My apologies to all who suffered eye strain reading my report on the
local flea market.
I have turned off the "send as HTML" option on my browser.
Let me know if I should re-post the report.
-Charles
Jan -
Thanks for the mail tip and the kudo. The 2X adapter was floating around
in a box with maybe a dozen or so others. Had to sift thru to find the
ones marked for 'Olympus/OM'. Picked up one that was heavier than the
rest, opened the box and went Huzzah!! I'll take it!!
- Charles
Jan Steinman wrote:
>
> 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:
>
> >- --------------27508BBD5140390C82652D21
> >Content-Type: text/html; charset=us-ascii
> >Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
> >
> ><HTML>
> > 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>
> >
> >- --------------27508BBD5140390C82652D21--
> >
> >
> >< This message was delivered via the Olympus Mailing List >
> >< For questions, mailto:owner-olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx >
> >< Web Page: http://Zuiko.sls.bc.ca/swright/olympuslist.html >
> >
>
> : Jan Steinman <mailto:jans@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> : 19280 Rydman Court, West Linn, OR 97068-1331 USA
> : +1.503.635.3229
>
> < This message was delivered via the Olympus Mailing List >
> < For questions, mailto:owner-olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx >
> < Web Page: http://Zuiko.sls.bc.ca/swright/olympuslist.html >
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