Looking for a good Ebay seller for Mamiya 645 Pro TL

Raffay · Feb 4, 2014

Hello,

I have decided to go the medium format route with a Mamiya 645 Pro TL. I have been checking ebay but most of the sellers are from Japan, not that there is anything wrong with that, but most of them have very limited feedback. Just wanted to know if someone here had any experience with any particular Japanese seller and would recommend them for Mamiya specially.

Btw, I have checked keh and mpex and most places like amazon, there isn't a good system available anywhere. Would really appreciate if someone could guide me to the best place to get a Mamiya, I would prefer to buy an Ex++ copy if possible.

Cheers
Raffay.

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dorff · Feb 4, 2014

I can't help with specific advice, other than to say: Be patient. The right deal will come along. Keep on looking at APUG Classifieds, too. There was a good system up for sale here not long ago. Unfortunately, many sellers won't ship to Pakistan, so you might not be able to buy everything you see.

Raffay · Feb 4, 2014

Thank you, shipping will not be an issue, as I have a friend in US who buys everything for me.

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Dr Croubie · Feb 4, 2014

The two that I've dealt with mostly (not from loyalty, they just have the right prices at the right time) are:
astrosmith22 - has a lot of Toyo/Omega View and GX680 bits, occasionally a mamiya lens (6, 7, and rz67 are some up currently) but less bodies.
dede-popo-2008 - has a lot more 'bits and bobs'. Most importantly is (or was at the time) the cheapest place (available to me) for the new velvia in 4x5 sheets.
Definitely worth cheking them occasionally.

nwilkins · Feb 4, 2014

I love buying from Japanese sellers because Japan has the best shipping in the world. It is often e.g. $10-15 for a large lens and arrives in three days to Canada. No exaggeration. It's crazy.

I bought from these guys and it was great but the item was new in box so not much risk: www.ebay.ca/usr/sanpoucamera

I bought something from this seller and although there was a small problem with it they took it back and refunded me the price plus shipping so they seem pretty good: http://www.ebay.ca/usr/yamato_ichiban

I bought something from these guys and it was great, but they don't have a super record (under 99.7% is low for ebay it seems): http://www.ebay.ca/usr/camera-japan

edit: this was all mamiya RB67 stuff I purchased.

brbeck · Feb 4, 2014

Raffay,

I have a Mamiya 645 Pro TL that I'm been meaning to sell. I'm send you a PM.

Brian

mgb74 · Feb 4, 2014

I have noticed a lot of equipment on the US ebay site from sellers in Japan.

Alan Gales · Feb 4, 2014

mgb74 said:
I have noticed a lot of equipment on the US ebay site from sellers in Japan.

You shore ain't a kiddin!

I've noticed this too.

Raffay · Feb 8, 2014

How much does a Mamiya 645 Pro TL weight with grip, metered finder, 120 back and 80mm f2.8 lens.

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MattKing · Feb 8, 2014

Raffay said:
How much does a Mamiya 645 Pro TL weight with grip, metered finder, 120 back and 80mm f2.8 lens.

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From the manual for the Pro (not the Pro-Tl:

Dimenslons & Weight
With Neck Strap.
Body with 120 Roll Film Holder HA401 124mm (W) x102.5mm (H) x 124mm (D) 980g
With Waist Level Finder N, 80mm f2.8N 124mm (W) x106 mm (H) x 158mm (D) 1,345g
With Prism Finder FP401, 80mm f/2.8N 124mm (W) x128 mm (H) x 170mm (D) 1,530g
With AE Prism Finder FE401, 80mm f/2.8N 124mm (W) x135 mm (H) x 170mm (D) 1,545g
With Power Drive Grip WG401, AE Prism Finder FE401, 80mm f/2.8N 172mm (W) x135 mm (H) x 170mm (D) 1,800g (Without Battery)

Raffay · Feb 8, 2014

Thank you, actually I am now confused between 645 pro TL and RZ67 pro II after watching this video www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJt685KUo0A in the end he weight the camera and according to him it came to 5 lbs which is 2 kg if I am not wrong. I now have a ME super which I am using for 35mm day to day run around camera. I am down grading from 4x5 to medium format so I am not sure if 645 would be good or 67. I want to use medium format to get more quality than 35 I shoot mostly portraits family shots, these I want to do handheld as most members in family get bored if I take long I mean setting up the tripod etc. hence I was shying away from RZ67 but if it is not a lot heavier than pro TL when the later is fitted with all the accessories then why not get the RZ at least the negative is bigger and also the rotating back very much required for portraits. For landscape I don't mind using a tripod. I am not a professional so I don't run around with my camera everyday, mostly weekends and that too at home.

What are your thoughts?

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mgb74 · Feb 8, 2014

For a big negative and handheld, I'd consider the Pentax 6x7. But I would think that the Mamiya or Bronica 6x4.5 cameras (with prism), would work quite well unless you're doing very large prints.

dorff · Feb 10, 2014

Raffay said:
What are your thoughts?

Well, for family photographs 35 mm is actually what I prefer. I think it is more responsive and versatile. For staged portraits and the likes, I would say the 645 provides a more flexible system, but the 6x7 would produce higher quality on a tripod. I have used my RZ67 with the 110/2.8 and the waist level finder on a strap around my neck for family portraits, children playing etc. It is a bit heavy, and you have to dial in your exposure settings beforehand. Still, I cannot say the RZ won't work, as I have done it myself, with good success. Just use reasonably fast film so that you can keep the shutter speeds at 1/125 or above.

Raffay · Feb 10, 2014

Thank you, over the weekending watched numerous videos and read a lot of reviews. Also watched a lot of sample shots people have taken with RZ, and I have to admit I am completely sold. I have decided that I will be getting the RZ67. Now I am looking for a good camera, any preferred sellers of Mamiya RZ67?

Cheers
Raffay.

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elekm · Feb 10, 2014

For portraits, a twin-lens reflex is a good option. Quick to set up, tripod or handheld. It's not threatening at all. In fact, most people are very curious about them and seem to relax when their photo is taken with one.

spijker · Feb 10, 2014

Raffay said:
hence I was shying away from RZ67 but if it is not a lot heavier than pro TL when the later is fitted with all the accessories

I don't want to spoil the fun but I think that you're a bit too optimistic on the weight comparison.
The RZ with the waist level finder, a 110mm f/2.8 lens and a 120 back weighs 2.490 kg.
The 645 Pro TL with the AE prism, a 80mm f/2.8 lens and a 120 back weighs 1.545 kg.
Thats a difference of close to 1 kg.

You can opt for the smaller WG402 power grip for the 645 that weighs 190 g (without battery) and uses a lighter battery (1 2CR5 instead of 6 AA). Then you have a 645 combination that has built-in TTL metering, automatic film transport and a non-reversed viewfinder. The basic RZ combination doesnt have that.

I got my 45mm f/2.8 N (for 645) from the Japanese ebay seller photonexport which worked out well.

Looking for a good Ebay seller for Mamiya 645 Pro TL

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