Mamiya 7 vs Fuji GSW 6x7/6x9

[sf]

I am thinking about buying a medium format rangefinder for my portrait work. I used to use a Pentax 645nII (AF), but sold it because the autofocus didn't work well for me, and it was bulky. And the glass never matched the quality of the Mamiyas I have used.

So, I am looking at the Mamiya 7 cameras and the Fuji GSW 67 and 6x9 series. I really like the idea of the 6x9 negative on the Fuji, but trust Mamiya glass and reliability. What i am looking for is a camera that focuses quickly and accurately and with which I can take pictures that will blow up to 16x20 without trouble. Sure, many will say some 35mm cameras will look just fine, but I am looking for sharp, clear, contrasty, or not contrasty, but you get the idea.

I like the Fuji option because of the 6x9 and the price tag. I like Mamiya because I have owned lots of Mamiya cameras and lenses and everything they make is spectacular. Any input? Anyone selling any of these?

 

[Heath]

I have a medium format rangefinder, but it isn't one of those on your list.

It is the Ensign Commando. Shoots 4.5x6 and 6x6 frames, has focal plane focusing and as it is a folder, it is quite compact. I must remember to run a film through it to test out it's image quality. If it is as good as my Yashica-A TLR I will be happy.

Sorry I cannot help with any of those cameras, just thought I would put another in the mix.

Heath

 

[thpook]

I am thinking about buying a medium format rangefinder for my portrait work. I used to use a Pentax 645nII (AF), but sold it because the autofocus didn't work well for me, and it was bulky. And the glass never matched the quality of the Mamiyas I have used.

So, I am looking at the Mamiya 7 cameras and the Fuji GSW 67 and 6x9 series. I really like the idea of the 6x9 negative on the Fuji, but trust Mamiya glass and reliability. What i am looking for is a camera that focuses quickly and accurately and with which I can take pictures that will blow up to 16x20 without trouble. Sure, many will say some 35mm cameras will look just fine, but I am looking for sharp, clear, contrasty, or not contrasty, but you get the idea.

I like the Fuji option because of the 6x9 and the price tag. I like Mamiya because I have owned lots of Mamiya cameras and lenses and everything they make is spectacular. Any input? Anyone selling any of these?

I got a chance to borrow a fuji GSWII 6x9, and I can say without any doubts that you will not be disappointed by the fuji glass. It's almost in a class by itself.

 

[malcolm.mcintyr]

I have a Mamiya 7II, and it is limited for portraiture by the fact that the 150mm lens will not focus closer than 2m. This gives a full-frame half body above the waist shot, but you can't move in closer for head and shoulders only.

 

[StuartR]

I have both a Mamiya 7II and a Fuji G690 (the OLD one with interchangable lenses). I would say if you want modern features and reliability, go with the Mamiya. You have more options too -- the 43mm lens is incredible, and the 80 and 150 are also great (it focuses to 1.8m by the way, not 2m, but it still seems far. Good news is that you can really easily crop and maintain MF quality). For the G690 has a 100mm and a 180mm lens. The focus is screwed up on the 100mm, but it still performs incredibly at infinity or if you stop it down. The Fuji glass has a wonderful look to it and you will not be disappointed. In day to day use though, it is a pain in the ass. This probably would not be true of the newer GSWIII. The Mamiya is also much smaller and lighter than the Fuji. To be honest, I have had the Fuji for about two years and only used it a handful of times. The times when I would have used it have been taken over by a 4x5 view camera, which while much bulkier gives me a heck of a lot more flexibility and a larger negative.

If I had one of the fixed lens ones, I would probably use it more, but I honestly love the M7II, and with the built in meter, AE operation and flexible lens choice, it seems like a much better real world option to me. If you are just going to go out backpacking, setup a tripod and take superwide landscapes the Fuji is probably an excellent choice, but for a more versatile camera I would take the Mamiya.

edit: Oh, and the close focus on the fuji 180mm lens is a staggering 2.5m, so the mamiya portrait lens is better there...Also, the 80mm makes a decent portrait lens too, as it focuses to 1m and the depth of field in an 80mm f/4 lens is pretty small.

 

[StuartR]

Finally, the Fuji that I have does NOT focus quickly -- the lenses have massive barrels that are heavily damped. Also, since they are mechanical leaf shutters, the speeds are not going to be as accurate as the electronic mamiya. Sure, the mamiya will crap out on you completely if you run out of batteries, but you need to really know your fuji to get accurate results on slide film. And please don't let me deter you if you decide a Fuji is right for you. Keep in mind that I am comparing a camera from the sixties with one from the 2000's. The Fuji will make stunning images if you play your cards right, but the Mamiya will do so as well, and in more difficult conditions. Such is my warning. Use it well.

 

[jyabrow]

"The Fuji glass has a wonderful look to it and you will not be disappointed."

I recently acquired a Fuji GL690 (mfg circa 1970) with the 100/f3.5 lens and shot some Fuji Astia 100F side-by-side with my Mamiya 6. I found that although both looked great at first glance, under an 8x loupe the Mamiya 6 was clearly sharper (subject was landscape at infinity distance). The Fuji was just a little blurry (kind of like a mediocre lens on 35mm) while the Mamiya was tack-sharp. I wonder if the Fuji would benefit from a CLA, or should I expect less sharp results from such an old camera?

 

[StuartR]

Here are two fairly similar test images from both cameras. They are not identical, because I did them at totally different times, but they may give you an idea as to how they compare.
Fuji 100mm f/3.5

Mamiya 7II 80mm f/4

100% Crop of Fuji picture

100% Crop of Mamiya picture

These were both on Delta 100 I believe. Obviously, the fuji was directly sidelit, and the Mamiya was lit with an indirect source.

Here is an example of the Fuji and the 180mm lens from 2.5m, it's close focus range (!).

Here is the detail. This is the lavender at the very top center of the bunch.

Edit, by the way, no sharpening applied at all. Images scanned at 4800 dpi using the glass carrier in a Minolta Scan Multi Pro.

 

[jyabrow]

Thanks Stuart for posting the example scans and 100% blow-ups. It does appear that the Fuji @ 100% is slightly less sharp than the Mamiya in your examples--although I may be picking nits. It is hard to tell whether my results are worse than your examples or not, and I don't know if what I'm seeing under an 8x loupe will make a visible difference in prints or not. I guess I'll have to try getting these scanned and examine them myself. If/when I do, I'll post the results here.

Thanks again,

J

 

[sf]

thanks for help

thanks for help

The examples from the two cameras were great. Thanks lots for doing that. I will be posting examples from my R3A\Nokton 40 camera this week.

I have chosen the Mamiya 7II, but will have to devise some means of paying for one.

thanks again