Untested TLRs

takilmaboxer · Dec 24, 2022

I have an old Ikoflex that I like to use from time to time. Out of curiosity I started following The Big Auction Site and I must say, I'm appalled at the number of TLRs that are advertised as "untested" with "No Returns" and priced over $100 US. It would appear that sellers get them from flea markets or estate sales and think they are worth money. Many appear to have been heavily used and the sellers say "I know nothing about cameras". Get.a.life, sellers! Fortunatley there's also a classification of "tested TLRs"!

Kodachromeguy · Dec 24, 2022

takilmaboxer said:
I have an old Ikoflex that I like to use from time to time. Out of curiosity I started following The Big Auction Site and I must say, I'm appalled at the number of TLRs that are advertised as "untested" with "No Returns" and priced over $100 US. It would appear that sellers get them from flea markets or estate sales and think they are worth money. Many appear to have been heavily used and the sellers say "I know nothing about cameras". Get.a.life, sellers! Fortunatley there's also a classification of "tested TLRs"!

This is part of the race to the bottom among US ePrey sellers. I have emailed too many times to count to ask if a shutter works or to ask that they can unscrew the battery compartment and look for corrosion. The response is often:

1. Untested, sold as is.
2. "I know nothing about cameras."
3. No response whatsoever.
4. The photographs are part of the description. (Duuuh, what do you think they are?)

Then there is the appalling quality of the photographs with shadows and poor focus. Oops, don't forget the listing that is a different item than is in the pictures. And often, these items remain listed month after month. You would think the sellers would get the hint, but obviously not. At least the Japanese sellers have good photographs, but it is hard to ask questions.

BrianShaw · Dec 24, 2022

I’m not surprised. There are a lot of “hustlers” who either figured out how to make money selling junk to others or try hard unsuccessfully.

gone · Dec 24, 2022

The ads may say "No Returns", but unless something drastic has changed over there, they are required to accept returns within a clearly described time frame if something is actually not as described.

I'm actually glad to see things like "untested" and "I know nothing about cameras". With that, you know exactly what you might get. If someone is OK w/ that, then buy the item. If they ain't, look for ads from people who know what they're selling.

We need to start referring to some of these sellers as "Return Deniers".

Steven Lee · Dec 24, 2022

Only buy from Japan. There's never been a better time to buy film cameras. Japanese sellers are a godsend. eBay is amazing.

Besides, $100 doesn't buy much these days, including seller's time. Time is money and $100 doesn't even cover the time of taking good product photos, uploading them to eBay, answering questions and driving to a post office unless you're unemployed.

$100 is the new $10.

AnselMortensen · Dec 24, 2022

Dan Daniel · Dec 24, 2022

Among a variety of things to watch in Ebay as mentioned here, an important thing is to look at the number of sales. Someone with lots (? over 2000?) of sales is doing this for a living and knows what they are selling and knows how to use the internet to figure an item out. And if really interested in an item, look at the seller's other items for sale. And their feedback! I was close to bidding on an unusual high ticket item when I looked at the seller's feedback and saw that they had no problem telling people that they were idiots, etc. Life is too short to deal with that no matter the item.

Ebay still has good items sold by honest people, but you need to watch the signs to know. One good sign I have seen is when someone gives an accurate discussion of an item, whether its repair history or past use or present functionality. And replying to questions with real answers.

BrianShaw · Dec 24, 2022

AnselMortensen said:
View attachment 324762

… and another… a very rare Cambo-manufactured Crown Graphic. I hope the buyer isn’t surprised!

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lecarp · Dec 24, 2022

More than 100 bucks, but this Japanese seller know how to put together an auction.
Watch the Video.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1857091480...XwvESDziXEGAfg%3D%3D|ampid:PL_CLK|clp:2047675

takilmaboxer · Dec 25, 2022

Does anyone here have experience with the Meopta TLRs being sold out of the Czech Republic?

Dan Daniel · Dec 25, 2022

takilmaboxer said:
Does anyone here have experience with the Meopta TLRs being sold out of the Czech Republic?

I will suggest starting a new thread with a specific question like this. Most people will not see your question inside another thread so you might not reach someone with the experience. A thread titled 'Meopta TLR buying?' or such will be seen by far more.

btaylor · Dec 25, 2022

The Meopta TLRs have a reputation for great lenses and good mechanics. I had one briefly, bought it from a member here. Never ran a roll through it, unfortunately.
Somewhat dim groundglass, very nicely made and finished. Nicely priced, especially when Rolleis start at about $400.

ic-racer · Dec 25, 2022

I frequently look for someone with a few sales and some buys. I'm not interested in buying from a dealer. I want someone's personal equipment they never used or used only infrequently. I don't really want someone making a living from me by selling someone els's camera. .

Randy Stewart · Dec 31, 2022

takilmaboxer said:
Does anyone here have experience with the Meopta TLRs being sold out of the Czech Republic?

These have solid mechanics and good lenses. There were at least six models made over the 1960s, more of less. Meopta is (was?) a company in the Czech Republic making cameras, mainly theses TLRs, plus a line of higher quality enlargers and enlarging lenses.

Rrrgcy · Dec 31, 2022

Meopta - I have some Tyrolit grinding wheels in the garage for the surface grinder, their original USA-manufactured product. History said as of 2013 it has 1k+ employees in Cz and 150 in US. Check out their history and google images for them. I confirmed they're still making optics - found a new rifle scope MeoStar 3-12x56 on Amazon priced at $3,749.00.

redbandit · Jan 1, 2023

momus said:
The ads may say "No Returns", but unless something drastic has changed over there, they are required to accept returns within a clearly described time frame if something is actually not as described.

I'm actually glad to see things like "untested" and "I know nothing about cameras". With that, you know exactly what you might get. If someone is OK w/ that, then buy the item. If they ain't, look for ads from people who know what they're selling.

We need to start referring to some of these sellers as "Return Deniers".

if the item was listed "as is" or "untested", you are SCREWED as a buyer unless you can PROVE the camera had a defect that was UN LISTED..

IE, "looks nice, minor scratches on body, sold AS IS and Untested". YOu have no recourse until significant issues arrise. IE somethign in the advertisement pictures doesnt arrive.

Say the camera had a film door in the photos, but not when it arives.. you can get your money back.

KerrKid · Jan 1, 2023

I've only been disappointed in a purchase on eBay a couple of times. There are a lot of older cameras that don't work just for lack of a battery. Most of the time, I've gotten extremely good deals.

I tend to only buy untested cameras if they don't cost much. Maybe $10-$30. I have a couple of saved sellers that I have complete confidence in and will buy more expensive stuff from, too.

As for Japan...I had a very difficult time sending a DOA Ricoh GR digital back to a Japanese seller. eBay had to step in and I finally got my money back.

If I was buying a TLR, there is no chance that I'd buy one untested and, unless it was from one of my trusted sellers, I would buy it from a forum member instead.

redbandit · Jan 1, 2023

KerrKid said:
I've only been disappointed in a purchase on eBay a couple of times. There are a lot of older cameras that don't work just for lack of a battery. Most of the time, I've gotten extremely good deals.

I tend to only buy untested cameras if they don't cost much. Maybe $10-$30. I have a couple of saved sellers that I have complete confidence in and will buy more expensive stuff from, too.

As for Japan...I had a very difficult time sending a DOA Ricoh GR digital back to a Japanese seller. eBay had to step in and I finally got my money back.

If I was buying a TLR, there is no chance that I'd buy one untested and, unless it was from one of my trusted sellers, I would buy it from a forum member instead.

One of the things about dealing with foreign countries, its a real PITA trying to fill out the international shipping slip for the USPS system.. Its impossible to do the entire shipping address to china, you cant get the last two lines on it.

And to many places refuse to send correct shipping data on the package itself, and refuse to do a fedex or ups or even DHL label.

Rrrgcy · Jan 2, 2023

I’d only buy a TLR domestically.
But from Japan, from several sellers, I’ve collected a dozen+ Excellent appearance Canon LTMs from ivsb, ii etc and P, but I will pay no more than $100. Shipment normally arrives to Florida three days from payment! Every one I purchase is described the same in the varied seller advertisements (“finder double image strong, has clear view, has some dust has some fungus, all speeds work down to lowest”) and they do (well, well enough) and they work as they should. If you’re into Canon, it’s a wonderful moment with the tranche available in Japan to collect these up for self or for gifts. Clean lenses however have continually been creeping up In pricing.

Kodachromeguy · Jan 2, 2023

Rrrgcy said:
I’d only buy a TLR domestically.
But from Japan, from several sellers, I’ve collected a dozen+ Excellent appearance Canon LTMs from ivsb, ii etc and P, but I will pay no more than $100. Shipment normally arrives to Florida three days from payment! Every one purchased is described the same in the advertisements (“finder has clear view, has some dust has some fungus, all speeds work down to lowest”) and they do (well, well enough) and they work as they should. If you’re into Canon, it’s a wonderful moment with the tranche available in Japan to collect these up for self or for gifts. Clean lenses however have continually been creeping up In pricing.

I agree about Canon. LTM equipment. I bought a gorgeous 50mm 1.4 and one of the rare haze-free 50mm 1.8 lenses. The latter had minor fungus, as stated. DAG cleaned it and the coating is pristine.

1960s Excellence: the Canon 50mm ƒ/1.4 Leica Thread Mount (ltm) lens

Leica IIIC camera with 1960s-vintage Canon 50mm ƒ/1.4 ltm lens Background Long-term readers recall that I have used ...

worldofdecay.blogspot.com

KitosLAB · Jan 2, 2023

takilmaboxer said:
Does anyone here have experience with the Meopta TLRs being sold out of the Czech Republic?

Wow! I became interested for a number of reasons. Yes, I sell a few cameras from Ukraine. But it is the same in Ukraine. I'm interested in pricing. My daughter lives in the Czech Republic and thanks to me she became interested in film photography. This is the second reason

Untested TLRs

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