EM1x Arrival Out Of The Blue Brings A Little Happiness
The (second) second hand EM1x was bought with simple math.
$1060au for a 12777 shutter fire camera from a top rated seller means, all being as represented, less than half last retail price (based on the best I have seen new), for 90+% of a new camera (based on a 400k rated shutter*).
There is always the chance the camera has done a lot of work with the electronic shutter, which may not be recorded as a fire (not sure, need to check), so physical condition comes into play, as well as back story if you know it.
A studio cam can sit on a tripod for years and be treated well, but do a million fires, while a travel cam may not take many shots, but can be physically beaten up.
The nice surprises came in a run.
It arrived today (Friday, bought Tuesday), a full week ahead of my expectations and with free post.
It came in a box that is in the same condition as the two I have already, which is to say, bought > stored. The Oly black boxes mark up easily, so a spotless one is a good sign.
Inside it looked clean and tidy. The re-packer had been thorough and respectful.
The batteries have the smallest of wear marks, always a good sign.
I cannot find a single wear mark or scratch, so better condition than my current two.
*Shutter count is often used a tool for determining age, but the reality is, a camera has many ways of being damaged, worn out or abused. The reality is a shutter, like an engine can be replaced more cheaply than a damaged sensor or split mother board.
My final butchers bill for the three cams, one new the other two mint second hand, is $4500 or less than a Nikon Z8 body or only $1300 more than my new G9II.