Mamiya 6 - Pros and Cons?

[Richard S. (rich815)]

Mirror lock-up, that way it's just the whisper-quiet leaf shutter in the lens firing. Framing not precise because with the mirror up you cannot see thru the lend anymore. But you do that framing first, hit the MLU switch, them fire the shutter.

 

[StoneNYC]

I guess I could always give a 6 a try again, I do love options. If I could rent it, that would be ideal but there is always the 14 day no hassle option out of Atlanta. 6x6 is my favorite format after all...

You shoot 4x5 so why not try the Mamiya 7 and then expose them together, same film, same mountain, and compare printing the same image fairly large and see how good the Mamiya 7 is. If it didn't take a battery I would shoot it a lot more in winter night exposures

 

[PKM-25]

You shoot 4x5 so why not try the Mamiya 7 and then expose them together, same film, same mountain, and compare printing the same image fairly large and see how good the Mamiya 7 is. If it didn't take a battery I would shoot it a lot more in winter night exposures

Because I generally don't want to spend my time doing tests, I never do side by side stuff, I just don't find it all that productive for staying focused on great imagery. I checked KEH, the 6 is still pricey compared to Hasselblad stuff so I think I will stick to what I know and prefer. Also, 4x5 takes care of that aspect ratio so it is kind of pointless. Also, I see a *lot* of imagery in square format, I could honestly ditch 35mm, Xpan and 4x5 and just shoot 6x6 for the rest of my life.

Honestly, I think I am pretty set, there is not much I can not do with what I have, maybe one day I will check out the 6 again if it pops up at an irresistible price.

 

[StoneNYC]

Because I generally don't want to spend my time doing tests, I never do side by side stuff, I just don't find it all that productive for staying focused on great imagery. I checked KEH, the 6 is still pricey compared to Hasselblad stuff so I think I will stick to what I know and prefer. Also, 4x5 takes care of that aspect ratio so it is kind of pointless. Also, I see a *lot* of imagery in square format, I could honestly ditch 35mm, Xpan and 4x5 and just shoot 6x6 for the rest of my life.

Honestly, I think I am pretty set, there is not much I can not do with what I have, maybe one day I will check out the 6 again if it pops up at an irresistible price.

gotcha glad you found your system.

 

[Richard Jepsen]

The Mamiya 6 was my second choice for the following reasons. The normal 75mm optic while sharp has double lines in the OOF area. The transport system is a weakness, the meter not the most accurate and the camera has a plastic feel.

I bought a Bronica RF645 kit which avoids the above issues and was less expensive with equal image quality. The Six was a very close second.

 

[mweintraub]

Many people can't get used to shooting a rangefinder no matter how much they love the images.

That's one reason that's keeping me from getting one. That and would probably have to sell the extensive SQ-A kit I have. I would have a hard time selling it.

 

[brian steinberger]

Also, I see a *lot* of imagery in square format, I could honestly ditch 35mm, Xpan and 4x5 and just shoot 6x6 for the rest of my life.

+1

 

[brian steinberger]

I bought a Bronica RF645 kit which avoids the above issues and was less expensive with equal image quality.

This is a great camera as well. I have one and love both the RF645 and my Mamiya 6s equally.

 

[brian steinberger]

That's one reason that's keeping me from getting one. That and would probably have to sell the extensive SQ-A kit I have. I would have a hard time selling it.

Shooting a RF is almost something you're just going to have to try and see if you enjoy the shooting experience. It will most likely be awkward at first. But after a while you will either accept it and enjoy it or it will remain awkward. Someone have any rangefinder you could try out? Maybe rent one?

 

[mweintraub]

Shooting a RF is almost something you're just going to have to try and see if you enjoy the shooting experience. It will most likely be awkward at first. But after a while you will either accept it and enjoy it or it will remain awkward. Someone have any rangefinder you could try out? Maybe rent one?

Not many places are renting film cameras anymore. But I have a local friend who just got a M7 so that's why my interest has been peaked again. He might let me run a roll through it on a film walk, I'm sure. But that might be a bad idea because I may like it too much.

 

[pasiasty]

My way to Mamiya 6 led, exactly as Rachelle's, through Bronica. The former is currently at a repair shop, due to film advance issue.

Almost all has already been written... It may be worth to mention a (dis)advantage of not being an SLR camera - simply, you don't look though the lens, so using opaque filters (IR, ND3 or so) is much more convenient; same unfortunately applies to a lens cover, which might be your most common subject until you learn removing it.

 

[Argenticien]

I've not owned a Mamiya 6, but when I was recently able to borrow one for a day, I found it awesome. The modern, electronic, AE-enabled 6 had me blowing through 120 film faster than anything else I've ever handled. (I'm a hobbyist, not a pro; all my own medium-format cameras are vintage, highly manual ones.) It's almost too easy--like point-and-shoot medium format--or at least it can be; of course you can slow down too. I would've gone straight out and bought myself one if not for the price.

If you've not tried any RF cameras before, this is a really pricey way to test the waters. Maybe just to see if RFs suit you at all, get a Canonet that costs two digits (USD) and play with it a few weeks before sinking four digits (USD) into a 6. (Or borrow something, as suggested above.)

--Dave

 

[PKM-25]

I went on KEH again today to check out prices due to their current sale and instead bought a EX+ Hasselblad 40mm FLE, so no Mamiya 6 for me, LOL!

 

[TheToadMen]

... for when buying a Mamiya 6 system? ...

Hi Rachelle,
I was just curious if you made up your mind and did get a Mamiya 6?
Bert from Holland

 

[mooseontheloose]

Hi Bert,

It's funny I saw this old thread come up and it's very timely. I have not yet, but I am in the final stages (that is, my ebay watchlist is full of Mamiya 6 cameras and lenses) of almost buying one. The recent troubles with my Bronica SQAi and the limitations of my TLRs means I can no longer put buying one off. I was in Osaka a couple of days ago and was able to manhandle one for a while, but it was a bit beat up so I passed on it.

Here are a few images from the store I was at:


Seriously, camera shopping can be dangerous to your financial health in this country!

 

[TheToadMen]

Hi Bert,

Here are a few images from the store I was at:

Seriously, camera shopping can be dangerous to your financial health in this country!

I wish we had stores like this in Holland ....

Ah, but I have a Pen F like the ones in the showcase. Shooting my first roll with it.
The Mamiya 6 with 50 mm is on my ever-to-buy-list too. But (there was a url link here which no longer exists), also a very fine camera. I was also thinking about getting me an older Mamiya 6 from the 50's (just for fun) if I can find one for a decent price.

Have fun with your camera hunting!

 

[macfred]

I wish we had stores like this in Holland ....

I can remember Foto Janssen on Haarlemmerstraat / A'dam - they had tons of used photographic gear in their cabinets.
Bought a Yashica Lynx 5000 a few years ago. It's worth a look, if you come to Mokum.

 

[chip j]

Hi. I had a 6 w/the 3 lenses--sold it because there was too much parallax error--it's not like a 35mm rangefinder. But I work in close.

 

[TheToadMen]

I can remember Foto Janssen on Haarlemmerstraat / A'dam - they had tons of used photographic gear in their cabinets.
Bought a Yashica Lynx 5000 a few years ago. It's worth a look, if you come to Mokum.

I forgot about this shop. Haven't been there since 2004 I guess. It might still be there.

Bert from Holland
http://thetoadmen.blogspot.nl

 

[mooseontheloose]

Hi. I had a 6 w/the 3 lenses--sold it because there was too much parallax error--it's not like a 35mm rangefinder. But I work in close.

I keep reading about this problem, as well as the fact that it's not great for portraits. But neither is a concern for me - even with my Bronica I rarely, if ever, did that kind of photography. I need this set-up mostly for travel. If I want to get in close I still have my Nikons and that's good enough for me.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

A little background. I travel a lot, so most of my photography is travel-based, which often means shooting a variety of subjects. I started in MF with a Minolta Autocord, which I loved and used for years, but I found myself frustrated by having only one lens/one film to work with. So I upgraded to a Bronica SQ system, which I also love and have been using for years, but I have come to realize does not make for a good travel set up. Too many lenses and backs means a bigger backpack and more weight (since I also travel with a small Nikon set up as well). After doing some research, I think the Mamiya 6 would probably be the best "new" camera for me. I did think about going back to a TLR, probably Rolleiflex, or a Fuji GF670, but then I still have the problem of a fixed lens. While I most often use a 75/80mm lens, there are just times when you need something longer or wider (usually wider in my case). So having interchangeable lenses would be preferred.

Anyway, I have a few questions about the camera. First, I am interested in doing some low-light/night/star trail exposures with this camera, but I'm concerned about how long the battery will last for exposures lasting possibly hours. Research on the internet hasn't really yielded anything useful for me to go on. Anyone with experience using this camera for long exposures?

Second, is there anything I should be on the lookout for when buying a Mamiya 6 system? I'll be moving to Kyoto soon, which isn't great for camera stores, but it's near Osaka, which is, so I may be able handle it personally. Otherwise I'll probably be buying online from a Japanese dealer.

Finally, any other advice or suggestions would be useful. Thanks!

no cons;only pros for the Mamiya 6 from me;it's ideal for travelwith high-quality optics;a bit pricy but well worth it. my kit includes the 50,75 and 150mm lensand retired my Hasselblad kit.

 

[shutterlight]

I keep reading about this problem, as well as the fact that it's not great for portraits. But neither is a concern for me - even with my Bronica I rarely, if ever, did that kind of photography. I need this set-up mostly for travel. If I want to get in close I still have my Nikons and that's good enough for me.

I can emphatically say that the 6 and the 7 are both great for portraiture-- just not the kind that some people like to do. I do almost nothing but portraiture and the Mamiya 7 is what I've used for the vast majority of my work over the past several years.

 

[mooseontheloose]

I can emphatically say that the 6 and the 7 are both great for portraiture-- just not the kind that some people like to do. I do almost nothing but portraiture and the Mamiya 7 is what I've used for the vast majority of my work over the past several years.

That's good to hear. I've been discovering the same from other photographers on the internet as well.

 

[jose angel]

I can emphatically say that the 6 and the 7 are both great for portraiture-- just not the kind that some people like to do. I do almost nothing but portraiture and the Mamiya 7 is what I've used for the vast majority of my work over the past several years.

Maybe great for portraiture, but in my experience not that great for the long (150mm) lens, I`m afraid...

 

[BenJT]

Generally speaking, the sort of portraiture people do with the 6 and 7 is environmental portraiture with the standard and wide lenses, and these cameras seem to really excel at that. These cameras seem very popular in contemporary documentary photography, I know the 7 is used for a lot of projects and the 6 was used by Alec Soth for his Bogota series. I think they are honestly some of the best cameras ever made, extremely versatile for their given formats with some of the highest quality optics available.