Anybody buy from this guy?

Henricus · 09-06-2003

Has anyone here done business with SOVIETFOTO on ebay? He has a lot of FSU cameras, stuff and watches. Fairly decent prices, some crap, but overall I like his wares.

SolaresLarrave · 09-06-2003

Henricus, if you're interested on Russian rangefinders, I got this website through a PopPhoto forum member:

http://www.sovietcamera.com.ua/

The owner seems a pretty reasonable person, and, if you compare it with some of the charges you face at eBay, the gear is nicely priced. Good luck!

Henricus · 09-06-2003

Thanks Francisco, I've not bought from this guy before, but I have checked him out. I have a list of reliable sellers and I was hoping to add Sovietfoto to my list, but before I did I wanted to hear from real customers. If you are interested I have bought many cameras and lenses from the following:

I've bought more stuff from this guy than anyone else and I have always been satisfied.
Alex Photo

This Ukrainian bombshell can find just about any camera you want and is very honest. I bought my first camera from her and many bodies for parts and lens from this beauty.
Anya of Odessa

This fella is based in New York and runs an honest business. Although he is more expensive than most FSU sellers, his stuff is top notch.
FEDKA

I haven't bought any cameras from this guy, but I have had three cameras and a lens worked on by him. He does excellent work and is very cheap!
Oleg Khalyavin

This guy is based in the Ukraine and sells custom Kiev 88CMs. I bought the ARAX-MLU-SE with Italian leather from him. She is a doll and works like a champ!
Arax

My list is too long, but these are my favorites if anyone else is interested.

Rich Silfver · 09-06-2003

Here's another vote for Fedka. I bought a Lubitel 166U from him without any trouble whatsoever.

Henricus · 09-06-2003

Comrades,
I just got the news that Sovietfoto is the old Auswise on *bay. I have never bought from him, but I have heard pretty horrible stories about doing business with this fella. I'm staying away.

taffer · 09-08-2003

Hi!,

from the sites I find mentioned here, I can give my 2 cents about:

- Anya of Odessa , the beauty of Odessa, I got my first FSU RF (FED-2) from her too

, as well as my Jupiter-12. Nice, honest and communicative, you can't ask for more !

- SovietCamera , got My Lubitel 166 Universal there. Good price, communication and service.

No deals made with the others... yet

Cheers,

taffer · 11-06-2003

The search feature of the forum has proved to be very useful !

I was looking at some auctions from the seller Sovietfoto but remembered reading some info about him here. After reading Henricus comments I think me and my wallet are better staying away... maybe the reputation is undeserved, but anyway I prefer not to risk my money without necessity.

But in order to increase the list of possitive experiences, I've had good deals from dvdtechnik (Mint Kiev 4AM) and holms@ok.net.ua (Zorki 3M).

Holms had a lot of interesting stuff, but since a couple of months ago his auction list is empty, I wonder why.

jdos2 · 11-07-2003

I've bought from both Anya and Oleg. The Kiev 4 bought from Anya is a great camera- but the flash sync doesn't work so I'm sending it in for repair (NOT a solder problem, sadly). The Moskva-5 from Oleg works perfectly (I've posted a picture in the Folder forum), and I've ordered a Kiev-4 from him- to be delivered sometime next week, G-d willing!

There have been a couple other e-Bay sellers from which I've bought, with good luck- those orders were Kiev/Contax mount lenses.

Of course, when I buy from e-Bay, any transaction across the ocean, I look at it as money to be thrown away. I realize that though I might be able to get money back, or a replacement, I shouldn't bet on it, and I can't get angry about it.

taffer · 11-08-2003

Quote:

Of course, when I buy from e-Bay, any transaction across the ocean, I look at it as money to be thrown away. I realize that though I might be able to get money back, or a replacement, I shouldn't bet on it, and I can't get angry about it.

100% agree. There's nothing completely risk-free in this life, that's why the 'no more than $50' rule is useful

It's all about bussiness, after all...