Mamiya 7II users.. where are you!!

[Atom]

I got one of these after I graduated from college about 5 years ago. It is the one camera that has never been on the chopping block when selling my gear (been doing that a lot lately). I have the 80 and 43. Owned the 150 when I first got the camera but found it something I rarely used as i shoot mostly wide or standard. I find the depth of field on the 80 to be very pleasing. I am so pleased with the 43 that I have never pulled to trigger on buying the overpriced Hasselblad SWC with a similar lens. If I am not mistaken the 43 is the same Biogon design (patents expired?) as teh 25mm zeiss 21s of old. I bought the Zeiss 21 f4.5 for leica M the moment it came out becasue I like the look of the lens so much. I'll try an find some of my shots that are floating around on my computer. I have been admittedly obsessed with the Leica M cameras lately, but I know my Mamiya is a capable power house.

 

[Atom]

Here are some from over the years. I can't say they are color corrected, but these are some of my favorites.

Vermont

Four Mile Beach in Northern California (Santa Cruz area)

A friend blowing fire under a bridge in Nashua, NH

Nashua, NH boxcar graveyard

Martha's Vinyeard, MA

Sorry if the quality isn't to good. I just made them web size from old scans. Enjoy.

 

[joe r]

Mamiya 7II + 43mm here. Primarily used for long exposure night photography. Here's a link to a 45 minute full moon exposure.

 

[Platinumjstrain]

My M7 is my favorite traveling camera. There are a few images of mine posted in the gallery, all Italy, all done with the M7. I own the 80 mm, the 150 mm and the 50 mm. Sure hope the manufacturers continue to make film. Iim

 

[fbf]

I spent months to determine what more suitable MF system is for me. I still don't have an answer. I currently own a whole set of hasslblad. As much as I love it, I don't use it nearly as often as the leica simply because of the weight and size. My neck gives up on me after maybe 3-4 rolls of WLF focusing. Mamiya 6 or 7 seems to be a perfect answer but I am still not 100% convinced....

 

[Way]

I spent months to determine what more suitable MF system is for me. I still don't have an answer. I currently own a whole set of hasslblad. As much as I love it, I don't use it nearly as often as the leica simply because of the weight and size. My neck gives up on me after maybe 3-4 rolls of WLF focusing. Mamiya 6 or 7 seems to be a perfect answer but I am still not 100% convinced....

The Mamiyas have great optics (though limited in selection), lighter than the Hassy, very quiet shutter, good metering and very easy to use and load film. I love my Mamiya 6. Its' retractable lens makes it easy to carry. I've only shot one roll with the Mamiya 7, but from what little I've seen, it really is a wonderful camera. I definitely shoot my Mamiya 6 more often than the Hassy. I do like my Hassy 500c/m too. I only have the 80mm lens and is nice to have f2.8, whereas the Mamiya's have a max aperture of f3.5 or f4. The f2.8 seems to be the only thing I have to sacrifice in the Mamiyas. Well, the Hassy is built like a brick and will take a beating. Probably not so with the Mamiyas.

I just think the Hassy and Mamiyas are very different shooting experiences. If I had to keep just one, it would probably be the Mamiya. That said, I wouldn't give up any of them!

 

[boilerdoc2]

I am currently travelling the Southwest US with my 2-M7s and full set of lenses. So far i've finished 15 rolls of film. Some of the T400CN i did get developed and scanned. Awesome detail and sharpness. I'll see if I can upload a couple from Colorado. The Tmax-2 rolls await our return home to be processed but I expect nothing but the best. A bit fiddly chenging lenses and I always seem to forget to release the curtain but well worth it.
Steve

 

[Yammerman]

Arrived on planet Mamiya 7II today and looking forward to shooting when this Bladerunner rain stops.

 

[qruyk12]

COOOOL! Glad to see there are a lot of you out there. We need more posts. Heh, lets try to make 7II popular enough to get our own section perhaps!?

Your thoughts......

 

[Turtle]

I spent months to determine what more suitable MF system is for me. I still don't have an answer. I currently own a whole set of hasslblad. As much as I love it, I don't use it nearly as often as the leica simply because of the weight and size. My neck gives up on me after maybe 3-4 rolls of WLF focusing. Mamiya 6 or 7 seems to be a perfect answer but I am still not 100% convinced....

Using the Mamiya 7 is much closer to the Leica than a Hassy. I used an SQB years ago and hated the thing. I can now pick up the mamiya and shoot in the way I am used to; intuitively and looking through a finder (most of the time).

The optics are not bettered by anything I have seen. Truly awesome and apart from changing rolls every 10 rolls things are easy/simple.

A two lens kit of 50/80 or 43/65 or whatever tickles you is so easy to carry and nice and light.

 

[Way]

I am currently travelling the Southwest US with my 2-M7s and full set of lenses. So far i've finished 15 rolls of film. Some of the T400CN i did get developed and scanned. Awesome detail and sharpness. I'll see if I can upload a couple from Colorado. The Tmax-2 rolls await our return home to be processed but I expect nothing but the best. A bit fiddly chenging lenses and I always seem to forget to release the curtain but well worth it.
Steve

Steve,

Wonderful shots. What scanner are you using and any tips on downsizing to the web and still show the detail like you have?

 

[WDPictures]

Really enjoy my 7II, I only have the 80mm but am considering the 150mm. Lightroom is the way to go for all of your exporting needs and oh so much more. Anyone prefer their 150mm and use it as their main lens?

 

[JCT]

I adore my M7II as well -- just a fantastic travel cam, still only have the 80mm, but saving up for the 50. Just B&W so far looking forward to shooting my first transparencies with it this summer 🙂

Still trying to find the perfect bag (besides my better half's domke F-3x, he doesn't appreciate me borrowing it...).

JT

 

[sooner]

I recently joined the Mamiya 7 family with a fantastic deal on a 7 and 80mm lens on the Bay, and now I'm feeling that the 80mm plus one of the wide angles would do me fine as a travel kit. I lean toward the 50mm, as the 43 may be a bit wide. Any opinions on the relative merits of the two wide angles?

 

[Bob Michaels]

I recently joined the Mamiya 7 family with a fantastic deal on a 7 and 80mm lens on the Bay, and now I'm feeling that the 80mm plus one of the wide angles would do me fine as a travel kit. I lean toward the 50mm, as the 43 may be a bit wide. Any opinions on the relative merits of the two wide angles?

I like wides. My normal now is the 65mm instead of the 80mm (I have both). For a 35mm camera, either a 28mm or a 35mm lens seems "normal" to me.

But, the 50mm is as wide as I want to go. It has a good steady usable wide FOV for my taste. The 43mm (which admittedly I do not own) seems like a special purpose wide to me. I know I can mount the 50mm and nicely deal with just about anything that comes along.

A bonus for me is that I do not use the external viewfinder with the 50mm and just rely on the full built in finder. Nice, since I shoot my Mamiya 7 exactly as I do a 35mm RF.

 

[TJV]

Man I want the 50mm... Love my 65 and 80mm, but mostly use the 80mm these days.

 

[JCT]

This is exactly my "read" on the 50mm vs 40mm question -- the 40mm does seem to be a bit of a specialty wide and as my wideangle "eye" is a bit of a work-in-progress, I am sure that I will be content with the 50mm, which is supposed to be an absolutely stellar lens.

Regarding the external viewfinder-- so the internal viewfinder essentially covers the 50mm frame well? Once I free up the cash I would love to do without the external viewfinder, one less thing for me to displace or leave behind these days. :bang:

JT

 

[boilerdoc2]

Great to hear from fellow M7 shooters. I love the 150 for portraiture shots. And the prints!! OMG what amazing tonality. After all that's what the big negs bring to the table right?
I've just refurbished my 50 year old Linhof Super Teknika IV and am going to push the envlope a little further......
Steve

 

[OscarGarrido]

Hi from Spain.
I have a hasselblad Xpan, a Contax T and a Mamiya 7 with 43 and 80 lens.
My favourite is the xpan, but i like very much the mamiya.
But the 43 is too wide for me, i think that would be better the 65mm.
Tomorrow i'll put a picture from Benidorm, Spain.
Cheers from Spain

____________________________________

 

[bwcolor]

I've a barely used M7 and an unused M7ii /65/80/150 lenses. I purchased the M7 in the mid 90's for travel and then I promptly stopped my globe hopping. I remember the first day out in Bangkok and I left the M7 (not a shot fired) under the table in a McDonalds. Yes, embarassing..McDonalds and stupidity. The honest clerk earned a good tip... ran me down in the streets and returned the camera. Picked up the M7ii in Japan, but never used it. Shooting all digital since 2002 and just this week pulled out the M7 gear. Put through a few rolls. I have some rangefinder adjustment to do, but I now remember what I liked about these cameras. Just as Nikon may be putting the 9000ED to bed, I'm thinking of starting another obsession. Wonderful cameras.. Thinking of using them for B&W only.. we will see. How about it Nikon?