Topic: Rocky Cameras?

[ChristopherCoy]

Since there seems to be a large group of you UK folks here, do any of you know this guy? Is he still in business?

I ask, because last May I purchased two cameras from his site - a Certo Phot with original box, and a Bencini Koroll II. The Certo Phot was received, but the Bencini never did. I never did receive a refund, nor a camera, and each time I called a polite sounding lady always gave me the excuse that he was on "holiday". Never got a call back, and never received any return emails.

After months of waking up at 4am to call across the pond, I ended up giving up and decided to cut my losses. I ended up finding a Bencini Koroll recently, but I'm still a bit bitter about the one that never came.

I had done some brief research prior to my purchase and knew that it was a gamble, but it still bugs me.

[Late Developer]

I "met" him at a couple of photo "fairs" over the past 12 months. He seems a charming fellow in person but I was less than impressed with the condition of the kit and the prices he had for sale at the camera fairs. I visited his website a few months ago but the prices mentioned for what looked like very ordinary kit seemed expensive to me. I've never bought anything from him - so I will refrain from any criticism - but his website isn't listed amongst my favourites and I suspect I will be able to find what I want without using his services.

[ChristopherCoy]

Well if you ever see him again soon, tell him I'm looking for his ass! I want that Bencini, or a refund!

It was only $17usd but still... its the principle.

[Pete_R]

I've bought from him at camera fairs. Last time I got a Mamiya 645 body from him that turned out to have an issue. It did take a few attempts to get hold of him but I did speak to him on the phone and he was OK about it. Asked me to return it to him at the next fair.

In the end I fixed it and didn't bother to take it back.

Price wise, I've found him OK but I've never bought off his Web site so maybe his prices at fairs are better.

He used to get a lot of bad press when he was selling on ebay but I don't think he does that now.

[John]

Hi Christopher,
Sorry to hear about your bad experience. I've seen his website too and was surely tempted on some lenses. I did a quick Google search which revealed loads of folk who said they'd been ripped off by this guy. He allegedly got banned from Ebay. So I kept my money in my pocket. Any dealer can make mistakes, but to my mind it's how they try to make up for an error that counts.

If you're anything like me, being ripped off would wind me up something rotten, but it's a lot of energy to waste on a possible con man. It's good you got a Bencini in the end though.

I like your quote 'yes you can still get film for it'. I can't tell you how many times I've been asked that question.

[sapata]

I bought my Olympus Pen in there and I had no issues...

[KevinAllan]

I bought a 1950's Voigtlander Bessa III from Rocky Cameras in August 2012 for what I considered to be a reasonable price and I'm very happy with it for the price.  I have some notes on the camera at http://kevinthephotographer.wordpress.com/2012/08/14/equipment-voigtlander-bessa-1-1950s/

The descriptions of the working conditions of cameras are very limited; a camera is described as working if the shutter fires ...

My Bessa has issues with the slower shutter speeds, not uncommon in older cameras. A more detailed description might have pointed this out.

I have found the prices to be quite cheap, to be honest.

My assessment is that I would buy again if the product was something fairly simple and not likely to go wrong, but I wouldn't buy something critical to my needs from that source.

[ChristopherCoy]

Perhaps his "in person" business skills are a bit more professional, but his online skills are horrendous. I've still never talked to the actual person, only his female assistant. I guess he figured I wouldn't actually cross the pond for only $17usd, and unfortunately he was right. But if I'm ever in the UK....

[LT]

. But if I'm ever in the UK....

Well, he's always at the annual Photographica fair in London which is featured on a couple of the FW video podcasts. Maybe you should plan to come this year? London's not that far in airmiles, surely

[ChristopherCoy]

Well, he's always at the annual Photographica fair in London which is featured on a couple of the FW video podcasts. Maybe you should plan to come this year? London's not that far in airmiles, surely

AWESOME!! Can I stay at your house?? LOL

[LT]

AWESOME!! Can I stay at your house?? LOL

I don't live in London. So no you cant. LOL.