The original seller  stated:-

This is the very rare Minox II. The II is a real collectors item, twice as rare as the Riga Minox and normally missing from even the great collections. It came directly after the VEF Minox Riga and was equipped with a lens known as a "film plane lens". This means that the film actually touched the lens. Whilst initially producing very sharp results, as soon as dust was introduced to the film or lens, scratches would occur. Therefore the II was replaced by the III after only a 10000 production run. (that's half as many as the Rigas!) Minox II serial nrs. range from 20001 to 30500 ca. The III had a new lens which did not cause the film to touch the lens and this lens was kept throughout the production of the III and IIIs. The II also has visible rivets at either end and front, quite lovely to look at, which are not present on the later III or IIIs. This one also has the rare polished metal chain lock at the one end, not present on all the IIs and prized by collectors. Those of you who are ardent Minox collectors will know the rarity and value of this camera. You may read further about these rare cameras at www.ebug.se and several other Minox enthusiast sites. This particular one is in beautiful shape, but does have a few light bright marks on the surface, caused by it being slid in and out of it's case during use. This camera has been fully serviced (CLA) by a leading Minox expert (DAG) and is in fully working condition. The serial nr. is 29 653. It comes complete with a beautiful natural brown leather case (rare in itself) and chain which are in beautiful condition with a wonderful patina. Now...here's where this get's really exciting! This one is boxed!!!! The box is basically the same as the Riga box, except it is blue with silver writing and burgundy interior instead of black with silver writing and orange interior. I have 3 boxed Rigas in my personal collection and all 3 boxes are identical in every way except colour. I am offering this camera from my personal collection to make way for some other additions. I will probably never see one again, but I cannot afford to keep everything so this one is now being offered for auction. Please take a quick glance at my feedback to see from whom you are buying and then bid with the utmost confidence. Please ask any questions before bidding, I'm always here to help. Lucky winning bidder will receive this jewel carefully packaged and by the shipper of his/her choice. Thanks for looking.

Click on a picture to enlarge

What the buyer got:-

The description for this camera clearly stated that it had a film plane lens. After the end of the auction I was contacted by a fellow collector who warned me that the seller  had let alot of people down with his transactions. I therefore emailed  him and asked him to confirm that the camera indeed had the film plane lens as stated in the auction. This he did, in writing. However, when I received the camera I found that it did not have the film plane lens, it was converted to a model III lens, and in this state was worth no more than $600. I contacted the seller, explained that the goods were not in accordance with the description, and politely asked for my money back. He refused to refund me my money, saying that I knew the terms of the auction and should have asked my question earlier (even though the auction clearly stated that the camera had a film plane lens)! I am filing a fraud complaint with ebay. I urge you, please do not bid on this man's auctions and avoid doing any business with him for your own sake! My experiences are not a one-off!

Last updated 1st November 2001