Advice needed on buying a camera from UK. Please!

P

photolp

Guest
Hi,
I'm trying to decide how to go about purchasing a Mamiya 7II. I am selling my clunky Pentax 67 and switching to a rangefinder! yeah!
I have had terrible luck with the pentax--the winder was constantly jamming up on me--and i had to send it in for repair quite often. This experience has made me feel like i should buy a new Mamiya body so that i can have a warranty and then buy used lenses.
I found a great deal on robertwhite.com and i am wondering if you have any advice on this place and this situation. If i purchase the new mamiya camera in the UK am i ineligible for Mamiya warranty service in the US? Is this what is referred to as the grey market?
Am i better off sucking up US prices for the warranty? anyone have experience with the Mamiya 7 and repairs?
i tried to contact mamiya with my questions and received no response. so i really appreciate your help. i need the camera soon!
thanks
laura
 
Hi Laura -- Robert White is a major dealer in the UK and well spoken of. I have not had dealings with them myself though.

Their current pricing on the 7II looks very attractive. You won't have to pay their Value Added Tax of course, but there is the shipping and possibly some import duty. You'd send your camera back to Robert White for warranty service.

This is not what is termed "grey market"; that's when a US retailer imports products bypassing the official US importer or distributor. Then the retailer arranges a limited commercial warranty.

Sorry to hear of your bad experiences with the Pentax 6x7. I have two of them, one for 28 years, with excellent service. Though that older one did go back to Pentax once early-on for a film-transport problem. I like the system so well I bought a second body last year, and several lenses.

The Mamiya 7II is a fairly expensive system, especially the lenses... And there is a less expensive competitor. If you're willing to consider the smaller 6x4.5mm format, then look at the Bronica RF645. I sure like mine. In any case, good shopping!
 
doug has pretty much covered it.
i have read only good things about robert white and the lower prices are certainly attractive.
all warranty work would have to be thru r. white but there also i have read only good things about their prompt service and shipping.
it's a tough call for sure, especially with the jacked up prices that mamiya america charges and they have a most unfriendly attitude toward customers, also from what i have read.

joe
 
Hello Laura,

I've used Robert White before and can thoroughly recommend them - totally trustworthy, reliable, friendly and helpful. They sell to the US a great deal, so I'm sure they could advise you on the warranty issue.

David
 
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