Mamiya 6 folder opinions?

bdial · Feb 10, 2008

I ran across a Mamiya 6 folder in an antique store the other day. I didn't buy it, but it's tempting. I'm curious about peoples opinions of these? Are they as sharp as the modern 6's?
Thanks,
Barry

Konical · Feb 10, 2008

Good Afternoon, Barry,

Assuming a favorable price, snap it up. But be sure to check the film-advance mechanism, which is known to be a weak point on some Mamiya 6 models.

Konical

keithwms · Feb 10, 2008

The performance of the modern 6es and 7s comes not only from the lenses but also the overall more rigid and robust body construct. That is a heckuva standard to go up against, given the folder design. I have and adore the modern 6's, but... honestly, if I saw one of the folders in sufficiently good condition and at a good price, I would be tempted. I don't think you want to compare them solely on the basis of critical sharpness, I'd think about it more in terms of portability and affection for the clever folder design.

Ian Grant · Feb 10, 2008

If you do a search on APUG you'll find a few posts about these cameras.

They have a very good reputation, if I'd seen it I would have bought it !!!!! The lens should be almost as good as the current equivalents, but of course only single coated, there are quite a few different versions of the camera..

Ian

Phillip P. Dimor · Feb 10, 2008

I'd have bought it if I had the cash and the price weren't ridiculous. I've heard only good things about the mamiya 6 folder.

papagene · Feb 10, 2008

Barry - I think jnanian has or recently had one of these cameras.

gene

Ian Grant · Feb 10, 2008

Barry, if your going to hesitate could you just buy it for me

Test it, if you like it keep it, if not just post it to me in Turkey and I'll send you what you paid for it in Zimbawean $, 1 Zimbawe $ is very roughly equivalent to a $ :rolleyes: But the way the US $'s doing the exchange rate might shift substantially.

Ian

removed account4 · Feb 10, 2008

hi barry

i have one of these cameras, but it is unable to be repaired.
it is a great camera, and if you get the chance buy it !
be careful if you travel with it. mine broke when a knob was sheered off
in my luggage .. i miss it a lot, and wish i could find one that was cheap ...

have fun
john

P C Headland · Feb 11, 2008

bdial said:
I ran across a Mamiya 6 folder in an antique store the other day. I didn't buy it, but it's tempting. I'm curious about peoples opinions of these? Are they as sharp as the modern 6's?
Thanks,
Barry

I quite like mine, which is an earlier one dating from around 1942. The standard is pretty rigid, the bellows in excellent condition and even the viewfinder is pretty good for a camera of its age. As you may know, it focuses by moving the film plane back and forth.

They are pretty sharp, obviously depending on condition and lens condition. Make sure it is all there - including the slide in film gate/pressure plate (without which it will not work).

While they are sharp enough for me, the older lenses may be a bit less contrasty that a modern lens. I doubt it would be quite as sharp as the more modern Mamiya 6.

Russ Young · Feb 11, 2008

I own two Mamiya Six folders, the automat and the IV model. I also shoot a Mamiya 7.

The Automat is incredibly sharp and contrasty (yes,I use a lens hood). The earlier IV is not quite as sharp but nonetheless sharper than any Tessar-folder I have tested. You cannot see the difference between the Six and the 7 in an 8x8 inch print. At 11x14 a slight margin goes to the much more expensive 7.

The Mamiya Six is my "take everywhere" camera.

Russ

bdial · Feb 17, 2008

Thanks for all the comments. I went and bought the camera today. How do I tell if it's an automat or a IV model?
This one has a 75 mm f 3.5 Sola special Anastigmat, a Compur-Rapid shutter. Two view finders, a WL and eye-level. It just says "Mamiya Six" on the top
It had a metal film spool in it (Kodak, I think), so apparently it has not seen use for quite a while. Shutter seems to be ok. I'll know better after I finish the roll I put in it.

P C Headland · Feb 18, 2008

Given it has two viewfinders, it is an early one, so not a IV or Automat. I forget exactly when the WLF was dropped, but it was (I think) before the 1950s.

Take a look here at Camerapedia and Dead Link Removed site (use an online translator to get the rough meaning if you don't speak Japanese).

Don't worry too much about its vintage through, it should still perform quite nicely. Mine is an early '40s version with WLF, and works fine.

Lindyhop · Jul 5, 2018

Been trying to find out about the Mamiya Six Automat viewfinder, does it show frame lines in the viewfinder, is it easy to view the scene though its finder.

Jojje · Jul 5, 2018

Lindyhop said:
Been trying to find out about the Mamiya Six Automat viewfinder, does it show frame lines in the viewfinder, is it easy to view the scene though its finder.

I have a Mamiya Six K (without auto film advance) which I believe has the same finder. There are no lines: "what you see is what you get" - apart from the fact that mine is double format: 4,5x6 is marked with bluish shade. The viewfinder is much better than let's say in Ikontas, not excellent, but good. Rangefinder is easy to use.

Mamiya 6 folder opinions?

Membership Council

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency