Cameras/Aires 35 IIIL; Universal Roamer II , Konica FS-1
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Question
I was wondering if you could provide me the with approximate values for the following cameras:
Aires 35 IIIL w/box, instruction manual and leather case (strap is broken). It also has some kind of Walz flash unit that I believe goes with it and red, green and yellow filters. This is in very good condition.
I also have a Universal Roamer II. No excessories. Some wear to the casing. I am told this is in good, working condition.
I also have a Konica FS-1 with x-24 auto flash, soligor auto teleconverter 2x, soligor c/d wide-auto 1:28 28 mm lens, and a soligor c/d 135mm 1:28 lens, manuals, and large carry bag. I know this is not a classic or vintage camera, but thought you may still be able to guide me as to the approximate value.
Many thanks for this wonderful service you provide!
Hello,
The Aires IIIL is a 35mm coupled rangefinder camera made in Japan around 1958. Truly excellent examples tend to sell for about $50-$60 in the current collectible camera market, but they do tend to have shutter problems, so crank and fire it at several different speeds to make certain it is working. If not working, but otherwise in excellent cosmetic shape, a collector might still be willing to go $50...because you have the original box. Any original packaging increases the historical value of a vintage camera.
The Roamer II is an awful folding bellows snapshot camera, made by Universal around 1948, for 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 inch exposures on old #620 roll film. A truly excellent example is a tough sell at $20.
The FS-1 is actually a very fine (and usually under-appreciated) 35mm single-lens-reflex camera made by Konica of Japan in the 1980's. There is a hardcore fan base of Konica users who keep these cameras going! A truly excellent example with an appropriate Konica/Hexanon 50mm lens should bring about $80-$90. The two Soligor lenses aren't terribly interesting, but together they might add $30 more. The outfit isn't a treasure, but it has more value, due to that slim fanatical interest, than most other cameras of this type from the late 1980's. I've used the FS-1 a few times. Darn good machine!
Best wishes,
David Silver
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David Silver
Expertise
I'm an expert on all types of antique, classic, and contemporary cameras, as well as the general history of photography. Everything from ancient box cameras to modern single-lens-reflex; from simple Kodaks to sophisticated Leica and Nikon; from glass plates and roll film to movie and 35mm. I can identify and appraise them, explain how they work, and offer insights on their restoration and care. I can also provide historical background on vintage cameras and equipment, and guidelines on their purchase and sale.
Experience
I've been a professional photographer and a student of the history of photography for nearly 30 years. During that time my collection of vintage cameras and photographic paraphernalia has grown beyond 2000 significant pieces. I've published nearly 70 articles in the field, including 16 in the popular "Buying Classic Cameras" series for PHOTO SHOPPER MAGAZINE from 1995 to 1997, I'm currently a contributing editor for CAMERA SHOPPER MAGAZINE and McKEOWN'S PRICE GUIDE TO ANTIQUE AND CLASSIC CAMERAS, and I've written numerous entries for WORLD BOOK ENCYCLOPEDIA. Portions of my collection have been displayed in museums and special exhibits in the past two decades, and many of the items were photographed as illustrations for books. In 1985 I founded the International Photographic Historical Organization (InPHO), which eventually evolved into its intended purpose as the best first resource for information on the history of photography. I'm also a founding member of several e-mail forums dedicated to specialized areas of photography, and I'm the moderator of the Internet Directory of Camera Collectors (IDCC), which remains the largest and most successful such group in the world. For more information about the International Photographic Historical Organization and its many services, please visit its web pages at:
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