Mamiya 6 or 7?

[Film Junkie]

What I'd like to see Mamiya make is a new 6x6 rangefinder that would take the Mamiya 7 lenses. The viewfinder framelines could go as wide as 50mm like the Mamiya 6, and the retractable mount could be dispensed with to keep the cost down. (I have read that the mount of the Mamiya 6 accounted for a large part of its manufacturing cost).

Not likely, I admit!

I agree, the extra viewfinder for the 50 on the 7 is a big minus for me.

 

[f8nbethere]

I own both Mamiya 6 and 7 systems and unless I think I'll be needing a super-wide view (i.e. with the 43mm lens on the Mamiya 7) I always use the Mamiya 6. I LOVE the collapsable lens mount. It didn't seem like a big deal to be able to collapse the lens an inch or so into the body, but it does make quite a difference when carrying the camera. I can fit two Mamiya 6 bodies (one with the 50mm and one with the 75mm lens) into a small camera bag. It also seems less obtrusive to have the lens collapsed when carrying the camera around your neck, as I found when riding in very crowded subway trains on a recent trip to Japan. Keeping the lens collapsed when not taking photos also prevents me from using the camera with the lens cap on (yes, I still sometimes do this, embarrassing but true), as when you extend the lens mount you can't help but see that the cap is on.
As has already been mentioned, not needing an auxilliary finder for the 50mm lens is also a big point in the Mamiya 6's favor.
Anyway, they are both amazing cameras (actually, I should say they are GOOD cameras with AMAZING lenses!), but if not for the 43mm, I would sell my Mamiya 7 and just use the Mamiya 6.
In fact, I think I am going to sell all my Mamiya 7 kit except for one body and the 43mm lens, even though I usually find the 43mm is just too wide (I know for some people "too wide" doesn't exist...). On the rare occasions when I find that a super-wide lens is actually appropriate, the 43mm does priduce awsome results.

 

[Gary E]

Mamiya 6

Mamiya 6

If I had to only use one lens forever with this camera it would be the 50mm. I almost always have this lens on the body even though I do have the 75mm as well; which sits either at home in a pouch or in my bag which seldom sees use. I just like the square format better. Now if I can get my hands on a Hasselblad 905swc or an Alpa with the Zeiss 38mm lens...

 

[JeffGreene]

I've had my 6 for about 16 years with one CLA. The 50 is razor sharp and draws beautifully.

 

[Tuolumne]

Why not just mask the viewfinder of a 7 to get the square frame of a 6? Best of both worlds. I have a 7, myself. I agree with the comments on image quality of MF over 35mm. Just a casual snap shot blows away anything you can do with 35mm.

/T

 

[dweezil]

?? i am afraid i don't understand this.
If you crop, you lose a piece of film. How would you crop 6x7 into square without losing that 1.2-1.4 cm of negative? Pull hard on the short side?

I know it's been a while that you asked this but here goes;
The key is to look at this from the 6x6 side:
from that angle a 6x7 has "more" film than a 6x6 so if you crop it to 6x6 you still have a 6x6 and you gt more if you want to go with the 6x7.

Ok i know what i want to say but what write doesn't do it right :bang:

I don't think so, but I hope it clarifies it a bit.

 

[Pherdinand]

yes,the option is there, to keep it 6x7, you mean.
But if you want 6x6, there is no difference. 🙂

 

[Dante]

Mamiya 7/7II all the way ...

Mamiya 7/7II all the way ...

I have a 7II with the 43 and 80 and it's now the only camera I take when I travel ... no more digital with chargers, cords, etc. I love the 6x7 format (I have an RZ67 ProII also) and have used 6x6 twin-lens cameras and for my money ... it's gotta be the 6x7. I wish there was a way to convince Mamiya to make a 7III with a better readout in the viewfinder and maybe a shutter-speed dial that can do 1/2 or even 1/3 stops manually. Sorry for getting a bit off topic.

All in all, I love my 7II and plan on buying a second body with a 65mm lens. Sometimes I don't want to shoot as wide as the 43 but often I want a little wider than the 80. I'd like the second body so I don't have to swap lenses all the time. That said ... in a recent trip to Puerto Rico I shot mostly with the 43. Once you get used to using the external viewfinder it does become second nature ....


just my 6x7 cents worth ...
Dante

 

[adietrich]

...did you ever see a 120 slide projected?

...did you ever see a 120 slide projected?

Hi,

I would suggest the 6, even though I dont own one. For me the biggest advantage is opportunity to shoot slides.

-a