Hasselblad, Bronica or Mamiya?

TheFlyingCamera · Dec 19, 2007

You can thank the Indonesians, Chinese and Malays who were running massive credit-card fraud schemes a few years ago for the difficulties KEH puts all "International" customers through. A LOT of ebay sellers don't sell internationally, and even more will exclude sales to those specific countries for that reason.

Peter Black · Dec 19, 2007

Andy, should you be leaning towards the Bronica, there is a well-regarded Brit on ebay who'll happily take your money for the outfit below.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Excellent-Bro...oryZ3350QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Andy K · Dec 19, 2007

Thanks for the tip Peter.

ijsbeer · Dec 19, 2007

Andy K said:
If you are a first time international customer or an existing international customer using a new credit card you must be verified prior to your order being shipped. Verification requires you to fax to (404) 892-1251 or email to sales@keh.com a copy of the front and back of the credit card, and your passport or drivers license along with your order number and telephone number.

put me off. There is no way on Earth I am going to send information like that in an email to anyone!

I've done it from the Netherlands, Just cut your numbers from your creditcard except the first four and all from the backside and I've got no problems.
I was also first put off by the idea but after a phonecall with my creditcard agency discussing if it's okay to send only the first 4 digits of the creditcard and exclude the digits on the backside they thought also it was okay. I've got no problems and my RZ body, WLF and 90mm arrived the same week!!!!

my two cents,
good night,

RJ

Sirius Glass · Dec 19, 2007

ijsbeer said:
I've done it from the Netherlands, Just cut your numbers from your creditcard except the first four and all from the backside and I've got no problems.
I was also first put off by the idea but after a phonecall with my creditcard agency discussing if it's okay to send only the first 4 digits of the creditcard and exclude the digits on the backside they thought also it was okay. I've got no problems and my RZ body, WLF and 90mm arrived the same week!!!!

my two cents,
good night,

RJ

Great idea for a solution!

Steve

Jerevan · Dec 20, 2007

At the moment I use a Hasselblad (500c, 80/2.8). I've always wanted to check them out, so when a clean, nice one came along, I bought it. I sent it off for a total CLA of body, lens and back and a brighter screen put in. Total cost $750. So, whatever you do, check the gear carefully and if you're not buying from a company, include a CLA in your budget, and set the price accordingly.

Prospero · Dec 20, 2007

Andy K said:
There is no way on Earth I am going to send information like that in an email to anyone!

Andy,

I've used KEH from overseas (Australia) several times and have had no problems whatsoever.

cheers

Andy K · Dec 20, 2007

I'm sure KEH are a perfectly reputable company, they certainly have a very good reputation here on APUG, I was just surprised at the request for details to be sent in an unsecure manner like an email. Maybe I'm sensitive to things like that at the moment as we have just had a series of personal data security lapses here in the UK (28 million people's personal data 'lost' by the government including names, dates of birth, national insurance numbers, bank account details, addresses).

Btw, I am now awaiting the arrival of a nice Bronica SQAi, thanks to Peter's tip off. I had been watching a few auctions (like this one) but got outbid. For some reason it had not been showing up in my searches, don't know why. Got it on a Buy It Now at less than my maximum bid amount for the other auctions. In the end it was price, condition, availability of accessories that made the decision.

BrianShaw · Dec 20, 2007

I really like a story with a happy ending. That is a nice looking camera, Andy. Congratulations!

David A. Goldfarb · Dec 20, 2007

Before he ships the camera, you might want to jump on the speed grip from the same seller--

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....Sell_LogicX&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget

Since the camera has the prism it works really nicely with the grip, which has a wind lever, so in operation it feels like a large 35mm SLR.

Steve Smith · Dec 20, 2007

David A. Goldfarb said:
Before he ships the camera, you might want to jump on the speed grip from the same seller--

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....Sell_LogicX&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget

Since the camera has the prism it works really nicely with the grip, which has a wind lever, so in operation it feels like a large 35mm SLR.

I agree. I got a prism and grip for my ETRS which makes it very useable hand held.

Steve.

Andy K · Dec 20, 2007

David, Steve, it is already done! Can't see me lugging the Bronica about everywhere I go the way I do my F80 or R3M though!

David A. Goldfarb · Dec 20, 2007

Enjoy! I don't know how it will feel if you're only accustomed to 35mm, but after carrying around the S2a and large format for years, I was amazed when I picked up an SQa with a prism and winder grip. It's a great handheld shooter.

dxphoto · Dec 20, 2007

am i missing something here? a 500c/m + 80/2.8CF + 120 back + waistlevel finder = USD 500 - 800? Where do you guys see that?

Andy, if you don't see anything right at the moment, maybe you want to try the Rolleiflex TLR. A 3.5 Automat costs no more than 200 dollars. And the image quality is wonderful.

I have used bronica etrsi + 75mm PE + 40mm MC, Hasselblad 500c/m + 80/2.8 and the rolleiflex. I like the rolleiflex the most for it's size, solid build and quite shutter. The hasselblad is sharper but very nice. Bronica lenses are too sharp and too cold to me.

Andy K · Dec 20, 2007

dxphoto said:
am i missing something here? a 500c/m + 80/2.8CF + 120 back + waistlevel finder = USD 500 - 800? Where do you guys see that?

Here (actually it went for the equivalent of $866US but at the time of writing it was at about $620US)

BarryWilkinson · Dec 20, 2007

Andy K said:
...

Suzanne, I did have a look at KEH, but this, in their conditions for international sales and shipping:

If you are a first time international customer or an existing international customer using a new credit card you must be verified prior to your order being shipped. Verification requires you to fax to (404) 892-1251 or email to sales@keh.com a copy of the front and back of the credit card, and your passport or drivers license along with your order number and telephone number.

put me off. There is no way on Earth I am going to send information like that in an email to anyone!

Same rules at B&H. Although we happily part with our CC data over the telephone, faxing or emailing copies of the CC seems like a step too far? I'm sure my CC company would not support me under those circumstances in a case of fraud. B&H have just lost a $1000+ order from me because I can find no way to pay them.

BTW: I have an RZ67 which I have been very happy with for many years. It is much larger and heavier than a Hasselblad so as others have said, if you are going to only use 6x6 maybe its not for you?

Barry

Andy K · Dec 20, 2007

Barry, as posted previously, I bought a Bronica SQAi kit last night.

BarryWilkinson · Dec 20, 2007

Andy K said:
Barry, as posted previously, I bought a Bronica SQAi kit last night.

Ooops!

Sorry Andy, put it down to age!

Barry

Peter Black · Dec 20, 2007

Andy K said:
Barry, as posted previously, I bought a Bronica SQAi kit last night.

Glad to hear that Santa's definitely stopping by your house this year!. As a matter of principle, I'd advise you to study/print the Bronica tips at the link below, especially the dry-firing part. Enjoy!!

http://www.camerahobby.com/Photo-Bronica_Tips.htm

dxphoto · Dec 20, 2007

Andy K said:
Here (actually it went for the equivalent of $866US but at the time of writing it was at about $620US)

Usually the price on ebay should end up at around $1000 for a decent one. I am wondering how much it KEH is selling.

Andy K · Dec 20, 2007

Peter Black said:
Glad to hear that Santa's definitely stopping by your house this year!. As a matter of principle, I'd advise you to study/print the Bronica tips at the link below, especially the dry-firing part. Enjoy!!

http://www.camerahobby.com/Photo-Bronica_Tips.htm

Thanks for that Peter, and thanks for the tip off.

Andy K · Dec 20, 2007

dxphoto said:
Usually the price on ebay should end up at around $1000 for a decent one. I am wondering how much it KEH is selling.

It could be a case of camera auctions slowing down in the week or so before Christmas. People are spending their money elsewhere.

Alex Hawley · Dec 20, 2007

Andy K said:
Barry, as posted previously, I bought a Bronica SQAi kit last night.

That looks like a dandy kit Andy. I think you will enjoy the larger negative size. Happy Photographing!

Andy K · Dec 21, 2007

Thanks Alex.

Camera (and grip!) arrived this morning. What a beast! It is pretty much mint condition. A beautiful camera, can't wait to get some results from it. I even went to Jessops (ptooey!) this afternoon to grab six rolls of HP5+ (and ordered another twenty rolls fro Silverprint to arrive in the new year).

Now all I have to do is learn how to use it...

Ps. Can't recommend this guy highly enough. He was communicative and friendly. He posted the camera yesterday morning, then when I ordered a matching speedgrip later in the day he got that in the post too even though I would have been happy to wait a few days for it. Both arrived 9.30 this morning.

David A. Goldfarb · Dec 21, 2007

That was quick!

Hasselblad, Bronica or Mamiya?

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