mamiya 7ii or leicaM9

furlongphotos

furlongphotos

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I have and love using my Mamiya 7ii with 3 lenses 65mm 80mm 150mm , I use a Minolta pro for scanning and though very happy with my results it is both time consuming and expensive( I roughly worked out around £1 a frame using a good pro lab) I am a self employed photographer, weddings is my bread and butter and travel is my passion. (i use Nikon pro dslrs for weddings)
Do I replace my Mamiya, and maybe even the Nikons, with a M9 ?
Any thoughts will be most welcome
 
If they're paying your wages then I'd think twice about replacing the dslrs. Autofocus may be necessary to your wedding work, I don't know but it eliminates one set of difficulties.

As for the mamiya, only you can decide.

Could you try one for a few days to see if you like it.

Mike
 
In my limited experience, I'd say keep the Nikons for your work cameras. The features far outweigh the option. I do some portrait work and find myself using the 70-200/2.8 alot, kinda hard to do that with an M9, YMMV.

Todd
 
M9

M9

I agree I would keep One Nikon, I think I will make a trip down to the new Leica store London and have a play, dont think they will let me have it for a few days though ha ha, thanks for the reply bye the way - Damian
 
As a fairly long-time Mamiya user, these are simply my opinions:

Apart from both being rangefinder-type cameras, they are extremely different tools. If your goal is agility, colour output, and less "hassle", the M9 will likely suit you better. It's of course much better in poor light also, and a much, much prettier / better-built camera.

If high resolution, or state-of-the-art Monochrome output are your goals (and for this, you should preferably be making analogue prints in a darkroom) a Leia M9, or any other 35mm-sized digital camera, will achieve nowhere near the quality obtainable from the Mamiya 7.

People (especially people who just paid $7000 for an M9) will argue this to no end, but there is no doubting an almost 5x greater film area, coupled with the superior non-retrofocus wide angle lenses.

Also, consider this: If you are used to a professional SLR, moving to a rangefinder-only body (1950s technology) coupled with a digital sensor that is demonstrably inferiour to all but the cheapest SLRs', might not be all it's cracked up to be. I would certainly keep an SLR (or modern mirrorless EVF camera, if you wish) around for the times when you need accurate framing, close-focus, and long lenses.

Regardless of the spectacular (fast, small) lenses on the Leica, by owning a Mamiya 7 you have already been spoilt by much better potential image quality in all measurable aspects, and I simply don't see what you'll gain, unless you "have to have" the beautiful Leica man-jewelry (and I must say, I would really, really like one, regardless of all the sensible reasons not to).

If I were you, and looking for some fresh inspiration, I'd go back to dakroom printing, and spend a small fraction of the Leica money on the spectacular, not-equalled-anywhere-in-the-Leica-stable 43mm lens for some ultra-wide work.

Of course, only you know what'll make you hapy in the end, Have fun either way!
 
M9

M9

Yes Todd, I use the 70 200 alot weddingwise! but when I go traveling I always take the Mamiya as it is lightweight and those chromes on the lightbox look fantastic! but as I have said there is the film cost issue and changing film every ten shots - basically i think what will make my mind up is if the quality is as good or very near to scanned 6X7 thanx damian
 
Philosomatographer - you talk a lot of sense! maybe I should do as you say get the 43mm a load of film and take a few exotic trips and shoot up a storm, and who knows I might have a bit of change from my $7000!! Thanks for you help - damian
 
M9

M9

I use D2xs 70 200mm 24 85mm 12 24mm and sb800s more than happy with them but heavy and i find when doing "street" shots you kind of feel like a pap photographer and I dont command the same respect or response as I do with a smaller camera i.e Mamiya - damian
 
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furlongphotos said:
I use D2xs 70 200mm 24 85mm 12 24mm and sb800s more than happy with them but heavy and i find when doing "street" shots you kind of feel like a pap photographer and I dont command the same respect or response as I do with a smaller camera i.e Mamiya - damian
Click to expand...

:) Mamiya 7 is the new small... Mike
 
have you considered ditching the D2xs and getting a D700 instead ? If you did, might be worth waiting till next year ;)

re:Mamiya 7 vs M9...I'd keep the Mamiya. Used the M9 for a couple of weeks and although I liked it, there were some issues I'd like to see resolved before buying one.
 
the m9 can produce an excellent 13x19 print, and a decent 20x30. that's basically the same story as a mamiya 7 when making 16x20 and 20x24 prints. they'll look different but the situations are equivalent. if you put the m9 to use at weddings, it'll pay for itself soon enough.

the new 35mm summilux asph will be announced very soon, so put in a preorder asap. that combo will very nicely complement something like a nikon d700 with a 70-200mm.
 
My 2 Cents.....(worth everything you have paid, no refunds)

My 2 Cents.....(worth everything you have paid, no refunds)

furlongphotos said:
I use D2xs 70 200mm 24 85mm 12 24mm and sb800s more than happy with them but heavy and i find when doing "street" shots you kind of feel like a pap photographer and I dont command the same respect or response as I do with a smaller camera i.e Mamiya - damian
Click to expand...

All of the Nikon D1-3s are HUDGE and if you're hauling around all that glass I can tell why you feel like your shooting a 4x5. Actually a 4x5 would be smaller than all that, but that's neither here nor there.

First off DO NOT sell your MF gear. There is something about the quality of a MF that somehow makes everything look better. While the M9 is a wonderful camera I think Leica is still about two releases from delivering a digital camera that could replace film 100%. They are really close in many ways, but existing darkness they have some stops to go yet. Plus the cost of the glass is much higher if you want Leica glass.

One option is to look at a couple of MF prime lenses on your D2. Perhaps a CV 20/3.5 (chipped for Nikon) and either a 35/1.8 AF (really low cost Nikkor) or a CV 58/1.4 (again chipped for Nikon). You might want to pick up a better focusing screen for your D2 but together you will be set for just about everything on the street.

Another option is to shoot streets with those lenses and a very different camera, say a D5000. You might find the quality in RAW surprising. Just get a 20/3.5 and you will be fine.

My favorite option is look at a small digital street camera like the GRD III. Put a CV Black Metal 28mm Bright Line finder on here and you will be set. The size is easy to carry everywhere and she shoots RAW.

B2 (;->
 
Save yourself 5K, keep the Mamiya 7, scratch that digital rangefinder itch and get a Panny GF1,
or wait to Photokina and get the GF2, which sounds like it will be digital rangefinder with built in EVF.
Or if you really must, get an M8. Repeat - save the Mamiya, BTW you have an excellent scanner.
 
furlongphotos said:
I have and love using my Mamiya 7ii with 3 lenses 65mm 80mm 150mm , I use a Minolta pro for scanning and though very happy with my results it is both time consuming and expensive( I roughly worked out around £1 a frame using a good pro lab) I am a self employed photographer, weddings is my bread and butter and travel is my passion. (i use Nikon pro dslrs for weddings)
Do I replace my Mamiya, and maybe even the Nikons, with a M9 ?
Any thoughts will be most welcome
Click to expand...
Hi
Id definately upgrade the Nikons first! The D700 low light performance should be a good notch up opn the D2X's. Also perhaps a bit lighter?
The 70-200 is a killer lens and if you value this, there is no obvious alternative in rangefinder format. If this pays your wages i think you would miss it. Obviously one can do brillinat weddings with a leica but it would certainly be a change of style and not without risk if you have a system that works.The image stabilisation f2.8 and 70-200 zoom is seriously useful and very flexible. It does way a ton though and its not exactly discreet. I have had to sell mine as can not carry that much after spinal surgery recently!

If you just sold your M7 outfit Im guessiong it would go about 1/2 ay to an M9 body. Then there is the cost of leica glass.

We did have a fairly pitched debate about M8 vs Mamiya 7 a couple of years ago and one point I made was that the transparencies from an Mamiya 7 would wipe out the M8 but there is always some loss of quality converting these to prints and anything but the very best starts to narrow the gap. Then there is the issue of spontanaity and fast prime lenses. The annoyance of the mamiya for me was always that even the 80 is a rather slow f4. This means again using faster film in low light or loosing quality hand holding. Also the mamiyal lenses do not focus all that close so not great for portraits compared to a Leica. For landscapes on a tripod my money is on the mamiya & but hand held on the move im guessing the leica delivers more keepers albeith of lesser resoution and detail.

How about going D700 for the day job. Have a go at a film Leica.(an M6 much smaller outlay and pretty good place to start) If this works you could trade your Mamiya 7 build up your arsenal of M glass and gradually use it a bit at weddings for a few monochrome shots, and if it works you are ready to go M9!

I hear loads of people saying dont do it regarding parting with medium format. I change my gear every now and again. Its not life and death. If you miss something you can always trade back! As long as you buy good gear and look after it you wont loose too much.

My curent gear;
D700 14-24, 24-70, M7 50F2 Rolleiflex 2.8 GX

Im happy at least for now!

Best wishes

Richard
 
I don't own a Leica. I only have a P&S digital. I do have several MF cameras. IMHO it will be a long time before any digital can get me what most of my MF can deliver. But only you can decide what will please you. I do think the above suggestions on getting a better digital kit makes a lot of sense. It pays your bills. BTW, do you ever use the Mamiya at weddings. Offering some really giant prints might intrigue some of your clients.
 
At the last wedding I attended a pro photographer explained that for the posed family photos she used a medium format camera. During the service and at the reception she used a digital. With two cameras you only have the minimum. What happens if the digital goes down during the wedding?
 
If you are a pro photographer you should know that your equipment should be run into the ground before fliting here and there looking for alternatives. It doesn't make sense to change before its either worn out or can't produce 'new' types of media that other photographers can offer and which makes you loose out, like say video from a DSLR.

So if you want an M9 wait until you can afford it and don't need to sell anything. See if you like it, and if it works well within your overall setup (you'll still need a DSLR), and then sell anything that isn't earning money or making you happy. The grass is rarely as green on the other side as people make out, or seems from the natural GAS that we all get. There are caveats at every turn, even for a great camera like the M9, so don't jump until you can do so without compromising your business.

Steve
 
250swb said:
If you are a pro photographer you should know that your equipment should be run into the ground before fliting here and there looking for alternatives. It doesn't make sense to change before its either worn out or can't produce 'new' types of media that other photographers can offer and which makes you loose out, like say video from a DSLR.

So if you want an M9 wait until you can afford it and don't need to sell anything. See if you like it, and if it works well within your overall setup (you'll still need a DSLR), and then sell anything that isn't earning money or making you happy. The grass is rarely as green on the other side as people make out, or seems from the natural GAS that we all get. There are caveats at every turn, even for a great camera like the M9, so don't jump until you can do so without compromising your business.

Steve
Click to expand...
Id agree with this however changing a D2x for a D700 is not a quantum leap and I would hope that the improved low light and dynamic range compared to the d2X would certainly make a difference to the day job. Regarding the Mamiya swap, I still think a film M is the place to start here with minimal risk. Also if it is not good it is pretty easy to sell or exchange back for Mamiya gear.

Best wishes

Richard
 
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