I dream of Cameras #6

Jeff and Gabe are back once more to delight us with their camera collecting stories and inspire us all to spend more money on cameras!

This weeks topic include:

• buying from Japan, pros and cons — the cameras look perfect, but… (Jeff's recent Pen W, Widelux and M-1 experiences)

 

• how to suss out a seller

 

• eBay and sales tax

 

• Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist - where to meet, how you know you’re not getting screwed, etc.

 

• user vs. mint condition - how many dents and scuffs can you tolerate?

 

• brassing, engraving, other sorts of wear (real and fake)

 

• painted cameras? customized cameras? yay or nay?

 

• what’s your perfect walkaround camera? what’s your travel kit?

 

• “one camera, one lens, one film stock” - what would you choose?

 

• Gabe brings three cameras to the grocery store

 

• camera repair - local? send it off? who’s your most trusted and why?

 

• originalism: is it uncool to use third-party lenses or accessories on your exotic vintage camera?

 

• Spotlight: the camera you feel the strongest emotional connection to (Leica M4, Olympus 35RC)