I Still Shoot Film

Obviously with the wedding madness I wasn’t able to do eBay deals for the last 2 weeks, but now they’re back! Since many of you are in different time zones, I did this weeks eBay deals based on auctions ending in 6 days… so you have time :)

Here we go:

• Nikon FG: starting bid 99 cents, ends in 6 days, comes with 50mm Nikon lens http://tinyurl.com/26xdvh7

• Canon F-1: starting bid $9.99, ends in 6 days, comes with 50mm lens http://tinyurl.com/2bengvb

• Yashica FR1: current bid $9.99, ends in 6 days, comes with 50mm lens, user manual (on CD), cable release, Vivtar flash http://tinyurl.com/24tb27l

• Miranda Sensomat RE: starting bid $9.99, ends in 6 days, comes with 50mm Miranda lens. I have never actually heard of this camera, but apparently it’s made in Japan http://tinyurl.com/2dw5zx6

• Ricoh SLX 500 (KIT): starting bid $9.99, ends in 6 days, comes with 50mm lens (Yashica), 135mm lens (Promaster), 200mm lens (Accura), and 80-200mm lens (Sears)  These lenses are not in perfect condition (as stated by seller) but for the price I am sure 2 out of 4 work http://tinyurl.com/2cbehxk

• Canon FT-QL: starting bid $29.99, ends in 6 days, comes with 50mm Canon lens http://tinyurl.com/2f2cuwf

• Minolta XG-1: starting bid $29.99, ends in 6 days, comes with what appears to be a 50mm Minolta lens http://tinyurl.com/24suo5f

• Zenit-3M: buy it now for $35 or best offer, comes with 50mm Industar lens http://tinyurl.com/2akzhpg

• Minolta XG-M: buy it now for $40, comes with 45mm lens, appears to be in mint condition http://tinyurl.com/2esxxu2

It’s time for Ebay film camera deals, sorry for the delay but I am in wedding planning madness and just spent the last 24 hours in a Mexican standoff with my dressmaker. But hey, better late than never, nay? Besides, looking at yummy film cameras will make me feel better, which I totally need. So let’s get to it:

• Minolta XG-M (KIT): starting bid $79, ends in 2 hours, comes with 50mm, 135mm, and 28mm lenses, promatic flash, instruction manual, and bag. http://tinyurl.com/3388wec

• Olympus OM-1: current bid $46.54, ends in 7 hours, comes with 50mm lens http://tinyurl.com/2b3a2mu

• SUPER DEAL! Nikon EM (Kit): current bid $44, ends in 5 hours, comes with 50mm, 28mm, and 80-200mm lenses, lens bags, motorized bottom, hoya filter. Has serial number http://tinyurl.com/245ksun

• Canon AE-1 (KIT): current bid $25.49, ends in 8 hours, comes with camera bag, 3 rolls of film, and 80-200mm, 28-80mm lenses http://tinyurl.com/2ezeqeo

• Canon FTb QL: current bid $9.99, ends in 9 hours, comes with 70-210mm lens http://tinyurl.com/39zq9vg

• Zenit-E (Olympic Edition): buy it now for $30, ends in 24 days. I have this Russian camera from the 1980 Moscow Olympics and I love it. A definite buy. http://tinyurl.com/346pqpn

• Olympus OM-G: current bid 99 cents, ends in 1 day comes with 50mm lens http://tinyurl.com/2wnum7s

It’s Sunday, which means it’s time for Ebay film camera deals! If you asked me a question along the lines of, “What’s a good film camera for a beginner?” then the 35mm manual SLR section would be for you. I have also included some super-fabulous deals on medium format cameras for those of you who are thinking about taking it to the next level.

I must say that while doing the Ebay Deals is fun, and gets people buying cameras, it is not at all helping my camera addiction. If my life was New Jack City, I would be Pookie and Russian cameras would be my crack; I’d slide the aperture back and forth while twitching and talking to myself about optics and focal length… (And if you don’t know what New Jack City is, get on your movie research now and shame on you.) So me doing Ebay deals is EXACTLY LIKE WHEN POOKIE GOES TO WORK IN A CRACK HOUSE.

But alas, I digress… so on to the matter at hand, which would be cameras YAY!

35mm manual SLRs (good for beginners):

• Yashica Electro AX: buy it now for $25, comes with an unidentified lens but looks like a standard 50mm, circa 1973 http://tinyurl.com/2adqnwm

• Yashica Electro: minimum bid $19.95, ends in 3 days, comes with 1 lens and Vivtar flash, light meter NOT working http://tinyurl.com/268wdbo

• Yashica FX-7: current bid $7.70, comes with 35-105mm lens, lens hood, and Sun Blitz 100 flash http://tinyurl.com/25ml4bv

• Minolta X-9 (KIT): current bid $19, ends in 7 hours comes with 35-75mm and 80-200mm lenses, motorized bottom, and flashhttp://tinyurl.com/252e2lz

• Minolta SRT 100: minimum bid $49.95, ends in 10 hours, comes with 55mm and 28mm lenses http://tinyurl.com/386nxow

• Minolta x-370: minimum bid $49.99, ends in 11 hours, comes with 50mm lens http://tinyurl.com/3yujy64

• Nikon FM2 (black): yup, the black version of my dearest baby, current bid $51, ends in 15 hours, comes with 35-70mm Nikkor lens http://tinyurl.com/2vs92ow

Medium Format:

• Kiev 6C (120 SLR): current bid $75, comes with 90mm 2.8 lens; this is a medium format SLR and shoots 6x6… I also might buy it if no one else does because I am addicted to Russian cameras!! Ends in 15 hours, so jump on it http://tinyurl.com/2v5rmmj

• Pentacon Praktisix: minimum bid $45, ends in 5 days, comes with 80mm 3.5 Primotar E lens; this is a relatively rare East German made medium format SLR circa late 1950’s and it’s beautiful. I have to stop wanting to buy the Sunday Ebay Deals!!! Someone else please buy it, stop me, please http://tinyurl.com/3959x33

• Kiev 60 (TTL): buy it now for $165, this one’s a bit of a splurge but it’s Russian and NEW and this dealer has more than 10 available (which means if you guys buy them it still won’t stop me from buying one [sigh] I have a problem), comes with Arsat 80mm 2.8 lens and other goodies like a manual and batteries. Anyone looking for a solid medium format camera, this one is money http://tinyurl.com/2fxeydj

• Fujica G-690 (120 and 220): current bid $79.88, ends in 1 day 17 hours, comes with 100mm 3.5 lens, camera + lens have serial numbers, medium format and takes 120 and 220 film http://tinyurl.com/3ygbmbw

and PS: for those of you old enough - you know you totally forgot Mario Van Peebles ever even existed until I just dropped a flashback bomb on your ass

I was super busy and totally forgot to do last night’s camera deals (thanks laviebelem for reminding me) so while I wait for the stupid France Telecom guy to come to my apartment at some point between 9am and 7pm, I am scouring E-Bay to see what’s out there. Here’s what I’ve found:

• Canon AE1 Program: minimum bid $1.00, ends in 6 days, comes with 50mm 1.8 lens  http://tinyurl.com/ya8bsnq

• Zenit 11: (rangefinder) buy it now, $45, ends in 29 days. Ooooh I love Russian cameras… if this one is still here tomorrow, I might buy it… http://tinyurl.com/yj23umu

• Canon TLb: minimum bid $9.99, ends in 6 days, made in Japan w/ serial number and Japanese Canon lens http://tinyurl.com/yj3srdg

• Minolta X-370 KIT: minimum bid $39.99, ends in 6 days, comes with 3 lenses, camera bad, remote shutter release, and 6 rolls of film. US ONLY 
  http://tinyurl.com/ykvkx6t

• Canon EX EE: minimum bid $9.99, ends in 6 days, comes with 50mm 1.8 lens, flash, camera bag, and 1 roll of film http://tinyurl.com/yekvsmn

• Pentax Asahi K1000: minimum bid 99 cents, ends in 6 days, comes with 50mm lens http://tinyurl.com/yzvzhk2

• Zenit ET: $29.99 buy it now, ends in 28 days, another Russian beauty… I secretly want to buy this one too http://tinyurl.com/ycqrcl8

Splurge of the Week:

• Contax II Chrome Rangefinder: $275, ends in 9 days, this camera is BEAUTIFUL. http://tinyurl.com/yfc55fm

Okay, it’s time for Sunday Ebay Camera Deals. For those of you who ask me about good cameras for beginners, this is where I would start. Go manual, or you might as well go digital. I’ve added some rangefinders for those who might be interested, especially since there are some good deals to be had.

• Canon Canonet Rangefinder: $25, buy it now, ends in 6 days http://tinyurl.com/yzszq8g

• Olympus 35 ECR Rangefinder: $30, buy it now, ends in 6 days http://tinyurl.com/yaquj2r

• Pentax Honeywell Spotmatic: $99.95, buy it now, comes with 55mm 1.8 lens and case ( a little expensive but seems to be in fantastic condition) http://tinyurl.com/ygy6p5t

• Nikon F: $199, ends in 6 days or $299, buy it now. Comes with 50mm 1.4 lens. This is definitely the most expensive camera I have listed but it is absolutely gorgeous. I would buy it myself if I could justify the purchase. This is a good option for someone wanting to invest in a really nice film SLR http://tinyurl.com/yfv8ljk

• Pentax ASAHI Spotmatic (KIT): 99 cents, ends in 6 days, comes with: 50mm 1.4 lens, 135mm lens, 80-210mm telephoto lens, flash w/ mounting bar & AC adapter, various filters, and leather case. Obviously, 99 cents is the starting bid, but this is a pretty complete kit and is definitely worth checking out. http://tinyurl.com/y979vqw

• Yashica G Electro Rangefinder: $19.99, ends in 6 days, comes with (unusual) 45mm 1.7 lenshttp://tinyurl.com/ykxuzqk

• Praktica LTL3: $9, ends in 6 days. I had another model of this camera, it took great pictures so I gave to my niece. http://tinyurl.com/yavxnyh

AND FINALLY…….

TA DA:

• NIKON FM2: That’s right, my camera. The exact same model with the exact same lens. Obviously it is not my camera, since I would be more likely to sell my first born child than my Nikon… $99.95, ends in 6 days, comes with 50mm 1.8 lens. For all of you asking me, “What is a good SLR film camera?” THIS IS A GOOD SLR FILM CAMERA. I have had this camera for 18 years and it has never, ever, ever failed me. Ever. It’s never needed repair, I change the battery in the meter once every 7 years, and it takes flawless, beautiful photos. If someone doesn’t buy this, I’ll scream. It’s worth so much more than $99.  http://tinyurl.com/yk4l6uy