6 instead of 7?

Zane Yau

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Joined
Nov 17, 2005
Messages
54
Location
Sydney, Aust
Format
35mm
Hi guys

I currently use

1. Mamiya 7 rangefinder with 43 and 80 lenses; and
2. Mamiya RZ67 with 50, 110 and 250 lenses
3. assorted 66 cameras like the Lubitel, Holga

I enjoy RZ for landscape and M7 for everyday type of photography. I find that I love the 66 format more and more and I am thinking of selling the M7 to get the M6.....

I think RZ's 67 format suits landscape and M6's 66 format suits my everyday photography.... but I think I will miss the 43 lens badly...

Have any of you guys changed from Mamiya 7 to Mamiya 6? What's your experience?
 

Curt

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Sep 22, 2005
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Pacific Nort
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Can't say I didn't try. It looks large in the picture but it's really very compact.
 

declark

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Nov 6, 2006
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248
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So. Cal
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I know 67 is supposed to be considered a perfect format, but I always wondered what you do with that 10th frame? I can't seem to find any archive sleeves that hold 10 frames on one page. That would drive me nuts, so I have stuck to 645, 6x9 and I can certainly see the beauty of the square. No problem fitting 12 frames per page either. If I had 2k to drop on a system, the Mamiya 6 would be a front runner for me.
 

Nick Zentena

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Nov 21, 2004
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I forget the model number but Freestyle has sleeves for 10 6x7 frames. Don't ask me how because I keep forgetting to order them.

Print File 120-4UB

Thats them 12 frames!
 

keithwms

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Oct 14, 2006
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Charlottesvi
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I have a 6 and don't feel the need to go for a 7ii, but here's what I miss: narrower metering and the ability to go wider or longer. But still, I will probably get a backup 6 body rather than go for a 7ii system. If I were you I think I'd go for a 7ii rather than a 6, unless the compactness is really a big issue.

Want to go bigger? Put a 612 back on an RF-coupled 4x5 press camera! You can take it anywhere, people think it's a lunch box But the VF is like a little keyhole, so it's not exactly a pleasure to use except for landscape.
 

Silverhead

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Aug 22, 2006
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Southern Cal
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Plastic Cameras
I think you need to give me the 67 immediately. In fact, I'm quite sure of it. And you have to pay for overnight shipping. It came to me in a vision.
 

wclavey

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Apr 13, 2005
Messages
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Houston, TX
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Silverhead said:
I think you need to give me the 67 immediately. In fact, I'm quite sure of it. And you have to pay for overnight shipping. It came to me in a vision.
Click to expand...

It must be the collective subconscious, because I had that same vision! Did yours include the music from Close Encounters?
 

papagene

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Jun 11, 2004
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Tucson, AZ
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Nick Zentena said:
Why not just crop square and keep what you've got?
Click to expand...

I agree with Nick. I occasionally crop the neg from my Fuji GW670 II to a square when the image/composition calls for it. I think you have a good combo as is.

gene
 
OP
OP

Zane Yau

Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2005
Messages
54
Location
Sydney, Aust
Format
35mm
Thanks for the ideas guys.

I also thought about cropping but i can't visualise the square picture when I am taking it

This is a difficult decision...
 

CraigK

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Aug 20, 2003
Messages
262
Location
Canada
Zane,

I had a Mamiya 6 when they first came out. It was stolen a few years later. So I got a 7 and enjoyed it for a number of years. Eventually however, I realized that I liked the 6 better, so I eventually went back to the 6.

I prefer the compactness (is that a word?) of the 6
I like the square format. All my other cameras are rectangular format. The 6 is just different...and I like that.
I like the fact that I get 12/24 exposures on a roll
I like the look of the camera...nice sort of matt black finish
I do not miss the 6x7 format at all. If I need that format I use an RB67

The only downside I can think of is that there are more lenses for the 7 and I do admit a certain lust for the 43. But if you look around you can find a 6 with all three lenses for less than the price of a 43mm for the 7.

I'm not sure if this will help you in your decision, but if it is any consolation, you will probably love either camera. Both are very nice.
 
OP
OP

Zane Yau

Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2005
Messages
54
Location
Sydney, Aust
Format
35mm
Thanks Craig - I think it is the square format vs 43 wide angle. I cant find such good deals for the M6 though

I was also told that the M6 has a weak winder and easily breaks. Parts are harder to get than M7 and it's a bit more risky to own the M6....
 

Andrew Moxom

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Feb 2, 2007
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Keeping the
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I love my Mamiya 6 and thought about trading it due to the potential winder problems and that Mamiya has no spares for it. I wonder if anyone has approached SKGrimes about it though? they appear to be able to engineer around most problems that I've heard? Could be expensive for the first guinea pig, but after that, maybe somewhat cheaper?

That said, I am always careful with my '6' If you are not rattling through film like a madman, the winder should hold up for many years without any problems. Other parts and services are still available for it through MAC. For now, I am holding onto my '6' as the square is where it's at!
 

bgilwee

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Dec 23, 2004
Messages
32
Location
Lakeside CA
Format
Medium Format
love my m7, ran tests on the 43 and it had too much distortion for me(everything had to be exact level) so I use the 65 and love it for street work. I blow through the first frame so I end up with nine frames and sleeves are easy to find.
 

darinwc

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Joined
Dec 14, 2003
Messages
3,146
Location
Sacramento,
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"hehe... that thing looks huge... I prefer something compact and light!"

Um, i didnt think the RZ was in either of those catagories.
 
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