Expert: John Oliverio - 4/1/2009

Question
I have an old Zenit-E camera with case. It has a Hellos-44-2 lens. Both the camera and the case look to be in very good shape. I would like to be able to know more about the camera and if it is worth anything I also have an old Minolta XE-7 black body with a Rokkor-X 1:14 f=50mm lens. The case is pretty beat up but the camera body is xlnt

Answer
Wendell,

The Zenti is a Russian 35mm camera from the mid to late 60's.  It ended production in 1968.  Unfortunately 35mm cameras haven't much value anymore.  It's probably worth about $35 USD.  Though I wouldn't part with mine because I actually got it off of a Russian sailor while I was on liberty in Singapore.  (memories...  yeah). Also, they are a pain to use.

The Minolta is a usable camera.  And the black body makes it worth a little more.  With the lens you have, I would hold out for a hopeful $80 to $120.  If it has a fitted leather case that is beat up...  check the inside of the case for condition.  It probably has a felt lining.  If that comes of on your hand, or if you see ANY bald spots in the felt, get rid of the case.  It will be doing more harm than good.

If you want to read about either camera in detail, I just learned about a cool site.  Camerapedia!

http://www.camerapedia.org/wiki/Zenit_E for the russian camera
http://www.camerapedia.org/wiki/Minolta_XE for the Minolta.

John