Mamiya 7 - what to look for when buying?

J

Jason Blake

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Hi everyone,

My first post on this forum. What a fabulous stream of images I've been viewing. My appetite has always been strong for an M7 but these recent threads have tipped the scales.

I haven't decided whether to buy new or 2nd hand as yet but if I were to choose the latter what should I look out for? Is the mark 2 a better buy?

Also how does one check that the rangefinder and lens are in acceptable alignment?

Thanks for any responses.

Jason
 
Make sure the double images line up perfectly in the rangefinder. I had the first mamiya 7 but when I got it there was some haze in the viewfinder that made some big flare so I sold it and got a used m7II. It's the better one imo, especially with the multi exposure lever, its like a field camera almost with that. Both of them are excellent, just make sure you know who owned it before you and what kind of photography they did.
 
Couldn't agree more about the previous useage. I bought one second hand that needed rangefinder adjustment, which i did myself. It is not uncommon for this procedure to be needed. But it is possible to make a big mess of this small job. Once done it seems stable, in my case anyway.

The mark II will be not so old, and there are quite a few of them for sale these days.
 
Thank you for your responses. If I buy 2nd hand I will go for the Mark II as it's going to have less usage (maybe). I will do my homework on it.
 
You might want to invest in a 'dummy' role of film, and bring it with you if you are getting both a camera and lens. Load the dummy roll, and shoot at all speeds, and listen. Reload it (the other way around) and listen again if you're not sure.

I was at a shop intending to get a 2nd 80, when the speeds were just off whack due to some unknown reason. I wouldn't have been able to know this if i didnt' run a roll through the camera there and then.

Lovely system, the m7, a tad big but much much more flexible (and cheaper) than the others out there at the moment. 🙂
 
Thanks Trev & 35mm,

Appreciate your input. Great idea to dummy test the camera.
I will get as new a model as possible for the price.
I see no sense in upgrading my digital camera at the moment as the price just drops once you've spent your money.
I have a 5d which has been good but I sold a Leica M7 to finance it &*??? Ouch!!
Lost good money and a beautiful piece of photographic perfection.
I made the decision to invest in a high quality piece of analogue equipment (the Mamiya 7) and perhaps a scanner.
This way I know my options are completely open with how I choose to process my trannies/negs.
I started on film 25 years ago and worked as a photojournalist for some time. I went to digital 6 or so years ago but things just haven't felt the same since.
Recently got out the old F1 and re-found my passion. God I love film!!
 
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