Mamiya 7 Deal: What can I Do?

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tstermitz

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Two bodies, five lenses, 350 rolls of film, Mint. $7k.

Oh man! And my Credit Card is more than a little maxed, right now. At least until tax refunds come in.

Actually, it's a local Craigslist, so only hard, cold cash, and my wallet is thinner than my credit card.
 
Well, I don't see any way around this: You have to buy it all! :D

Seriously: That is the deal of the century, provided the gear is not in crappy condition.

Even more seriously: If you buy, do it in a very public place, preferably with security cameras and a police officer standing guard within eyesight. A casual dining eatery during the lunchtime rush is a good location, too. Take a friend/witness with you. No way in hell would I show up at a stranger's house with $7000 in cash. There have been WAY too many Craig's List robberies.

If the seller tries to jerk you around about the location or time of day of the sale, that's a HUGE red flag.

I would also want to see the gear a day or so before the transaction actually takes place. Make sure the seller knows that you are only LOOKING today and don't have the cash in your pocket. Any legitimate
seller will not object to some reasonable, basic safeguards.

Goog luck - I hope it works out for you...
 
That is a good deal, and the M7 is an absolutely brilliant camera (and having a backup is also good because it's also a finicky camera).

That said, I'm not sure you need 5 lenses (I assume it's the 43, 50, 65, 80, and 150?). Buy the camera and pick three lenses (e.g. 43, 80, 150), then sell the others. You don't really need a 50 AND a 65 or a 65 AND an 80.

Keep the 43, whatever you do. It's unreal.
 
Is it that great a deal? The 65, 80, and 150 are all pretty reasonable, only the 43 and 50 are all that pricey are they not?

Also, Mamiya 7 (not 7II) seem to a fair bit cheaper than the 7II. Plus all that film may or may not be expired/stored OK.

Personally, I'd bee keener to spend a lot less and just get the bits you want.
 
tstermitz said:
Two bodies, five lenses, 350 rolls of film, Mint. $7k.

Oh man! And my Credit Card is more than a little maxed, right now. At least until tax refunds come in.

Actually, it's a local Craigslist, so only hard, cold cash, and my wallet is thinner than my credit card.
Click to expand...

Isn't a good deal IMHO.

I will go look around for just a M7 (not M7II) body + 1 or 2 lenses I need for much less cash.

Good luck!
 
I think 7k is weigh too much, I ve seen similar kits with 7ii body, for almost half of this.
note from sellers incl warranty..

also ask yourself are you mainly interested in the wide or long part of the lens lineup?

you could get a 3 lens lineup prob. 80/150 incl. the 43 closer to 3k imo. just my 2ct
 
All that with 124 rolls of Ektar, 76 rolls of Tmax 100, 37 rolls of Tri-X, and 9 rolls of Tmax 400 is a pretty good deal.

-Greg
 
I have an excellent Mamiya 7 ,with the 50mm,80mm and 150mm lens and I have less than $2500 into it, just saying. Peter

ps; it's a great camera,BUT....
 
maitani said:
I think 7k is weigh too much, I ve seen similar kits with 7ii body, for almost half of this.
note from sellers incl warranty..

also ask yourself are you mainly interested in the wide or long part of the lens lineup?

you could get a 3 lens lineup prob. 80/150 incl. the 43 closer to 3k imo. just my 2ct
Click to expand...

Each body is ~$900 ($1800)
43 is $1k (assuming it comes with caps, hood, and viewfinder)
50 is $750 (assuming it comes with caps, hood, and viewfinder)
65, 80, 150 are $300 each ($900)

So that's $4450. $7k - $4450 = $2550, which makes each roll of film worth just over $7.

It's a bit pricey. $6k is probably closer to a "good" deal.
 
edge100 said:
Each body is ~$900 ($1800)
43 is $1k (assuming it comes with caps, hood, and viewfinder)
50 is $750 (assuming it comes with caps, hood, and viewfinder)
65, 80, 150 are $300 each ($900)

So that's $4450. $7k - $4450 = $2550, which makes each roll of film worth just over $7.

It's a bit pricey. $6k is probably closer to a "good" deal.
Click to expand...

$6k would still seem a lot to me, I always think if you buy a lot of something you should be getting some kind of discount. Plus I think the film, unless assured of it's good condition, and of course it's a type of film you even like, should probably be considered worthless until further notice.

Also, buying form some dude on Craigslist should come with a discount vs. a real, established dealer.

I'd just buy a body, a 43mm and maybe the 80mm, and that's it.

Sure, he could sell the bits he does not want, but if you're going to do that, why buy in the first place?
 
thegman said:
$6k would still seem a lot to me, I always think if you buy a lot of something you should be getting some kind of discount. Plus I think the film, unless assured of it's good condition, and of course it's a type of film you even like, should probably be considered worthless until further notice.

Also, buying form some dude on Craigslist should come with a discount vs. a real, established dealer.

I'd just buy a body, a 43mm and maybe the 80mm, and that's it.

Sure, he could sell the bits he does not want, but if you're going to do that, why buy in the first place?
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Agreed, and I'm not suggesting he buy the kit (and certainly not keep all 5 lenses).

Just pointing out that $6 is a reasonable price for that kit.

My M7 kit is one body, 43/80/150. (Well) Under $3k invested.
 
edge100 said:
That is a good deal, and the M7 is an absolutely brilliant camera (and having a backup is also good because it's also a finicky camera).

That said, I'm not sure you need 5 lenses (I assume it's the 43, 50, 65, 80, and 150?). Buy the camera and pick three lenses (e.g. 43, 80, 150), then sell the others. You don't really need a 50 AND a 65 or a 65 AND an 80.

Keep the 43, whatever you do. It's unreal.
Click to expand...

Isn't the 50 famous for being a bit amazing as well? I know it is for the Mamiya 6, anyway.
 
edge100 said:
Each body is ~$900 ($1800) 43 is $1k (assuming it comes with caps, hood, and viewfinder) 50 is $750 (assuming it comes with caps, hood, and viewfinder) 65, 80, 150 are $300 each ($900) So that's $4450. $7k - $4450 = $2550, which makes each roll of film worth just over $7. It's a bit pricey. $6k is probably closer to a "good" deal.
Click to expand...

Good points, I should have done the math. Maybe it's my subconscious getting in the way because I want a Mamiya 7 so badly.

-Greg
 
Even if it is a bit pricey, if anyone goes out and spends this type of money, you shouldn't deal in cash. There should be a bill of sale, a receipt and the payment should be made in a safe form like a cashier's check.

People buy cars for less but still do bills of sale and get receipts. With a cash transaction, there is so much risk of robbery or fraud with the seller turning the corner and claiming the buyer stole their gear.

When I sold my M9, I went to a bank and the buyer wrote me a check then I deposited it directly in my account. We both had the same bank so it worked out perfectly. If someone isn't willing to do this kind of courtesy for the protection of both parties involved then it's just not worth it to do business with them. Another good deal will come soon enough.

Phil Forrest
 
Thanks for supporting my GAS. It IS the M7II, with all necessary viewfinders, etc. Greg/Gregoyle lists the actual film.

Unfortunately, I don't have the cash; just the desire.
 
edge100 said:
Each body is ~$900 ($1800)
43 is $1k (assuming it comes with caps, hood, and viewfinder)
50 is $750 (assuming it comes with caps, hood, and viewfinder)
65, 80, 150 are $300 each ($900)

So that's $4450. $7k - $4450 = $2550, which makes each roll of film worth just over $7.

It's a bit pricey. $6k is probably closer to a "good" deal.
Click to expand...

Perhaps I'm misunderstanding a bit...

But, if I am reading this correctly, where the heck are you finding any Mamiya 7 lens for $300 each? Perhaps a 150 in not-so-great condition w/o its viewfinder you could find for that price. Maybe. The 65 and 80 though, I seriously doubt it.

Like I said though, I may be misunderstanding your post.

Nick
 
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