Japanese MF eBay purchases

nwilkins · Feb 22, 2015

Buying MF gear from Japan on ebay has been great in my experience. I live in Canada and shipping from Japan is always faster and cheaper than receiving goods from the US. The gear is usually in fantastic condition, and the sellers are great. Only twice has something been unsatisfactory. In one instance the seller provided a no questions asked full refund (including refund of postage). In another instance the seller refunded me the cost of repairing the small problem with the item (at my request, instead of having to return it). In summary - the gear is great, the customer service is great, and the shipping is great. If you live in Canada KEH does not compare due to their super inflated shipping costs (much to my chagrin).

quixotic · Feb 23, 2015

nwilkins said:
Buying MF gear from Japan on ebay has been great in my experience. I live in Canada and shipping from Japan is always faster and cheaper than receiving goods from the US. The gear is usually in fantastic condition, and the sellers are great. Only twice has something been unsatisfactory. In one instance the seller provided a no questions asked full refund (including refund of postage). In another instance the seller refunded me the cost of repairing the small problem with the item (at my request, instead of having to return it). In summary - the gear is great, the customer service is great, and the shipping is great. If you live in Canada KEH does not compare due to their super inflated shipping costs (much to my chagrin).

I have to agree (also living in Canada). Japan and S. Korea have both been excellent. And I don't recall ever paying any customs. (the Xpan from Korea was to die for, and since I already had one, I managed to sell the Korean one for about $900 more than I paid for it...actually a TX-1).

Trond · Feb 23, 2015

I have bought a lot of equipment from Japan (via eBay). The condition of the equipment has usually been as described, or better. On the one occasion something was amiss (faulty shutter in a RB67 lens), I got refunded very quickly. The service I've got has always been fast and friendly.

Trond

Sirius Glass · Feb 23, 2015

I have no experience buying from Japan or Korea. I do from Hong Kong.

Some of my eBay and internet purchases have been less than stellar. I have found great service and equipment from KEH, so I will use them whenever possible.

amellice · Feb 23, 2015

here's my one time experience from Japan, shipped from Japan to New York City in almost 12 days, shipping was fast but it was held at the customs for couple of days, I didn't pay anything extra for customs and my Canon 1V HS arrived in very secure package along with a Japanese rice seasoning. Communication with seller was good he responded to all my questions

DannL. · Feb 23, 2015

I purchased a lens the other day from Japan via eBay, one of many. At the time I felt very satisfied I had finally found the best one of that version. The next day the seller wrote a nice apology stating that the lens had previously sold through their store, and they had mistakenly continued to list it on eBay. They offered me $50.00 for the inconvenience. I've never had that happen before. I'm glad, because an even better version was listed in that time, and I ended up getting that instead. You can't beat serendipity, when it occurs.

one90guy · Feb 24, 2015

Bought film back for Bronica EC from Japan, had problem with it seller replied immediately. Was able to get it repaired and seller refunded more than enough for repair. I have never had a problem buying from Japan, do not buy a lot due to shipping cost.

David

dynachrome · Feb 24, 2015

My experiences have been mostly good. One RB67 arrived with a cracked mirror. In the eBay auction page photos the mirror looked fine. All sides of the camera except for the bottom were padded adequately. I had a mirror from another parts body installed and it works nicely.

LMNOP · Feb 24, 2015

Trond said:
I have bought a lot of equipment from Japan (via eBay). The condition of the equipment has usually been as described, or better. On the one occasion something was amiss (faulty shutter in a RB67 lens), I got refunded very quickly. The service I've got has always been fast and friendly.

Trond

Thank you. It is stories like this that helped me make the decision to just give it a shot. I placed an order this morning for a GW690 I've been pining for a while now, let's hope it arrives safely and in good working order. I can't possibly pay an American dealer twice as much for the same camera, it's just madness.

one90guy · Feb 24, 2015

LMNOP said:
Thank you. It is stories like this that helped me make the decision to just give it a shot. I placed an order this morning for a GW690 I've been pining for a while now, let's hope it arrives safely and in good working order. I can't possibly pay an American dealer twice as much for the same camera, it's just madness.

Good luck, let us know outcome. I have been wanting one of those for ever. Guess its time to sell some used gear, and no GAS for me, always intended to use them

LMNOP · Feb 24, 2015

one90guy said:
Good luck, let us know outcome. I have been wanting one of those for ever. Guess its time to sell some used gear, and no GAS for me, always intended to use them

Man, me too, I have read about these for years. At one point I owned the 645 RF Fuji made, but it wasnt a great fit, I sold it but still regret doing so. It wasnt the best camera in the world but I miss the handling of it, and the lens was super sharp and contrasty. I am really looking forward to this 80's beast!

what does GAS stand for in that context? And yes, I will reply to this thread with shipping results.

Sirius Glass · Feb 25, 2015

LMNOP said:
I placed an order this morning for a GW690 I've been pining for a while now ...

Enjoy!

AgX · Feb 25, 2015

GAS = Gear Aquiring Syndrom

First signs: when you have to smuggle-in your new stuff.

cpkuntz · Feb 25, 2015

My Rolleiflex came from a Japanese eBay vendor. I was very pleased with the speed of delivery and the condition of the camera. I did not pay any customs fees. The camera works perfectly without any fungus on the lens, the shutter and film advance rollers and focus is properly calibrated. Cosmetically, the camera is near mint condition, as advertised. I suspect it was owned by an amateur who used it occasionally enough to avoid degradation due to lack of use, but rarely or carefully enough to avoid serious wear.

macfred · Feb 25, 2015

AgX said:
GAS = Gear Aquiring Syndrom

First signs: when you have to smuggle-in your new stuff.

I think it was in 1996,when Steely Dan - guitar player Walter Becker used the shortcut `GAS´ for the first time.
He wrote about the `Guitar Acquisition Syndrome´. http://www.steelydan.com/gas.html
Walter couldn't stop buying guitars, like we -sometimes- cannot stop buying photographic gear.

Sirius Glass · Feb 25, 2015

macfred said:
I think it was in 1996,when Steely Dan - guitar player Walter Becker used the shortcut `GAS´ for the first time.
He wrote about the `Guitar Acquisition Syndrome´. http://www.steelydan.com/gas.html
Walter couldn't stop buying guitars, like we -sometimes- cannot stop buying photographic gear.

I only read part way through the article when I stopped to order another lens on line. I will finish the article later since I am tracking the lens' shipping progress.

wjlapier · Feb 26, 2015

I have bought many cameras from Japan ebay sellers. Fujica GW690 in pristine condition a while back. Recently, Fujifilm GA645 in as new condition and a Hexar RF, also in as new condition. And the prices are too tempting to go back and buy more.

No problems with customs ( I'm in the U.S. ). No additional charges. Just buy, wait for tracking info, and wait a little more for the camera. Lately, expedited shipping has been less than a week from Japan to me.

I'm now thinking of another Fujifilm camera. Probably the Zi zoom.

I only have 8 post! It's been a while since I've been over here.

TheToadMen · Feb 26, 2015

one90guy said:
(...) and no GAS for me, always intended to use them

If you've said this twice than it is GAS in denial

LMNOP · Feb 26, 2015

wjlapier said:
I have bought many cameras from Japan ebay sellers. Fujica GW690 in pristine condition a while back. Recently, Fujifilm GA645 in as new condition and a Hexar RF, also in as new condition. And the prices are too tempting to go back and buy more.

No problems with customs ( I'm in the U.S. ). No additional charges. Just buy, wait for tracking info, and wait a little more for the camera. Lately, expedited shipping has been less than a week from Japan to me.

I'm now thinking of another Fujifilm camera. Probably the Zi zoom.

I only have 8 post! It's been a while since I've been over here.

I have tracking info but it as vague, it just says that it has been exported from Japan basically. I am anxious for its arrival, to see the condition and functionality. Being on the east coast, I imagine it will take a good deal of time to arrive. This waiting game is torture!

heespharm · Feb 26, 2015

LMNOP said:
I have tracking info but it as vague, it just says that it has been exported from Japan basically. I am anxious for its arrival, to see the condition and functionality. Being on the east coast, I imagine it will take a good deal of time to arrive. This waiting game is torture!

I know what you mean.. I've bought maybe a dozen straight razors and honing stones from Japan... In the thousands of dollars worth... But each one seems priceless to me... And I stalked the mail hardcore... Jodie foster style

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Fixcinater · Feb 26, 2015

I've bought some Pentax 67 gear from there and Canon RF gear. Always good experiences, but expedited shipping is recommended over waiting a month which is indeed torture.

Paul in Arizona · Mar 3, 2015

My two cents.
I have been thinking about adding a 645. Reassured by this thread I bought and just got delivered a complete Bronica ETRS kit with 50mm/2.8; metered finder; speed grip etc from Japan for $358. Described as "Exc" it looks better than that to me -something I'd rate as 'near new' with not one indication of prior use or abuse.
Expedited shipping took 8 days. No import duty. USPS' tracking is of course useless. According to them it is still in LA.
Color me pleased.

Sirius Glass · Mar 3, 2015

You will be more please when you get it.

M Carter · Mar 3, 2015

For Japanese sellers, the same old eBay rules apply - do they have good feedback? Have you actually read their feedback page (it's amazing how many people are total jerks...)

And... ask a question about the item and see how quickly you get a reply.

Overall, I've had excellent ebay buying experiences, using the above. The main issue is determining when somebody has no idea about what they're selling... you have to contact them with the "is the lens scratched", "is the battery chamber corroded", etc.

LMNOP · Mar 3, 2015

FYI - my Japanese eBay purchase turned out to be a huge success.

Japanese MF eBay purchases

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