Resale value comparisons: Mamiya vs. Hasselblad

DanielStone · Jan 22, 2012

Interesting... I've been considering purchasing another RZ67 II kit since the prices have, IMO, "bottomed out"... I sold my 3-lens, 1 body(pro II), many accessory kit last year, and have been fortunate enough to fill that "void" it left with a nice 2-body, 3 lens Hasselblad kit. I've been extremely happy with the resulting film exposed through the Hassy lenses thus far.

What has cause the Hasselblad items to retain much more "value" price-wise than their comparative Mamiya counterparts?

I mean, I can get (4), yes 4, APO lenses(210, 250, 350, 500mm) Mamiya RZ67 lenses for under the cost of (1) mid/high-priced 250mm CF superachromat on eb** currently. Not much more for another (2) Pro II bodies, 4-5 film backs, 1-2 new-style prism finders, and motor winders for each body. And 4-5 more RZ lenses, such as the 50ULD, 65L-A, 110MM 2.8, and 180mm.

What gives? I'm doing my best to not become more of a "gearhead", but if I can have a more versatile kit that will allow me more "reach" when in the field for the same(or less) money, but I hate to flip-flop back and forth...

I shoot mostly chrome these days, so the "APO" would definitely help retain as much color fidelity as possible, especially since I've been drum scanning most of these to go up to 16x16/20 print sizes...

And despite all the "research" I've read through saying that Hasselblad lenses are sharper and give better results than Mamiya lenses, my eyes are seeing a definite even playing field from chromes/negs made with my prior RZ67, and my current Hasselblad lenses...

-Dan

jcoldslabs · Jan 23, 2012

I can only guess that the Hasselblad name has more buzz and recognition than Mamiya. I have a full Mamiya 7 set-up with four lenses and two bodies and love the cameras dearly, but with my recent move to 8x10 I am not using it much. I looked into selling it but the kit has lost so much value that it is worth more to me to keep the system and use it occasionally than let it go for so little. I was aware of this possibility when I bought it, however. Even fifteen years ago Hasselblads held their value better than other MF cameras.

Marketing and prestige have led people to associate Hasselblads with quality and luxury while the Mamiya name is barely known beyond serious photographic circles. It doesn't seem much different than people buying expensive Louis Vuitton purses emblazoned with the "LV" logo when they could spend half as much and get something made much better. (I don't mean to suggest that Hasselblads are all flash and no substance, although I've only used one once and was somewhat underwhelmed.)

Of course, the proper answer to your questions is: I really don't know. ;-]

Jonathan

wildbill · Jan 23, 2012

Ever heard anyone say "is that a mamiya?"

bushpig · Jan 23, 2012

Hasselblad is the Leica of medium format.

As the above posters said, it's just the name.

It's not that it's not a good system. But it's popular. The above posters summed it up perfectly.

Marc B. · Jan 23, 2012

There are many-a-mechanic, performing excellent automobile repairs,
using affordable 'Craftsmen' tools, instead of expensive 'Snap On' tools.
I'm not promoting or dissing either brand. They're just tools.

When getting repairs to your car, do you ask the name brand of hand tools the mechanic will be using?
Probably not. You will ask of their [mechanics] experience, reputation, and warranty, etc...
How well you, (or your mechanic) uses the tools is what makes the difference.

Cameras are just a tool.

I'm not able to look at a picture and tell what brand of camera was used to take the image.
I might have a close guess as to lens focal length used. I might correctly guess when a Holga was used.
The rest of the MF cameras have very good to excellent lenses. Medium Format demands quality glass.

The question is; how good of a photographer are you? Do you have...'The Eye?'

I currently have and shoot primarily, Olympus 35mm, Mamiya MF, and Cambo LF cameras.
Would I instead, like to have, say...a Leica, a Hasselblad, and a Sinar? Maybe?

However, within my budget, and with my skills, ['My Eye'], I can shoot just as good, (or lousy)
a picture with what I already have, and I have extra money for more lenses, better lights, film & processing,
larger prints, better picture frames, etc...

Now days when I'm out shooting my MF/LF cameras, no one asks me the name brand of what I'm shooting.
They more commonly ask, WTF is that?

Marc

film_man · Jan 23, 2012

The 250CF SA (note the SA, superachromat, not the plain old CF) is one of the rarest and most expensive lenses, at least in the UK. A normal 250CF I'm the UK goes for what a RZ67 kit goes, maybe with an extra lens at most.

Two23 · Jan 23, 2012

I think the fact that Hasselblads now have digital backs for them is part of the explanation for price.

Kent in SD

BrianShaw · Jan 23, 2012

wildbill said:
Ever heard anyone say "is that a mamiya?"

Believe it or not... I heard that once when my camera bag went through an airport xray machine. When I told the TSA guy that it was a Hasselblad, then he pulled it aside and said, "Well, do you mind if I inspect it in more detail?" He was familiar with Mamiya MF cameras but not Hassy. He and his partner had a great time fondling my equipment.

keithwms · Jan 23, 2012

Resale?! Camera gear?

I would advise you to hold on to what you've got and shoot the holy crap out of it. Use it heavily and without regard for the next owner. Leave it fully spent, appreciated, and used as if there were no tomorrow. The resale value of my gear will be precisely $0 by the time I'm done with it At that stage I plan to make a lovely zen garden featuring my RBs and other goodies.

Jeff Kubach · Jan 23, 2012

I never worry about resale value. I keep my cameras till they die or I do!

Jeff

keithwms · Jan 23, 2012

Yes, treat your camera gear like a lover. Don't worry about their next partner; if you do your job right, there won't be one.

Ric Trexell · Jan 23, 2012

Digital backs are available for Mamiya's.

Two23 said:
I think the fact that Hasselblads now have digital backs for them is part of the explanation for price.

Kent in SD

*****************************************
I don't get what you are saying, digital backs are available for the RB's and RZ's too. Look on the MamiyaLeaf website. You may have to sell your house to get one, but I'm sure they are made. Ric.

redrockcoulee · Jan 23, 2012

The Hasselblads cost more to buy but then you get more when you sell them so if you buy and sell smart you should end up the same no matter which system you go for. I use a Hasselbad as I have always loved the square format and found the Rolleichord too limiting in several ways and was able to borrow a Hasselbad and some lenses and found that I really enjoy using them. If it was a Bronica that I first borrowed and had access to some addtional lenses etc I may have bought a Bronica. For all used equipment it is simply supply and demand and as long as people want to buy Hasselblad gear and there is not a sudden glut of them available then the prices will remain higher than some other brands. At today's prices there really is no reason for many of us not to buy want we would have only dreamed about a decade or so ago. If I wanted a rectangular aspect I would have chosen a different system and enjoyed it. I see no reason for switching systems now same as I am unlikely to switch from Pentax in 35mm. It is the switching of systems unless unbelieveable deals come up that I do not understand. Either like what you have or trade for what you want and not worry about if another system is more or less expensive or more people use it.

homeiss · Jan 23, 2012

Two23 said:
I think the fact that Hasselblads now have digital backs for them is part of the explanation for price.

Kent in SD

Ric is correct. With an adapter you can use any digital back that is Mamiya AFD mount on an RB or RZ system... So that can't have much (if anything at all) to do with the resale value.

Cory

bushpig · Jan 23, 2012

keithwms said:
treat your camera gear like a lover.

I'm not sure, but I think that's illegal in some places.

vpwphoto · Jan 23, 2012

Hasselblad is really low now also. 60mm CFE for $600 that used to be a $1200 lens 7 years ago.
A-12 backs below $100
I can't complain though I made money with my system, many times over.

NJS · Jan 24, 2012

keithwms said:
Yes, treat your camera gear like a lover. Don't worry about their next partner; if you do your job right, there won't be one.

very truthful in so many ways.

benjiboy · Jan 24, 2012

Jeff Kubach said:
I never worry about resale value. I keep my cameras till they die or I do!

Jeff

+1, I've been using photographic equipment all my adult life and I don't think on reflection I have ever sold anything, and I have had the majority of my gear for more than twenty five years.

MattKing · Jan 24, 2012

I've re-sold a few things, but the only time that I consider re-sale value when I am buying something is when I'm buying it as a sort of experiment - if I am unsure whether it will be suitable for me, I will only buy if it is likely I can get most of my money back on re-sale.

vpwphoto · Jan 24, 2012

I have stayed with one women for nearly 25 years now... But I did have meaningful, productive, and profitable flings with:
Furbringer Vista-shift 6x12
Shen-hao 4x5
some TLR's
Dicomed Big Shot

benjiboy · Jan 25, 2012

vpwphoto said:
I have stayed with one women for nearly 25 years now... But I did have meaningful, productive, and profitable flings with:
Furbringer Vista-shift 6x12
Shen-hao 4x5
some TLR's
Dicomed Big Shot

I've been married to the same woman for forty six years and she said recently the money I've spent on photography over the years that if I gave up photography I could have had a mistress, or several because it would be cheaper !, I told her I wish she had told me this thirty years ago because I'm too old to do anything about it now

olleorama · Jan 25, 2012

Artsy women/mistresses aren't that expensive, in fact, some of them have paid for photographic material for me at occasions.. (Oh, can't you take some fine art nudes with me as model? Well, if you pay the film, paper and chem...)

xya · Jan 26, 2012

both are good gear, extremely reliable and nearly indestructible. the hassy is smaller and certainly has more "glamour". but once you've owned a mamiya with it's built-in bellows, you'll love it for it's much wider range. I would prefer the mamiyas even if they were as expensive as the hassies. but happily this isn't the case... if you buy 2nd hand gear, resale value really isn't an item.

PaulMD · Jan 27, 2012

Depends on the Mamiya IMO... The 645s are going to be a little more volatile. The Mamiya 6 bodies are going up because they're breaking and there are no longer any spares, their lenses are going down at a slightly slower rate. The Mamiya 7 is amazing and probably as stable a store of value as Hasselblads.

Generally speaking I think most medium format equipment has hit bottom. There was an extra burst of people selling circa 2008 when the economy crashed that further depressed prices, and now they're recovering a bit from that, particularly in high end equipment such as M7s and Hassies. Bronica 645 gear, for example, hasn't re-spiked much yet, but my P67 stuff has appreciated about +50% over the past two years, and I've noticed the higher-end Mamiya 645 lenses (80/1.9) have started climbing too. This is of course subject to change: if the economy crashes again, MF gear will take another dive. Personally, I'm fairly worried about our (US) banks' exposure to the Euro crisis, but that's neither here nor there...

Too old to care · Jan 27, 2012

When I was a working pro using a C330F I always wanted a Hasselblad. Now that I have one I wonder why? Shooting weddings with a Mamiya is so much easier, no black out, quiet.

Resale value comparisons: Mamiya vs. Hasselblad

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