Why, was this camera worth $458! I just cannot figure it out! Take a look and lets discuss it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=513942970&ed=976134637

Konica Autoreflex T4 and 50/1.4 Hexanon Item #513942970

Konica Autoreflex T4 and 50/1.4 Hexanon

Currently $458.00 First bid $59.00 Quantity 1 # of bids 19 bid history Time left Auction has ended. Location Carlisle, Pa. Country/Region USA/Philadelphia Started Nov-29-00 12:30:37 PST mail this auction to a friend Ends Dec-06-00 12:30:37 PST request a gift alert Seller (Rating) carlislcam (550) view comments in seller's Feedback Profile | view seller's other auctions | ask seller a question High bid miloptik2001 (1)

You are bidding on a used Konica autoreflex T4 with a 50mm 1.4 lens. This camera is used but in great working order, as is the self timer and light meter. We are a dealer so you can buy with confidence. See our feedbacks for reference. Please note: We do give negative feedback to bidders who do not honor their bid and purchase commitment. Please ask questions prior to bidding.

-- Anonymous, December 07, 2000

Answers

Maybe not a complete explanation, but this and an overpriced lens (Item #513324328) are/were being fought over by bidders from Japan. This is becoming commonplace in bidding for "vintage" cameras. I say let them put their money in our economy!

-- Anonymous, December 07, 2000

It's the same bidders on both items

I see the two final bidders are the dame on both items.

This one may be a little over the top, but I can better understand a high bid on a mint condition Hexanon 57/1.2 than on a questionable T4 with a 50/1.4! There was a 28/1.8 that went through the roof lately, and a 400/5.6 without a tripod collar (just try hand holding that puppy).

Heck, I've paid *a little* more than I should on a couple things (21/2.8 and 100/2.8, both NIB)

Cheers

Alan

-- Anonymous, December 07, 2000

$458! I'm baffled...

This makes no sense. The final buyer appears to have a Japanese e-mail address. I recently sold a rare, ultra clean, top of the line Mamiya SLR to a Japanese buyer, met a Japanese collector's agent at a photo show here in Calif., have a good friend in the import/export business to Japan and am heavily involved in the collector car market myself... limited experience it's true, but IMHO, overseas collectors are generally much more astute than the average bidder!

All I can think is maybe an agent who was given a buy at any price order from a collector, or a fake buyer playing games with us! Any practical jokers on this BB?

Heck, maybe I'll put my T4s up for auction and downgrade to Leica Rs!

Cheers!

Alan

-- Anonymous, December 07, 2000

Craziness

Hmmm.

And, this same bidder went to $66 on a broken Topcon lens. My local dealer Nikon collector) told me recently about a NIB lenshood for an early Nikon RF that went to $5,550.00. Two bidders went nuts on it. He also sold that 28mm f1.8 Hexanon, and was quite happy to do so.

-jwk-

-- Anonymous, December 08, 2000