Recommended Film Camera Shop

[James Shoegazer]

I'm new to photography and very interested in film cameras. The Nikon FM3A tops my wishlist.
I've tried out the marketplace but there seems to be little options.
It's also difficult to find a trusted seller in Ebay as well.

Based on your experiences,
where do you think is a trustworthy place with friendly staff and reasonable prices?
Would be better if you include the shop name.

Also, would it be wise to invest in cameras which date back longer?
(If maintenance is taken into account)
Below are some models which I like...
Kodak Retina IIIc/C IIIs
Kodak Retina Reflex IV/S
Exakta Varex series
Canonet QL17 G-III
Contax IIa/IIIa
Zeiss Ikon Contessa
Leica film cameras
Rollei S

Need your recommendations please, thanks

 

[kaxdd]

Try the Buy and Sell section here. I am sure you can find something that you like. Read up online on the different cameras of your interest. Some are rangefinders while others are SLRs. You will probably know what you prefer, so you can scope down on what exactly you are looking for.

 

[James Shoegazer]

Try the Buy and Sell section here. I am sure you can find something that you like. Read up online on the different cameras of your interest. Some are rangefinders while others are SLRs. You will probably know what you prefer, so you can scope down on what exactly you are looking for.

Yeah I had posted in the marketplace several times but no luck with the model I'm after.
I explored peninsular area yesterday but are there any other physical shops where I can handle with the cameras?

 

[kaxdd]

You stated Canonet QL17 G-III, Zeiss Ikon Contessa and Leica film cameras. I found sellers posting their ads in the BnS section. So what do you mean by no luck with the model?

WTSell: Rangefinder - Other Canon Canonet QL G3 (Chrome) - Pics Included

WTSell: Compact - Canon Canonet QL17 BLACK body

WTSell: Rangefinder - Contax Contessa and Tessina two quite rare and impressive camera

WTSell: Rangefinder - Leica black M4-P @ S$700

 

[James Shoegazer]

You stated Canonet QL17 G-III, Zeiss Ikon Contessa and Leica film cameras. I found sellers posting their ads in the BnS section. So what do you mean by no luck with the model?

For me I think its more convenient to visit physical shops to try the cameras and
do price comparisons instead of contacting many different sellers and waiting for replies.
I am still unsure about older cameras if you've read the topic.
Most likely I will stick to the FM3A but I have trouble finding one within my budget.

 

[shierwin]

For me I think its more convenient to visit physical shops to try the cameras and
do price comparisons instead of contacting many different sellers and waiting for replies.
I am still unsure about older cameras if you've read the topic.
Most likely I will stick to the FM3A but I have trouble finding one within my budget.

Once you agree to a price, you meet the seller. There you will handle the camera and inspect to all you want.
Some of them had CLAed. Part of the fun is in the hunting...

You post WTB Nikon FM3A offering $400-500. Sellers asking much more...
If you buy from shop, will definite much higher price will be charged.

 

[time4d]

Buying from people in the forum section is a better thing to do, in my opinion.

In general you get better deals and more room to negotiate. Furthermore, the cameras you find in shops are usually poorer in quality and their functions are questionable (except those CLAed ones). Moreover, as mentioned above, you can meet up with the seller to test out the camera you are interested in as much as you want. If the seller is unreasonably insistent or pushy, he/she is probably not worth buying from and you can pass!

 

[James Shoegazer]

Once you agree to a price, you meet the seller. There you will handle the camera and inspect to all you want.
Some of them had CLAed. Part of the fun is in the hunting...

You post WTB Nikon FM3A offering $400-500. Sellers asking much more...
If you buy from shop, will definite much higher price will be charged.

400-550 actually
The latest price I searched here is $950 which can buy me a Voigtlander R3A at that price, just that I'm not ready for the expensive lenses since I'm new in this field...
So far nobody has contacted and offered me FM3A through the marketplace...
I guess going out to hunt for cameras will be my other option, you'll never know if someone decide to sell a working one within my budget.

 

[CasualBear]

400-550 actually
The latest price I searched here is $950 which can buy me a Voigtlander R3A at that price, just that I'm not ready for the expensive lenses since I'm new in this field...
So far nobody has contacted and offered me FM3A through the marketplace...
I guess going out to hunt for cameras will be my other option, you'll never know if someone decide to sell a working one within my budget.

Tried looking at adelphi n Excelsior?? They have them second hand shops there too.. other place u can go ask the repair shops like camera hospital at sunshine plaza..

 

[time4d]

I am all for buying online, but if that worries you, the next best thing to do is to wait till someone lets it go. Patience pays off, because I've seen every single camera I was eyeing on offered in the marketplace, just by waiting

 

[James Shoegazer]

Tried looking at adelphi n Excelsior?? They have them second hand shops there too.. other place u can go ask the repair shops like camera hospital at sunshine plaza..

I went to Adelphi shop at B-1 but FM3A out of stock they do sell overpriced nikon f-mounts though

 

[James Shoegazer]

I am all for buying online, but if that worries you, the next best thing to do is to wait till someone lets it go. Patience pays off, because I've seen every single camera I was eyeing on offered in the marketplace, just by waiting

Have been eyeing this camera since March and actually planned to learn and use it on a trip to Hokkaido in early June.
Not much time left...but I'll try to be optimistic. :what:

 

[time4d]

Why don't you consider other models? There're many other great 35mm SLRs and rangefinders available for hilariously low prices. You may just fall in love with other models, you'll never know! I suggest that instead of waiting for the FM3A, you settle for another SLR and get a feel of it before you leave for Hokkaido.

Of the cameras you mentioned, I've only owned the Rollei 35S. I must say it takes a lot of skill and experience to shoot it properly.

 

[James Shoegazer]

Why don't you consider other models? There're many other great 35mm SLRs and rangefinders available for hilariously low prices. You may just fall in love with other models, you'll never know! I suggest that instead of waiting for the FM3A, you settle for another SLR and get a feel of it before you leave for Hokkaido.

Of the cameras you mentioned, I've only owned the Rollei 35S. I must say it takes a lot of skill and experience to shoot it properly.

For now I can only stick with Nikon F-mounts since I got the 50mm f1.4 AIS lens. It looks pretty amazing...at least for me. Out of the FE and FM series I would definitely choose the improved FM3A. The older cameras I mentioned could be difficult to use for a beginner like me. I figured that its more likely to receive a malfunctioned one and might be tedious and costly to fix.

 

[kgston]

If 550 is your budget for a FM3A, I doubt you will be ever be able to get one. For that price, the condition will probably be quite poor, physically or mechanically. You need to understand that that model has a cult status and is the last model in that legendary lineup. The shutter mechanism is very special, not seen in any other film camera, not even in today's digital camera, hence the price. For your budget, I recommend going for the FM2 or F3. You can get a mint condition one that won't break down and still have change to spare.

 

[James Shoegazer]

If 550 is your budget for a FM3A, I doubt you will be ever be able to get one. For that price, the condition will probably be quite poor, physically or mechanically. You need to understand that that model has a cult status and is the last model in that legendary lineup. The shutter mechanism is very special, not seen in any other film camera, not even in today's digital camera, hence the price. For your budget, I recommend going for the FM2 or F3. You can get a mint condition one that won't break down and still have change to spare.

Then what price should I be looking at? And which other shops would you recommend aside from the ones I visited?
Based on price comparison from miscellaneous auction sites and previous selling threads in the marketplace,
the price range is around there...Gotta admit I've seen higher prices in Ebay
but I don't think my budget is unreasonable since it depends on the seller.

 

[kgston]

I'd say it will start from 700 for a working condition camera (some physical damage but everything else is working ) shop will be more expensive than the buy/sell forums without a doubt and fm3a rarely shows up there as far as I see.

The problem about eBay is that you have to factor in shipping plus the fact you cannot see what you buy, apart from pictures. So if you get a dud, then you either have to incur cost of returning the product or just keep it. It's a risk. Sometimes, the problems only surfaces after a month or so or a few rolls.. I'd factor in potential servicing costs if I buy from eBay. The same goes for buying on the forums, but at least you get to try and see before you buy, so you usually pay slightly higher prices in the forums. Hope this helps

 

[kaxdd]

Not to mention you have to pay for GST if the camera exceeds S$400, which will eventually be the case for the FM3a. Why go through the trouble buying on eBay which you risk receiving a dud or spend more servicing? I'd rather meet fellow sellers here on BnS section where I can physically check the condition of the camera. In cases where there are more physical defects than advertised (assuming camera is in working condition), price can still be negotiable. This cannot be done on eBay.

Like what the rest mentioned, physical shops here will be selling at higher price due to their rental and manpower charges. But if you think you need an assurance for the camera, I'd suggest you go through Japan Camera Hunter. He may be quoting you a premium, but you get what you pay for. He knows his stuff and can hunt for rare items pretty easily.

 

[Riotbmx]

http://www.keh.com/camera/Nikon-Manual-Focus-Camera-Bodies/1/sku-NK029990489790?r=FE

End of story