Seller's Remorse?

I have a barely used Mamiya 645AFD with a normal 80mm lens that’s been sitting in a camera bag for several years. I’ve completed the transition to digital and am in a quandary as to what to do with it. Canon has a rebate going on with a $200 instant rebate for a 40D which I can only afford if I sell the Mamiya. My current kit consists of a Canon 300D with kit lens, 10-22mm, 100mm macro, 70-200mm f/4, 400mm f/5.6, all Canon. My favorite types of photography include animals (zoo and pets) and scenics. Photography is only a hobby for me.

I’ve always regretted selling my older equipment (seller’s remorse) both for sentimental reasons and because the money I received was never enough to buy all the equivalent new gear. Oh yes, and because my wife always pressured me to use the money to pay the bills (well, I guess food, shelter and home heating oil are important!).

So help me out. Should I eBay the Mamiya for the 40D or perhaps a lens (I’ve been eyeing the 24-105mm)? The film purchase and processing costs are of course exorbitant compared to digital. Is the Mamiya destined to become a classic? Will I once again experience painful seller’s remorse?

The 40D is one heck of a camera. Can you get buyers remorse if you don't ever buy one?

Lens... you already have a good body. But yes, you may very well regret the decision to sell it down the road.

Seller's remorse is inevitable. However if you weigh it up against the purchase of newer gear (which you will actually use) or home expenses, I think it is better to sell. Personally I've always regretted selling my F-1N setup, and I'm also on a 'downgrade' track for pretty much all my gear. So yes, I regret selling all that good gear.

However, the newer gear I currently have is cheaper and gets the same job done. We are after all, only hobbyists, albeit serious ones at that.

The decision between 40D and 24-105mm cannot be easily made. Are there any things you're specifically unhappy about in your 300D? If you want improved speed, AF, resolution, build, features etc then a 40D should be in your pipeline. Only get the 24-105mm if you forsee it's going to be a considerable help to your setup. How often would you use those focal lengths?

Louis - How much do you want for the 645? email me please.

alvinsantos@glowie.net

HAHA, you guys crack me up.

40D is a heck of an upgrade from your 300D... I would say go for it, but then I never shot film and don't appreciate it that much...

tough call...

Medium format is going for a song compared to what they initially cost. Emotions aside, there is no reaslon for that camera to get bag rash, sell it buy a 40d and bust open a beer..

A quick peek at KEH show that the 645 sells for a low of maybe $350 and tops out at about $700 depending on condition I guess. Well, if your gonna get the $700 it might well be worth it but for $350, I think I’d keep the setup and maybe take it out of the bag every once in a while. .

Very difficult! I have a similar problem because I have a mint Hasselblad that I can't imagine ever using again. Is there such a thing as a digital back for the Mamiya? If so, is it a vague possibility that you could pick one up second hand at some stage in the future? That's what I am hoping to do!

with what you are shooting you may love switching kits.. medium format can be tedious with things like that. However I am looking for a used Mamiya for studio work... how much would you sell it for?

Louis solomon wrote in post #5581444
I have a barely used Mamiya 645AFD with a normal 80mm lens that’s been sitting in a camera bag for several years. I’ve completed the transition to digital and am in a quandary as to what to do with it. Canon has a rebate going on with a $200 instant rebate for a 40D which I can only afford if I sell the Mamiya. My current kit consists of a Canon 300D with kit lens, 10-22mm, 100mm macro, 70-200mm f/4, 400mm f/5.6, all Canon. My favorite types of photography include animals (zoo and pets) and scenics. Photography is only a hobby for me.

I’ve always regretted selling my older equipment (seller’s remorse) both for sentimental reasons and because the money I received was never enough to buy all the equivalent new gear. Oh yes, and because my wife always pressured me to use the money to pay the bills (well, I guess food, shelter and home heating oil are important!).

So help me out. Should I eBay the Mamiya for the 40D or perhaps a lens (I’ve been eyeing the 24-105mm)? The film purchase and processing costs are of course exorbitant compared to digital. Is the Mamiya destined to become a classic? Will I once again experience painful seller’s remorse?

How about keeping the 645AFD and saving up for a ZD digital back that'll allow you to shoot digital? Of course, for the price of the digital back, you could get a couple of 40D bodies and some lenses.

Does your 300 stink? Do you really need to upgrade right now? Can it wait a few months until you can save more? If not then sell. I sold my whole FD setup to buy my camera and three lenses, keeping only my original A1 and the 50 1.8 that came with it. I don't regret it, but sometimes feel sad about it. I kept what I did because I took my first photo with that camera when I was only 4 and can't bare to part with it.

PacAce wrote in post #5581846
How about keeping the 645AFD and saving up for a ZD digital back that'll allow you to shoot digital? Of course, for the price of the digital back, you could get a couple of 40D bodies and some lenses.

I was so thinking the same thing, but considering thats 7k worth of saving offset with being able to use the 40D immediately and the relative inexpense of getting another 645AFD its something of a quandary.

I know some people have kept every camera they've ever owned. I don't have a problem with that, it's entirely up to them. But basically, if you haven't used it in the last 6 months you have to seriously question your need for it. If you don't need it, sell it.