Sell it all for a 7

[LMNOP]

I find the Mamiya 7II works beautifully from about four to six feet away from the subject. Any closer, and I just can't get it framed or focussed in quite the right way that I want. I've had times when my kids picked up, say, a small toad and the pictures I made with the Mamiya 7II, the toad was just too small in the frame or if I came in too close, it just didn't work to my eye. I tried the close up attachment, thought the results were good, it was a little bit awkward to use for portraits.

On the other hand, then RZ is a far better tool for coming in close on small details, faces, eyelashes, bruised knees, and the occasional small toad! I can frame and focus much more efficiently with it when I'm looking to photograph small details. I'm glad to have both systems, because neither can do everything I want, but they both produce a gorgeous big 6x7 negatives.

Funny that you happen to use toad catching as an example. Last year, I was shooting landscapes in a park when I was approached by a young girl who had captured a small snake in the grass. For just a brief moment, she held the snake in front of my lens to brag about the catch, even though I was a complete stranger. By some miracle, I was able to recalibrate the camera quickly enough to make this shot happen. Not sure how I would get by without this kind of flexibility.

 

[TheToadMen]

Beautiful image!

 

[LMNOP]

Beautiful image!

Thank you! I was much happier with this than whatever tree and valley I was originally aiming at (as seen in the background.)

 

[SuzanneR]

Funny that you happen to use toad catching as an example. Last year, I was shooting landscapes in a park when I was approached by a young girl who had captured a small snake in the grass. For just a brief moment, she held the snake in front of my lens to brag about the catch, even though I was a complete stranger. By some miracle, I was able to recalibrate the camera quickly enough to make this shot happen. Not sure how I would get by without this kind of flexibility.

I love it!

 

[Jager]

I just watched a documentary about a photographer that shoots the Mamiya 7II and it was so cool, seeing the wide angle in action.

What was the documentary, if you don't mind my asking?

(And I, too, love the image of the girl holding the snake)

 

[LMNOP]

What was the documentary, if you don't mind my asking?

(And I, too, love the image of the girl holding the snake)

Thank you!

The film was on HBO - and it can all be found on YouTube right here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1yGEoefQJc

I especially love the moment where he is unloading boxes of film. I would love to get a tripod like the one he is working with, not sure which model. LOVE the 7ii, its so lightweight compared to my RZ!

 

[Jager]

Thanks for the link. That was a powerful documentary.

 

[LMNOP]

Thanks for the link. That was a powerful documentary.

Yes! And his images were absolutely amazing.