Good buy on that Oly 2x! I paid $100 for mine, and thought THAT was a
decent deal!
BTW: could you please turn off HTML in your email program? Most readers are
using text-based mail readers, and it comes out looking like the following:
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> Well, there was a photo flea market held Saturday Dec.
>5 here in Birmingham, Alabama. I thought I'd give a short report of the
>event.
><BR> A small venue as it turned out, maybe twenty tables
>and a dozen vendors, including the "test your camera here" guys. This was
>fortunate since the whole event was crammed into to two small dining rooms
>at a local Holiday Inn. The $4.25 admission was steep but I forked it over
>anyway, thinking only of the bargains to be had. Fortunately the crowd
>was sightly smaller than the aisles were wide. Only enough room for two
>people to pass each other comfortably add in a third person standing at
>a table and the space got tight!
><BR> Olympus and Zuiko pickings were rather slim only
>three vendors had any stock to offer, although a couple of others said
>they had some but did not bring the items with them. I saw only one OM-1n
>(black body) priced at $205.00, a couple of OM-2n's priced between $250.00
>and $295.00 One OM-2S with the proud price of $395.00 and a couple of OM-10's
>( No manual adapters) $115.00 & $140.00 and one OM-88 about $175.00.
>Did I mention that these were bodies only!! Cosmetically they looked good
>(little brassing and no dings). All needed new foam and probably should
>be checked out. Especially the OM-88, it made some weird noises when I
>advanced the film lever and fired the shutter. So doing the math I passed
>them all by. Apparently the word has spread that the OM-1 series with their
>lock-up mirrors are becoming the camera of choice with the astro-photography
>group; that may be fueling the price hikes among bodies? Maybe it
>will convince Olympus to start producing them again, maybe??
><BR> Lenses were also slim pickings a few 50/1.8 &
>1.4's $40.00 and up. A single 28/3.5 for 75.00 (too much), a single 200/4
>for $150.00 (good price, lousy glass). And couple of 135/3.5 for $45.00
>& $65.00. I picked up the $45.00 one (nice lens, e.zuiko auto-T 135/3.5).
><BR> Accesories pickings were also relatively slim, with
>one exception, Caps. Lots of caps for all manufacturers available for $3.00
>a pop. It was like digging through the scavenged remains of countless dead
>bodies and lenses, eerie sort of. Also lots of filters available in all
>sizes, effects and colors.
><BR> Finally, I did run across a couple of really good
>bargains, a shoe-4 for $15.00 (no cracks), an extension tube set 7,14 &
>25mm Non-Oly (mint) for 20.00 and an Olympus 2x teleconverter ex+ for $15.00
>(Heh,Heh,Heh...). All in all a hundred or so bucks spent. I'm happy. I
>hope my girlfriend likes the lady schick I got her for Christmas.
>
><P>- Charles
>
><P><U>Some thoughts on buying used equipment:</U>
><BR> Learned common sense:
><BR> Add in the cost of overhauling
>any camera body you might buy. It might teach you patience while looking
>for a real bargain.
><BR> Putting your hands on the
>equipment and testing it before committing to a purchase is always better
>than buying it blind. (Caveat Emptor).
><BR> Always be polite and
>business-like,
>that's your hard earned cash you're spending.
><BR> Always ask for a money-back
>guarantee in writing, include a written assessment of the item. Meaning
>record any dings, scratches, blemishes affecting the item.
><BR> If it doesn't go your way
>just walk away. This can sometimes work to your advantage. Come back at
>the end of the day. If the item is still there make another offer the seller
>might go for it.
>
><P> If bidding on ebay or other online auctions, ALWAYS:
><BR> Contact the seller directly
>ask for serial numbers, ask for a second description of the item, pictures,
>a refund policy.
><BR> Not to knock the US Postal
>Service, too badly, Ask the seller to ship UPS. The package will arrive
>in better condition most times.
><BR> Spend time looking at the
>list of availble items, mark your choices and then spend some time researching
>a good selling price for the item.
><BR> Be patient, when the auction
>ends, then its over, not before.
><BR> Lastly and most importantly!
>There is a lot of stuff out there. If an item passes you by, another will
>surely come along soon.
><BR> TIP: If you had your eye
>on an item and it went to someone else. Drop the seller an email asking
>him/her to contact you if the sale doesn't go through.
><BR>
><BR> Personal prefernces for buying anything.
><BR> Authorized dealer.
><BR> Someone I know personally
>or has been recommended by several people/customers.
><BR> Someone I don't know.
><BR>
><BR> Of the four items I've bought
>on ebay. (Two from private sellers, two from businesses) The sellers were
>prompt, courteous and willing to accomodate my shipping needs. Also,the
>one time I returned an item, the (private) seller was understanding and
>promptly returned my money (less shipping of course).
><BR> </HTML>
>
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: Jan Steinman <mailto:jans@xxxxxxxxxxx>
: 19280 Rydman Court, West Linn, OR 97068-1331 USA
: +1.503.635.3229
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