Mamiya six folder

[foveon_m]

from viewing I `m interested in this camera, I like the mechanical look, I like Mamiya and I like that backwards focus thing, I have seen similar from Contax, intending archiving AF from manual lenses.
So my question, who has some experience with Mamiya six and is willing to share, thanks^^

 

[bdial]

I have one, the lens is reasonably sharp, I never comprehensively tested the accuracy of the rangefinder, but found it to be accurate enough for general use. They are a nice camera, very compact, given that it's a folder, more capable than many folders for high quality images because of the coupled rangefinder. Mine needs a shutter cleaning, and so is waiting for its turn at the camera doctor.

 

[Paul Howell]

I have one as well, I find mine to be quite sharp, contrast is good for the day, a little fiddly in getting it loaded and frame counter set up. Takes SVI push on filters and hood, you need the hood. One word of warning. On the bottom there are 2 knobs that you pull to release the spools for loading and unloading film. These knobs can come lose and fall off. I had one fall off and had have one made at a machine shop. The bellows are still in good shape but as all bellows that are going on 60 years are prone to leaks.

 

[removed account4]

I had one for years loved it .. if you have an ever ready case to put it in when transporting it, no matter where, use it .. I didn't and the wind-knob sheered off ( in my luggage ). easy enough fix if you take it to the right person, its just a tiny threaded shaft. unfortunately I didn't know the right person at the time. The focus mechanism is great when range finder is in tune, make sure if you get this camera it has the little plate that secures the film in the camera's back sometimes that is missing ( the sellers sometimes aren't users so they don't know anything is missing )

Have fun !
John

 

[M. Axel Wikstrom]

Pretty good cameras. The rangefinder is certainly not up to Leica standards, but works. Lens is reasonably sharp, but use a hood. Some have the option of shooting 645 as well as 6x6 with two hinged flaps that serve as masks that store inside the film spool compartment when not in use, a viewfinder mask that slides using a tab under the front of the viewfinder, and a selector for the film advance mechanism. Ingenious design - I have one with 645 and it works great. Make sure the film pressure plate is included - it's a separate piece.

Mine had a sticky film advance mechanism, so I squirted some thin machine oil into all the openings around the mechanism and worked it free by advancing and working it several times. Fine now.

The shutter was sluggish, so I took the front and rear elements off and cleaned the blades with acetone, and used some very thin machine oil inside the shutter mechanism. After letting it dry overnight to purge the VOCs the elements went back on and all the shutter speeds work great.

 

[Rick A]

I had one, my favorite folder of all. They are mechanical marvels and quite capable. Unfortunately, mine was stolen along with a Sekonic analog light meter I kept clipped to the Mamiya.