If a buyer wants to buy used gear risk-free, then he has to pay premium prices. If a buyer want a collector's piece, then he has to pay collector's prices. User cameras tend to sell in the $600 range and are likely to be older models and have obvious signs of use but still function perfectly well. Collector Rolleiflex prices track with other collector camera prices, such as Leica. Collector cameras typically sell in the $1200 range and include late and/or unique models in extremely good condition. I would also say that Rolleflexes roughly divide into two categories: collector pieces and user cameras.
But ebay is also where the best deals are found because most buyers don't know how to minimize their risk, and thus are willing to buy only at reduce prices. No doubt that ebay is a riskier venue than an established camera shop no matter how much effort one puts into protecting one's self. To minimize risk, a buyer must learn how to spot bad sellers. In my opinion, to get good deals on ebay, a buyer must do their homework which includes learning the prices and minimizing risk. I would say that eBay is the best place for a savvy shopper to get a good deal on Rolleflexes. Rollei to which the seller said, "Some small things which are of no consequence to us mayīe important to you, so be sure to ask questions before bidding." Yes, the crank whichĪdvances the film and cocks the shutter was important to me as were the missing gears Watch for the guys who say, "This is an auction buddy, when it ends, you'veīought it." And it once cost me $175 to get something fixed on an otherwise "perfect"
If it has no problems, individual sellers will provide full return You might pick up something in great shape for $700 to $800 once in a while, but alwaysĭeal with someone who will say, "Unconditional Return within 5 or 10 days if you don't like To get a "bad" feedback on ebay.) This is not to say that bargains do not come along and Than 100 feedback listings to his credit which run in the 99% Positive range. Various degrees of "problems." Beware the "as is" and the "I don't know much aboutĬameras but my wife's uncle just diedc. All of the others on there at this time-and I just looked at them all-had Worth looking at a little closer: 3855060877 on ebay with 5 days to go, so it has been just More and I once paid $1800 for one in the box on ebay a few years ago. The previous poster is correct to a large extent-the really good ones go for $1000 or And in dealer-land, the prices were pretty much fixed: 3.5F = $650, 2.8F = $1300++. Still had problems, but at least they were traceable and - when push came to shove - issued a refund upon return of goods. The pictures were all mysteriously unsharp and taken from such a great distance that you couldn't see any detail (etc.)
The sellers were vague about the serial number, or else would answer Qs with "I don't know, I'm only selling it for my dad", or else they wouldn't answer at all. Yeah well - ALL the eBay deals I looked at in that five week period were BENT. Which is exactly what I ended up doing :?)ĮBay slaves will now rush to their keyboards and retort "Nonsense, I just saw a mint-in- box 2.8F for $13.50!". Sheesh! For that kind of money you may as well buy a mint condition Hasselblad 501 C/M kit. Add to these prices a proper CLA done by a competent "name" technician + a brighter focus screen, and you won't get much change from $US 1700 for a 2.8F. Good condition 2.8F's were all $US 1300 and above. The best I could find for the 3.5F was $US 600. In your opinion, what is a reasonable asking price in the USA (ebay or ) for a clean 2.8F model these days? Is it above $600?Ī few months ago I wasted 5 weeks looking for an affordable Rollieflex 3.5F or 2.8F in good condition.