Expert: John Oliverio - 10/20/2004

Question
1 - Minolta Maxxum 300si SLR body with
2 - Vivitar 28-210. 72mm Autofocus 1:35 - 5.6
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3 - Zenit 11 SLR body with
4 - Helios 44 M2 lens
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5 - Nikanon YN 300 compact camera
6 - Fuji Discovery 190. zoom. autofocus. compact     
7 - Samsung ECX 130. compact
8 - Konica T3 SLR camera
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Questions:
__ a). -  Don't have any manual or instruction on all of those, where can I download (or whatever) instruction, so I know what am I doing with those toys?
__ b). -  I always opt for good strong lamp. Suggest me one for: #3 (Zenit),  #5 (Nikanon)                  and  #8 (KonicaT3).
__ c). -  Thinking of installing extra, hot shoe lamp on #1 Maxxum. Any recommendation?
__ d).  #2 (Vivitar), zoom is slitting back or forth by itself when I tilt lens up or down. Why? Something broken? What repair cost?   
__ e).  Do you think is worth the hassle in digital era, to invest $'s into #1,2,3,4,5,6 friend give to me.  Are they capable of good quality pictures?,
__ f).  Or should I stick to last 2 - Samsung and Konica  I own.
__ g).  Or should I sell #1,2,3,4,5,6. Are they worth anything without instructions?
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**  I was thinking to use those extra cameras for different film, like 100, 400, 800 or B&W.
**  Please give mi hints on anything you know, I'll pick up the rest. Thanks. I am from Clifton,NJ  Marian  

Answer
A. You won't be able to download manuals.  People make a business of selling them though.  Try www.oldtimercameras.com.

B. Vivitar 285HV for all three.

C. Minolta 5400 HSI.

D. It's simply worn out.  Not worth repairing.

E. No, I wouldn't invest much money in any of these things.  I've never even heard of the Nikanon YN300.  Sounds like a russian counterfit Nikon to me.  The Maxxum 300 is capable of the best quality, but I still wouldn't put any money into it.       
It's old, outdated and has VERY limited controls.  Even though it is an SLR, it is all automatic, no manual.

F. The Konica was a cool camera, but it's very hard to find decent glass for it, and it has no flash automation.  If it is in good shape, it would be the one that would last the longest.  

G. None of these cameras have any real value.  The used camera business has taken a dive.  I no longer even take in any used stuff in my shop.  

John