Mamiya RB67

Bythesea

Bythesea

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For a variety of reasons I am currently considering buying a Mamiya RB67. There seem to be rather a lot on eBay at what seem to be very good prices but most of these are in Japan. Has anyone here bought one this way? Is there anything to look out for (other than import duties and VAT)? Are there any recommended places in the UK to get this camera?
 
lovely piece of kit, make sure you get an S pro version, bit newer, also a 120 back, also beware all the light seals will need replacing in the back end.
 
Thanks, it is the ProS I am after - owned one back in the 1980s, and have an address for the light seals already :)
 
Ffordes often have RBs and RZs in stock and their website is usually up to date. I've bought a couple of RZ bits from ebay sellers based in Japan, one came through without a Customs charge, one had a fee. Both were exactly as described, no complaints. :)
 
Thanks - will take a look at their website :)
 
i wouldnt worry to much about warrenty with these remember the shutter is in the lens
 
If you get hit by customs it's only vat and the royal mails extortion charge.

I would do your calculations based on 20% vat + £8 handling then if you get away with it you can spend the rest on booze and film, the rest you can waste.
 
Bythesea said:
Thanks, it is the ProS I am after - owned one back in the 1980s, and have an address for the light seals already :)
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Well I bought my Pro S new about 1980 and the light seals are still OK (well they were a year ago) anyway I've just put a film in my RB for some spring time scenery shots so I'll soon know....... using neg film in a 35mm camera is all mickey mouse in comparison.
 
steveo_mcg said:
If you get hit by customs it's only vat and the royal mails extortion charge.
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Import duty is separate to VAT and the rate varies depending on the goods in question. IIRC, second-hand cameras are charged at 6%, then you have to add 20% of the new total as VAT and then add the handling fee.
 
Odd, I only got the VAT. Lenses must be at a different rate from bodies.
 
There are 14,000 "commodity codes" used by C&E and rates vary from 0% to 85% with an average between 5%-9%. (Source)

For example, lenses attract a duty of 6.7%, 35mm SLR cameras are 4.2%, "instant print" cameras 3.2% and camera parts are rated 3.7%. The full list of codes is online.

There's also a minimum item value of £135, below which import duty doesn't apply but VAT does. I had this recently with a lens I imported from the US. Both duties are waived if the item value is below £15. Here's the duty calculator linked to by HMRC.



Edit to add: I was told by a chap at ParcelForce that when items arrive, they go into one of two piles. One pile is assessed for duty, the other goes straight through for delivery, the reason being that duty assessments are carried out manually and they don't have the manpower to assess everything without causing undue delays to delivery. There's always a chance that a high-value item will get through with no further charges ;)
 
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Ahh, my mistake. I didn't realise there was a separate threshold for duty. My £70 lens would have been under it so just VAT and extortion to pay.
 
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