Foo - Camera advice needed - STAT

I bought an old rangefinder on ebay. (emotional buy - uh oh) I took a chance on a 100% feedback seller who said he hadn't thrown film through it but he guaranteed the functions and said he'd take a return within three days of receipt.

so, I got it today - the light meter works, and the shutter is working although it already stuck a few times just looking the camera over out of the box.

cosmetically it looks okay but --- this is a fixed lens camera and the lens feels shaky and loose.:notamused: Loose at the base where it meets the body, and also at each of the control rings (f-stops, focus wheel, etc.).

I had this same model when I started shooting in high school - it's not supposed to shake to my knowledge.:mad:

I'm a bit aggravated cause I paid a bit more than the going ebay rate due to his feedback and description ($40 + 14 s/h). Assuming he doesn't give me a hassle for the return I'll probably pay another $14 to ship back - so I am out $28 and no camera .....it may be cheaper to just keep the damn thing and put a cheap roll of film through to see how it looks...

Unless I get ballsy and ask him to cover return shipping...even then I'm out $14. I doubt he'd do that anyway unless I wanted to be a jerk and give him his first negative feedback...I'd rather not do something like that.

anyhoo - any advice from the camera people here would be welcome......

I'm not a "camera people" other than I know which end to point where, but IMHO I'd keep it and chalk it up to experience and a lesson about impulse buying. Like you said, you'd be out 28 bucks and have no camera.

Let's see here....

Pgoat buys camera for $40 + $14 shipping = $54
If he sends it back it costs another $14 = $68
He gets $40 back on return of goods, $68 - $40 = $28
Instead he takes Mrs Pgoat out for dinner, spending the $40 + additional $40
So now he is out even more $$$, has semi-working camera, but dinner gets him a bit of ooo-la-la when they get home.

Problem is fixed! :D

I'll send you the bill later. ;)

I'd say contact the seller and return it. If he has plenty of positive feedback he should come to the party. You brought it on the basis that it's a working camera and with loose focus and aperture rings it is unlikely that it will be. They should move smoothly but not be loose.

You could always put some film in, shoot a few frames and see what comes out first.

I always like the ooo la la factor (thanks Suzie:D) but I too reckoned, why not pass a roll through and hit the one hour photo lab today just to see what happens with it...

In the big picture we're only talking $54 - not the end of the world, but these days I'd rather not blow $54 on broken junk and besides, it's the principle of the thing....I trusted the seller due to 100% plus lots of camera and lens sales in the past.

Keep it, even if it just sits on a shelf.

well, I took it outside and shot a few pics of the garden.

I also took some pics of the cats but forgot that with a rangefinder it is very possible (especially before the morning's first cuppa sinks in) to click away with the lens cap on:eek::cry:

Hitting up the drug store photo lab en route to work; we'll soon see what she brings.....

I'm somewhere between b & c, I guess I don't know enough about old cameras to know whether c applies. How do you tighten it up, add a new gasket and washer?

I assume that for $40 this was not a Leica, so use it as is or as a paperweight. If it is a Leica or other "high quality optics" rangefinder, spend as much as you need to to fix it cause the optics will be worth it!

I'm somewhere between b & c, I guess I don't know enough about old cameras to know whether c applies. How do you tighten it up, add a new gasket and washer?

to the best of my knowledge, you don't - it's a fixed lens, so an internal job, best left to a experienced repairman

here is what the best guy for this model of camera in the US said re: my situation:

The problem you described could be a minor issue or major one; as a general rule if the camera still works (shutter fires and aperture works) it is not a big problem and would be included in (my general clean up/adjustment) service of the camera ($65, plus s/h to & from).

There is some play in the S-2 lens assembly, even when they were new; this is due to the focus helical but it is the entire assembly, not just on part of the lens. This some times can be mistaken as a fault when in reality there is no problem. But i'd say if the lens is movable unrelated to the base there could be a problem in the shutter (screws loose) or the front ring screws have come loose. If the camera is nice cosmetically you might see if the seller will give 50% off the price and take your chances. If you like you may send it before you work out a deal so you know what you have. Just let me know what you want or if your sending the camera.

I should add the camera looks good inside and the outside is nice cosmetically except for two tiny initial stickers on the back (by the viewfinder window) and a number of some sort dremeled into the bottom of the case (hand done - not the S/N, which is factory engraved elsewhere).

I assume that for $40 this was not a Leica, so use it as is or as a paperweight. If it is a Leica or other "high quality optics" rangefinder, spend as much as you need to to fix it cause the optics will be worth it!

nope - a Konica Auto S2 (http://www.camerapedia.org/wiki/Konica_Auto_S2)

I purchased it mainly as sentimental surrogate - my dad bought his when I was little; it's nothing fancy but it seemed miles above the Instamatics we'd had prior to that...I used it in HS and when he passed it was one of the few things I had of his. I used the camera for a few years and when it broke i did a stupid thing and sold it for a pittance (I should have kept THAT one for a paperweight!!).

Having said all that I was really more interested in a working camera, revisiting the model I learned to shoot on, etc. Not so much interested in the sentimentality; that merely drove my choice of this model....I realize there are plenty of other cameras of this type to choose from, and plenty that may be much nicer.

On the other hand these lenses seem to have a good reputation....so maybe it is worth getting fixed, assuming the seller will do something for me?

You could always mosey over to B&H, and see what they think.....

I voted for 'keep it and fix it up'. This could be tough though - depending on what needs to be repaired.

I would run a roll of film through it first though. Maybe it's alright and you just need to baby it a little? Never know til you try.

Lastly though, if you did want to return it - having the seller pay shipping one way is completely within reason. I've been ebaying for close to 15 years and have encountered a few returns. Each time we split shipping costs.

that would be a lot less odious to me, if he paid the return s/h. If I was only out the $14 shipping to me I could live with that.

I dropped a roll I shot this AM off before work, will go get at lunch.....

I agree with the previous poster about B&H, but I always liked Adorama a little better! You live in NYC, there are a lot of options!

true...And I work equidistant, smack in between both shops:o

well, sad to say only two pics came out on the whole 24 exp. roll - and they're messed up (light blotches, double exposure, etc etc.):(

I guess it should go back.

All I can say is that if I lived between B&H and Adorama, I would be a very, very poor man.

All I can say is that if I lived between B&H and Adorama, I would be a very, very poor man.

Word. Why do you think I stopped shooting in 1984?

This is also why I have to ride very quickly past 48th street (music stores).

And 47th street (Diamond district....but also the home of the incredibly great wristwatch discounts)

And so on....not that the rents around here leave you much spending $ anyway.

Which is why God created credit cards, I suppose.

All I can say is that if I lived between B&H and Adorama, I would be a very, very poor man.

So would I.

All I can say is that if I lived between B&H and Adorama, I would be a very, very poor man.


actually you can't live between the two unless you're a very very rich man.

in which case you could become poor.


by living there, I mean.




or after living there.

All I can say is that if I lived anywhere near B&H or Adorama, I would be a very, very poor man.

Fixed, mmmkay?

and they're messed up (light blotches, double exposure, etc etc.):(


well...i would be thinking how i might get some interesting images with it :)

or...since you’ve run a roll of film through it you have enough reason to ask for a refund on shipping costs too.

I just looked on KEH (http://www.keh.com/OnLineStore/home.aspx) and they have a Nikon F2 Photomic for $133 (thinking it won’t be there long) and a Nikon Nippon Kogaku 50 f2.0 non AI lens for $53….both in EX condition

pentax, pentax, pentax

I just looked on KEH (http://www.keh.com/OnLineStore/home.aspx)

Oh my, that place looks dangerous. :eek:

Oh my, that place looks dangerous. :eek:

yeah, I am afraid to click:lol:
I was also contemplating going to the local shops to peruse the used stuff but I can just feel the eddy and undertow sucking me in.......AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!:D

The missus consoled me thusly, saying just use my old Vivitar SLR. It's fine, for sure...I am just a little bummed by the ebay-burned thing. Oh, well....it was kinda neat to see one of the old Konicas up close again, anyway.

pentax, pentax, pentax

Now, since you did that, let's see how long it takes for this thread to become a "what brand is better" pissing contest.

well...i would be thinking how i might get some interesting images with it :)

you mean like this? (I kinda like it actually)

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii132/pgoat/BICYCLES/Konica.jpg

or this (looks like couch got a hold of my bike!)

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii132/pgoat/BICYCLES/Konica2012.jpg

Open the Pod doors, Hal

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii132/pgoat/BICYCLES/Konica2010.jpg

Portrait of Mrs. Pgoat

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii132/pgoat/BICYCLES/Konica2011.jpg

This was the best of the bunch. I call it "on pedaling so fast, i transmogrified"

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii132/pgoat/BICYCLES/Konica20090707.jpg

actually, come to think of it, those are more interesting than most of my photos :o

Now, since you did that, let's see how long it takes for this thread to become a "what brand is better" pissing contest.

Konica rules:thumb:

especially their lenses.

I love those cheap 60's Japanese rangefinders, although I don't have that particular model. If I were you I would just buy another S2, they are cheap enough. A "loose" lense on a non-interchangeable lens rangefinder is death. Plus judging by those pics you have issues with film transport and light seals too.

I have bought many good usable rangefinders on ebay, but one in three will have problems and be a paperweight. Plus they ALL need seals and a general CLA (clean, lube, adjust). Luckily you live in the Mecca of camera shops for the entire continent, so finding someone to do that won't be a problem.

Also, that camera has the light meter "eye" within the filter ring, if you just check your light meter you can avoid taking pictures with the lens cap on.

The S2 is a good camera. Unless the seller is suppling maintenance certification that backs up his/her claim of operability, then I always assume it will need work. Fix it up. Mark Hama (http://markhama.home.comcast.net/~markhama/index.html) is top notch. He had my eBay Yashica 14e up and running beautifully. Yeah, it's about $125 worth of repairs for a $45 camera, but it'll be running perfectly for the next 30 years (and, IMO, repair costs should be included in figuring how much you're willing to pay for an old camera).

I just got a reply back he said he "actually took the lense on and off and it fit tightly.":twitchy:

I am guessing he's not a repairman, but even so - how did he get a fixed lens off if he isn't?

I'm thinking pliers:innocent:

actually, come to think of it, those are more interesting than most of my photos :oYeah, that camera's a keeper.

And judging by the right-most half of the first picture, you should get a second one that works. :)

Oh my, that place looks dangerous. :eek:

no doubt (http://www.keh.com/OnLineStore/ProductList.aspx?Mode=searchproducts&item=0&ActivateTOC2=false&ID=&Size=&BC=HH&BCC=5&CC=2&CCC=1&BCL=&GBC=&GCC=&KW=)

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii132/pgoat/BICYCLES/Konica.jpg
Kicks ass


http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii132/pgoat/BICYCLES/Konica2011.jpg
Seriously kicks ass

If you don't want it I'll buy it off of you.

Yeah, that camera's a keeper.

And judging by the right-most half of the first picture, you should get a second one that works. :)

Leave it just as it is.
That image rocks.

no doubt (http://www.keh.com/OnLineStore/ProductList.aspx?Mode=searchproducts&item=0&ActivateTOC2=false&ID=&Size=&BC=HH&BCC=5&CC=2&CCC=1&BCL=&GBC=&GCC=&KW=)Oh dear. http://www.bikeforums.net/mysmiliesvb/mysmilie_15.gif

Leave it just as it is.
That image rocks.Agreed. Hence "get a second one that works." :)

Does Mrs Pgoat know you posted that picture of her on the web for the entire world to see? :roflmao2:

Does Mrs Pgoat know you posted that picture of her on the web for the entire world to see? :roflmao2:

Did you all know she's nekkid there?

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii132/pgoat/BICYCLES/Konica2011.jpg
seriously kicks ass


the name of the band is talking heads!!!

Oh dear. http://www.bikeforums.net/mysmiliesvb/mysmilie_15.gif

:eek: Crap! I can't afford NOT to buy one!:thumb:

IMHO I'd keep it and chalk it up to experience and a lesson about impulse buying.

Um, no (see above:o)

I believe it was Holly who said go big or go home. So I shot a second roll and took it to a real photo lab....wanna rule out any incompetence on CVS' part. I also taped up the back of the body, so hopefully any light leakage this time will be due to the lens. Just getting the negs done for now, in case it's another 24 exp of Jean Cocteau........we shall see.

well, with a person not on drugs developing the film (or at least, on better drugs....or, maybe, lesser drugs?) and copious tape over the film door the camera worked. Mind you we had just woke up to move the car and caffeine had not entered the bloodstream and it was dark out and I had the film speed set wrong for half the roll, but as you can see the little wacko box was capable of some nice colors.

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii132/pgoat/JACKSON%20HEIGHTS/KonicaAutoS220090709001.jpg

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii132/pgoat/JACKSON%20HEIGHTS/KonicaAutoS220090709002.jpg

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii132/pgoat/JACKSON%20HEIGHTS/KonicaAutoS220090709003.jpg

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii132/pgoat/JACKSON%20HEIGHTS/KonicaAutoS220090709006.jpg

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii132/pgoat/JACKSON%20HEIGHTS/KonicaAutoS220090709005.jpg

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii132/pgoat/JACKSON%20HEIGHTS/KonicaAutoS220090709004.jpg

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii132/pgoat/JACKSON%20HEIGHTS/KonicaAutoS220090709007.jpg

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii132/pgoat/JACKSON%20HEIGHTS/KonicaAutoS220090709.jpg

This one was my favorite

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii132/pgoat/JACKSON%20HEIGHTS/KonicaAutoS220090709008.jpg

In the end I sent it back - I got the seller to agree (grudgingly) to pay return shipping (hope he comes through). The rangefinder was simply too challenging for me - except for one frame where I forgot to remove the lens cap again, all the images came out but about half were way off focus...and since WOpg was as much at fault I know it wasn't just me this time...

anyhoo, it was fun to try one of these old Konicas again after so many years.....even with the minor ebay stress involved.

Looking forward to a 'new' camera, to arrive tomorrow - Thanks to Kaotik's advice and KEH's unrivaled prices:thumb:

I should add - when i packed the camera back in its original boxes for return, I think I realized what happened.

I had the camera shipped to my wife's office; I hadn't seen the original packaging till she brought them home for me to send it back. He basically wrapped the camera in a little bubble wrap, laid it flat (lens up) inside a small shoe box, the lid of which fit right smack tight against the lens cap, then crammed that (as in, the shoe box was all crushed and rumpled) into a priority mail box - again, a super snug fit, so the only thing between the lens and any gorillas handling the mail a la American Tourist luggage was about 1/2" of flimsy cardboard:notamused:.

Whilst negotiating the return the seller protested he was in error and had NOT removed the lens - that was 'another camera I was thinking of'...whatever. This was more likely just damage during shipping. Not enough damage to wreck the shutter or cause any light seal issues in the lens, perhaps but $40 on ebay and $14 for s/h should at least buy you a box big enough to fit around a camera lens.:mad:

the Konica was probably worth keeping and fixing but it's the principle. If I really want one (and I am thinking I prefer shooting with an SLR now that I've had the chance to try a rangefinder again) I reckon I can buy one that's already been refurbished, from the person or company that did the work.

No more. I'm done with ebay, period. For cameras and everything else. Buying or selling.

you want a used camera? KEH FTW:thumb:

So i've been hearing:)

I have a Nikon arriving from them tomorrow. Unless it shows up in a shoe box, we should be good to go:lol:

I am having a bad luck day so i just know the UPS man will leave me a sticky today instead of bringing me a camera....:cry: