What to do with Vietnam era cameras and lenses?
Apr 17, 2019 08:53:48 #
He can sell the lenses on ebay, possibly the Spotmatic body with a lens attached. With the advent of mirrorless systems there has been a new interest in old glass, Takumar lenses are well respected but do not generally command big dollars.
Apr 17, 2019 08:55:07 #
The Pentax Spotmatic is still a good camera in my opinion. The Yashica I don't think it's of the Vietnam era. It's much newer.
Apr 17, 2019 08:56:08 #
Dan Mc wrote:
Donate them to a VA Hospital, any of the VA Regional Offices, or someplace else where they may displayed a memorabilia of that era.
Another good idea
Apr 17, 2019 08:58:09 #
genocolo wrote:
A good friend brought a Yashika and Pentax cameras and lenses back from Vietnam. He asked me what I thought he should do with them. They need a little cleaning up but are like brand new. Is there a market for them? What are your suggestions? Thanks.
What is the lens that in your picture is between the Takumar 35mm f/3.5 and the zoom lens, you never know the value of those lenses, ie, a Pentax 30mm can be worth well over $200, just depends on the particular lens. I am thinking that the lens I am asking about is a wide angle, I am wondering what manufacturer and focal length.
Apr 17, 2019 09:46:10 #
If any of those lenses are Yashica (Yashinon) they are some of the best glass of the era. Any prime Yashinon lens should be an excellent candidate for mirrorless. The mounts were called Yashica/Contax. Super glass. Likely better than the Takumar lens. Is any of the lens inventory Yashinon... I might be interested.
Apr 17, 2019 10:51:52 #
RV
Loc: Chicago
I am a Vietnam Vet. When I came back from Nam someone stole my Yashica Electro 35 Rangefinder. I loved this camera and provided excellent images throughout my tour.
It was a very well built and sturdy camera as I was a grunt and basically lived in the jungle or a fire base all during my tour. If anyone should have one they may like to sell I would be interested.
Thanks
It was a very well built and sturdy camera as I was a grunt and basically lived in the jungle or a fire base all during my tour. If anyone should have one they may like to sell I would be interested.
Thanks
Apr 17, 2019 11:09:29 #
tankdonovan
Loc: Tennessee
I bought a Pentax Spotmatic when I was in Viet Nam. After about 3 months it developed a shutter problem. Dragging with a dark line. As I can remember it took pretty good pictures. Best used on manual. Not match needle. That picture of the Spotmatic brings back memories. Some good some bad.
Apr 17, 2019 11:54:28 #
Apr 17, 2019 12:12:31 #
Harry0 wrote:
Clean them.
Buy film.
Take pictures.
Enjoy.
Buy film.
Take pictures.
Enjoy.
It is likely that they need more than a good cleaning if they've been unused for long, particularly with batteries in them.
I agree that the Pentax is a worthwhile project - even with only the normal 50 f/1.4 lens. The Yashica is much later and of much poorer quality, and any Yashinon lenses likely date from the same era.
If the poster is interested in restoring one or both cameras to working order and checking out the lenses, there are many here who can help. If not, given the lack of interest that you will find from schools and even veterans' groups for these units, then I think eBay or listing here is the best bet. I know there are UHH members who'd be tempted by a working Spotmatic with good glass. I hate to see good gear rotting away in a closet or donated to a program that didn't really want or need it, where it will suffer the same fate.
Andy
Apr 17, 2019 12:20:09 #
genocolo
Loc: Vail and Gasparilla Island
AndyH wrote:
It is likely that they need more than a good clean... (show quote)
Thanks to you and everyone who has made suggestions. I have transmitted all this info to the owner and leave it up to him. We will probably list it on uhh although one member has already suggested he might be interested. I am waiting to hear from owner who took the items back to his home.
Apr 17, 2019 12:22:31 #
jaycoffman
Loc: San Diego
When I moved and lost room I donated my antique (and somewhat antique) camera collection to the local community college photography department. They still have them up as part of their entry exhibit and I feel they are better there than in my house anyway.
Apr 17, 2019 13:09:52 #
mas24
Loc: Southern CA
Asahi Pentax. I haven't seen one of those film cameras since the mid to late 1970s. I use to borrow my father's Minolta SRT-101, and saw occasionally, the Pentax cameras. Not as popular as Nikon or Canon during that era. But, were fine cameras, as well.
Apr 17, 2019 13:36:52 #
Apr 17, 2019 13:44:02 #
LOL... I purchased a mirrorless camera to go with my vintage lenses coz many can not be used on my Canons.....
Apr 17, 2019 16:02:18 #
Well, gen, the Yashica was introduced in 1987 by Kyocera using the Yashica name. It is a model 230 AF. IT wasn't a big success from what I have read. If your friend thinks he brought it back from Viet Nam all I can say is that there was a lot of "organic stimulation" going on over there and it wasn't kind to the memories of many people!
I had a Yashica TL Super with two lenses that I bought in 'Nam. I ended up giving them to a collector.
I had a Yashica TL Super with two lenses that I bought in 'Nam. I ended up giving them to a collector.
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