I buy all of my used film cameras from KEH. They have a great return policy, excellent standard warranty, and the ability to add an additional warranty for eligible items.
Of course it depends on many things: How much you know about film cameras, where you live, your budget and luck. I work in a film lab, and we sell and repair cameras in our store. Of course the prices are higher, but you're not just buying a camera, you're buying a working machine that is tested and has a warranty, and needless to say we spend endless hours guiding, giving advice and educating. We love film cameras, we are really passionated about it, and we want everybody to love them too (and not regreting buying them)
Used Photo Pro (Robert’s Camera, Indianapolis) is another great resource. Bought my first new SLR, Canon AE-1 from them in 1978. My camera and Robert’s is still going strong!
I can say that KEH is an excellent place to make a purchase. I recently bought a big lense, my first, a 200mm 2.5 and it was listed as a bargain. When I received it I could find no flaw or fault. It was sold with no caps, I was aware of this and they included a nice lense bag. I was thrilled.
I second that. I've gotten 3 bodies and 4 lenses from them, all but one lens were bargain graded. All of them have were in great shape, some dents and scratches but most importantly all work perfectly. As someone who isn't into collecting I'd rather just spend a little more for verified quality and functionality.
I’ve always had good luck getting from eBay especially in Europe, the best quality cameras I’ve got however are imports from Japan and they are usually pretty transparent about the condition too
I live in Southern California the second largest market in the USA the local Pentax camera dealer in the area stocks nothing for Pentax except reconditioned K1000 cameras for around $250.00-$ 300..00 with a 50mm lens It is a shame I have to buy later Pentax lenses sight unseen or special order them from the dealer
I love thrift stores, but one store I always avoid is Goodwill. They routinely redirect anything even halfway decent to their auction site, leaving the dregs to their stores... at inflated prices. I'm lucky to live in Atlanta, where I can drop in to KEH to pick up anything I like on their site, or if I'm lazy, shipping is nearly always 1- or 2-days tops.
I wish I could say the only camera store left in Dallas was great, but it's very hit-and-miss. I got roasted for using a Spotmatic by the owner who just hates them. I took my K1000 for bumper and light seal replacement and this is where it got fun. The bumper was way too thick and the mirror would get stuck. I took it back and the repair guy got angry with me and argued that it was fine. He reluctantly trimmed it down but the mirror was still sticking. Second trip back, another argument about him jacking up the mirror. I actually trimmed the bumper more because of this exchange. Then the owner, who hates spotmatics, argued with me that their tech didn't mess up the timing of the shutter despite my insistence that it worked fine when I brought it. I had to pay to get it fixed. Did I mention this is the only store left in Dallas that services film cameras? Ugh.
I’ve heard most goodwills do not sell cameras or much electronics in the store. They use there auction site for all cameras. Each goodwill ships out auction orders.
I bought my Canon Scoopic from the trunk of a barely held together Buick Century in the parking lot of a Fry’s out in Sun City from a guy who seemed to speak exclusively in grunts so Craig and I go WAY back 😂
The camera that started me on taking apart and fixing old cameras was a black OM-1 that my wife pulled out of the bins of a goodwill outlet for probably $1. If you're not familiar, picture a massive room packed with 8'x15'x2' plastic bins filled with random stuff, half of witch is broken (people wear gloves to protect themselves from the broken glass). The OM-1 had no lens, but miraculously had no damage to the mirror or focusing screen. That camera works perfectly now and is a joy to shoot with. Now I bottom feed goodwill online, assuming the cameras will be broken. I've found some smokin' deals on stuff that I couldn't afford otherwise, but there has been some total write-offs too (and a big box full of bundled detritus). If you want a working camera, don't waste your time and money on goodwill. If you want to fill a cabinet with Minolta SRTs in various states of repair, than go somewhere else 'cuz that's my honey hole 😜.
I buy all of my used film cameras from KEH. They have a great return policy, excellent standard warranty, and the ability to add an additional warranty for eligible items.
I’ve been lucky with goodwill and flea market just got a Nikkormat FTn with Nikkor H auto 50mm 1:2 lens for 30$ Canadian
Of course it depends on many things: How much you know about film cameras, where you live, your budget and luck. I work in a film lab, and we sell and repair cameras in our store. Of course the prices are higher, but you're not just buying a camera, you're buying a working machine that is tested and has a warranty, and needless to say we spend endless hours guiding, giving advice and educating. We love film cameras, we are really passionated about it, and we want everybody to love them too (and not regreting buying them)
Used Photo Pro (Robert’s Camera, Indianapolis) is another great resource. Bought my first new SLR, Canon AE-1 from them in 1978. My camera and Robert’s is still going strong!
They are a great resource as well, kind of in the same vein as Kamerastore so great suggestion, thank you!
Yes, they are excellent.
eBay from Japan!
I can say that KEH is an excellent place to make a purchase. I recently bought a big lense, my first, a 200mm 2.5 and it was listed as a bargain. When I received it I could find no flaw or fault. It was sold with no caps, I was aware of this and they included a nice lense bag. I was thrilled.
I second that. I've gotten 3 bodies and 4 lenses from them, all but one lens were bargain graded. All of them have were in great shape, some dents and scratches but most importantly all work perfectly. As someone who isn't into collecting I'd rather just spend a little more for verified quality and functionality.
I'll third it. I've always been pleased with them.
I’ve always had good luck getting from eBay especially in Europe, the best quality cameras I’ve got however are imports from Japan and they are usually pretty transparent about the condition too
take this down NOW! ! !
I live in Southern California the second largest market in the USA the local Pentax camera dealer in the area stocks nothing for Pentax except reconditioned K1000 cameras for around $250.00-$ 300..00 with a 50mm lens
It is a shame I have to buy later Pentax lenses sight unseen or special order them from the dealer
I love thrift stores, but one store I always avoid is Goodwill. They routinely redirect anything even halfway decent to their auction site, leaving the dregs to their stores... at inflated prices.
I'm lucky to live in Atlanta, where I can drop in to KEH to pick up anything I like on their site, or if I'm lazy, shipping is nearly always 1- or 2-days tops.
I wish I could say the only camera store left in Dallas was great, but it's very hit-and-miss. I got roasted for using a Spotmatic by the owner who just hates them. I took my K1000 for bumper and light seal replacement and this is where it got fun. The bumper was way too thick and the mirror would get stuck. I took it back and the repair guy got angry with me and argued that it was fine. He reluctantly trimmed it down but the mirror was still sticking. Second trip back, another argument about him jacking up the mirror. I actually trimmed the bumper more because of this exchange. Then the owner, who hates spotmatics, argued with me that their tech didn't mess up the timing of the shutter despite my insistence that it worked fine when I brought it. I had to pay to get it fixed. Did I mention this is the only store left in Dallas that services film cameras? Ugh.
"camera stores...
Those kinda do still exist..."
Muahahahahaha! Bwahahaha hahahahaha!
The closest proper camera store to me is Nashville, TN. It'd be fun to go visit one, but doubtful I can afford much of anything.
I’ve heard most goodwills do not sell cameras or much electronics in the store. They use there auction site for all cameras. Each goodwill ships out auction orders.
I've bought guns in Cabela's parking lots found from Craigslist. Your comment on Craigslist is soooo appropriate.
I bought my Canon Scoopic from the trunk of a barely held together Buick Century in the parking lot of a Fry’s out in Sun City from a guy who seemed to speak exclusively in grunts so Craig and I go WAY back 😂
@@RompingBronco 16mm non-sync camera.
The camera that started me on taking apart and fixing old cameras was a black OM-1 that my wife pulled out of the bins of a goodwill outlet for probably $1. If you're not familiar, picture a massive room packed with 8'x15'x2' plastic bins filled with random stuff, half of witch is broken (people wear gloves to protect themselves from the broken glass). The OM-1 had no lens, but miraculously had no damage to the mirror or focusing screen. That camera works perfectly now and is a joy to shoot with. Now I bottom feed goodwill online, assuming the cameras will be broken. I've found some smokin' deals on stuff that I couldn't afford otherwise, but there has been some total write-offs too (and a big box full of bundled detritus). If you want a working camera, don't waste your time and money on goodwill. If you want to fill a cabinet with Minolta SRTs in various states of repair, than go somewhere else 'cuz that's my honey hole 😜.
You must be the person I’m always fighting on Minoltas for 😂
@@KeiFresh I've slowed down lately. But a few months ago, probably.
KEH Camera & Thrift Stores : )