Mamiya 7II New, what to look for...

[TJV]

Hello all,
I've finally decided to take the plunge and get the M7II that I've always wanted new. Just a quick question:
Are there any things I need to look out for when I receive it? Apart from checking things like RF accuracy at infinity are there any other things I need to check, or problems that are well documented with this model?
I'm getting it with the standard 80mm lens.
Wish Plaubel still made camera's, even if they were a little unreliable. The Mamiya 7 II will do me nicely though I think!

Tim

 

[JayC]

Check the shutter operation WITH FILM IN THE CAMERA. Mine dry fired like a beauty, but when I loaded film, it wouldn't cock after the first frame. It had a "bad" magnet that is used to tell the camera that the shutter has been released and it is ok to advance the film. Or something to that effect. I took my newly purchased camera on a beach vacation, and it didn't work!

 

[TJV]

Thanks, mate.
Is this a common problem? I've never heard of it before. Was it easy to fix or did you just get a new one?
TIm

 

[yarinkel]

Hi Tim, congrats on your new camera!

As it's new, there should not be any problems but yes, it is always wise to check the alignment. Also on a Mamiya 7 (second hand) I have seen the 80mm lens bringing up the wrong framelines (The lens had a broken "pin")

With no lens attached, the Mamiya 7 shows the 65mm framelines.

 

[TJV]

Thanks all,
at the last moment I switched to a 65mm kit. Hope I made the right choice! Just thought that I'd have more use for the 65mm as a general purpose lens for both street and landscape work. It's not too wide, just about right.
Now, I wonder what film stock I'll run through it on the virgin shoot. I was thinking Provia 400...