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What effing universe is this?

The 35/2.8 Nikkor is a 'K' model with AI conversion with a factory ring. It's an excellent lens. I have three FE bodies and one FE2. So far I have not been tempted by the FM. I prefer the feel of a Nikkormat in my hands. If I need a different focusing screen then either an FE or an FE2 will do and if I need a higher shutter speed, it's the FE2. If I must carry something heavier then I will take an N90S. The N90S has the motorized film advance built in if I need that. I have heard of shutter problems on high mileage FM2 and FM2N cameras. I don't know whether the FM suffers from fewer shutter problems with its top speed of 1/1000. The price shown for the FE with the 35/2.8 is higher than it might have been a few years ago but not too high if both are in good condition. I do not like the description which reads "condition is used." That doesn't tell me anything.
 
Bronson Dugnutt said:
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away... before the speculators got a whiff of new money and Fuji Pro 400H wasn't discontinued...

[..The FT2's meter is jank but hey.
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Which is why it was priced as is. A camera with an unreliable/broken meter is like a camera with no meter. Great price for the lens though.

What was up with the FM2? Your ad clip says 'read description'. That normally is a red flag.
 
  • Kodachromeguy
  • Deleted
  • Reason: Not contribute useful information.
Kodachromeguy said:
It does tell you something. Tells you that the seller is a Rube who hasn't the slightest idea what he's doing selling this kind of product.
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This has come up before. There is a formal definition of 'used' condition for cameras on eBay:
  • Used: The item was previously used. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but it is fully operational and functions as intended. This item may be a floor model or store return that was used. See the seller's listing for full details and a description of any imperfections.
So it's ok for a seller to specify 'used' condition for a camera, but I don't think it's acceptable for that to be the entire description. If the seller doesn't provide any additional details about the condition then I usually move on.
 
Prices are, in fact, insane. I was observing the prices and offers for Zeiss Ikon ZMs and now I regret not buying one 2 years ago. Now they are significantly more expensive.
 
Horatio said:
I got probably one of the last M3s for under $1k. Everywhere I look now they are selling for $1100 and up.
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Bumping a bit of an older thread, but I just got an email from a Leica dealer advertising an M3 for sale for $2495! OK, it's got a serial # over1M and was just serviced by DAG so that demands a bit of a premium, but $2495? Crazy.
 
Wow, a number of real deals currently listed on dBay. The drugs must be fantastic, that the sellers are taking!

 
wiltw said:
Wow, a number of real deals currently listed on dBay. The drugs must be fantastic, that the sellers are taking!

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Well, the Nikon F has the cloth shutter, so that's got to be worth the $27,799 premium
 
logan2z said:
Well, the Nikon F has the cloth shutter, so that's got to be worth the $27,799 premium
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If it was a metal curtain (gold) I might have some interest, depending upon the carat weight.
That Japanese seller of the Nikon must be high on blowfish poisoned sushi.
 
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I assume some of these are purposely priced so nobody will buy them, to get around an eBay rule or two? I know some Amazon/Wayfair/etc sellers do that when they run out of stock because it’s either a pain in the butt or expensive to take down the listing and relist.
 
logan2z said:
Bumping a bit of an older thread, but I just got an email from a Leica dealer advertising an M3 for sale for $2495! OK, it's got a serial # over1M and was just serviced by DAG so that demands a bit of a premium, but $2495? Crazy.
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They had a .85 MP in silver for under $4K, which actually was a screaming deal. If an M6 is now going for $3000, the much much much better built M3 is a deal at $2500, especially DAG-d.
 
Huss said:
They had a .85 MP in silver for under $4K, which actually was a screaming deal. If an M6 is now going for $3000, the much much much better built M3 is a deal at $2500, especially DAG-d.
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That MP was a screaming deal. No clue why anyone would buy a used M6 instead of a used MP, given that the price gap is quickly closing. Most M6s I'm seeing now (at least from reputable dealers) are closer to $3500:

http://www.tamarkin.com/products/m-series/cameras#used-section
 
Old Gregg said:
Initially I misread your comment, but now I agree. It's almost the same camera, but with a better RF optics.
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Leica also improved the construction. The M6 was made of zinc, and had cheaper internal gears, the MP went back to brass. I've seen lots of M6s with zinc bubbles.
 
Going back to the OP's discussion about vintage Nikon film cameras for a second, I'm about to succumb to my desire to own a classic F with non-metered prism for what some might consider the insane price of $250. Maybe I'm nuts but, in the grand scheme of things, it seems rather cheap for an iconic camera of the F's quality. I know the F has some ergonomic oddities that were rectified on the F2, but there's something about having an original F that appeals to me (I'm sure I'll add an F2 at some point down the road too ). Call me crazy...
 
I do prefer the black chrome on my M7 than the shiny black paint. But I've seen the zinc bubbles and it is nasty. And not me being a snob nasty, I'd hate that on any camera. If the zinc was great, why was it only introduced when Leica was in their cost cutting make the Ms as cheap as they can phase? They got rid of it when the MP, M7 and later cameras came out.
Nikon used brass on its pro film slrs, as did Minolta, Canon, Pentax etc.

As for the M7 - it is definitely the best shooter M out there. As well as the quietest. I agree with your list of improvements, and will add just get rid of the DX reader entirely. Who wants to deal with flashing LEDs in the vf if you decide to rate your film differently than the box speed?

Back on topic re 'what effing universe is this?' - I'm glad I recently sold my Nikon FM for beaucoup bux. It's crazy how something much worse like a Pentax K1000 goes for, that camera makes an FM or Nikkormat FT2 seem like a screaming deal.
The KX and K2 are much nicer Pentaxes, and also cheaper.
 
Old Gregg said:
@Hussthe MP even compared to M6-TTL is one one step forward (RF quality) but four steps backwards (heavier-for-no-reason top plate, shutter speed dial, black paint, slow rewind knob).
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I don't own an MP, but have a black chrome M-A. I've never had any issue with the shutter speed dial or the top speed of 1/1000, I love black paint (I would have bought a BP M-A if it would have been available) and have never found the rewind knob that much slower than the one on my M4 - for the types of photography I do, spending a few more seconds rewinding film has never been an issue.

I get that the MP/M-A are throwbacks to the earlier film Ms and less advanced than the M7, but I'm pretty sure that's what many/most Leica buyers want. Black paint in particular, seems to be very desirable amongst Leica owners, and there are many people who pay loads of $$$ to have places like Kanto strip the chrome off their cameras and paint them with black paint.
 

Dood, hold off. What kinda shape/finish is that F in?

I have this get up that is ready to go...
Untitled by desmolicious, on Flickr
 
Zinc is not absolutely fine. Zinc was a cheaper option.

Of all the Ms, and I own quite a few, the M6 is one I will never touch.
 
I don’t agree that the M7 is the best. The shutter lag and general feel of the shutter annoys me a little. I’ve missed a few shots thanks to the shutter response and 5 years later I am still pissed.
 
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