Anyone still use Mamiya 6

Thanks for the very helpful replies guys
The Mamiya 6 arrived yesterday.... I am already in love

Here is some M6 porn: My new Mamiya 6 - which I feel may become my favourite camera (I have and love the Mamiya 7, but the slightly smaller size and format of the is appealing), with my other all time favourite film camera, the Leica M6 - taken with my current favourite digital camera - Panny GF1



Another set here http://www.flickr.com/photos/7614897@N07/sets/72157623608872248/

Will post some Mamiya 6 photos when as soon as I get some done

Nick
 
I had the entire outfit back when they were modern, including three bodies with one dedicated to a NPC Polaroid back. I thought it would be the nuts for corporate location work, annual reports and the like.

While the lenses were as good as modern Hasselblad lenses, I ended up abandoning it because 1. I found the framelines very tough to use at medium portrait distances and 2. the metering really sucked. I didn't own them long enough to have the winding fail but I can see how you could over crank it with the offset lever.

I don't think it's a bad camera at all, it sure is compact and sharp. But I think it is best for light duty landscapes with the 50 and 75. The 150 is pretty useless and anything closer than 8' away was a crapshoot.

Now that they are all older and used, I would be most concerned about the folding mechanism getting wacked and out of alignment.

Aren't I a brilliant ray of sunshine? ;-)

For lightweight 6x6 with character I'd get a CLA Rolleicord IV, they are pretty bulletproof.
 
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Now that they are all older and used, I would be most concerned about the folding mechanism getting wacked and out of alignment.
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Well, if you can give any real evidence that this is an actual problem, I would like to see it. I have an 80 year-old folder not nearly as well made as my Mamiyas and the front standard is fine. No problem with my 60 year old Retina. The force required to whack the Mamiya 6 out of alignment is great and will jam the lens in the extended position--you literally need to throw the camera onto a concrete surface lens first (this is from experience).
 
@ Nick: Glad you like it! Please continue to post about it!

@ SimonSawSunlight: i haven`t tested it, but i would expect some vignetting, as the front diameter on the 75 hood is 1,2cm more narrow than the 50 hood.

By the way, i replaced the original Mamiya lens caps with modern Nikon ones, so i can operate them without having to remove the lens hoods. Saves a lot of time.

Kind regards,
andreas
 
Now that they are all older and used, I would be most concerned about the folding mechanism getting wacked and out of alignment.
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Well, if you can give any real evidence that this is an actual problem, I would like to see it.
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Point taken. It's something I'd look for in any folder though. I saw a rare $$$ Palubel Makina 67 that had this problem but they were more frail than this design.
 
I second the idea of a Rolleiflex, or a Minolta Autocord as possibilities. Wouldn't use anything but the Tessar, Planar or Xenotar on the Rolleis, and the Rokkor on the Autocord is superb, w/ a Leica like 3-D way of rendering on most shots. But shooting the TLR's requires practice and in the end they aren't for everyone. Great lenses though, and I prefer 6x6 to 6x7.

The Mamiya 7 I owned was a disappoint. Can't remember which lens was on it, probably the 80, but I just didn't get on w/ it's plastic feel, and the rangefinder kept getting knocked off at the slightest bump. At least it was easy to readjust it. Didn't like the harsh bokeh of the lens either.

But the other day I saw an exhibit of fiber B&W enlarger prints at the local museum from the Mamiya 7 and they were outstanding, so maybe my lens wasn't up to snuff.

Just one more point. I love shooting folders because they're so small you can carry them anywhere. The Super Ikonta IV I just bought has a Tessar lens that's the equal of any MF lens I've ever used, and w/ it's coupled rangefinder and film advance w/ automatic stop (no red window) it's a surprisingly fast street shooter. Hard to beat the build quality as well.
 
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Mamiya 6 was THE camera that got me attached to the film ... I just have never bought it. Sounds strange, but I found it expensive at the time I started (about 4 years ago) and got a Tachihara 4x5 instead (turned to be much less cost effective solution over the years, but lot of fun). A year ago I got a nice copy of Rolleiflex T (Tessar 75/3.5) and while I love the pure mechanical feeling and waist level finder does have its advantages, I am looking more and more in MF rangefinders (RF645, M6, M7) to get AE, faster to use camera and sharper lenses (especially wide open, even the the Rollei has a very nice character) as it would be easier to use for traveling when 4x5 is not an option.

So - enjoy your new camera and let us know your opinion - especially how it compares to M7.
 
I sold my Mamiya 6 with 75mm (the only lens for the system I tried) recently and massively regret it. Its got great ergonomics, a great viewfinder and rf, and the lens is exceptionally sharp, sharper than any other lens I've ever used (Hasselblad, Rollei TLR and SL66, Plaubel 67, Fuji GS645 etc).

The bokeh can be a bit harsh - out of focus points of light in the frame tend to take on an ovoid shape with sharp edges and in in dark pictures, light sources that are in focus often have streaks tunning out of them at a 45 degree angle (both above and below).

But on balance it's still a great buy based on the other strengths of the lens (sharpness, very low vignetting, flare resistance), and compared to any of the other compact medium format systems - it handles much better than the Plaubel or GS645, doesn't suffer from the veiling flare which plagues the Rollei TLRs (which is nevertheless great, but gives maybe a more romantic look).
 
I usually buy for format. I love the square and I really like the way rangefinder/viewfinder cameras work. I wished Leica would make a 6x6 rangefinder. Fortunately, Mamiya did it which meant I could actually afford one. I bought my first Mamiya 6 (which I still use) in 92 and even with all the "limitations," I have never pined for a different 6x6 system--I also use a Horseman SW612.

In fact, I really like both those format so much that I purchased a 6x6 and a 6x12 back for my Wista 4x5 just so I could start using it again. The 4x5 is really fun with 6x12 closeups, which, for obvious reasons, is not the forte of the Horseman. What was really fun was I bought a research microscope with a 4x5 camera and I use the two backs on that.

But I digress...

The Mamiya is just a joy to use.
 
Finder said:
I usually buy for format. I love the square and I really like the way rangefinder/viewfinder cameras work.
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Agreed, 6x6 is such an iconic format for art photography. The Mamiya 7, or the Bronica R 645, or even the Fuji's, may very well be just as good or better. But if you love the square, and rangefinder. As said I am going to make an effort to pare down my camera collection, to just 2 film cameras. The Mamiya 6 and either my M4-P or G2, that's it, its time to go digital I'm afraid. But I would never sell my Mamiya 6, it's just too perfect.
 
Hello all... I couldn't agree more with what was said earlier. I love my Mamiya 6. Haven't had any problems with it. I bought it used a few years ago and it performs exactly as expected.
 
good luck with your new/old M6 Nick...

good luck with your new/old M6 Nick...

I've come round in a huge circle over the past 5 years of using
roll film rangefinders again. My best B&W pics ever have been on
the Mamiya 6.,although mine now has a 50mm on as my standard lens
to use in combination with an X-pan with 30mm.
The two seem to complement each other very well.

I am London based,so if you would to meet up sometime,I'd be happy to let you try the 50mm out;but beware you will want one without ever seeing the results!

All the best,Ivan.
 
The Mamiya 6 is the camera that got me into film photography. Just 2 weeks ago I came across an opportunity to buy one with a 75mm lens and pounced on it. I must admit with that, the Rolleiflex and Bessa R2a I feel quite content and complete! 😀 Though I will be keeping my eye out for a 50mm lens!
 
El Jonbre Grande said:
I will be keeping my eye out for a 50mm lens!
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Speaking of looking for a 50mm lens for the Mamiya 6, I have been looking for this lens for some time and am finding out that it is not a lens that is offered for sale very often. I've tried the usual places, KEH, Adorama, Ebay, Fred Miranda, and my local Craigslist, but have had no luck. If anyone can suggest other places that might have one for sale or knows of someone who is selling this lens, please speak out!

I've had the Mamiya 6 for a couple months and I have found it a joy to use. Maybe this is why I'm looking so diligently for the 50mm lens 😀

Ellen
 
Mamiya 6 Reliability etc.

Mamiya 6 Reliability etc.

Good day,

I have had the Mamiya 6 and 3 lenses for close to 15 years. In that time there have been many rolls of film thru it and the camera has not had any problems what so ever. I have had to do a CLA on my 75mm lens, mostly due to not enough use. The grease got hard. Other than that the camera is still used at least once a month for landscapes etc. It is a great camera and all the lenses are top notch. I have done prints up to 40 x 40 inches, including ones taken with the 150mm lens and they are tack sharp. On a tripod of course. You definitely will not be disappointed with the results even for very large prints. The only thing that I did at the beginning is to have the camera and all lenses checked for focusing accuracy. I have not had to re-adjust the system since, and it has traveled all over Europe and Canada.

Helmut K.
 
historicist said:
I sold my Mamiya 6 with 75mm (the only lens for the system I tried) recently and massively regret it. Its got great ergonomics, a great viewfinder and rf, and the lens is exceptionally sharp, sharper than any other lens I've ever used (Hasselblad, Rollei TLR and SL66, Plaubel 67, Fuji GS645 etc).

I can imagine that you regret it - cause I am the one who bought it! Its really great!
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