Mamiya 6 from Japanese sellers [Mint+++extaWOW++++Deluxe++]

froyd

froyd

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If you ever looked for film cameras on eBay you know the sellers I'm talking about: detailed product images, good looking gear, and the infamous MINT++++ rating system.

Due to lack of other sources I think they might be where I end up getting a Mamiya 6 kit in the near(ish) future.

Any experiences dealing with these folks? Particularly interested in those that involve a Mamiya 6 or 7 purchase. Is there an A+++++ seller among this lot?
 
I'd avoid the MINT++++ listings and look for some more serious ones. I did buy a Contax TVSii from "ritz*teikyo" on ebay that was listed as "EXCELLENT+" and it truly was. I didn't see a Mamiya 6 in their store, but this would be the kind of seller I would look for. Someone that doesn't hype their products, provide decent descriptions and pictures as well as highlighting any issues, plus providing a decent return policy.

-Thomas
 
The ones that really get my goat are the ones that cannibalize decent cameras to sell the parts separately, for example Nikon F2/3/4/5 without finders, back doors, etc. In excellent working condition. How will you know they are working until you buy all the other parts? Does anyone actually buy these cameras. Now I see Nikon F100 back doors selling for the same price as a complete body.
 
I buy from Japan often. If they don't have large detailed photos I move on. I also contact the seller and ask questions about anything that isn't listed in their description. Out of all my purchases maybe two weren't great--and both sellers were very apologetic and refunded my money immediately.
 
I actually was looking for an original Mamiya 6 (not the modern ones) but gave up because apparently having fungus in the lens does not stop Japanese sellers on ebay from describing it as Mint.
 
At this point, I'd only buy cameras on Jauce. You'll still see some duplicate postings from eBay, but most of the sellers are actual individuals rather than the group of "buy up everything and raise the prices beyond market prices" sellers that have taken over eBay.
 
aizan said:
"buy up everything and raise the prices beyond market prices" sellers that have taken over eBay.
Click to expand...

I've been having a big de-clutter on Ebay and some of the prices are bonkers. But when I price it sensibly private bidders (I only do buy it now with offers) bid ridiculous figures and the stuff all gets sold to dealers, who then mark it up not a lot and put it for sale on their websites. In the rarest of circumstances you do sell to a private and, post it same day with a new battery in or give them a film, they don't give you any feedback at all.

As to those who renege because their car has just got a fault...

Returning to the subject, of the four things I've bought from Japan (none Peppermint Spearmint Mint but merely Excellent ++++), three were better than described and one wasn't. I have no issue at all buying there, so much stuff is available compared to here.
 
At this point I'm only buying gear within the EU, eBay's got so dodgy lately that I had to return items often because of those wrong "A++++++" descriptions.
 
John Sypal of tokyoamerastyle said that the times of buying gear in Japan that was excellent and cheap are gone, nowadays it's about average.
I know there was a well reputed seller that had lots of MF and LF gear, I forgot their username. Astro something 22, couldn't get a lead; they might have gone out of business.
 
For US based buyers purchasing equipment from overseas, are you paying any customs charges? If so, do you know before the sale what that charge is going to be?
 
Never paid customs in the US.

The bigger trouble is the fact your package will be stuck at ISC for weeks being tossed around the facility until someone notices it under their coffe cup one morning and decides to send her down the road.
 
I've ordered items from Japan and had them show up at my door in Canmore Alberta in 4 days!....no extra charges. On average it is always quicker than shipments from eastern Canada and certainly from the USA.
 
Prest_400 said:
I know there was a well reputed seller that had lots of MF and LF gear, I forgot their username. Astro something 22, couldn't get a lead; they might have gone out of business.
Click to expand...

It's astrosmith22 - his actual name is Toshimichi Sakai - and he's very much still in business. I've bought a few items from him over the years, most recently about four weeks ago, and every one of those transactions has gone well.
 
I bought a Mamiya RB67 off ebay from a seller in Japan just a few weeks ago. It showed up on my doorstep in Madison, WI in like 5 days. I was shocked. The seller's name is zonocamerajapan.

It was also in immaculate condition. I'd go that route again in a heartbeat.
 
wjlapier said:
I buy from Japan often. If they don't have large detailed photos I move on. I also contact the seller and ask questions about anything that isn't listed in their description. Out of all my purchases maybe two weren't great--and both sellers were very apologetic and refunded my money immediately.
Click to expand...

I second this. I have bought a lot of cameras and lenses from Japan and all but a few were better than expected. The ones that were bad were immediately taken as returns. I do not look at any listing that says "Excellent" or "Very Good," no matter how many plus signs there are. I think they are equivalent to KEH "bargain."

MAP Camera is obviously very good. Irohas Camera is also great. You can also go through Japan Camera Hunter who charges a finder fee, but he will look it over before it gets sent to you and make sure all is well. Perhaps worth it for a Mamiya 6.
 
One thing about astrosmith22 is that he doesn't play the silly "EXC+++++++++++" game. If anything, he's almost painfully candid about the blemishes on the equipment he sells. A couple of samples from among his current listings:

Every knobs and range finder works fine. The edges of the bellows gets brownish and heavy coating removals
on the metal part of the front standard.
The camera is totally dirty and it is better to clean up.
No body number can be found on the body.

Every knobs and locks work fine. The bellows has folding wrinkles like photos. The seal on the back is gone.
The focusing hood is missing.
Cosmetically it has blots and scratches on the body and on the glass.

After reading a few of those you end up almost not wanting to buy anything, but on the other hand you have more confidence that you know what you'll be getting, warts and all.
 
Saul said:
For US based buyers purchasing equipment from overseas, are you paying any customs charges? If so, do you know before the sale what that charge is going to be?
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$2000 is the cutoff below which no customs ar paid. But eBay drags taxes out of you even if purchased overseas. Doesn't seem right.
 
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