You're going to hate me (thrift store entry to LFP)

[MILC Toast]

So I was going through a local thrift store today and I saw a large Calimar hard case. Being curious I opened it and it contained a Sinar view camera.

It's Swiss, it's in a hard case and zip-tied to the handle are the keys and a price tag saying $119.99.

Then it gets better, at the checkout it gives me a cyber monday 50% discount so my total with tax was around $65.

Then it gets better still. On the right side of the case there is the rail clamp, two shutter release cables (one locking for long exposures), a couple boxes with plastics in them (one like a periscope) and a Polaroid back.

In the middle there is the camera with lens and it seems to be the hood and a light proof bag for loading film cartridges underneath.

On the left there is an 8x Afga Loupe, an anti-static lens brush, a bunch of film cartridges and a spare lens board with lens.

Do you hate me yet?

It seems like a pretty complete setup, the only thing I notice missing is a rail extension but it seems like those go for $40-60 used pretty often.

Any way, I have wanted to use a field camera since the 1990s but digital photography quickly became affordable and my last few cameras were a Sony A7ii and a Sony a5100, both MILC cameras with E-mount lenses, pretty nice but not pro level by any means.

I will probably give this camera a shot and depending on how much fun I have, I'll either keep it or see if I can sell it for a profit.

I haven't really identified all the pieces to determine the model or age but looking at Google, it seems like a used body goes for around $200 without the case, lenses, Polaroid back, etc., so I think I've got at least $400 worth of camera on my hands, not bad for $65.

[Vaughn]

I found an original Diana camera at a thrift store. The shutter worked, so I bought it. The price tag was a buck, but they had a sale and I got it for 75 cents.

Not quite a Swiss 4x5, but I was stoked!

[MILC Toast]

I'm not familiar with those but you seem to be using it so you're ahead of me for now.

[djdister]

Yes, I do hate you already. I've done thrift store shopping for 50 years and the days of finding really nice cameras for cheap ended about 30 years ago. Certainly Goodwill has figured out how to cull the collectible or decent cameras and sell them on their website rather than in a local store.

But congrats or something! Post some photos of your find for additional hate...

[maltfalc]

i would hate you, but i've had better luck than that this year. got around half a grand worth of pentax gear and a nice leather camera bag for $50, an 18" f/3.8 projector lens for free, a pair of lumedyne system 244 flashes that would cost around $4000 new for free because they needed new batteries, 7 beat up 8x10 film holders that i should be able to turn into 6 useable ones for $60, a polaroid sx-70 w/ case and flash for $10... i'll shut up now.

[jhon]

sinar P or F?
it really lucky any way

[Vaughn]

I'm not familiar with those but you seem to be using it so you're ahead of me for now.

One of the original toy cameras...pre-Holga. A classic, but not a Sinar! There probably were no new Sinar assessories that cost less than a new Diana camera...:cool:

[MILC Toast]

I do not know.

I'm going to try to post photos:

The case: 233049

Inside: 233050

Polaroid back, spare lens, short shutter release: 233051

This seems to be how the periscope thing works: 233052

The film side of the camera: 233053

The lens side: 233054

[BrianShaw]

Congratulations... great find!

Welcome to the forum!!!

[Daniel Unkefer]

Over $2000 original cost Swiss equipment. The 210 Komura is a great starter lens, highly underrated IMO. The Reflex Mag takes some getting used to, some love it, some hate it. So try it :)

If you want to learn precision view camera movements, the Sinar F has some very nice (at the time patented) aids which make it easy and precise if you are into that. Also makes a darn good field camera expandable on and on. Has a depth of field indicator, and angle tilt/swing calculator. Nice

[MILC Toast]

So it looks like a Sinar F?

I'm just completely unfamiliar.

The second lens is a 150mm f6.3 Rodenstock Geronar.

The Reflex Mag, is that the periscope thing?

I have a lot of learning to do before I buy film and try taking photos.

[Daniel Unkefer]

Yep F or F+.

You can download the original instruction book here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/morozgrafix/8372573088

I just tried it and it worked; If I were you I would print it out

[MILC Toast]

So I looked up the reflex mag. It seems like it should erect the image. Will left and right be reversed?

I didn't take out the hood or what I think is a film loading bag but it does have an 8x Loupe so I can try both types of focus.

I should also mention it has about a dozen film holders.

[MILC Toast]

Thanks for the link to the instructions.

If you know of a set for the Reflex Mag, I think I would like to read how it is supposed to be used also.

[j.e.simmons]

I’ll offer you $80 for a nice profit.

[domaz]

If your in this hobby long enough and go to sales regularly you will get very good deals. It's very obscure knowledge we LFF'ers have and some of the equipment is not especially easy to Google which works to our advantage.

[MILC Toast]

I’ll offer you $80 for a nice profit.

Sounds good but shipping and handling is going to be $920.00

[MILC Toast]

Well, since I'm going on about thrift store finds, I can mention another.

Around a year ago I was looking in a thrift store and I found a Gitzo tripod. It's carbon fiber and it has a big Arca Swiss ball head on it.

I almost left it there because one of the leg sections was missing but I looked through the bin it was in and I found the missing piece. The price I paid: $13.99.

Original price was around $1,100. It was Gitzo's first carbon fiber tripod model so it's a bit of a historical curiosity too. I think everything works. I have been meaning to tear it down for a cleaning and tune up but it works so I haven't yet.

Any way, more to hate...

[Dugan]

"Chance favors the prepared mind".....

[Jody_S]

Nice find. You could easily flip it for a tidy profit, but I hope you take it for a spin and see if you like large format first.

My best find this year was a nearly mint Rolleicord V for CAD $15. I probably could have haggled the guy down to $10, but I didn't.

[Tin Can]

No Hate from me

Lots of LF gear was binned from 2008 till almost now

We old folk are dying off and soon deals will return

if you are ready

[Havoc]

Great find! And even better that it went to someone that has interest in it, not a dealer that would just snap it up and sell for a huge profit. Haven't seen a camera in a thrift shop for years. Not even an Instamatic...

[Tin Can]

I now stay out of thrift, GoodWill, etc

Chicago had huge warehouses full of odd things

The massive fabric warehouse was an artist delight

I would buy USA made Schwinns for nothing

Old console TV and big record players

NOS 78's, so many the car groaned

Books, tables, whatever

I love old stuff and people

[Dugan]

No hate here...
But I'd give you a dirty look if you were in front of me in the checkout line. :)