$1.99 camera worth fixing?

[mdcarma]

I was buying some caps, and crap from KEH when I found this little sucker for $1.99, BGN shutter inop. Couldn't pass it up, considering what they've been selling for on ebay.



Everything except the shutter seems to work, but it's been my limited experience that without the shutter it's only a paper weight.  Time to break out the power tools and rip into it.

[iggers]

It all depends on what you mean by "worth fixing." Or rather, how much it costs to get it fixed.

If a talented amateur is willing to fix it for $30, and you pay that plus shipping back and forth, you've got a sweet little camera at an ok price.

If you pay $120, you may have overpaid.

Finding someone who can fix it for less than $120 (which figure I picked out of the air) may be tricky.

[Don Mckeith]

Well,I did finally get my $5.00 Signet 35 working(hat tip-Dean Williams).

it took me a can and a half of Ronsonol and half a box of Q-tips,but it's up and running like new.I don't know what the problem is with yours,but you might start there. Outside of your time it's a couple of dollar fix.

[Scott]

If I can fix anything, you can fix that.  Give it a shot.

[derevaun]

I don't have either of the Tomosy books on hand, but I recall that he has useful tips for a lot of specific cameras, plus in depth discussion on repairing cameras that are exemplary of various types, and good general advice. I keep checking them out from the local library. I think he at least mentioned the Petri Color 35. Even if you can't fix it, they go for upwards of $20 as parts-repair cameras. Good luck!

[Peter Evans]

Two bucks?!

Here in post-bubble, deflationary Japan working examples go for one hundred times that price. They're the objects of a minor cult.

Years and years and years ago, I think while Petri still (just about) existed and the idea of the most minor of cults for any Petri would have been thought of as a very strange joke, I found an unloved black one (yes, more cultish) with a dud meter for $30 or $40 or so. I bought it, used it a little, forgot about it, even lost it (it's small enough). I discovered it when I moved house last year. Ugh, what a mess: misty finder, jammed shutter, etc.

So I sent it to Dean and he fixed it for me (aside from the meter, which I'd written off anyway, and an oddity about frame counting that doesn't worry me). Thank you, Dean! My "brassed" (ugly) mostly-black Petri has just finished a course of sunbathing (mildew-killing) and I'm about to use it today.

Finding someone who can fix it for less than $120 (which figure I picked out of the air) may be tricky.

Dean gave me quite a bit of change from my outlay of $120.

[Glenn Thoreson]

Is it a leaf shutter? If so, you can always send it up here to the camera spa. Did you get yer package? I have another one to send.