Donation of gear for photo contest

hinman · 12-04-2007, 03:13 PM

I was in discussion on private thread with igowerf for how to sell my gear. I have never been a seller and I have never packaged any goods for anyone. I am sure that I am diligent guy in package once I learn after some tries.

It just comes to me that I am deep into LBA and BBA (body buying addiction with film bodies at the moment). I ended up with 5 film bodies since last month. I am thinking of donating some Pentax film bodies such as Pentax pz-10 with a power zoom 28-80. I have other better candidates but that would hurt my current ego and pocket if I shell out the perfect pz-20 and not-so-sure p3 to the contest.

Can the admin and contesters clue me in if they have interest in getting this upon winning any competition. Instead of getting 30 bucks or something from marketplace, I can donate my first, seems workable, Pentax pz-10 with a workable Pentax 28-80 f/3.5-?? power zoom with a missing switch. I will have detail picture of the gear. For now, this is the picture from ebay sellers when I get it. But I only do it if the contesters have an interest in the gear.

Among winers in order, a invitation to get free gear is subject to interest of winners. Winners are not obligated to get the gear but he or she is given a choice and a reject will leave the choice to next runner-up. Please update me if this is of interest to anyone. Winner pays basic shipping fee like $5.50 to $7.0 with United Post Office. If I do well in finding the pill to cure the LBA/BBA, I will chip in for the shipping.

Thanks,
Hin

Photo Tramp · 12-04-2007, 04:30 PM

Hinman,
This is a most gracious gift to the forum. I don't know anyone here that would reject this Idea. Another thought for you to think about is this. Many of us have the money for our photography habits. There are a few here on the forum under 18 years of age just starting out in this hobby that don't have the funds to purchase brand new equipment and are taking classes in photography. your equipment would be a great start for one of these members. Just a thought.

hinman · 12-04-2007, 08:17 PM

I have this is in the marketplace where all LBA folks lurk hourly. By the way, that includes me.

Originally Posted by photobizzz

I like the idea of a pot of prizes that people could donate to monthly winners of the photography contest. A list of donations could be compiled by moderators with a value min and max and no one should complain due to anything free is good, even if they just pass it on to someone that will use it if they will not. I am sure I could supply a prize if this is an idea that others are interested in.

Originally Posted by hinman

That is the idea that I have. But another member in 'Monthly Photo Contests' does mention about the need for students and youngsters who do not have money on to spend for gear. In other words, we can all cheap in for the truly needy ones who want the basic gear to learn about photography. We are very fortunate to have LBA sticked in our forehead. At least, i do as I go after inexpensive gear as alternatives for my hobby. But there are others in the photo contests who may not want or care about cheaper alternatives on gear unless we have members who are willing to donate quality gear. At least, I need to work on my attitudes towards giving, I am NOT a giver by any stretch of imagination.

Some of us long for the DA* and limited and any cheap gear unused is a waste in our gear bag and putting it in another user's household who won't touch the gear is still a waste. I need suggestions on how to proceed. We can all chip in for the wonderful photo contests in PentaxForums:

1. Collected gear for donation to contests as suggested and I can start the first donation followed by others who sees value into the efforts.

2. Donation to youngsters and others who are on a budget crunch for a lens. This category can't apply to any of people who have more than 3 lens in their bag or closet. Anyone who have more than 1 camera in the household can't have the donation. It is a honest system and we try our best to trust people that we care about.

Other suggestions welcome. Apology to others who may get offended in this thread wasting their valuable time in gear searching. That is not my intention, hope you can skip this thread not to be offended.

Hin

Thank you so much for your kind words, I have 2 thinkings of both donation to contests and the needy for photography gear. But I think my first gear would be something fun for forum -- a film body. Besides my Pentax pz-10 with a power zoom 28-80. I have this beauty that I won't pass as it has memory value as a gift from my eldest brother, but I do have something similar to my Praktica MTL5 made in East Germany in the 60's to 80's.

And I can certainly find these wonderful alternatives to dSLR that anyone with a M42 lens can find great enjoyment for the occasional crunch in trying out b&w and slides in old film cameras with manual exposures and a meter key that meter light giving you a needle in the viewfinder and a shutter sound that you can't buy with a $1000 body, guaranteed.

Warmest,
Hin

**Adam** · 12-06-2007, 05:04 PM

Hi Hin,

Thanks for your most generous offer! If you would like, we can make your camera the prize for the first photo contest of 2008. Please drop me a Private Message so that we can discuss this further.

Once again, thanks!

hinman · 12-07-2007, 11:11 AM

A PM is sent to Mo with details on my donation with few gears that I have in mind. I ask Mo about a forum that I can post the poll with pictures with the selected gear so that I can gather interest for the my 1st donated gear to photo contests. As I told Mo, I really enjoy and love PentaxForums and I can't thank Mo and all nice people for the wonderful work behind the forum. As soon as I hear back from Mo, I will post the poll. As for now, by default, my 1st gear is the Pentax pz-10 and Pentax 28-80 power zoom. Not a great donation as I have not tested the gear and it has missing front cap, a small dent on the power zoom and a missing cover on the power zoom as you see on the picture, but otherwise look very well maintained especially on the pz-10 body. Some of the other 5 gears that I mention to Mo are of higher quality and it will bite into my BBA habbits heads on. I would need some time to compose pictures, description and noted problems on the following gear

[update]
For January competition: A Pentax P5 film camera

For February winner: A Prakitca TL 1000 Super with a Dominax (?) 50mm f/2.8

Much thanks,
Hin

hinman · 12-07-2007, 11:20 AM

About the idea on donation, we can have another thread/forum on donated gear with some organization on what are being donated to the forum for 'needy photographers', a thread or forum can be opened to the public submitting their quest for free gear. Shipping comes from requester so as not to burden the giver. And it is up to the giver of the donated gear to chip in for shipping if he or she finds it appropriate. It will hurt to giver of a gear with $30 shipping to 3rd world country but we should not limit the giving to some poor countries with great youngsters/photographers who are likely to become the next great journalist or another artist in the making.

Rules need to be setup for honest system for requirements such as no more than 'x' number of lens and 'y' number of cameras in one's possession. And upon submission deadline, the forum or a panelist with the giver can vote for the lucky recipients.

Just another thought for gear donation for the needy.

Hin

Photo Tramp · 12-07-2007, 12:34 PM

Originally Posted by hinman

About the idea on donation, we can have another thread/forum on donated gear with some organization on what are being donated to the forum for 'needy photographers', a thread or forum can be opened to the public submitting their quest for free gear. Shipping comes from requester so as not to burden the giver. And it is up to the giver of the donated gear to chip in for shipping if he or she finds it appropriate. It will hurt to giver of a gear with $30 shipping to 3rd world country but we should not limit the giving to some poor countries with great youngsters/photographers who are likely to become the next great journalist or another artist in the making.

Rules need to be setup for honest system for requirements such as no more than 'x' number of lens and 'y' number of cameras in one's possession. And upon submission deadline, the forum or a panelist with the giver can vote for the lucky recipients.

Just another thought for gear donation for the needy.

Hin

I wholeheartedly agree Him. I would love to be able to help with this. And your thoughts for the contest is still a great gesture. I will have to get into the contest.

hinman · 12-26-2007, 07:53 AM

I have given some thought into the gift and decided to give something that I really enjoy having.

Ultrapod II from REI (lens not included in the gift)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2379/...fd596b5265.jpg

Ultrapod II with Velcro strip
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2018/...8ef3f1b010.jpg

I will try to get a new copy today when I pass by REI, wish me luck as I don't want to give out my own copy. And I truly hope that all my sale of excess items in Marketplace go well so that I can only give the best back to the forum. For donation purpose, I will request winner who wants the gift to help with shipping cost.

And I will donate my Pentax pz-10 and power zoom to the needy photographer whom I only ask for shipping. I have posted on the Ultrapod II from REI that I highly recommend for use with my K100D. The mini-tripod is quite sturdy for my use.

ABC Wednesday -- Ultrapod II Tripod - Hin's Tech Corner

Warmest,
Hin

hinman · 12-27-2007, 05:35 PM

I did visit REI yesterday night and they ran out of Ultrapod II and I would visit the store this weekend and hope the new restocking arrival will stock the item. It is unlikely this can accommodate the December competition unless I get it this coming weekend. If not, I will get it for the January competition.

Besides the Ultrapod II mini-tripod, I do have another backup gift idea for the nostalgia feeling with antique and not-so-distant analog camera with a Praktica super tl 1000 in M42 mount sharing the same M42 as the Pentax ME and spomatic

Praktica Super TL 1000

I don't have a picture of the Praktica Super TL 1000 , but it looks very much like my other Praktica MTL5

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2147/...e53f9fef9e.jpg

Praktica MTL5 -- my 1st film camera - Hin's Tech Corner

And metering is done with an analog light meter needle by pressing a key similar to stop down metering. If you use this camera for a day or two, you will have no complaints on all of your metering and focusing problems in your pentax dSLR, I may guarantee it

. And I have it in my possession with a not-so-great looking Domiplan 50mm f/2.8 in M42 mount. If anyone can comment if such is a good gift for Decemeber 07 competition, I will chip in for December and have the Ultrapod II for January 2008 competition. Your comment can help me. Winners pay shipping if that is not too much to ask.

All the best to the winner of December competition.
Hin

hinman · 02-04-2008, 03:10 PM

Originally Posted by hinman

I have just put in my voting. It is a tough call as I have many favorites, at least 7 of them when I quickly glance over. I am sure the more that I view the pictures, the harder it will become for me to pick out the best three. I wish some of them are bigger size for better viewing to catch voters' attention. Some of the smaller ones are wonderful captures.

[Donation update:] I have a donation thread which I have not finalized the shipment method such as sending the gift to Adam as I can't find the Ultrapod II in three different REI store visits in December and Janurary. What I will end up doing is to get the 1st runner shipping address and order a copy online for the winner instead. If the winner resides in non-US location, I will need request for help with shipping cost. Hope the winner enjoys my gift to the contest and if you already have a mini-tripod or that the foreign shipment cost can't justify the gift value, winner can choose to yield to next runner up.

[Next month donnation:] Subject to how well I do in selling my unused gear, I plan to donate a Praktica Super TL 1000 film camera in pristine condition, the Pratica in that model shares the M42 mount in Pentax and I do have an inexpenive 50mm f/2.8 M42 mount to go with the gift for February contest. I hope others LBA victims come forth in the donation for putting us into higher gear for competition in a friendly and encouraging environment

What I do: As soon as the winner #1 is announced, please PM me for your mailing address and I order one for you with free shipment in US. If you are outside of US, I will need you to chip in for the shipment.

Warmest salute to all participants,
Hin

Qutoed on voting thread for Contest #17 for January 2008 competition.

Kresica · 02-19-2008, 01:11 AM

PM sent

hinman · 02-25-2008, 05:49 PM

With PM exchange, instead of the tripod, Kresica mentions the desire for a film camera to work with his Sigma 10-20 and I have selected my unused copy of Pentax P5 film camera instead.

[update for January winner -- Kresica]
I have sent my Pentax P5 film camera to Croatia on 2/26/2008 and I pick up the tab of shipping with regular air mail to Croatia. And international parcel is expensive. And congratulation to Kresica.

[For february competition]

Few choices that I am contemplating and have not finalized:

a. A good condition Praktica TL Super 1000 that takes M42 lens
Praktica Super TL 1000

b. Sears 135mm f/2.8 manual zoom in K mount

c. A new eyetek auto flash that is safe for digital SLR that I have not managed to get it working successfully. I am a flash naive person.

d. A good copy of M42 50mm f/2.8

Thanks,
Hin

Originally Posted by hinman

I have a Pentax P5 which is in excellent condition in cosmetics. I have not placed a roll of film to test it though. From the users that I bought it from on ebay, the film camera works and is functional. From what I gather, it is in good condition. Please let me know and I can find out if the shipping to your address is reasonable; otherwise, I would ask you to chip in later after you get the gift. A picture to show to item

lens not included
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g1...m/IMGP5473.jpg

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g1...m/IMGP5501.jpg

hinman · 03-25-2008, 03:10 PM

Originally Posted by hinman

Congratulation to the winner of February competition on Symmetry

I am going to honor my 2nd gift for monthly competition. My previous gift to Kresica in Croatia, January winner for reflection, just arrived as Kresica homes before Easter after almost 3+ weeks with air delivery and it cost me a bundle for shipping.

Donation of gear for photo contest

and I have not decided on what to give you, so here are roughly what I offer for free gift with air mail to Australia that I will pay for shipping for #1 and #2

1. Sears 135mm f/2.8 K mount -- I bought it used and I have not used the lens but it seems to be in good working order.

Picture from original owner

2. Domipan 50mm f/2.8 in M42 mount but #1 is a better gift in K mount.

3. Pentax M 28mm f/2.8 (with defects)
I bought it for $50+ on ebay and the owner has not specified on potential fungus on rear element. I feel bummer every time when I look at the darn good looking lens, there is a spider web with color under close examination on rear element, I have not tested the lens for pictures yet

4. A $25 discount for future stuff that I am going to sell in marketplace. Price specified are the price that I pay, items not finalized yet.

This is posted in winner showcase for February 2008. Winner please contact me in PM for your choice.

[update1] PM sent to February owner but no reply as of 4/3/2008
[update2] Winner on February has chosen the Sears 135mm f/2.8, will ship in 2 days

hinman · 04-14-2008, 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by bt*ist

Thank you so much : I'm very much looking forward to using it!!!

Thanks so much for the reply. I will try to send it to you on this Wednesday with regular post office package mail in US. Shipping is on me.

Warmest,
Hin

Hi Bernd,

I only manage to ship it on Monday April 14, 2008 and I use the regular post office mail without insurance or any traking. It is the tax season over in the US and I only manage to find the time today to ship it.

Over the weekend, I try to test the lens the first time after I bought it, my LBA get me lens not used until giving it away. I thought the Sears 135mm f/2.8 is quite good but I test it with my newly arrived used K10D and I was not getting the sharpness that I would expect from the lens, it is very soft at open aperture. I hope it is the JPG setting that I have not fine tuned, I am somewhat disappointed with the gift to you. The lens hood and the glass is clean but the focusing ring seems not precise. To make it up for the disappointment, I add in a leather picture frame. A picture or two while packaging and on its the long way to UK.

Cheers,
Hin

Package and PM to winner of February -- bt*ist. I want to go on for awarding March competition, but the award shipping has taken a toll on me for international winners. I am done for now unless I find myself selling most of my "to be sold" section of my camera gear

*Gruoso* · 04-24-2008, 08:13 AM

I can offer for the winners a Focal MC 135 f2.8 (M42) in excellent shape and a Tokina autofocus 35-70 Macro for K-mount. The Tokina was sold to a member of the forum but he discovered that the focal length marks were mismatched with the real focal length and I had it back. It doesnt affect functionality at all and the IQ of the lens is superb. I was thinking in using it myself but I need something with shorter focusing distance. I think that I prefer to give it up rather than sell it for a ridiculous amount of money. I offer to split shipping charges with the winner. Hinman, let me know how to proceed. Thanks and congrats for the beautiful idea