Mamiya 6 or 7 II ?

phelger · Feb 23, 2016

I have both in excellent condition. Not being a collector, not wanting to hoard either, I feel having both is too much, but I can't decide which one to skip (I mean sell!)
In the end it boils down to two criteria:
Format: square or slightly larger rectangular?
Size/volume: the 6 with its retractable lens (pocket size) or the 7 a bit more voluminous (needs a bag)
The lightmeter is no issue for me, I always carry a handheld.
Whhat would you do? Has anybody already decided in this or a similar case?
Please help to clear my mind
Peter

mooseontheloose · Feb 23, 2016

I ended up going with the 6, not only because I prefer square, but because I like the retractable lens and limited lens choice -- I knew I wouldn't be tempted to buy extra lenses, no matter how good they were. As it is, I just have two (50mm and 75mm) and I'm pretty happy with the set-up. However, the basis of my choice was to have a great quality MF rig that was fairly lightweight - I travel a lot, and having a main camera system (plus 1 or 2 others, for back-up...you know) was getting too big and heavy, especially with limited carry-on luggage.

I guess if it were me I would ask myself what I preferred shooting, what lenses I almost always used, and then look at which camera offered me what I wanted. Do you prefer the 6x7 format? Want the 43mm lens? For some people, those (and other considerations) might make a difference.

film_man · Feb 23, 2016

I never used a 7 but had a 6. I think the 6 is unbeatable for the size, it really is amazing that a camera that size gives 6x6 photos of incredible sharpness. I ended up selling mine as I wanted something that can focus a bit closer for portraits but if I didn't want that I couldn't think of a better MF camera than the 6.

RalphLambrecht · Feb 23, 2016

phelger said:
I have both in excellent condition. Not being a collector, not wanting to hoard either, I feel having both is too much, but I can't decide which one to skip (I mean sell!)
In the end it boils down to two criteria:
Format: square or slightly larger rectangular?
Size/volume: the 6 with its retractable lens (pocket size) or the 7 a bit more voluminous (needs a bag)
The lightmeter is no issue for me, I always carry a handheld.
Whhat would you do? Has anybody already decided in this or a similar case?
Please help to clear my mind
Peter

been there;kept the 6 and let the 7 go;lenses are spectacular for either;the negs of the 7 don't fit my filing system and make funny contact sheets

chriscrawfordphoto · Feb 23, 2016

I chose the 6 because I like the square. I actually sold my hasselblad system to get the Mamiya 6. The Hassy was just too heavy for me to carry; I have some serious health problems, and the Mamiya 6 and the lenses for it are easier for me to carry. Image quality is incredible, fully as good as the Hasselblad.

You should decide if you like the square format or a rectangular image and buy the one that gives you what you want.

brian steinberger · Feb 23, 2016

I had both as well and kept the 6. For me it came down to format. I much prefer the square to 6x7. And I agree with Ralph, contact sheets and filing were a pain with 6x7. Other nice thing about the 6 is that you never have to flip it on its side for verticals!

macfred · Feb 23, 2016

You've got a luxury problem ...
I would prefer the 6 over the 7.
The 6 is more compact - great for hiking and travel - with the collapsible mount, it is very portable.
On the other hand there is a nice 43mm super wide for the 7 ...

TheToadMen · Feb 23, 2016

mooseontheloose said:
I ended up going with the 6, not only because I prefer square, but because I like the retractable lens and limited lens choice -- I knew I wouldn't be tempted to buy extra lenses, no matter how good they were. As it is, I just have two (50mm and 75mm) and I'm pretty happy with the set-up.

That would be my argument too. I haven't got either, but got the 6 on my watch list.

itsdoable · Feb 23, 2016

phelger said:
I have both in...

I have both as well. Still.

macfred said:
... On the other hand there is a nice 43mm super wide for the 7 ...

I think that is the main reason I still have the 7.

chuck94022 · Feb 27, 2016

Never had the 7. I shoot the 6(mf) and crop when I get tired of the square...

-chuck

Alan Gales · Feb 28, 2016

Mail them both to me. I'll try both and keep the one I prefer and mail you back the other one. Problem solved!

RalphLambrecht · Feb 28, 2016

bit better than theHasselblad lenses(higher resolution and still contrast)

Rick A · Feb 28, 2016

I had the 6, until it was stolen. I miss it dearly, but don't have the funds to replace it (The $500 deductible on my insurance saw to that). I prefer square as well.

EdSawyer · Feb 28, 2016

I prefer the 7. Newer, more lens choice, bigger neg in the same sized camera package.

FujiLove · Mar 2, 2016

I went back and forth between these two when deciding on a MF system. Unlike most I chose the 7ii for the following reasons:

1. It's newer than the 6, so the law of averages says it's going to work for longer.
2. I love the 6x7 (actually 4x5) size, both visually and for printing. I also love 6x6 but already own a Rollei that covers the square format.
3. The 43mm lens. Enough said.
4. Rightly or wrongly, I don't fully trust the bellows on the 6 to last, and I'm not sure how much they would be to repair or whether that's even possible.
5. I've read over and over about the winding mechanism on the 6 failing, so again that put me off. I realise the Internet is full of people moaning about failures and nobody posts when their cameras just work, so this and the bellows issue are probably way overblown, but I didn't want to buy something and have a nagging doubt about it in my mind.
6. I got a great deal on a 7ii, so that was that!

hsteeves · Mar 2, 2016

I have a 7 now but miss my 6 and the square format. As noted, though, the 43 ... a league of its own. My main reason for getting the 7 and the bargain price I paid, relatively.

chuck94022 · Mar 4, 2016

FujiLove said:
I went back and forth between these two when deciding on a MF system. Unlike most I chose the 7ii for the following reasons:

...

4. Rightly or wrongly, I don't fully trust the bellows on the 6 to last, and I'm not sure how much they would be to repair or whether that's even possible.

...

I bought my Mamiya 6MF new when it was first released (1993 or 1994, can't remember). I've never had a single problem with the camera, and it still works as if it was new. I've used it continuously since I bought it (along with a succession of small and large format cameras). I don't think you need to worry about the bellows.

[edit: The Mamiya 6 (non-MF version) had a mechanical issue that was resolved with the MF. For that reason, I'd suggest the MF version over the 6, despite the minor addition of little viewfinder framing marks introduced in the MF (which I find useful, not a distraction).]

-chuck

phelger · Mar 4, 2016

Thank you for interesting and instructive comments. Having reflected further I think one can eliminate the format (dimension) issue, or what do you think?
The difference between 67 and 66 is insignificant?? Suppose your subject requires exactly 6 by 7 proportions. That means you would have to crop the 66 by 9 mm giving an effective negative size of 51 by 60 mm. Now, does an enlargement from that negative size give noticeable worse print quality than a 67 negative (the difference is 18% linear)? I don't think one could see any difference.
If I'm right the choice hinges exclusively on the mechanical aspects of the cameras: volume (66 +), build quality (66=67), handling ease (66 +), accessories (67 + because of 43mm lens). Lightmeter is no issue.
For me a 50mm wide is largely enough, and my personal preference therefore goes to the 6.
Did I forget something?
Peter

FujiLove · Mar 4, 2016

phelger said:
Thank you for interesting and instructive comments. Having reflected further I think one can eliminate the format (dimension) issue, or what do you think?
The difference between 67 and 66 is insignificant?? Suppose your subject requires exactly 6 by 7 proportions. That means you would have to crop the 66 by 9 mm giving an effective negative size of 51 by 60 mm. Now, does an enlargement from that negative size give noticeable worse print quality than a 67 negative (the difference is 18% linear)? I don't think one could see any difference.
If I'm right the choice hinges exclusively on the mechanical aspects of the cameras: volume (66 +), build quality (66=67), handling ease (66 +), accessories (67 + because of 43mm lens). Lightmeter is no issue.
For me a 50mm wide is largely enough, and my personal preference therefore goes to the 6.
Did I forget something?
Peter

The Mamiya 7 negative is 56 x 69.5mm, which means it's very close to 4x5 rather than 6x7. My Pentax 67 is very similar, so I think this is standard for 6x7 cameras. The beauty is the photos fit almost perfectly on 10x8" paper.

When I print a cropped 6x6 negative on 10x8" or 16x10" paper, the grain is barely noticeable, and obviously it's the same when I print from the 6x7 negative. I can't tell any difference, but maybe others can? I can't print larger than that, but I think that's where the difference would start to show.

I find two advantages with the 6x7 negatives:

1. The close fit to the paper size means I don't have worry about where to crop when I just want a straight print. I print the negative and that's that. My mind likes that
2. I sometimes like to print square because I like the aesthetics and some subjects seem to work better. The 6x7 negative means I can crop the sides and align the subject perfectly within the square without 'zooming in' as I would have to do with a 6x6.

FujiLove · Mar 4, 2016

chuck94022 said:
I bought my Mamiya 6MF new when it was first released (1993 or 1994, can't remember). I've never had a single problem with the camera, and it still works as if it was new. I've used it continuously since I bought it (along with a succession of small and large format cameras). I don't think you need to worry about the bellows.

[edit: The Mamiya 6 (non-MF version) had a mechanical issue that was resolved with the MF. For that reason, I'd suggest the MF version over the 6, despite the minor addition of little viewfinder framing marks introduced in the MF (which I find useful, not a distraction).]

-chuck

That's good to know Chuck. I didn't realise the winder had been improved on the MF.

FujiLove · Mar 4, 2016

phelger said:
Thank you for interesting and instructive comments. Having reflected further I think one can eliminate the format (dimension) issue, or what do you think?
The difference between 67 and 66 is insignificant?? Suppose your subject requires exactly 6 by 7 proportions. That means you would have to crop the 66 by 9 mm giving an effective negative size of 51 by 60 mm. Now, does an enlargement from that negative size give noticeable worse print quality than a 67 negative (the difference is 18% linear)? I don't think one could see any difference.
If I'm right the choice hinges exclusively on the mechanical aspects of the cameras: volume (66 +), build quality (66=67), handling ease (66 +), accessories (67 + because of 43mm lens). Lightmeter is no issue.
For me a 50mm wide is largely enough, and my personal preference therefore goes to the 6.
Did I forget something?
Peter

The M6, unlike the M7, doesn't require an external viewfinder for the 50mm lens. A big consideration if you use it a lot and need a small, quick camera.

The thing is though, although the 50mm is great on both cameras, it's a run of the mill wide angle lens. The 43mm on the other hand is spectacular! It's almost a unique medium format lens. Buy the M7 + 43mm and you have a cheap Hasselblad SWC. The 43mm is also smaller and lighter than the 50mm (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/FrameWork/charts/comp_mamiyamed_4.html)

That lens alone is a reason to own and use the M7.

papagene · Mar 4, 2016

I have a Fuji GW670 II and I find it very easy to crop to a square when the composition screams "square!" I also have a couple of Rollei ('cord & 'flex) when I am in a square frame of mind. And if I am out with a Rollei and think I might want a wide angle shot, I can carry along my Fuji GSW690 III just in case.
Hmmmm... I have too many options and am easily confused!

Early Riser · Mar 5, 2016

The Mamiya 6 and 7II are both excellent cameras. I prefer the 7 because I prefer the larger film and more lens choices. The 6 cameras do have an issue with the advance crank breaking, and that I think is a fatal injury. The 7II cameras have an issue with the little plastic knob used to wind the dark curtain breaking which is not a fatal injury.

shutterlight · Mar 6, 2016

Early Riser said:
The Mamiya 6 and 7II are both excellent cameras. I prefer the 7 because I prefer the larger film and more lens choices. The 6 cameras do have an issue with the advance crank breaking, and that I think is a fatal injury. The 7II cameras have an issue with the little plastic knob used to wind the dark curtain breaking which is not a fatal injury.

The 7s have the same film advance issue. Mine has broken on two occasions, and Bob over at Precision Camera Works fixed it both times. If you need service for a 6 or 7, Bob is your man. He's really the only man at this point.

FujiLove · Mar 7, 2016

shutterlight said:
The 7s have the same film advance issue. Mine has broken on two occasions, and Bob over at Precision Camera Works fixed it both times. If you need service for a 6 or 7, Bob is your man. He's really the only man at this point.

Are you referring to the 7 or both the 7 & 7ii?

I can't recall reading any reported issues with the 7ii before.

Mamiya 6 or 7 II ?

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