Mamiya 7II

JackRosa · Aug 30, 2014

Recently, I bought a Mamiya 7 II (80mm & 150mm lenses). After using the camera for a little over a week and seeing the results (developed negs and some test prints), I can report that I love this camera. It is light, maneuverable, smooth .... it handles almost like a 35mm.

At first I had to get used to the RF method, but it took minutes to get used to it. I am familiar with the Mamiya RB67 and the Bronicas (6x6 and 6x7) and was looking to something "lighter" and with a built-in meter that I could take with me everywhere. I like the fact that the camera's light meter is a spot meter. Controls are simple, intuitive, and not too many - just the right ones.

So, I recommend this camera for those of you medium format users who are looking for something a little more "portable" than a RB67

David A. Goldfarb · Aug 30, 2014

Threads merged. Everyone sees all new threads in the "New Posts" view, unless they've specifically excluded a certain forum from view, so there is no need to cross post in multiple forums.

JackRosa · Aug 30, 2014

Got it. Sorry about the duplicate threads

wildbill · Aug 30, 2014

yeah, I've been considering selling my Pentax 67II's that I never use and getting one of these. Just not sure about the rangefinder thing yet.

LMNOP · Aug 30, 2014

Yeah, just reading this reaffirms my obsession with get one of those things. How much did the kit set you back?

JackRosa · Aug 30, 2014

YES, YES - sell the pentax

wildbill said:
yeah, I've been considering selling my Pentax 67II's that I never use and getting one of these. Just not sure about the rangefinder thing yet.

I was unsure (and uneasy) about the rangefinder but can report that one gets used to is very quickly. The Pentax is a mammoth compared to the Mamiya 7II. I used to own one of those mammoths!

P.S. just like in your case, my Pentax 6x7 spent all the time in a closet. It was so bulky and so heavy that I never took it anywhere.

Go for the Mamiya!

Richard S. (rich815) · Aug 30, 2014

I have so many cameras but still lust after Mamiya RFs and one day I'll try one...

JackRosa · Aug 30, 2014

$2,000 +/-

LMNOP said:
Yeah, just reading this reaffirms my obsession with get one of those things. How much did the kit set you back?

It set me back around $2K for the camera and the 2 lenses but I admit it was a sweet deal. I think $2K for a Exc+ to mint camera with 80mm or 65mm lens is a decent price. A 150mm lens in excellent condition may cost you $350 - $400.

JackRosa · Aug 30, 2014

More fuel to the fire . . . .

My Mamiya RB67 sits in my house on a tripod. I only use it every once in a blue moon to take a causal portrait. This beast weighs more than my 4x5 camera. The 6x7 Bronicas are certainly lighter than the RB67, but I also find them bulky and heavy. Great cameras, don't get me wrong, but not for hand-held photography (not with FP4+ rated at EI=50 anyway). Even the Bronica SQ does not feel anywhere near as ergonomically adept as this Mamiya 7II.

time4d · Sep 1, 2014

I just got my hands on a Mamiya 7 and I can confirm that this is not just a great medium format camera, but also an excellent one. The rangefinder and focusing is easy to use, accurate and better than anything I've used. Even the built-in spot meter seems to be working decently (in terms of exposure accuracy).

Check out my flickr album to see my first roll from this camera!

Steve Goldstein · Sep 1, 2014

I purchased a Mamiya 7 with 80mm lens in 2000. Since that time I believe I've used my Nikon FM2N just once other than shutter exercise. I also have and use large format gear (4x5, 5x7, wholeplate) but the M7 is my most-used camera and has made dozens of trips with me both domestically and internationally. For me it hits a sweet spot combining quality, ease of use, speed of use (important when traveling with other people), size, and weight. I have several lenses for it but the 80mm is what I use most frequently.

mfmike · Sep 1, 2014

I purchased a new Mamiya 7ii about a year ago to try in place of my Fuji folder (GF670). I was a bit worried about the bellows over time, but I really liked it otherwise. The first time I shot the Mamiya in bright sun, the metering in the viewfinder washed out with flare. Strike one. I also found that while the lens was just a sharp as everyone said, I found it too contrasty for my taste. Strike 2. Last, I thought the build quality of the button and dial controlling the EV was really poor. Strike 3. I sold it, bought another GF670, and haven't looked back. As they say, your mileage may vary.
Cheers,
Mike

mexipike · Sep 3, 2014

I was lent a mamiya 7 ii with the 65mm lens for a trip I took to europe earlier this year and I love the negatives and subsequent prints I got. So much so that I just bought one for myself.
They are a little harder to find but the later versions have a more matte black surface, kind of textured like on a newer dslr. I tracked one of these ones down and just received it. I found it feels much better than the glossy black on earlier 7ii, it makes the build quality feel a little more "pro". Of course his is just superficial and they take the same pictures!

Steve Goldstein · Sep 3, 2014

The 7ii has a slightly better (more contrast, I believe because of better coatings, I don't know what else changed) viewfinder system that can be retrofitted to the 7. I had this done for both of my 7 non-ii bodies by MAC Group.

EdSawyer · Sep 3, 2014

Agreed , mamiya 7 system is world class, no doubt. The change to the viewfinders between mk 1 and 2 is polarization on the rangefinder window, otherwise they are the same. Btw, MAC group is no longer doing service or parts for mamiya , sadly. They were great to work with.

JackRosa · Sep 4, 2014

MAC Group No Longer Doing Mamiya 7ii

EdSawyer said:
Agreed , mamiya 7 system is world class, no doubt. The change to the viewfinders between mk 1 and 2 is polarization on the rangefinder window, otherwise they are the same. Btw, MAC group is no longer doing service or parts for mamiya , sadly. They were great to work with.

Ouch! MAC no longer doing service/parts for Mamiya.

Who these days is a good outfit to go to for Mamiya 7ii CLA, parts, service in general?????

mexipike · Sep 4, 2014

I think I may have been misunderstood. I was referring to differences between newer and older mamiya 7ii models, as in older to newer versions of the same model 7ii.

jp80874 · Sep 4, 2014

JackRosa said:
Ouch! MAC no longer doing service/parts for Mamiya.

Who these days is a good outfit to go to for Mamiya 7ii CLA, parts, service in general?????

Several years ago this company was recommended for repairs and CLAs, Precision Camera Works 7064 W. Main Street Niles, IL 60714 Telephone (847) 470-3350Fax (847) 470-3351 Bob Watkins, please call or send an email. email:help@precisioncameraworks.com
I can't say if they are able to get parts anymore. Send an email and ask.

John Powers

RattyMouse · Sep 4, 2014

jp80874 said:
Several years ago this company was recommended for repairs and CLAs, Precision Camera Works 7064 W. Main Street Niles, IL 60714 Telephone (847) 470-3350Fax (847) 470-3351 Bob Watkins, please call or send an email. email:help@precisioncameraworks.com
I can't say if they are able to get parts anymore. Send an email and ask.

John Powers

The Mamiya 7 is still sold new, so why would you not be able to get parts for it?

JackRosa · Sep 4, 2014

Thanks John

jp80874 said:
Several years ago this company was recommended for repairs and CLAs, Precision Camera Works 7064 W. Main Street Niles, IL 60714 Telephone (847) 470-3350Fax (847) 470-3351 Bob Watkins, please call or send an email. email:help@precisioncameraworks.com
I can't say if they are able to get parts anymore. Send an email and ask.

John Powers

Thank you John.

jp80874 · Sep 5, 2014

JackRosa said:
Thank you John.

I believe the person recommending was Ken Lee, a moderator on the LF Forum.

John

EdSawyer · Sep 5, 2014

MAC said Mamiya/Leaf/PhaseOne (whatever they are called now) was handling parts and service themselves, directly now. I haven't tracked it down further than that. It's a shame, as MAC was great for parts and service, in my experience.

edcculus · Sep 5, 2014

Sadly, my budget only allows the RB67. Owning a RB has its benefits too. I no longer need to go the gym to get my workouts in.

pbromaghin · Sep 5, 2014

I handled one of these with the 65mm lens yesterday, and it was very cool. But they wanted $2200. More money than I have in all my 35mm, MF, LF and darkroom combined. I decided it wasn't as cool as all my other stuff combined.

JackRosa · Sep 5, 2014

New or Used?

pbromaghin said:
I handled one of these with the 65mm lens yesterday, and it was very cool. But they wanted $2200. More money than I have in all my 35mm, MF, LF and darkroom combined. I decided it wasn't as cool as all my other stuff combined.

Was it new or used? If new, $2,200 was not a bad deal at all.

Mamiya 7II

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