Pondering the unthinkable (selling my Mamiya 7)

For the first time, I'm thinking seriously about selling my Mamiya 7. I've had it for nine years in January and it helped change my life. I've made a lot of pictures with it over the years. However, I'm not using it much these days and haven't for some time. It's not just because of the pandemic. For most of the time I've had it, the 7 was my only medium format camera. In 2019, I added an RZ67. That was coincident with having transitioned from tripod-avoidant to tripod-dependent. These days, I prefer using my RZ67 to make my work. That's not to say there hasn't been a place for my Mamiya 7-- it's just been uncommon.

Of course, I wouldn't be thinking about selling it if the market value wasn't so high. A quick eBay search shows Mamiya 7I + 80mm combinations going for around 3K in some cases; 7IIs are well above that mark. Is this sustainable? I'm not sure.

My own Mamiya 7 body is close to unique. It has the polarized rangefinder window of a 7II, as well as various internal parts that have likewise been upgraded along the way. It's had some rough moments, having been serviced many times over the years. The biggest ding came in 2019, when it fell over five feet onto a hard floor from my backpack. It held up surprisingly well, though of course it had to be repaired.

At the moment, it functions normally. It's just not functioning much for me these days. I took it with me on Monday, along with my RZ67 and another camera, and I forgot it was there until after I got home. If I decide to sell it, should I wait longer so that it goes up still more in value?

I'm very attached to the camera for sentimental reasons, and the lens as well. Perhaps the lens most of all-- its serial number is OK1234. I figure I'll probably (maybe?) keep it, but given the economy and such, two to three thousand dollars isn't nothing.

The issue for me is that I've come to prefer square format. I've even found that I've cropped many M7 shots to square when printing. But I'll probably keep the camera.

I hear you, man... I am debating the same with my Xpan. My main worry is that those electronics-laden devices are likely to be changed into a paperweight if they break down. I'm probably overly paranoid here, though...? (knock on wood...)

As you are attached to the camera, let's consider the problem from a different angle: do you need the money? (or do you expect you will need the money in the foreseeable future?)
If yes go ahead and sell it. If you don't need the money right now but will later, take your time to find a buyer who will give you a good deal and/or will take good care of the camera.

If you "can afford" to lose a few thousand (*) in case the camera gets bricked, keep it. It will probably work fine another 20 years or more anyway. You do not use it much at the moment, but you might decide to use it in a couple years. It's always nice to have options open.

(*) so to speak. Never fun to lose money, what I am meaning is along the lines of "will your kids miss a meal if that happens?" You know what I mean.

My 2 cents... happy Xmas time to you and your family!

They don't make 'em anymore and never will again. If you sell it you'd better be certain that you'll never want one again because you'll inevitably have to pay more in the future for what you already have now.

Don't bother trying to time the market. Sell it or keep it because you want to, not because you think the price will go up or down. Either way, you will be wrong half the time, and a few bucks difference won't change your life.

BradS said:

They don't make 'em anymore and never will again. If you sell it you'd better be certain that you'll never want one again because you'll inevitably have to pay more in the future for what you already have now.

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Once you get your hands on a Hasselblad, you will never want a Mamiya 7 again.

Upgrade now! You want it. You deserve it. You will use it.

I've fallen for square too. Problem for me is I think I've turned into a hoarder of sorts. I did manage to sell a huge collection of Bronica SQAi bodies and lenses, during my return to the Swedish / German masterpieces. I still have 2 RZ67 II bodies and tonnes of stuff to go with. I love Mamiya cameras and lenses.

Here's a idea, I have a "New" Mamiya 6 MF (multi-format). No LCDs electronic shutters (in the lenses) but that's repairable. There's only 3 lenses and they are perfect. 50,75,150. I have the 35mm adapter that has a insert that holds the film absolutely flat, makes 20 , 24x54mm images on a 36exp roll. Otherwise it's square, which is perfect.

But if you are not using the 7 I would sell it, while, it's commanding nice prices. If you love it keep it.

shutterlight said:

I'm very attached to the camera for sentimental reasons

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The best cameras to keep for sentimental reasons are the ones which no one else wants, and which have no real market value:

Keep Kodaks and Kievs
Fetishize FEDs
Save Smenas
Preserve Petris
But...
Liquidate Leicas
and Monetize that Mamiya!!

I will trade a Hasselblad 503 CW with 50mm, A12 back and PM45 prism plus some cash for a Mamiya 7 with 80mm if anybody is interested.

I sold my Mamiya 7 earlier this year and replaced it with a 6x6 TLR which is easier to hold steady for critical sharpness without carrying some kind of steadying device.
No regrets.

campy51 said:

I will trade a Hasselblad 503 CW with 50mm, A12 back and PM45 prism plus some cash for a Mamiya 7 with 80mm if anybody is interested.

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OP just do it!

I had a Mamiya 7 twice before and sold it both times. Only reason, because I personally do not like the 6x7 ratio. Got myself a Mamiya 6 and fell in love with the square. I now own two Mamiya 6 bodies and all three lenses. Such a great system! I will also add that in my opinion there are no sharper lenses in medium format than the Mamiya 6/7 lenses. So with that said I personally would not sell it. You like the 6x7 format and it’s nice to travel light sometimes. Maybe set it aside for a while and shoot your RZ. I bet you come back to it at some point. Good luck either way!

I'm sooooo glad I kept my RB, instead of letting it go, about 10 years ago.

I am more than fine with it in 35mm Leica cameras but I just could never get into the rangefinder way of working with medium format film, I need that precision framing.

Of course you are going to get a plethora of opinions but ultimately it is up to you if it checks your boxes or not...

Wonderful camera. I bought it for my travel to Patagonia and sold it when I was back. I can fully agree with the above video in #13: the kind of photography you practice is the criterium. I do not need the M7 for landscapes in Europe where I can bring my 4x5” mostly. For streetphotography a Leica rangefinder is much more sympathetic to me and my subjects and this sort of photography is not served with ultimate image quality as in 6x7, rather not actually.

My back is giving me problems and it's hard to get out and use my large and medium format systems. Things change for all of us for different reasons.

I would be very reluctant to sell any camera worth that much on eBay at this time - the site seems to be good for nickel and dime items but more expensive cameras either don't sell at all or attract bottom-feeders who want good gear for nothing.

Is there a reputable secondhand camera dealer in your area you would trust with your Mamiya? This may be the best way to go - the commission will be somewhere along the line of up to 25 percent but going through a dealer will eliminate many of the headaches you will likely encounter on eBay or other internet sale site.

My experience with selling quality photo equipment on THAT site goes back to about 2015 when I managed to offload my beloved Hasselblad 500CM for what I had paid for it (I bought i secondhand), to a serious buyer I had several conversations with before the final sale and who I met in person when I delivered the camera to him in person. I also sweetened the sale with several other brand name items (Softar filters, a lens hood, a grip and a soft case) and two five packs of film. Both parties were satisfied and the buyer has kept in contact with me, so I gained an internet penpal as well as made a sale. Win-win.

On the other hand I've had two bad experiences with eBay, one involving a $400 sale. The buyer somehow damaged the camera and then made a false claim against me on eBay. Paypal refunded his payment but I pressured both agencies enough that the camera was eventually returned to me. I suspect the buyer was a bit of a dope who forced a 90mm lens on the camera (a Contax G1) and did some minor damage to the pins. I had at the time a dedicated repair person, now sadly retired, undid the damage and very kindly charged me only the basic service fee as he later told me the work involved only about ten minutes of his time.

Sadly in this digi-everything age film cameras now fetch very little money and even the top brands are either being passed up or low offers are made. In this new Covid age many buyers seem desperate to sell and buyers with spare cash are trying to pick up quality items for very little in the hope of selling at high prices in a year's time.

A few months ago I was very temped to change formats and buy into Leica as two excellent secondhand digital Ms ended up on offer for sale in a reputable Melbourne camera store. The M9 went quickly but the M8 is still there and I had very serious thoughts about acquiring it, but it would have meant selling off a good part of my digital Nikon kit and in the end I opted to stay with what I had and just make more and better use of it. Ditto my film cameras, Rolleiflexes are on offer at ridiculously high prices on eBay now but I have four in my collection and I don't use three of them much, so buying a fifth would be just throwing away good money. My repaired Contax G1 and a venerable Nikkormat FT2 with four good Nikkor lenses satisfy my 35mm shooting urges and I see no need to add to my arsenal. At the age I am now, it would be money I prefer to spend elsewhere while I can on travel, nice dinners with my partner and good wine. Adding to the pile of things I have in our home will just cause more headache to my executor when my time comes.

We all have differing needs and wants but if I were in your position I would hold on to that Mamiya and somehow find the cash to buy into whatever other make you want. However, I have to say the offer in #10 is tempting and if everything fell into place I would be inclined to go the way of the comment in #11.

Whatever you decide, my very best wishes to you. It's good to have the option of choice.

I agree with the above of avoiding eBay. They’ve gotten too greedy. If you do decide to sell it, put it up here on photrio, or over on rangefinderforum. I’ve had great luck selling anything I’ve wanted to here and also good luck purchasing from others.
Good luck.

Back when I was needed to replace my three worn Mamiya TLR wedding cameras with 55, 80, and 180mm lenses, I considered the Mamiya 7 with 65mm, 80mm, and 150mm lenses. However, the Mamiya 7 exceeded my budget.

Instead, I decided to buy a 6x7cm Fuji rangefinder with a fixed 90mm lens and a 6x9cm Fuji rangefinder with a fixed 65mm lens. Later, I added a Mamiya RB67 with a 180mm lens. The two fixed-lens Fuji rangefinders and the RB67 with 180mm lens were well within my budget.

Good luck with your decision.

FWIW , I sold my Mamiya 7 kit ( 3 lenses ) and I think it was on this forum ( or another ? ) that I listed it .
Not on Ebay , and within 3 days had over a dozen offers from around the world to buy it , only 1 offered less than
I was asking ( it was a lot ) . Fantastic camera system , but I couldn't afford ( or justify) a 6x7 projector .
Bought a brand new Lincoln Tig welder , (which I use all the time) from the proceeds and haven't regretted it's
sale for a moment ( I'm just not good enough at picture taking to justify it's ownership ) Peter
Don't bother with Hasselblads , they'll never exceed your Mamiya

Just sold a rather expensive item on Ebay and was shocked to see the expenses taken out by Ebay and Paypal, especially now that Ebay takes out tax. I also had trouble with a buyer a few years ago who claimed that there was a problem with an item and demanded a price reduction. When I told him to return the item he relented and kept it. He was obviously a con man.

Re Mamiya: The M7 is a great camera for hand-held photography and those lenses are as sharp as can be with great contrast. I also note the 43mm lens, which is astonishing. So I say keep the camera.

I tend to sell electronic cameras when their value gets high enough. It can go from being worth $3,000 to $0 in an instant.

The real question is how much is the camera worth to YOU. If that number is lower than eBay prices, then it's time to sell...

Ariston said:

I tend to sell electronic cameras when their value gets high enough. It can go from being worth $3,000 to $0 in an instant.

The real question is how much is the camera worth to YOU. If that number is lower than eBay prices, then it's time to sell...

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... or continue to use as a use camera of known certainty. A known working camera is worth much more than an unknown.

I really appreciate all the feedback and thoughts. I'm not likely to ever acquire a Hasselblad, and in fact I've never made a 6x6 frame of film. I'm a 4x5 (or so) person at heart. Thank you as well for the eBay-related comments; I've used it a couple times since they started taking taxes out of your sale and I lost money the first time because I didn't know about it. If I do sell, I think I'm more likely now to attempt a sale here or another non-eBay place. I originally bought my Mamiya 7 body for $550 in January 2012, which shows you how much times have changed. It was lower than average then as well, but not the fraud alert price it would be now. It was the first and only time I bought something from Photo.net.

What I may do is wait until the pandemic is mostly in the past and see what my usage rate is then.