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View Full Version : Black 13.5cm Finder overpriced?

SDK
08-18-2006, 18:45
Hi, I have my eye on a Nikon Black 13.5cm Finder at a local camera shop. It's been there since at least the year 2000. I've recently got a 135mm/3.5 black LTM lens for my M7, and thought the finder might be good for long distance framing (the M7 135 view being rather small). However, the shop has a tag asking $475 US for the finder and case, which seems very high. I saw that one like it sold recently on Ebay for just $89. Should I offer them a low price and see if they will haggle?
venchka
08-18-2006, 19:16
Does brand matter? I got a black Canon 135 finder on ebay for $10 back in the spring. I'm not selling, just letting you know what's out there.
FrankS
08-18-2006, 19:16
For some reason, actually because of collectors, Nikon finder prices are stupid high. Find one by another manufacturer for less than $75.
colyn
08-18-2006, 19:18
Hi, I have my eye on a Nikon Black 13.5cm Finder at a local camera shop. It's been there since at least the year 2000. I've recently got a 135mm/3.5 black LTM lens for my M7, and thought the finder might be good for long distance framing (the M7 135 view being rather small). However, the shop has a tag asking $475 US for the finder and case, which seems very high. I saw that one like it sold recently on Ebay for just $89. Should I offer them a low price and see if they will haggle?

I always try haggling. Sometimes I win sometimes I lose.. :rolleyes:
I do agree $475 is a bit steep.
venchka
08-18-2006, 19:19
For some reason, actually because of collectors, Nikon finder prices are stupid high. Find one by another manufacturer for less than $75.

Or even a WHOLE lot less! :)
colyn
08-18-2006, 19:26
Or even a WHOLE lot less! :)

I picked up a Steinheil universal finder (Leica copy) on ebay a while back for $2 + $4.75 shipping
dexdog
08-18-2006, 19:34
The black Canon 135 brightlines are really nice and bright, if you are looking for a user. If you are chasing a Nikon collectible, $300 to $400 is in the typical eBay range.
venchka
08-18-2006, 19:41
The black Canon 135 brightlines are really nice and bright, if you are looking for a user.

I totally agree! However, on any body other than the late Canons, there is no parallax correction.
dexdog
08-18-2006, 19:44
I totally agree! However, on any body other than the late Canons, there is no parallax correction.

Good point- the later black versions do not have parallax correction.
venchka
08-18-2006, 19:52
Good point- the later black versions do not have parallax correction.

They do have automatic parallax correction-but only on Canon bodies.
SDK
08-19-2006, 04:59
Thanks guys. Well I'll try haggling, because it is a cool looking finder. Hopefully, since it's been there for years and years, they'll be open to letting it go at half price or less. If not, I'll keep my eye out for an alternative. Even the Leica one would not be bad, and probably cheaper.
Ronald M
08-19-2006, 05:15
Priced as a collector item. Leica 135 BL are pleantyful and bright and give a life size image ( slightly larger than an M3 135 frame). It also tips on it`s foot for close shots.
Ash
08-19-2006, 05:45
supply and demand really.

I'd go for a cheaper one, as long as the lines are bright and its usable, you shouldn't be complaining with a price tag 10% of that one in the shop
NIKON KIU
08-19-2006, 10:39
The Nikon Brightline finders(black) command premium prices, but $475.00 is over the top!
the regular chrome finders go for much less, around $20-$40
The black ones should be in the $200-$300 range.
No wonder its sitting there for 5 years.
KIU
Didier
08-19-2006, 11:49
Nikon VF's are mostly collectables. But even KevinCamera, a collector's place usually not known for bargains, list them for about half the price. Look here, second page (http://kevincameras.com/gallery/albuq17).

I have two black Canon 135mm viewfinders and am satisfied with, one with the manual parallax correction wheel, and one with the automatic parallax correction for the Canon VT. Optically they seem to be the same. Their 1:1 magnification allows two-eyed framing. View is clear. One finder came with the black Canon 135mm lens and original hood for all together $100. The other one, sold "as is" because the frameline was tilted, costed $20. Aligning the frameline took me 5 minutes.

But I would not recommend the older chrome, "long-tubed" viewfinders of Canon. I had a 135 and a 85, both were rather squinty and I resold them. The black ones were a great improvement.

Didier
Nando
08-19-2006, 11:58
I just paid $150 for a mint Leitz SHOOC 135 finder in its original box and I thought that was steep.
BillBingham2
08-20-2006, 19:14
I have a Nikon 105 and a Canon 135, both are great. You really need to be carful with the Canons as the ones without manual paralax adjustment will not work with most cameras without an adapter. I have only seen one on ebay in years of watching.

I got my Canon for sub $100 and the Nikon for over $200. Brightline finders are the way to go, well worth the extra money.

Another option is a Sports or Wire finder (e.g. RASAL Leica), I love them. The Nikon ones are very collectable, but you can find a deal on the Leica ones from time to time.

105mm are very hard to find, but 135 you have lots of options (e.g. Leica, Canon, Nikon).

A great finder for 35 and 85 is an old Kodak. It does not work on Bessas without a double foot adapter as it sits over the shutter speed dial. But on a S2, it works fine.

B2 (;->