Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2003/06/06
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]"Knowing that pretty much most of the active LUG doesn't appreciate or agree with my point, I leave it as that." Kim, and list, I don't deserve any pedestal, but I couldn't agree with you more regarding the original subject (no reflection on Sonny's point). Must admit, my first thought was, "the lucky devil!" But, he should have given them much more. How much? Maybe not market value, as he couldn't know what the mechanical condition was, but $5 is ridiculous. If the guy (don't remember who the LUG member is - haven't followed the thread) sells the thing for hundreds and doesn't share the wealth ... to me, that's not right. Now, can I resist running off to Volunteers of America, and see what they're giving away? Should I? If he had shocked them with a check for $50, $300 or $500, would they start thinking every old piece of junk is worth real money? Is our old junk worth that kind of money? (Cue Pandora's box.) Or, might they get the notion that consulting an expert would be a good idea? Twenty years ago, I bought a very good-looking F2 Photomic with a 55/3.5 from a kid for $66. He brought it to the camera store where I was a clerk and was anxious to unload it, no consignment. We looked the stuff up on the list of stolen serial numbers and didn't find any matches. I asked the manager, "what do you think?" He said, "the store doesn't want it, but you could take him outside and make an offer." The kid was thrilled - so was I, because I was a kid with almost no money ($66 to be exact) myself. Two years later, the camera jammed up in the middle of a job - rusted out innards. I still use the finder and the lens. Wonder what became of the kid? He helped facilitate my photography career. Did I facilitate a career of crime? If it was stolen, did the original owner make more from insurance than the doomed camera was worth? Best wishes, Carl - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html