Mamiya 7 or couple of Fujis

[Dave Wooten]

I like the RF 645 Bronica, lenses are 45 mm, 65 mm, 100 mm, quite compact.

 

[Ray Heath]

And perhaps some people should stay on-topic and refrain from gratuitous comments. Or start their own thread about topics that interest them.


Sandy King

and perhaps some people have a narrow interpretation of what the topic might include

the original poster asked for advice, i gave it

 

[ooze]

the original poster asked for advice

about cameras, not content. Also, this thread is in a forum called "Medium Format Cameras and Accessories".

As much as I appreciate your emphasis on content, this was not the question.

 

[Ray Heath]

about cameras, not content.

as much as I appreciate your emphasis on content, this was not the question.

sorry, my mistake, i'll try again

we should all, always, use the biggest camera ever made, loaded with the finest grained film available, and with this 'gear' we should always photograph every subject the exact same way, the prints (it goes with out saying we are using mono film) should be made to the highest standards as laid down by _________ (insert name of your own particular photographic god, although really there should only be one), we of course are using the 'best' lens ever made, though we don't call it a lens, we refer to it as 'glass', so there it is, no need to think, be creative or adaptable, it's all been done for you, just get out and capture those images

 

[Michel Hardy-Vallée]

Gentlemen, I don't think there is a point in starting another philosophy war: the poster asked for advice on the image quality of different cameras based on received standards of optical quality.

Simple question, simple answer.

 

[Craig]

With Mamiya 7 or Fuji 6X9 I have the potential of approaching 4X5 quality.

I was going to say that, but you beat me to it. I've been using the Fuji quite a bit, and on moderate sized prints (11x14") I can't tell a difference between a neg shot on the 6x9 or a 4x5. The Fuji's have an excellent lens.

 

[narsuitus]

I own and use the Fuji GW670 and the Fuji GSW690. These two rangefinders meet my needs for a dependable, quiet, reasonably priced, high-quality, medium format camera.

Even though I purchased them to replace my worn-out Mamiya TLR wedding cameras, I also use the GSW690 to shoot wide-angle scenic shots. There is enough detail in the 6x9cm image that I can crop it to 3.5 x 9cm to convert the wide-angle shot to a panoramic image. I also like to use the built-in spirit level to help me obtain an accurate camera alignment.

Even though they are large cameras, they are no more cumbersome to carry as travel cameras than two 35mm SLR cameras; plus, their image quality is so much better than 35mm. I was surprised to discover that they are actually 6 ounces lighter than my Nikon F4s equipped with a normal prime lens and they are only marginally bulkier than two of my 35mm SLR cameras equipped with zoom lenses.

Even though I am very satisfied with the performance of my medium format rangefinders, I must admit that they were second choice to the Mamiya 7ii rangefinder. My fixed-lens Fuji cameras do not give me the telephoto portrait lens that I need. The Mamiya 7ii with its interchangeable lenses would have given me that. However, I could not afford the Mamiya 7ii.

 

[toyotadesigner]

I have both Fujis, the GW690 III with the 3.5/90mm and the GSW690 III with the 5.6/65mm. The size of the slides is incredible, and the lens quality is on par with the best Zeiss lenses, just a bit more constrasty and sharper.

I like it a lot that they don't have a built in meter, so there is no electronics that can break. If my external meter runs into trouble, I can use the second one and have the first one serviced without having to send the camera to the repair shop. Because they don't have batteries they operate in extreme winter as well as in extreme hot and humid environments.

Scanning a 6x9 slide @ 4.000 ppi delivers a whopping 120 Megapixel image, which you can crop to a ratio of 1:2 or even 1:3 for panos. Using the 90mm version you can even stitch 2 or 3 images and get an even wider pano.

The prints are awesome and razor sharp up to the edges at sizes up to 120 cm x 180 cm (4 x 6 feet).

However, keep in mind that you should use a tripod to get the ultimate quality out of these fantastic cameras.

If you even want a wider angle, spot a Plaubel 69W Proshift Superwide. It's a 6x9 with a 5.6/47 Schneider Super-Angulon that allows a rise and shift of the lens plate - perfect for perspective correction in architecture, city- and landscapes.

If you need some sample image, just send me a mail.

 

[narsuitus]

Scanning a 6x9 slide @ 4.000 ppi delivers a whopping 120 Megapixel image, which you can crop to a ratio of 1:2 or even 1:3 for panos. Using the 90mm version you can even stitch 2 or 3 images and get an even wider pano.

Which scanner are you using and would you recommend it?

 

[Abbazz]

If you like 6x9 format and Fuji, there is also a less obvious choice: the old Fuji G690 series cameras. They are about the same as the more modern GW/GSW690, but with interchangeable lenses ranging from 50 to 180mm. I know they are scarce and can be expensive, and especially the lenses, but it is worth hunting for them IMHO. These all metal cameras are very well built and also a lot quieter than the newer series. The 50mm superwide is an incredible lens and the 6x9 slides taken with it are simply breathtaking. When you feel like going street shooting and don't want to bother carrying around your lightmeter, there is even an automatic exposure 100/3.5 AE lens just for that.

Here's a family portrait showing the G690BL with 4 of the 7 available lenses:

Cheers,

Abbazz

 

[toyotadesigner]

Which scanner are you using and would you recommend it?

I'm using the Nikon Coolscan LS 9000 with Vuescan. The results are outstanding.

If you want to see some samples, send me a mail and I'll give you a link. I've closed the site because of some bashing from digital idiots.

 

[Jarvman]

Just picked up a mamiya 7ii with 80mm lens for £600. Me happy Can't wait to use it. A fuji was very tempting though. I reckon I'd prefer the 35mm ratio.
Perhaps I might get one with a 65mm lens to complement the 7ii instead of buying a 65mm lens for it. Hmmm, will see.

 

[Keith Cocker]

Just picked up a mamiya 7ii with 80mm lens for £600. Me happy Can't wait to use it. A fuji was very tempting though. I reckon I'd prefer the 35mm ratio.
Perhaps I might get one with a 65mm lens to complement the 7ii instead of buying a 65mm lens for it. Hmmm, will see.

You should be very happy - I paid £900.00 for mine It's an excellent machine!

 

[sanking]

If you like 6x9 format and Fuji, there is also a less obvious choice: the old Fuji G690 series cameras. They are about the same as the more modern GW/GSW690, but with interchangeable lenses ranging from 50 to 180mm.
Abbazz

I owned one of these cameras ago. Nice camera but very heavy and it never felt as comfortable in my hands as the GW/GSW series.

Never could understand why Fuji chose to go with the fixed focal length GW/GSW series instead of just modernizing the old G6990 with modern materials to might it less heavy and more ergonomic.

Sandy King