Mamiya 7 vs Pentax 67

moto-uno · Jul 14, 2017

Hope we can keep this thread going , as I've been toying with the idea (agonizing would be more realistic)
of selling my Mamiya 7 kit and getting a Pentax 67ii . The Mamiya has set the bar pretty high , BUT , I'm a sucker for close
up flower pictures ( my better half is an avid gardener ) and distant mountain vistas ( I live in B.C ) . I travel by motorcycle
and quite enjoy the light weight of the 7 and sharpness I get at any shutter speed handheld . Plus did I mention there's a zoom
for the Pentax , imagine the freedom of carrying a single lens ? The exposure meter on the Pentax is supposed to be
excellent also , but the one on the 7 gives great chromes , so that may be a draw . I have no chance of testing a Pentax before
making the plunge . I generally don't enlarge past 11x14 , I have some 16x20 paper , but haven't tried using it yet , if this is
of any consequence . Cheers Peter

DREW WILEY · Jul 14, 2017

That zoom option will probably. weigh more than two primes, and you'll give up the fast apertures of popular primes. You can handheld a P67, but only a fast shutter speed - for me, 1/125 th up. I find comparisons w an RZ67 ludicrous - when's the last time you've heard of one of those tanks being used for aerial or underwater photography? - which the P67 was prized for.

DREW WILEY · Jul 14, 2017

I frequently print 16x20 b&w prints and up to 20x24 color from Ektar film (wouldn't go that big w chrome film). You're more film restricted w a P67 than lens restricted, unless you're using old Takumars. Mirror lock-up and a serious tripod really helps. But if you only need 11x14's, a M645 should do fine.

Alan Gales · Jul 15, 2017

DREW WILEY said:
That zoom option will probably. weigh more than two primes, and you'll give up the fast apertures of popular primes. You can handheld a P67, but only a fast shutter speed - for me, 1/125 th up. I find comparisons w an RZ67 ludicrous - when's the last time you've heard of one of those tanks being used for aerial or underwater photography? - which the P67 was prized for.

I have a very good friend named Harold. He has owned a Pentax 6x7 for over 25years. I used to own an RZ67. We would have friendly arguments over which was the better camera. Harold loves shooting landscapes and I love portraiture. Both are great cameras but I agree with you that each are better at certain uses.

Welcome back, Drew. We missed you on the forums!

DREW WILEY · Jul 15, 2017

My late brother once sold Linhof and Rollei, and had a couple of lovely SL66 kits. But every time we went shooting together, he asked to borrow my Pentax instead, so I ended up loaning it to him for the next twenty years, until he passed away. In the meantime, all his Rollei gear was stolen - which I thought was some REALLY nice stuff. Two lessons here: 1) P67's are really durable; 2) The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, no matter what you've got!

Prest_400 · Jul 15, 2017

I've got a GW690 which sometimes is compared to the M7, although pricing tier and format sets them apart quite well.

The Pentax is very appreciated and its 105 f2.4 makes lots of rounds in the newcomer film community (add the wooden grip for a social media impression).
I've been recommended the P67II + 75 f2.8AL as a high performing combo

The Mamiyas have risen in price quite a bit. I recall M7+80mm kits listed for 1200-1400€ a couple years ago. Now that is in the 2k range almost!

DREW WILEY · Jul 15, 2017

Here's my take on the lens choice. I use the 75/4.5 and it's a wonderful optic. But it's difficult to focus without either the supplementary prism eyepiece magnifier attached, or by substituting the more precise chimney finder. Either way, you're tied to a tripod. So if you want to do non-infinity handheld shots, the more expensive 75/2.8AL would really be a good idea. I just couldn't afford it plus my 300EDIF. Besides, my Fuji GW690ii basically fills my handheld niche. But I've successfully shot even the 300 without tripod, by resting it rifle-style on a coat or hat atop a car roof or fence railing etc.

Prest_400 · Jul 15, 2017

DREW WILEY said:
Either way, you're tied to a tripod. So if you want to do non-infinity handheld shots, the more expensive 75/2.8AL would really be a good idea. I just couldn't afford it plus my 300EDIF. Besides, my Fuji GW690ii basically fills my handheld niche.

I always eyed the P67 and M7 systems. The former for being a reference, the latter for its modern performance. However, both (P67II) are way over muy budget.
$400 got me a user Fuji GW690III, which for the price was way newer than any P67 I could get... and the rest of cash which I didn't have is to be spent on film and trips!

M7 seems to have a measured extraordinary performance but any not very old MF system is made to have fantastic results... From the 70s onwards MF was basically a professional tier.

DREW WILEY · Jul 15, 2017

Agreed. Even a roll-film back on a 4x5 is capable of superior results to typical MF because you have access to full view camera movements, and all kinds of lenses. But not just any camera or back is machined well enough to have this advantage. But they are more fuss to operate, and become bellows kites in high winds. I am more than familiar with all the above.

iakustov · Jul 17, 2017

It's SLR vs RF comparison really. For travel I'd rather take Mamiya 7.
I own Mamiya 6 for two reasons - travel and 6x6 slides to project. For close-up, macro, portraits, and any sort of slow, careful photography on 120 negative film - I have RZ67.
BTW, I shot both 50mm lens - one on Mamiya 6 and 50mm ULD on RZ67 - the latter is as good as its RF conterpart for me. And another vote for RZ67 mirror mechanism - I got good results wtih RZ67 handheld with 250mm APO lens.

Mamiya 7 vs Pentax 67

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