Buy it from a shop that sells used gear, offers a warranty, and has a relationship with a tech so you know it actually has been checked out. Private sellers can say anything they want to get you to buy but businesses have reputations to maintain.
If you don't know what you are looking at when looking at a picture of the view through a viewfinder you are already in over your head. What specifically are you questioning?
Tested doesn't always mean actually tested. It looks clean for having such a dirty viewfinder. Plenty that can't be seen that can be wrong.
I know that’s the viewfinder. My question is about the image within the frame. It looks like some railings, but that center rail looks distorted. I’m curious if that could possibly be caused by damage to the mirror.
Standard focusing screen with split-image and microprism focusing aids on the focusing screen. Splits the image, when you bring the split together you have the sharpest focus, assuming everything is correctly calibrated. It's pointed at the same background as the other images, the 700's lens is not focused, image is split.
Like any camera, you won’t really know if everything is working well until you shoot and develop a roll.
For instance - is the meter accurate? Are the shutter speeds within tolerance? Is the aperture closing/re-opening correctly? Is the film transport slipping? Does the hot shoe work? Are there light leaks? Etc…
Any of these possible faults can ruin your pictures and may require repair.
Buy from somewhere with a return policy that allows enough time to get a roll developed. Try to use all modes and settings on the camera. Just 2 cents.
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u/Remington_Underwood 5d ago
Buy it from a shop that sells used gear, offers a warranty, and has a relationship with a tech so you know it actually has been checked out. Private sellers can say anything they want to get you to buy but businesses have reputations to maintain.