Shutter Speed Problem on Mamiya m645 1000s + other malarky

[holmburgers]

Hey all,

So I just picked up a Mamiya m645 1000s on eBay WITH the 80mm f/1.9 Sekor - C. But, unfortunately the honeymoon was over before it ever began.

I'll begin with what I've discovered LAST, which is the shutter speeds are off, at least at the slow speeds. Like the 8 second shutter is more like 16 seconds, 4 about 8, and so on. It's of course hard for me to test much beyond that at this point, but can I assume that the higher speeds are proportionately as innaccurate in the higher range?

Could this be a battery issue? I'll be replacing it as soon as I get home today, but the battery check light glows as expected.

The other kicker is the prism I got was not as advertised. The jacka$$ seller said it was a PD prism and I got it and it's the Cds prism. And not too mention, it's beat to hell. The ASA dial is always "pulled out" and thus is just freewheeling and doesn't couple with the shutter speed indicator. Plus, it's like painted and the leatherette is fugly. Sigh....

Naturally I've contacted the dude who sold it to me and he's completely unapologetic about the prism, saying "that's what it said when I bought it from Mamiya", 25 years ago of course.

I'm pretty peaved, and we'll see about the eBay route, but I don't think he'll be accepting a return.

So any advice would be much appreciated. I got the whole shooting match for $250, which WOULD'VE been an amazing price had everything been tip-top. But as it is I'm afraid of losing money.

The good news is the lens is fine. I'm considering what to do about the other stuff though....

 

[dwdmguy]

After what you just wrote I can tell you have have a nudge in your gut every day going forward. If he does not accept a return contact paypal (ebay) and let them know. Now, put the gear in a box and return it to him with a tracking number and Sig Gty.
Do not follow the return address on the box. Request it from ebay and they will supply you with it.
Next, did you use a charge card for your paypal. If so, dispute the charge and give them the tracking number. (ALWAYS use a bank charge or debit card with paypal, the bank should back you up)

 

[holmburgers]

And I thought it was just indigestion....

I definitely am considering opening a claim w/ PayPal because the seller is absolutely not budging. Regardless of the camera condition, which he never described in the auction (shame on me), the incorrect prism alone is enough to justify some "official intervention".

It's a raw deal all around.

Thanks for your words & suggestions!

 

[John Koehrer]

To reiterate #2 above, it may be quicker to dispute the charge with your bank.
Mind your P's & Q's though, if you don't jump through the proper hoops for the bank/Paypal/Ebay, you won't get jack.

 

[dwdmguy]

By the way, since he won't budge make sure you give him/her neg feedback so others will be very learly and ask specific questions. Also, paypal will see this.

 

[fotch]

"Regardless of the camera condition, which he never described in the auction"

Did you ask him about condition in the ebay "Ask the Seller" link before bidding? If so, eBay has all the Q&A going back and forth and that will factor in.

If not and the seller stated as is, you may be stuck. The finder issue might end up with a partial settlement rather than a refund.

Good Luck.

 

[John Koehrer]

Whether or not condition is mentioned holmburgers wanted to buy a camera. If it doesn't work, it's not a camera and has been misrepresented. It's a paper weight or, to paraphrase Monty Python It's a dead parrot.

Again, your credit card company will give you better results than Ebay or Pyapal.

 

[holmburgers]

Well I've filed a claim thru PayPal, and I'm going to "escalate" it, which means that they will decide the outcome. This, I hope, will be in my favor, because any idiot can spot the differences between the prisms with any number of easily found online resoruces (flickr, keh.com, instruction manuals, etc.)

I agree that this guy sold me a paperweight, but I think the prism issue will be enough to stick him. Those alone sell for $100+, so it's not just some "accessory", i mean, it's an integral part of the auctioned outfit.

But anyways, thanks for all your input, I'll keep y'all posted!

 

[dwdmguy]

Good for you, and I had this wonderful camera. It's not a seperate piece that can be replaced. Make sure you give neg feedback so you save some other poor soul.
Good luck

 

[holmburgers]

Well, I guess the PayPal claim was enough to scare him into giving me a refund. But he's offering $10 less than what I paid! This guy is what I would call "a piece of work". Regardless, at least I'm not getting completely robbed, so I'm inclined to take it.

However, I know that these Mamiya Sekor C 80mm f/1.9 can fetch a pretty good price. $200ish seems average on eBay though one sold for $350 (though I'm wondering if there's not a backstory here...). If I thought I could get $250 for the lens alone, I'd probably do that. Any thoughts? Is it possible?, probable?

 

[John Koehrer]

OK you got it all for $250. & weren't satisfied. Now there's a possibility to part it out & make a little $$ on it, so this was an exercise in head scratching.
A solution is offered.......
The seller has agreed to take it back less $10 that's what it cost to ship it give or take a little. IMO send it back, you don't have to worry about something being incompatible or not working. Be done with it.

 

[holmburgers]

Oh I know, I will send it back. But I was merely stating the proposition.

 

[dwdmguy]

I always wanted this lens as I heard it was dang near excellent. Check KEH and then if you can afford to sell 20 pct lower do it. If not, send all back.
I'd still leave this guy neg f/b to help future buyers.