Mamiya 7 system, a very popular camera nowadays

L

loic.sans

French expat in London...
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Just killing some time here...

I have a feeling that more and more photographers are coming back to mamiya 7 system these days.
On flickr the related groups have an increasing number of joiners.
On ebay they are becoming rare in compare to a 1 or 2 years ago and when there's one auction, it is rather popular.
Also I had a chat with the guy at Aperture Uk in london (used camera store), they used to have loads of them to sell before, nowadays these are selling like fresh baked cakes.

There might be many explanations.
It might be the impressive quality of the glasses combined with 6x7 negs, which most DSLR cameras can't match. The pleasure of getting films developed then scanning.

As for me, I am not ready to get rid of mine. I have actually not gone to digital yet.

What do you think?
 
I have a Mamiya 6 and find it to be a fantastic camera. Produces quality negs and chromes. Scanning film is a bit tedious but I'm still printing b&W and C-41 in the darkroom so only really have to scan in order to load stuff on flickr or print E6.

The Mamiya 6 / 7 are perfect travel cameras in my opinion. Mine is about the same size as My Nikon F6 but obviously the Mamiya (and its sweet 50mm lens) produces results which massively surpasses 35mm in terms of image quality - though of course, the Nikon is a much more versatile (and quicker) camera.
 
I have also noticed a marked increase in posts on RFF about M7's and their relatives. This is of particular interest to me, since I only recently discovered them myself, having borrowed one from a friend and subsequently acquiring my own. I must say, the negatives are amazing. Have not had much chance to print any of them yet, but am eager to do so. I like the feel of the camera, the quality of the images, and the ease of operation - and the quietest shutter of anything I've ever owned. All in all, a pretty nice package!

Mark
 
I just love medium format... Digital can't touch it yet although in a few years that may not be the case.

The negatives are always great when compared to 35mm.
I still enjoy shooting my Leica M3 but medium format seems to be a natural progression for me.
I have dabbled with it in the past with an ancient Pentax 67 but couldn't devote any real time to it.
But I'm about to make up for that.
A Mamiya 7ii kit is on its way to me and I can't wait to buy my first rolls of film and start walking.

I just wish Leica would introduce a similar system to the Mamiya 7ii.
That will probably never happen but I can dream.

Also... Some pros who still shoot film are using the Mamiya.
 
I don't have one but my friend does. The lenses are wonderful, so is the portability. Camera fads do seem to go in cycles, a year and a half ago you couldn't come on this site without seeing a thread on the Olympus 35RC. Now you never see them. But I do think this is different. It just is a great camera. I wish I had one.
 
sc_rufctr said:
I just wish Leica would introduce a similar system to the Mamiya 7ii.
That will probably never happen but I can dream.
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They would screw it up. At least that is my impression from all the folks having problems with their Leica gear here. They would also make it way too heavy and expensive. Better leave MF rangefinders to the better camera company.
 
Finder said:
They would screw it up. At least that is my impression from all the folks having problems with their Leica gear here. They would also make it way too heavy and expensive. Better leave MF rangefinders to the better camera company.
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I've had CV, Leica, Hassleblad, and Mamiya 7/7ii. I wish the Mamiya 7ii's construction was equal to a Leica or the Hassleblad. The Mamiya 7ii is an incredible camera, but it does have its faults. For example, the lenses only have full stops. Bokeh is not to my tastes, though no deal breaker. No fast lenses. Somewhat of a plasticy feel. While I love the images the Mamiya 7ii creates, I think a Leica could do a fantastic job. I've never had issues with my Leicas. Plus, the Mamiya system has some failure problems as well. One is with the Mamiya 6 where the cocking mechanism fails.
 
I'm new to MF. I was sniped a few times because I waited a day, before I aquired my Mamiya 6 and 50/4.0. IMHO the rangefinder and a wide is a match made in heaven. The weight is about the same as a Nikon Pro SLR. I also love the handling. A much faster shooter than my Rolleiflex's. At Adorama, B&H, and KEH M6's don't last long. The 50/4.0's are somewhat difficult to find. I was extreamly lucky to get mine in "Like New" condition for a modest premium at KEH.

Cal
 
i only hope this camera stays in production. its such a good system that it would really be sad to see it die
 
Erik L said:
i only hope this camera stays in production. its such a good system that it would really be sad to see it die
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Just think if Mamiya develops a digital back for the camera like its modular systems. Now THAT would be awesome.
 
And i am happy that i bought this camera new before it is discontinued, now i want to buy one lens for it, 43mm, but because i want to buy this lens new i will wait a bit and buy a used lens which is 65mm, in fact most of the time i found myself i don't want to go very wide, i have 50mm on my RZ and i feel it is so wide for some applications, even i was shooting with 60mm on my Hasselblad 501CM and again it was wide more than what i need, so i feel 43 will be a fun for sure but very wide, i will use it for landscapes when i travel, but i want to use 65mm and be creative with it before i get 43mm.
I will not sell this camera as long i found out that it is a jewel of MF RF cameras.
 
pevelg said:
.......... No fast lenses. Somewhat of a plasticy feel.....
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We have all wanted a faster lens on our Mamiya RF cameras. But the fairly small aperture is what keeps them compact and light. The plastic helps with the lightness too, of course.

A Leica medium format RF would be heavy and maybe expensive.
 
loic.sans said:
Just killing some time here...

I have a feeling that more and more photographers are coming back to mamiya 7 system these days.

What do you think?
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It's all those Holga users stepping up to a real camera! :D

Seriously, I bought an M7 recently (~9 months ago), because I wanted a RF, the 6x7 format, and a nice bright eye-level finder (I've grown tired of the dim waist-level view through my TLR's). The price was right at the time. The M7 is my first RF MF camera. It's a great system. Not too fond of the close-focus range (so I'm keeping my eyes peeled for an MF SLR ;) ). And yes, I joined all the Mamiya MF groups on Flickr.




/
 
I want one.

The only thing stopping me is the matter of money. (Send checks, money orders, cash, coins, stamps to ....)

Aperture64's comment about TLR's is true for me, too. A pain in the a$$. I might have to sell my Rolleicord. I love the big negatives, but the process of composing with WLF is too unnatural for me. A big Leica-like vf/rf is probably a solution. I wonder if Mamiya has ever considered shoe-horning their digital sensor into a 6 or 7 body?

aperture64 said:
I have a Mamiya 6. I love the square format. I used a Rolleiflex 3.5e on and off for 10 years, but the Rollei can be a pain in the a$$ when it comes to the WLF and juggling a light meter. The transition from Leica M to Mamiya 6 has been seamless for me. The lens, 75mm, is tack sharp. I hope to own the 50mm eventually. The body and 75mm is not much heavier than a SLR with a zoom lens.
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Just got my 50mm f4.5 in the mail today! I can't wait to get out and take her for a spin! I've been wanting to shot the NYC skyline from the Brooklyn waterfront and now I think it's time!

I think the Mamiya 7II is a wonderful camera and hope 120mm film will be made for a long time yet.
 
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