Thrift Store Score

[Ysarex]

Stopped by the Goodwill while out running errands today. In the back was an old 60's vintage Besseler 23C complete. I rather awkwardly got it perched on a cart and headed up to the checkout where I had some fun. They had it priced for $9.99 "as is" -- they had no idea what it was. I explained what it was and paid my $10.00 bucks and they asked if I wanted help getting it to the car. I said, "nope you're keepin' it. I'm donating it and you can take it right straight to back as soon as I get this." And I reached over and removed the absolutely near-mint 5 cm f/2.8 El Nikkor lens -- remember the old ones in the all metal barrel, beautiful! (I left the lens board). I said, "you can go right ahead and sell it again." They asked me what it was worth and I told them, "this lens is worth $45.00 -- if you want me to haul that thing you'll have to give me my $10.00 back." I reassured them that someone out there wanted it and they could probably get another $10.00 eventually.

Got home and popped the lens straight onto my camera. It was getting dim but I got this snap of a baby apple on one of our apple trees.

Joe

 

[limr]

Nice!

 

[Derrel]

Cool story, and a nice score on the lens.

 

[Gary A.]

Gotta love the Nikkors of old.

 

[Jeff15]

Nice one...

 

[480sparky]

Suh-WEET!

 

[smoke665]

I have spent several hours in scouring thrift stores and you guys are always finding things. All I ever find is junk!!!

Congratulations on the find!!!!!!!

 

[Ysarex]

I have spent several hours in scouring thrift stores and you guys are always finding things. All I ever find is junk!!!

Congratulations on the find!!!!!!!

You need two things: thrift stores located where they'll attract quality donations and persistence. My wife and I hit a couple of them pretty much weekly. Usually it's a fairly quick stop, but without the regular persistence then when something does turn up someone else will get it. I try and combine a thrift store hit with another errand like a run to the pharmacy.

Joe

 

[smoke665]

thrift stores located where they'll attract quality donations and persistence. My wife and

It seems as if the larger thrift stores like Salvation Army and Goodwill have become much more sophisticated in recognizing an items value and using things like Ebay, and now even running their own online auctions ShopSalvationArmy and shopgoodwill.com to market anything of value. When you go to the stores it's mostly junk. The smaller independent stores might be more of an option, and as you say "you have to be there at the right time".