Mamiya 7 users-Thinking of buying?

[anaanda]

I am thinking of buying this camera...what are your thoughts? vs The mamiya 6 as well??

I just realized I need to use a center filter with my xpan and don't know if I want to deal with this issue (I have to spend another $300 on the filter)

Thanks in advance

 

[clarence]

I heard from Xpan users that the center filter's useless.

Clarence

 

[snowy]

If you want to do panoramics, the xpan is the camera to have. You can use the 35mm film adaptor on the Mamiya 7 but it's a hassle. If you want gorgeous big rich 6x7 trannies, there's no choice either. They're very different cameras - why not have both! 🙂

 

[anaanda]

unfortunately I can not afford both...I am not set on panos as I will be able to crop the 6x7 neg if I want a pano...I am very fickle with cameras.... falling in love one day only to start developing infatuation for another camera!!

 

[snowy]

Oh dear - that's a sure fire way to financial ruin and photographic mediocrity! If you want to get the best out of your photography you need to get over the equipment bug and accept that everything is a compromise. Then learn to work within those limits and get the best out of the equipment you have, rather than always hankering after something new. I'm a fine one to preach on this as I've got one of everything 🙂

Anyway, using the cost of a $300 centre filter as a justification for buying probably $5k worth of Mamiya 7 kit is way out there! You've got to have a better reason than that 🙂

 

[anaanda]

If you want to get the best out of your photography you need to get over the equipment bug and accept that everything is a compromise. Then learn to work within those limits and get the best out of the equipment you have, rather than always hankering after something new. 🙂

Good point.....well said although I was only looking at the Mamiya 6 w/75 or the 7 w/80 which I can get for around $1000-$1300. Actually I am quite simple usually only owning one camera and one lens at a time.....

 

[JeffGreene]

I have a Mamiya 6 with all three lenses. I noticed you referring to the body with the 75 mm lens. The 75 is a good lens, but the 50 is the lens to get for this camera IMHO. It's razor sharp and not overly contrasty. Great lens and a great camera! But then again I like wides. JMO.

 

[oftheherd]

Well, they are a little bigger I guess, but why not consider the Mamiya Universal or Super Press 23? You still get the big negatives and good Mamiya glass and for a lot less money. Also, they are system cameras. I wouldn't give up my Super Press 23 for anything.

 

[anaanda]

Well, they are a little bigger I guess, but why not consider the Mamiya Universal or Super Press 23? You still get the big negatives and good Mamiya glass and for a lot less money. Also, they are system cameras. I wouldn't give up my Super Press 23 for anything.

Never heard of those camera?? I'll have to look them up...
Thanks

 

[boilerdoc2]

Absolutely can not beat the M7! If you want square, you crop it a little. Those lenses are reasonably priced and superbly sharp. It is a 'small' (for MF) camera and the shutter is darn near silent. Great stealth camera.

 

[boilerdoc2]

Absolutely can not beat the M7! If you want square, you crop it a little. Those lenses are reasonably priced and superbly sharp. It is a 'small' (for MF) camera and the shutter is darn near silent. Great stealth camera.

 

[courtney]

Well i'd go the Mamiya 6.....only saying this because i own one. But as mentioned in the previous posts, find 1 camera you like and stick with it. I had the 645pro but found it far to big to transport and as a non cropper i think the 645 format is stupid. Its a small transportable easy to use camera. I checked out the 7 but its much bigger and more expensive. But it does have the ultra wide angle lens.
Just weigh up the pro's and cons and if possible handle and use the cameras before buying.

 

[oftheherd]

Never heard of those camera?? I'll have to look them up...
Thanks

It is worth looking at. You can look on ebay to see what they look like and what the prices are. Personally, I would stay away from the older gray rounded just because they are older and don't seem to sell for that much less. I don't think they look as good either. I think they do take all the same accessories as far as I know.

Two url's you may find interesting are here, and I am sure you can find more.

http://bigcamera.com/articles/mamiyamodels.htm

http://www.macuserforums.com/webx?14@44.hLyNa7twonZ.22@.ee707d6

 

[Terence T]

I heard from Xpan users that the center filter's useless.

Clarence

You heard right. Mine's been sitting idle after only 1 week of use. It's all a conspiracy to make us fork out almost $300, Fuji and Hasselblad must've made a pile selling the filters.

 

[Terence T]

For panoramics on a 7, wouldn't shooting with the 43mm and cropping to the Xpan's aspect ratio give a similar field of view on a larger negative? If so, I'll rather pay for the 43mm and forget about the panoramic adapter.

Does anyone have any experience with the polaroid back? I'm toying with the idea of acquiring one.

 

[anaanda]

Thanks for all the comments, I've decided on the Mamiya 6 for its portability and price...I would eventually like to get the wide angle lens, the one for the 7 is very expensive.

 

[sf]

All I have to say is, the 6x6 crops down to 645. . . . .

 

[35mmdelux]

filter useless unless shooting w/ 30mm lens. 45mm okay if one stops down the lens a bit when using chrome film.

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

I love the M7 system, but the M6 is pretty nifty as well. The only concern I'd seriously have with the M6 is 'future' service, especially with its reputed problems and parts. Otherwise it is a great system, and a tad smaller than the M7.

The M7 with the 80 is a great system, the 80 lens is razor sharp.

But you really can't lose going either way (especially if you get a M6 that has had the infamous part replaced already). good luck