How do you carry your Mamiya 7?

[andrewteee]

Both while out shooting and in some form of bag? None of my current bag selections work well for the shape of the Mamiya. As for hand holding, I may start with my standard Gordy hand strap, but given its weight I may resort to a neck/shoulder strap. But any recommendations appreciated. TIA.

 

[dazedgonebye]

I'm working through the same issue. My unstructured shoulder bag does hold it, but it's bulky.
My real problem is that the straps are on the left side of the camera...opposite of the grip. That's kinda awkward.

 

[andrewteee]

Thanks guys. Right now all I have is the 7ii and the 80mm lens. It's just a bit of awkward kit to pack.

Double Negative, of the 50mm and 65mm which do you use more often? I can already tell that down the line I'll want something a little wider and something a little closer. The 80/50/150 may be a good triad.

 

[chasfreeland]

Greetings, Mamiya users;
I carry two bodies and three lenses, plus some b & w filters and other sundries, in a Billingham "5" series bag, black. The bag has a comfortable padded shoulder strap and it can hold enough gear without feeling too heavy (for me). I have the 50, 65, and 80 lenses. I keep the 80 and 65 mounted on camera bodies and the 50 in a pocket. I have the standard issue Mamiya shoulder straps on the cameras and carry one camera on a shoulder and keep the other in the bag unless I'm in a situation where I need to use both the wides and normal focal lengths, or when I'll need the full 20 shots both bodies can deliver, then both cams are out of the bag. I don't like to change lenses on this rig in the field, as it takes a couple of minutes, and one has to be a little careful. Both the 65 and the 80 are fine, but if it came down to just one lens and one body, I think I'd go with the 65. I'm thinking of getting the 150, equivalent to about 70mm or so in 35mm format, but I'm guessing I wouldn't use it all that much, not enough to warrant carrying around its 1 pound bulk in an already full bag. Love the camera, though. Perfect as a travel kit.
Regards, Chas

 

[bwcolor]

I carry two bodies with lenses mounted, one unmounted lens and a light meter in a Lowepro Micro Trekker 200 backpack.

 

[PhotoMat]

For the past several years, I've been using a LowePro Orion for my Mamiya 7II kit. I have the 43, 65, 80 and 150mm lenses. The camera with lens rests on its side with the hand grip facing up in the center of the bag. The remaining areas in the main compartment are partitioned into four sections that hold the three remaining lenses and the 43 finder/film. Filters reside in a square-shaped filter wallet that attaches to one of the compressions straps on the outside of the bag. The exterior also has a small zippered pouch that holds a cable release, spare battery and a cleaning cloth. FWIW, I have a Really Right Stuff Arca Swiss-style camera plate and don't use a neck strap. Since the top lid of the Orion opens away from your body, the camera is quite accessible to the user. Works for me.

 

[craygc]

I have two ways of carrying my Mamiya 7II. I am probably a little different in that I tend to carry 2 bodies with a 65mm and 43mm lens attached. I hate changing lenses on this camera.

First is a Think Tank Airport Antidote - see attached photo - as this allows me to place the bodies in sideways and keep the viewfinder on the body with the 43mm lens.

The other is a Billingham 308 Presstop with a 6-12 divider in the middle. However, I do have other dividers for this bag depending on what I intend to carry. I just cant work with a fanny pack as I often need to be able to squat down to get the angles I want.

As For holding them, the body with the 43mm lens (usually) just has the standard strap; the other body, with the 65mm, has a leather hand grip. This is the usual type that should screw into the tripod socket. What Ive done is used its original strap (this one was the same width its entire length, not wider at the neck) and replaced the original strapping that ran through the hand grip. I made it longer so rather than thread it through the tripod socket attachment, I removed that and ran it through the lower left strap lug instead - this way I can change film without removing it.

 

[chris000]

My Mamiya is used almost exclusively for landscape work. I use a Lowepro backpack (sorry can't remember the model) and I carry 1 body, 43 and 150 lenses, I also carry an X-Pan and 45 and 90 lenses, a selection of Lee 75mm filters with holder, half a dozen rolls of film, external viewfinder, and sundry small accessories.

When 'on location' I usually carry the Mamiya and one lens on a neck strap.

Listing it like that it sounds like a huge amount but it's not really too weighty or bulky (the beauty of rangefinders I guess). 🙂

 

[notturtle]

Lowepro slingshot 200 works well as does domke F1. I use a neckstrap.

 

[sebastian toombs]

either under a sweater on the back seat of the car... or on a strap around my neck.

 

[Bob Michaels]

When out shooting, I carry mine in my right hand hanging down at arms length. Straps just never worked for me. They put the camera up in everyone's field of view and just seem to shout PHOTOGRAPHER. I carry a bunch of film in a pants pocket and I am set.

For transport, I carry my Mamiya 7 with lens and hood mounted, plus two extra lenses in a small Domke bag. I think it is a 5XB. Film in one side pocket, lens hoods and small Sekonic incident meter in the other. But when I get out of the car to shoot, I figure the lens that is most useful, make sure it is the one of the camera and set off.

 

[notturtle]

When out shooting, I carry mine in my right hand hanging down at arms length. Straps just never worked for me. They put the camera up in everyone's field of view and just seem to shout PHOTOGRAPHER. I carry a bunch of film in a pants pocket and I am set.

For transport, I carry my Mamiya 7 with lens and hood mounted, plus two extra lenses in a small Domke bag. I think it is a 5XB. Film in one side pocket, lens hoods and small Sekonic incident meter in the other. But when I get out of the car to shoot, I figure the lens that is most useful, make sure it is the one of the camera and set off.

I often use the strap long so the camera is either down by my arm (to one side) or if I am needing to stabilise it for movement, twisted round so it is against my back. The good thing about neck straps (as much as they annoy me at times) is that they are ''hands free' which makes lens changes a lot easier. With the slingshot bags with the bag against your chest you can change lenses standing up and without putting bags down etc. Most of my shooting is done on foot, where I have to carry everything handy for hours on end. under such circumstances, if you envisage changing lenses, neck straps are kinda important with the Mamiya 7 due to the lens changing procedure.

 

[noah b]

I just got a lowepro nova 4 aw and its perfect. When I shoot I usually just carry it on a strap by my right hand. The neoprene straps work really well and take the weight down.