7II - the craving won't go.

[Steve_F]

I've been a user of 6x7 for some years in the form of my Mamiya RZ67, but, since owning my Leica M6TTL for 3 years the attraction to a 6x7 RF won't go.
Sure the RZ is a great piece of kit, especially the interchangeable, revolving backs, but sometimes it's just too big to take out and about.

The 7II fits the bill perfectly, but alas no-one hires them anymore here in the UK (as far as I can tell)

One day...

Steve.

 

[useless generation]

You're not alone! It's still on top of the lost for me. The only thing holding me back is the lack of 120 scanner and not being able to bulk load B&W 120

 

[jwicaksana]

Same here, I'm still trying to convince myself not to by remembering some build quality issues mentioned by Mr. KR. 😀

 

[craygc]

Same here, I'm still trying to convince myself not to by remembering some build quality issues mentioned by Mr. KR. 😀

Well, like most others that have or do own a 7II, I can assure you that KR hasn't got a clue what he's talking about (again) in this case...

 

[Moto-Uno]

If the Mamiya 11 is as nice as my recently aquired Mamiya 7 I'd be tempted
to say get one.Their resale value certainly hasn't diminished and you already
know how nice a 6x7 can be.
Regards,a new Mamiya convert,Peter

 

[Eric T]

The Mamiya 7ii is not built like a tank (as is the Kiev 60 that I once owned). It is not shock proof but that does not mean that has poor build quality. Quite the contrary, it is VERY well built and performs very well. The leaf shutters in the lenses are terrific. The rangefinder, film advance, dials, lens optics - all of it terrific. Fast lenses would be nice but that would add weight and expense.
Get one and enjoy it if you can!

 

[kyte]

You probably already know that the minimum focus distance is 1m for most Mamiya 7 lenses (2m for the 150mm). Despite these minor limitations I would never sell this set.

Good luck

Here's a couple of pictures taken with my first roll of film on Mamiya 7 and 150mm:

 

[jwicaksana]

Well, like most others that have or do own a 7II, I can assure you that KR hasn't got a clue what he's talking about (again) in this case...

Too bad. Now I have to find another excuse.
Thanks for the light, Craig! 😉

 

[seakayaker1]

The Mamiya 7II is a wonderful camera and the lenses are excellent.

 

[bigeye]

Well, like most others that have or do own a 7II, I can assure you that KR hasn't got a clue what he's talking about (again) in this case...

He claims it's the world's best camera. He's a crappy writer, but technically astute.

.

 

[Katie]

Best camera and lenses I've ever owned!

 

[Bobfrance]

Brilliant camera. It saw off my Leica M7 and Summilux ASPH. 6x7 quality but as fast and easy to shoot as any auto-exposure rangefinder.
If you ever want to travel up to one of our Manchester meets you're welcome to try mine. 🙂







.

 

[Matus]

I have had thoughts to swap my Mamiya 6 for 7II for the sake of repair-ability, but I seem to like the square and folding lens mount too much ... But the 7 seems to have more usable meter and wider lenses, so it is tempting ...

 

[Johnmcd]

You probably already know that the minimum focus distance is 1m for most Mamiya 7 lenses (2m for the 150mm). Despite these minor limitations I would never sell this set.

Good luck

Here's a couple of pictures taken with my first roll of film on Mamiya 7 and 150mm:

Been thinking of the 150mm to expand my Mamiya 7 kit, now I'm convinced.

How are you finding it? Some say it's hard to focus. Really nice captures BTW.

Cheers - John

 

[Johnmcd]

The Mamiya 7 is the one camera I don't think I will ever sell. It's light but tough enough and can be used just as easily as a 35mm RF. The metering is great and the lenses sharp. What more could one want.

Taken a week ago while on a cruise to New Zealand.

Leaving Sydney Harbour.

Enormous amount of detail in the negs.

And don't forget the 35mm Pano adapter. No need for an Xpan...

Fiordland National Park - South Island.

Cheers - John

 

[Mark A. Fisher]

As JohnMcD says:

The Mamiya 7 is the one camera I don't think I will ever sell.

I love that camera! I have a 43 and a 65; the 65 stayed on the body for a very long time, 'til a friend asked to borrow it. I then put the 43 on and haven't asked my friend to give back the 65 - that 43 is wonderful!

And as far as build quality, I'm not spelunking or climbing the Matterhorn with it, so it'll probably last longer than I do...

Mark

 

[Steve Bellayr]

Are you speaking of money or fun? For fun buy what you like. For money buy what you need.

 

[KenR]

As another KR, I'd like to offer my 2 cents. I rented the 7 on several occasions and thought it was a great camera - well made and certainly gave superb results. One of the great sports photos was done using the 7 - Tiger Woods teeing up at the Masters a few years ago by one of the Sports Illustrated photographers. I ended up buying the 6 because it was a bit smaller and I wanted it for hiking/traveling (and am very happy with the camera).

 

[BardParker]

4/8/2001 An Overcast Day Turns Sunny as Tiger Woods Wins The Masters


http://www.sportsshooter.com/news/497
(This is an excerpt from the article.)
Fred Vuich's picture became an instant classic after it was chosen to be the Sports Illustrated cover for the April 16th issue highlighting Tiger Woods winning his fourth straight major. Vuich's classic cover was beautiful and clean with only one word splashed across the top that said it all: "Masterpiece."

Vuich, a staff photographer for Golf Magazine, was covering his 12th Masters, but it was his first year as part of the SI team (Golf is now under the Time-AOL ownership umbrella). He was assigned by SI picture editor Matt Ginella to shoot the 16th green and 18th tee on the final day.

"After I shot Tiger and Mickelson on the 16th green I left all my stuff with my film runner and took my Mamiya 7 to the tower at 18. It was an overcast day but by 17 green the sun popped out around 6:45pm. The light was perfect. The TV person moved to the side of the teebox. I wanted to see Tiger's face- the only time you can see it is at the top of his backswing. I only made one frame and fortunately it worked. I shot the one frame of Tiger and then Mickelson got up to the left side and it didn't look as good...it wasn't a good picture." Vuich said.


"I thought it would make a nice opener or a Leading Off. I shot the picture horizontal on Fujichrome Astia with my Mamiya 7 (6x7 format) and a 43mm lens. I shoot all of our course scenics with this camera. It's really easy to work with and it's so quiet. It's never a problem to shoot at the top of the backswing," Vuich added.


(I agree with you. One of the best sports covers ever!)
Kent

As another KR, I'd like to offer my 2 cents. I rented the 7 on several occasions and thought it was a great camera - well made and certainly gave superb results. One of the great sports photos was done using the 7 - Tiger Woods teeing up at the Masters a few years ago by one of the Sports Illustrated photographers. I ended up buying the 6 because it was a bit smaller and I wanted it for hiking/traveling (and am very happy with the camera).

 

[Steve_F]

Brilliant camera. It saw off my Leica M7 and Summilux ASPH. 6x7 quality but as fast and easy to shoot as any auto-exposure rangefinder.
If you ever want to travel up to one of our Manchester meets you're welcome to try mine. 🙂

.

Thanks, I may just take you up on that 😉

Thanks for all the input. All positive, just as I'd feared...


Steve.