Back in 2008 I was lucky enough to score a complete 3-cell Graflex at a flea market for $25. http://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=34195
I was going to use it to make a new Luke ANH as my old one still has the 6 rubber grips and the 2 hole d-ring on the bottom. That $25 Graflex is still unconverted
Since then I have picked up a Graflex Clamp and a Grafflex 3-cell bottom off the RPF. All I was missing was the top to make a second complete one.
I had been meaning to pick one for a few years, but losing my job in 2013 and moving in 2014 kept me and my money busy. I had been trolling ebay on and off and the prices for a complete 3-cell Graflex were down to about $200. I had put off buying one because all I needed was the top of the flash, I kept waiting for one to be for sale in the JY.
Next thing I know the second SW EP7 teaser comes out and we all see the Luke ESB Graflex saber. I went to ebay the day the 2nd teaser came out and suddenly Graflex flashes were $300 to $800 depending on condition. I was kicking myself, I couldn't believe I had waited too long and missed out.
I spent the last few weeks doing alternative searches, such as 'vintage flash' and 'antique camera flash' hoping to find one that no one else was looking for. Weeks of daily searches, no luck.
Then I got an idea.
I found this auction:
Graflex 2X3 Medium Format camera BIN $299. Not a 3-cell but it did have a 2-cell in great shape. The Camera was in excellent condition and had lots of extras.
I bought it. When it arrived it looked like this.
I switched out the flash handle with an old Heiland I've had for about 10 years, back when we thought the Darth Vader saber was a Heiland and way before Parks was making MPP replicas. I don't remember what I paid for it but it wasn't much and it was so long ago I'm not counting it as money spent in this deal.
I removed the Graflex flash, added the Heiland flash, took pictures and re-listed the camera right back on ebay.
I could have probably listed it at $299, the same price I paid, but I wanted to guarantee it would sell so I listed it at BIN $250.
How it looked when I sold it:
So here's the math.
Camera was $299 plus shipping ended at $318.06.
Listed camera back on ebay wiht $250 BIN and it sold, total with shipping was $289.40.
I paid the $318.06 to purchase the camera and shipping and also paid $33.66 to ship it to the new buyer. But I received $289.40 when I sold it (including shipping).
$318.06 + $33.66 = $351.72 - $289.40 = I'm out $62.32 for a 2-cell Graflex flash.
And since I really only needed the top I see it as $31 for the top shell and $31 for a Graflex clamp. Best prices I've ever paid for either.
I might do this again, as I regularly see complete 4X5 Graflex cameras with a 3-cell flash for $500 that could easily be re-sold back for $500 for a free Graflex flash.
It seems the people selling only the flash know what they have and want $600 for just the flash handle. The ones still attached to cameras are being sold as cameras and you would be buying the whole thing for the same or less then just the flash. If the sellers realized how much they could get for just the flash they would sell the camera and flash separate.
It's still a gamble, if the camera doesn't sell you're stuck with it and out the money. But nothing ventured, nothing gained.
I was going to use it to make a new Luke ANH as my old one still has the 6 rubber grips and the 2 hole d-ring on the bottom. That $25 Graflex is still unconverted
Since then I have picked up a Graflex Clamp and a Grafflex 3-cell bottom off the RPF. All I was missing was the top to make a second complete one.
I had been meaning to pick one for a few years, but losing my job in 2013 and moving in 2014 kept me and my money busy. I had been trolling ebay on and off and the prices for a complete 3-cell Graflex were down to about $200. I had put off buying one because all I needed was the top of the flash, I kept waiting for one to be for sale in the JY.
Next thing I know the second SW EP7 teaser comes out and we all see the Luke ESB Graflex saber. I went to ebay the day the 2nd teaser came out and suddenly Graflex flashes were $300 to $800 depending on condition. I was kicking myself, I couldn't believe I had waited too long and missed out.
I spent the last few weeks doing alternative searches, such as 'vintage flash' and 'antique camera flash' hoping to find one that no one else was looking for. Weeks of daily searches, no luck.
Then I got an idea.
I found this auction:
Graflex 2X3 Medium Format camera BIN $299. Not a 3-cell but it did have a 2-cell in great shape. The Camera was in excellent condition and had lots of extras.
I bought it. When it arrived it looked like this.
I switched out the flash handle with an old Heiland I've had for about 10 years, back when we thought the Darth Vader saber was a Heiland and way before Parks was making MPP replicas. I don't remember what I paid for it but it wasn't much and it was so long ago I'm not counting it as money spent in this deal.
I removed the Graflex flash, added the Heiland flash, took pictures and re-listed the camera right back on ebay.
I could have probably listed it at $299, the same price I paid, but I wanted to guarantee it would sell so I listed it at BIN $250.
How it looked when I sold it:
So here's the math.
Camera was $299 plus shipping ended at $318.06.
Listed camera back on ebay wiht $250 BIN and it sold, total with shipping was $289.40.
I paid the $318.06 to purchase the camera and shipping and also paid $33.66 to ship it to the new buyer. But I received $289.40 when I sold it (including shipping).
$318.06 + $33.66 = $351.72 - $289.40 = I'm out $62.32 for a 2-cell Graflex flash.
And since I really only needed the top I see it as $31 for the top shell and $31 for a Graflex clamp. Best prices I've ever paid for either.
I might do this again, as I regularly see complete 4X5 Graflex cameras with a 3-cell flash for $500 that could easily be re-sold back for $500 for a free Graflex flash.
It seems the people selling only the flash know what they have and want $600 for just the flash handle. The ones still attached to cameras are being sold as cameras and you would be buying the whole thing for the same or less then just the flash. If the sellers realized how much they could get for just the flash they would sell the camera and flash separate.
It's still a gamble, if the camera doesn't sell you're stuck with it and out the money. But nothing ventured, nothing gained.
