Mamiya 7 Street Shooting

BLKRCAT

BLKRCAT

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I recently purchased a Mamiya 7 from a fellow RFF member. I have to say I'm quite happy with the camera. I did have some questions about how people are using these cameras. There isn't much information out there either!

When I was shooting I found myself constantly flicking the on/off switch. Thinking that the camera was on when the switch was on. I didn't want to waste batteries.

But thinking about it afterward I'm thinking that if I leave it in the ON position it puts the camera in standby mode. It seems once the shutter is half pressed is when the meter turns on.

So I'm thinking that I could just set it and forget it when Im out shooting. Then when I'm done to shut the camera off.

Does this make sense?
 
The battery shouldn't be a problem. I've left mine switched on in my bag for weeks before now and it still worked. Having said that I always carry a spare as you can't always be sure you'll find a shop that sells them.

As for use. I mainly use mine for reportage work. If you want to shoot 6x7 hand-held quickly on the street there's nothing to touch it.

This is a reportage series I did with mine. http://www.bobfrance.com/albums/the-rushbearer/
Plus some city scenes I shot in Venice. http://www.bobfrance.com/albums/venice-in-winter/



It an exceptional camera system.

Bob.
 
I have never turned my Mamiya 7 off in the 7-8 years I have been using it. It draws no power until the shutter is partially pressed.

FWIW, I have never switched off my Zeiss Ikon RF either as it works the same way. My old but great Bronica SQA simply did not have an on/off switch which I think is the perfect solution.

I do always carry a spare battery for any camera with an electronic shutter as they weigh nothing. I have never understood those who were so paranoid about batteries that they would give up the accuracy of an electronic shutter as well as the option for aperture priority AE just to avoid carrying a spare battery.
 
Bobfrance said:
The battery shouldn't be a problem. I've left mine switched on in my bag for weeks before now and it still worked. Having said that I always carry a spare as you can't always be sure you'll find a shop that sells them.

As for use. I mainly use mine for reportage work. If you want to shoot 6x7 hand-held quickly on the street there's nothing to touch it.

This is a reportage series I did with mine. http://www.bobfrance.com/albums/the-rushbearer/
Plus some city scenes I shot in Venice. http://www.bobfrance.com/albums/venice-in-winter/

It an exceptional camera system.

Bob.
Click to expand...

some great images there bob...hard to beat that big neg and those mamiya lenses!!
 
Well Perfect, this confirms the latter of my suspicions. Thanks all. I guess I'll more or less just treat the switch as a shutter lock than anything.

Looking forward to using the camera more.
 
That's all I ever do with mine (admittedly I've only had it just under a year now). I just use the on-off switch as the shutter lock so I don't accidentally expose a frame when the camera is in my bag.

I've forgotten to turn off the camera several times and the battery seems no worse for the wear. As the others have mentioned I just keep a spare on me.
 
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