UKC

Finally got a hit at the Rastro today, got a superb GB Kershaw 600 folding camera for 40€, perfect condition, 12x120 film. A classic British camera.
Also as a sub plot I got a Rank Aldis, which is really a Mamiya Ranger, on offer for 10€ but I pointed out the meter wasn't working and got it for 8€.
So I checked it out on the web and all the other cameras of this same model have a selinium meter, the Rank Aldis version has a CDS meter, hence needs a battery. On opening the battery compartment, it was , well you know cruddy, like batteries go if they are just left and not taken our.
Anyhow, I cleaned it up as best I could and it doesn't look too bad.
Is there anything else I can do to the terminals before I put another battery in, I really want to try this camera out, (even if I don't eventually get the meter working).

In reply to Al Evans: I guess not then

In reply to Al Evans:

Al - Scrape most of the corrosion away with a 'blunt' pointed blade then use 'cotton buds' dipped in warm water (moist, not wet) to clean the contacts. Dry them thoroughly (another cotton bud) and finaly apply a very, very thin surface of Vaseline (again with cotton buds).
You might also buy shares in cotton buds.
I collect 'vintage cameras' and have met your problem 'frequently' - stupid bastards never think of removing batteries when discarding the equipment.
Good luck.

In reply to Al Evans:

As an addenda to the above - just worked out the Aus$ equivalent of the 40 Euros. Sorry old son - you've been gipped. A good condition Kershaw 'Penguin' perfect bellows, shutter etc should work out at about five UK pounds (Aus$ 15). BUT - if you love it...what the hell....
Be careful collecting old cameras (quite a few coming on the market - and local rubbish tips now that 'digitals are here) can be addictive.
I've acquired over 200 - from the Box Brownie to the Leica.

In reply to bergalia: Its the 630, a couple of models up from the penguin series.
Vintage cameras do fetch comparatively high prices here as there seem to be a lot of collectors, for instance they had a Thornton Picard brass and wood full plate camera (you'd have to cut your own film to fit the dark slides), and that was going for 375€, A 5x4 Gandolfi, which were £80 new when I was at college, was going for 225€, and was certainly not mint.
Anyhow off looking again today, best chance of a bargain is on the stalls with just an odd camera, the specialists know what they have got.

In reply to Al Evans:

Al - check out the Ebay (Australia version)...Have picked up quite a few bargains there. Good luck with the search.
Oh, one little 'gem' if you can find it is the old Argus 'brick'. Solid - heavy (as its name implies) but a beautiful piece of machinery - almost an object of art. Over here a fair price is about Aus$25 (17 English pounds).

In reply to bergalia: Nothing there today, they had an absolutely tiny ensign, boxed and with instruction book, but they wanted 225€ for it, I guess you could haggle them down, but I ask you?
I cant find the model on here so it may be a real rarity, but not worth 225€ to me.
http://www.ensign.demon.co.uk/ensigncamerapage.htm