- This topic is empty.
Advice on buying second hand kit
-
I want to get into medium format film photography and have been looking around on the web for a suitable kit. I’m going for the Pentax 67II.
I’ve seen what looks like a very good kit on a forum. Here’s the descripton: ‘Arca swiss L bracket 45mm Lens, 75mm f/2.8 lens, 105mm lens, 165mm LS lens, 200mm lens, AE finder, waist level finder, 3 extension tubes, 100mm Macro lens with 1:1 adapter and Pentax 67 Auto bellows with magnification scale and double cable release’.
The seller is in America. His asking price is $3,500 for the lot, down from $6,000 some time ago. He says it’s in near mint condition and has offered to send photos and references.
I’ve set my budget at around $3,000 (Euro 2,500). He’s just come back now with an offer of $3,300 if I pay the shipping costs. It’s hard to justify spending so much on equipment, but then, can these things ever be justified?
Can you give any advice on the best approach to take with this seller or point out any potential pitfalls—apart from the obvious one of buying long-distance?
Many thanks.
hi,
dont know if this would help, but it needs to be factored inhttp://www.dutycalculator.com/new-import-duty-and-tax-calculation/” onclick=”window.open(this.href);return false;
if you have not tried mf before then its a fair hunk of change to shell out on the unknown.
I’m sure there are members here who could give you advice on the kit, some might even have a full kit they would sell
or this
http://www.adverts.ie/film-cameras/mamiya-rb67-pro-s-kit-camera-prism-matt-box-lenses-etc/438268″ onclick=”window.open(this.href);return false;Thanks for that redto. I’m aware there will be duty to be paid but hadn’t seen the calculator before.
I’ve tried a Mamiya 645 and quite liked it. I’ve done extensive research into MF and have settled on the Pentax as it’s considered the best for landscape. I haven’t seen many of them on sites this side of the Atlantic, though there’s an occasional body for sale on Ebay in the UK. Maybe I’m just being impatient!
no problem, cant offer any oother advice though. I must bookmark the calculator myself. I don’t know how accurate it is but maybe the mods could sticky it. Might help someone
I would say, buy from a reputable source if you can, take good precautions as you would with any online sale. DO factor in the customs costs, as you will more than likely be levied with them, and will need to pay them before they will release the camera to you. Roughly, I imagine you are looking at adding 20- 25% for those costs.
Also, do some shopping around, and see if you are getting good value. 3300 seems a little bit high to me, as generally the Pentax is regarded as one of the most inexpensive ways to get into medium format, and do not imagine you need to spend anywhere near that money to get a decent medium format kit. Not saying the kit you saw is bad value, as it would seem to be a complete kit, but would check it out, and also not rule out just getting enough to get you started first, and see if you actually gel with the kit you go for. Others would have to advise you of the best value re: medium format systems/ kit though, my only experience with medium format has been in owning a few rolleicords, which are an inexpensive way to dip your toe into medium format if you are happy with a fixed lens camera.
Re: online sources, check out the classifieds at apug.org, and perhaps also at rangefinderforum.com. Places like Ffordes.co.uk & keh.com (US based), can also be a good online source for used kit too.
I would agree with the above, if spending that sort of money buy from a reputable source.I dont know what Pentax 67 cameras go for these days but I don’t think I would spend 3300 euro on one.
As for the Pentax are considered best for landscapes in medium format, I would think the Hasselblad systems would have a bigger following and would be better regarded… For that reason if I was spending that sort of money I would definitely think about Hasselblad, for 3300 you could get a very nice one. Hasselblad have interchangeable backs also unlike the Pentax 67
Best of luck
M
PS: I have a Mamiya RZ67II with 50,60,90 and 150 lenses with 4 camera backs and a Polaroid back. Have an extension tube for it also if you really want to go the 6×7 route. The body is mint and the lenses and back are in good to excellent condition.
Thanks murchu and martin for sound advice and for the web sites too.
Having stood back a bit from it now, it does seem like a large amount of money to pay and tax of 25% would add quite a bit to it.
I appreciate your offer martin but my heart is set on the Pentax. I own a K1000 and a K10D already, so I’m a big fan! Anyway, I’ll keep looking.
As an addendum to this, the seller never sent any photos. I asked him twice about the photos and he said he’d attached them to his messages. Nothing arrived and he’s gone quiet since!
If I had that kind of budget and I was was starting again and was a landscape photographer I would buy a 6*12 panoramic. Great landscape format. Martin makes a good point on the backs with the Hasselblad, an option to shoot mono and colour at the same time. Always found that too much gear gets in the way of good photography, keep it simple one camera one lens or maybe two, it has always worked for me. Enjoy spending that Budget, if you are using E-Bay maybe confine your searches to Europe and avoid the vat issue,remember better value in Germany, Holland and Belgium than the UK.
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
