battle of the compacts: GF670W or Mamiya 7 + 50mm

[meandihagee]

which do you think is more easy to carry?

the gf670w for sure, but is the difference really worth it?

it looks to me that the gf670w is longer, but the lens is shorter, hmm...

has any of you handled both?

thanks

 

[Eric T]

I have the GF670 but I am still interested in getting the Mamiya 7 for the interchangeable lenses. Also, IQ is legendary on the Mamiya.

 

[PMCC]

Forgive me, but would a Mamiya 6 with 50mm lens be in the running? Maybe an easier carry than either of the above, and if 6x6 will do, far cheaper than a GF670w too. As usual, other tradeoffs may apply -- talking here only to the ease of carry, is it worth the cost, and size questions raised.

 

[kzphoto]

Nothing beats a Mamiya 6 for ease of carrying.

The lenses on the Fuji cameras are better, I think.

 

[sojournerphoto]

The lenses on the Fuji cameras are better, I think.

Nah, not really. The Mamiya 7 lenses are remarkable.

 

[ssmc]

Funny I have been debating exactly the same thing. These thoughts may be of no help at all but I offer them anyway.

For me the GF670 folder is out because I would be shooting B&W and constantly having to fit and remove filters every time I opened and closed the camera would drive me nuts (why oh why didn't they make the cover a couple of mm deeper???)

Though I like it a lot, I think the GF670W is kind of expensive for what it is, especially compared to the folder (almost twice the price - how?)

The Mamiya 6 is also out since I prefer a rectangular format and in that case I might as well use my GA645 since the longest side of the neg is the same size (56mm) and you get more shots per roll, therefore less time wasted changing film while trying to keep up with the group while hiking in the desert or wherever.

I have a GW690III but its huge size and only 8 shots per roll means I have to be really sure I want to photograph something - no casual shots with this baby! (yeah, I know, I lack "commitment"... 😉)

So I keep coming back to the Mamiya 7. It's kind of a weird shape compared to the GF670W, but 6x7 is a good compromise between negative size and number of shots per roll, it has a built-in meter (unlike the GW690III) and most importantly (for the price), outstanding interchangeable lenses - I dunno how I'd feel after a while about spending $3k on a camera that was "stuck" at 28mm (equivalent). Then again the cheapest Leica 28mm is $2200 so I guess it's not that bad 🙄

Can you tell what I'm saving up for?

Regards,
Scott

 

[kzphoto]

Nah, not really. The Mamiya 7 lenses are remarkable.

The 90 f/3.5 on the Fuji GW690iii feel like it has more micro contrast. It resolves finer detail than the 75 on my Mamiya 6. Haven't shot a Mamiya 7, so you may be right. The 43/4.5 is world class, I don't know about the others.

 

[kzphoto]

Can you tell what I'm saving up for?

A Holga! Or a Diana?

 

[segedi]

My favorite compact medium format is the Bronica RF645. Small lenses, compact body that feels good in your hand with really intelligently laid out controls. The compromise is neg size, but the advantage is 32 shots on 220!

I had a Mamiya 7 II and 50, 65 and 80mm and sold it. So regrettable was that decision that I picked up another 7 II with 43mm and 80mm. It is way more compact than a Hasselblad with the trade offs in MFD. The 7II is alos fairly light, almost surpisingly so for its size. And the quietest shutter I've ever heard.

Either way, I'd pick something with interchangeable lenses.

 

[meandihagee]

Thanks for the answers, a interchangeable camera is indeed the obvious choice. However size is very important to me and a flat unit like the gf wide might work even if i'm stuck with one lens forever 🙂

Problem is would actually need a 24mm equivalent, not a 28. Do you think the gf wide is more like a wide 28 or a short 28? I guess that's my dealbreaker right now.

 

[thegman]

I had a Mamiya 7, and my brother had a GF670. The GF670 is the more portable, it folds up and easily goes in a "man bag". The Mamiya 7 lens (65mm) was long, and probably required a camera bag, more than a man bag. Both lenses were outstanding, perfect. The Mamiya is obviously the more flexible, the GF670 more portable, and frankly much better looking.

I think both are great choices, if pretty cameras mean a lot to you (they do to me), then I'd get the Fuji, if you're thinking purely practical, then probably Mamiya.

 

[Turtle]

Any hair splitting on lens performance is a total waste of time. The lenses on both are absolutely spectacular and beyond meaningful criticism.

The mamiya 7 is IMHO much more sensible as it has the option of changing lenses, but if you really are set on the one focal length the fuji appears to be a touch flatter from front to back.