’d need to invest in getting it up and running.

Dan Fromm · Mar 22, 2019

The lens on the Nikon is probably a 200/4 Nikkor-Q, not worth a lot.

I'm not much interested in any of that stuff, so wouldn't bother. And eleven lenses of unknown makers, mounts, focal lengths and maximum apertures are also probably worth little for your use and for resale. But the picture is so uninformative that its hard to rule out buried treasure. Buried treasure is unlikely but possible.

Have you asked the seller what the lenses, fixed-lens RF camera, and second SLR are?

Kino · Mar 22, 2019

Nikon F with Photomic Prism and what appears to be a 200mm Nikon telephoto attached.
Yashica Electro of some designation
Can't quite make out the 3rd camera
At least 2 Pentax lens caps (who knows what resides under them)
Looks like at least one more Pre-AI Nikon prime in the lot

You can't judge anything from that photo. Hell, the cameras could be full of fungus, rot and/or even cement and you wouldn't see it from this image.

If you are speculating or thinking of flipping them; there's a very slim margin there. If you fix them up to shoot with, you'll probably have more than their total resale worth invested.

Frank Miller · Mar 22, 2019

Thanks for all the feedback!

I think I'll leave it alone - more time/effort than its usefulness would justify....

Kino · Mar 22, 2019

Well, if you need a good shooter, I'd ask if the seller would consider selling the Nikon and all Nikon mount lenses for $50-$75 upon successful inspection. Good chance the meter in the prism is dead, but provided the lenses are not trashed, it would make a good everyday shooter with a hand held meter.

I just make a similar purchase and after spending about 3 days cleaning a thick layer of nicotine off the exterior of the camera body and disassembling all the lenses and cleaning the elements, I have a nice set that should make nice images.

I paid $50 for the set.

Just saying...

choiliefan · Mar 22, 2019

Is the third one a Petri?

Alan Gales · Mar 22, 2019

Send the Seller a message asking what everything is. If he can read then he can at least tell you what they are.

choiliefan · Mar 22, 2019

Better check them out.
I know one of those lens is f1.2...

jvo · Mar 22, 2019

go for it!!!

abruzzi · Mar 22, 2019

Since it’s craigslist, you not buying sight unseen, you’re just agreeing to meet sight unseen. I don’t know what your area is like but here it would be at most one hour of my life to look. Probably less. So, yeah, I’d meet the person, and if it’s all junk you don’t want, pass.

Theo Sulphate · Mar 22, 2019

Middle camera is Yashica Electro 35.

https://kenrockwell.com/yashica/electro-35.htm

Being that the cameras and lenses are backlit and in shadow, we know the Craigslist poster isn't much of a photographer. Unless that was the intention...

neilt3 · Mar 23, 2019

choiliefan said:
Better check them out.
I know one of those lens is f1.2...

or more likely f/1:2 !

Fin · Mar 23, 2019

The 3rd camera is a Kowa SE. I know this as I have one in DIY kit form (dismantled) which I found in the attic of a house I lived in quite a few years ago. I keep meaning to dig it out and advertise it on here!

Anyway... $200 (assuming dollars and converting to £150 GBP) isn't a terrible price for that lot, The Nikon may well be decent, the lens on it is not worth a lot but is a pretty nice lens for it's era, plus there are many other lenses that could potentially be decent and/or interesting. I'd go in at $160!

mshchem · Mar 23, 2019

I would pass if you want to look at it put 3 20 dollar bills in your pocket . IF YOU WANT AN F. You better look it over. Assume the meter doesn't work. Look for fungus. That 200 mm Nikkor Q f4 is worth about 10 bucks. If the F worked and had a nice 50mm f1.4 lens, AND you needed one. It might be worth it. This stuff is very plentiful. I have 3 perfect F cameras, the kids that think they are cool don't have any money.

treasure or trash?

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