What effing universe is this?

[NB23]

F3 has a beautiful Pro sound.

 

[ChristopherCoy]

Ew... that sounds funky. But apparently shutter sounds vary from F to F. Check out this thread.

 

[drmoss_ca]

Crazy shutter sounds? One reviewer described the Bronica RF645 as having a shutter that sounded like the dying moan of a mouse. And he was right. I giiggled every time I used it and eventually gave it away.

 

[CMoore]

I consider myself Very Lucky that i do not want a Leica or a Nikon F6.
I do not care what the reasons are, but there is a large demand for them, so they command a bigger price than most cameras..
There are many other 35mm that do the same thing, so i can opt-out.
No right or wrong.........just a choice.

 

[ChristopherCoy]

I don’t think the F6 has anywhere near a significant following. I think the F3 takes that prize.

 

[CMoore]

I don’t think the F6 has anywhere near a significant following. I think the F3 takes that prize.

Oh, maybe i am wrong then.
I thought the F6 cost a lot more than the F3.
I did not think there was a more expensive Nikon, 35mm, SLR, than the F6.

 

[MattKing]

The demand for the F6 is for the most modern and recently manufactured SLR. Relatively speaking, very few were made. Modern design, recent production and small quantity of manufacture leads to one type of demand.
The F3 was produced in relatively high quantities, but it was a popular flagship camera for a long time. That leads to another type of demand.
On the subject of the thread, the prices one sees reflect availability and demand. There is nothing unusual about having the different characteristics of used cameras manifest themselves in different ways, but still lead to higher prices than when the market was different.
It really doesn't make sense to think that the prices fr used camera equipment between 2005 and 2015 were normal - they were extra-ordinary.

 

[Devin@RFCo]

Expired film prices are insane.

Not 3 years ago it was easy to score a expired roll of anything for 1-4$

now the cheapest expired roll on eBay is something like 8$ shipped.

Some of these old films are actually more than a new roll of Ektachrome or a 3-pack of Superia.

 

[CMoore]

@CMoore I don't think the F6 was the topic of this conversation.

Which conversation are you referring to.?
The OP, from February 1st.?

The Nikon F3HP was not part of that conversation either.........nor was Leica.
It was only about the Nikon FM, but it does not seem too big of a stretch, after 2 months, for other models to fall into the discussion.
But i can easily delete my comments if the OP wants to keep it just about the FM.

 

[BradS]

@CMoore I don't think the F6 was the topic of this conversation.

The topic of the thread is the skyrocketing prices of the Nikon FM in particular and that of other Nikons and 35mm gear in general. The thread was certainly not about the shutter sound of the FM3A however.

 

[ChristopherCoy]

It doesn't matter! I NEED you all to convince me to buy an F3 because of the shutter sound of FM3a.

I wouldn't buy an F3. It's shutter is electronically controlled. If I buy another F, it's going to be an F2 for it's all mechanical features. I'd trade my F5 for an F2 if I could find someone willing to trade.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

I wouldn't buy an F3. It's shutter is electronically controlled. If I buy another F, it's going to be an F2 for it's all mechanical features. I'd trade my F5 for an F2 if I could find someone willing to trade.

Chris. I have a Nikon N6006 35mm SLR with an electronic shutter. Recently I checked its accuracy. I was astonished that it was accurate on all speeds I could check. (I couldn't;t check over around 1/125). Much better than my Nikkormat FT3, Mamiya RB67 and large format lenses (shutters in the lens). Everything on the camera worked well including the built-in meter.

 

[ChristopherCoy]

Everything on the camera worked well including the built-in meter.

Everything works great on my F5 too... until it wont anymore. That's when the problem is. They aren't making replacement electronic parts for those cameras anymore. I learned that recently with the 654E I had purchased. No parts means no repair. Which is why I am going all mechanical with everything.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

Everything works great on my F5 too... until it wont anymore. That's when the problem is. They aren't making replacement electronic parts for those cameras anymore. I learned that recently with the 654E I had purchased. No parts means no repair. Which is why I am going all mechanical with everything.

The N6006 less lens goes for around $25 today. Just throw it away if it goes bad. I've had mine for thirty years or so, not used for the last twenty. It's like new and all modes work. PASM, braketing, timer, zoom, etc. I took it out last year and shot these with Tmax400.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/alanklein2000/albums/72157716777378896

 

[bernard_L]

Nikon FM’s going for $100? $200?!? Was I abducted, anally probed, and deposited on some undiscovered planet? I bought one of these for like $8 in 2012.

To me, the effing universe is the one in which a Nikon FM sells for $8. Permanent merry-go-round of novelty. A new computer every 3 years. A new smartphone every 2 years. The old ones go to junk (or are sold for ridiculous prices in the case of cameras).
Oh, yes. The economy. The growth. Let's junk our cars past 2 years, will stimulate the economy.

 

[ChristopherCoy]

This point is moot. AFAIK only the electrolytic capacitors represent danger, but they can be swapped/replaced for a newer and more reliable part with identical specs. When you hear "no replacement electronic parts" this can very possibly mean that your tech cannot or unwilling to solder, and is only willing to swap entire PCBs - and of course those aren't available.

Other than that, reliability of solid-state electronics should be far better than purely mechanical parts that may not have a replacement in production anymore. Anecdotally, looking at my humble collection of 8 film cameras, I have only experienced mechanical issues: the snapped spring in a Hasselblad/Zeiss shutter + rangefinder constantly getting out of alignment on a Fuji GF670. My biggest worry is rapid disappearance (and deterioration of quality of service) of knowledgeable repairmen. Even the "famous" technicians with 6+ months turnaround time are returning CLAd cameras with deteriorating foam seals still in place and misaligned focusing screens. I am not convinced that going all-mechanical will help.

You'd think. But my local tech whom I took it too, as well as 3 other repair places whom I spoke with all stated that the parts are no longer made and it couldn't be repaired. It was a problem with the circuit board not transmitting signals to the solenoids that actuate the shutter. Believe me when I went to great efforts to repair that camera since it was only one owner. I wont have that issue come up ever again in any camera that I own. As soon as I can offload this F5 for another F2 and or some manual Nikon glass, I will.

 

[Huss]

The N6006 less lens goes for around $25 today. Just throw it away if it goes bad. I've had mine for thirty years or so, not used for the last twenty. It's like new and all modes work. PASM, braketing, timer, zoom, etc. I took it out last year and shot these with Tmax400.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/alanklein2000/albums/72157716777378896

very nice pics.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

Thanks Huss.

 

[ChristopherCoy]

Ok well I was wrong.... apparently I paid $34 for my FM in 2011 which was a bargain even back then. So maybe the used prices of FM's now aren't that much higher than they were then, but it appears that there were more bargains available then so it may have been easier to score a good deal than it is now. My apologies.

 

[RokkorZ]

It's been a crazy few years for all film cameras, but as had been said there are still deals to be had. I picked up 2 FMs for a total of £50 last year along with a case and 3 lenses. Lenses were fungus filled but still a steal.

 

[Huss]

Dood on fredmiranda is trying to sell his Bessa R4A for one thousand seven hundred dollars. United States Dollars.
More than a very very nice Leica M3 or M2. Same as a Leica M4.

I had the Bessa R3A which is the same camera, but with different frame line selections. I sold it because it was so sh!tty to use compared to a Leica M, in build, feel and operation.
It was built and priced much cheaper than a Leica, because it was built to a much lower level to allow for that cheaper pricing.
Absolutely bonkers that people think it's worth money like this.

 

[removedacct1]

There's someone on fleabay who's been trying for many weeks to sell a Kodak Retina II with the 47mm Kodak Ektar lens on it. At first, the listing would be up for only 2 or 3 days, pulled, and relisted. Over and over and over this was done, no doubt to try to game the system and get it noticed. It started at $799, then went down to $699. and briefly went to $599. and now today it reappeared for $1099.! I am having a hard time understanding how this behavior is intended to improve the odds of selling it. (This variant typically sells for $300-$400)

 

[Huss]

What I don't get is how's Bessa is getting flak, while Zeiss Icon ZM is generally praised. Based on my research online, they're made in the same factory using the same parts bin.

I didn't like the Zeiss when I briefly had one. I had listed my reasons but build etc is way below Leica.
But it is definitely much nicer than the Bessa I had. Some parts are shared under the skin (most?), But the outside package is much nicer to use and handle compared to a Bessa.

 

[mark]

You can blame me. My finances finally got to where I could look at the camera's I have always wanted. Seems like the prices on EVERY camera went so far up that I still can't justify the purchase. When I had no money they were all dirt cheap.

 

[CMoore]

Of course, it is not just cameras.
But at least with a Leica, people are paying..!!!

A guy has had a book foe sale for TWO YEARS, for 50 dollars..... "Offers Accepted"
I made him an offer about a year ago for 30 bux......never heard from him.
Last month i offered him 25 bux.......never heard from him.
He will probably go to his grave with that thing.