Buying a Mamiya 6

callumwsmith · Aug 4, 2017

Hi Everyone,

I've been on the hunt for a Mamiya 6 for a while now. I've done my research and they produce amazing images and are a beautiful camera.

The problem is I can only find them for sale on eBay. Has anyone bought one from eBay before? What should I look out for and should I buy one off eBay?

Thanks

FujiLove · Aug 4, 2017

I recently bought an M6 off eBay and it's absolutely fine. eBay seems to be set up to protect buyers these days, so I think selling is much more of an issue. If you have any problems as a buyer, you can almost always return the item for a full refund as long as you followed the eBay rules and used Paypal. I've bought items from the Japanese sellers in the past and they have all been excellent to deal with.

Regarding the M6 itself, I'd just double check with the seller that it's fully working, so you have it in writing in case it's not as described. As with all rangefinders, they can get knocked slightly out of alignment, but it's not much of a job to fix. I suspect this can happen in the postal system.

Handling any medium format camera before you buy is a good idea, but in my opinion they are one of the nicest of them all to use, so it's less of an issue with the M6.

john_s · Aug 4, 2017

Another happy ebay customer having bought two Mamiya 6 cameras from Japan. There are a lot of cameras there that don't seem to have had much use. I have found Japanese vendors to be excellent. I prefer the earlier Mamiya 6 bodies (not MF "multi format" ones) because the viewfinder is less cluttered, but I guess that being older might increase the risk a fraction.

ewbank1 · Aug 4, 2017

I purchased a Mamiya 6 from ebay. The seller described it to be in worn but working condition. It mostly worked but the film advance mostly did not work. I negotiated a significant discount from the seller, rather than return it. I then sent it to be repaired. It is now a very usable though worn camera.

So it is buyer beware on ebay.

Ed

FujiLove · Aug 4, 2017

ewbank1 said:
I purchased a Mamiya 6 from ebay. The seller described it to be in worn but working condition. It mostly worked but the film advance mostly did not work. I negotiated a significant discount from the seller, rather than return it. I then sent it to be repaired. It is now a very usable though worn camera.

So it is buyer beware on ebay.

Ed

I understand what you're getting at by saying buyer beware, but it's not entirely true. When you discovered the camera was not exactly as described you could have returned it for a full refund, but chose to take a discount instead. Hence, there's not a lot to be wary about as an eBay buyer. The most you would have lost is the postage cost, and maybe not even that. When using eBay I'd say it's much more a case of 'seller beware'!

Marcelo Paniagua · Aug 4, 2017

I've both be selling and buying cameras and other stuff from ebay for more than 10 years and I could say that, as a buyer, you are very well protected. I've had very few issues, from lost packages to damaged cameras to camera not being on the described condition and always been able to get my money back.

I would say that ebay is tougher for sellers than for buyers.

The Japanese camera dealers I've had deals with had been very honest, accurately described their items and very nice to get along with.

Regards

Marcelo

EdSawyer · Aug 4, 2017

why the 6 and not the Mamiya 7?

Marcelo Paniagua · Aug 4, 2017

OP should specify if he is either referring to the Mamiya 6 folder or the Mamiya 6 RF camera.

Regards

Marcelo

john_s · Aug 4, 2017

Marcelo Paniagua said:
OP should specify if he is either referring to the Mamiya 6 folder or the Mamiya 6 RF camera.

Regards

Marcelo

I assumed that the OP was referring to the rangefinder.

Alan Gales · Aug 4, 2017

EdSawyer said:
why the 6 and not the Mamiya 7?

This would be my guess.

mooseontheloose · Aug 4, 2017

I bought my Mamiya 6 (rangefinder) and lenses off of Japanese sellers on eBay. Of course, it's cheaper on shipping for me that way, but as others have said, I'm much more trusting of their ratings and descriptions as I've yet to have a single problem with any camera I've bought from them.

one90guy · Aug 4, 2017

I have also had great success buying from Japanese dealers. Bought my Mamiya 6 RF and all 3 lens, and it works prefect. Have had 2 Canon RF lens issues and they were handled quickly with a full refund.

David

callumwsmith · Aug 5, 2017

Thanks for the feedback. Made me feel a lot better. And yes, as a buying you do have protection via PayPal and also eBay.

I suppose the only other question I have is that I do prefer 6x6 format, though what happens if my Mamiya 6 breaks. Some users say that the 7 or 7ii are a safer bet to buy as they have parts still available.

It also comes down to money and the 7ii is getting quite costly.

I just keep crawling back to the M6 as it seems so simple and beautiful.

Cal

RalphLambrecht · Aug 5, 2017

john_s said:
Another happy ebay customer having bought two Mamiya 6 cameras from Japan. There are a lot of cameras there that don't seem to have had much use. I have found Japanese vendors to be excellent. I prefer the earlier Mamiya 6 bodies (not MF "multi format" ones) because the viewfinder is less cluttered, but I guess that being older might increase the risk a fraction.

I was lucky enough to get my M6 from a local sellers I could inspect it before buying. It came with 50,75 and 150mm lenses and they are all superb but I had the 150 focus-adjusted by Mamiya in Munich, Germany. Now, this is my favourite travel camera and my second favourite (after the Hasselblad 501c)overall camera.Ebay is like playing dice but I was lucky most of the time

phrons · Aug 8, 2017

Do you need the new Mamiya 6?

I have the original folder version, and it's pretty amazing for the price you can get for it.

FujiLove · Aug 8, 2017

callumwsmith said:
Thanks for the feedback. Made me feel a lot better. And yes, as a buying you do have protection via PayPal and also eBay.

I suppose the only other question I have is that I do prefer 6x6 format, though what happens if my Mamiya 6 breaks. Some users say that the 7 or 7ii are a safer bet to buy as they have parts still available.

It also comes down to money and the 7ii is getting quite costly.

I just keep crawling back to the M6 as it seems so simple and beautiful.

Cal

I used to own a Mamiya 7ii, and although it was a fantastic camera, it feels quite different to the 6. I found the 7 a little awkward to pack in a bag because of it's 'long nose', whereas the collapsible lens on the 6 makes it very compact. The Mamiya rangefinders make wonderful travel cameras, and for me, the 6 is the best of all.

callumwsmith · Aug 8, 2017

phrons said:
Do you need the new Mamiya 6?

I have the original folder version, and it's pretty amazing for the price you can get for it.

Folder version?

And yeah i'm looking to buy a Mamiya 6.

Marcelo Paniagua · Aug 8, 2017

Mamiya 6 comes in 2 flavors:

Folder:

and

Best regards

Marcelo

phrons · Aug 8, 2017

callumwsmith said:
Folder version?

And yeah i'm looking to buy a Mamiya 6.

Yes. The original Mamiya 6 is a folder.

Mine is with a 75mm 3.5 Zuiko lens. I think there is one other lens type.

You can find a really good one for $200.

It's also a rangefinder.

The glass might be slightly better on the newer versions, but those are definitely bigger and more expensive.

If you don't want to have multiple lenses this might be a good option.

You mention money is one of your concerns. I would look into 120 folders (not the makina). They are portable, they have the 120 negative, some of them have awesome glass, and they are affordable and easily repairable. They might not be for you, but at the very least entertain the idea, especially if cost is something you take into consideration.

iakustov · Aug 22, 2017

callumwsmith said:
though what happens if my Mamiya 6 breaks

I was looking for the place to CLA & repair my Mamiya 6 (minor issue though) and it looks like Precision Camera Works in Illinois still have the spare parts, at least for the advance mechanism. I am yet to send the camera to them though.
I mailed Mamiya Germany, but got no response..

Buying a Mamiya 6

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency