Mamiya 7 which lens

A fantastic feature of the Mamiya 7 is that it's built as a leaf-shutter camera; there is no shutter in the body, but instead in the lenses. This means no loud mirror slap when you hit the shutter button and no shake from the mirror.

So, shooting slower shutter speeds is going to be a bit easier compared to some other medium format SLR options. One of the other cool features of the Mamiya 7 is the meter in the viewfinder. Now, I am a handheld meter guy.

I love my Sekonic L With that said, I've enjoyed the ease of using the Mamiya 7's in-camera meter when on the go. And what's more, it seems to be pretty accurate! The Mamiya 7's meter blinks the correct shutter speed to expose at EV 0, until you choose that speed. You can use exposure compensation to shift the meter higher or lower.

I find that pointing the camera at the shadows, moving the shutter dial to the correct speed, and then snapping a shot of my subject is an easy way to grab a well-exposed shot on-the-fly. Another feature is the self-timer. To activate, you simply push the self-timer button at the top front of the camera and it'll give you a second option until it fires.

This is nice if you're using a tripod for self-portraits, or even shooting landscapes at long shutter speeds when you're wanting to completely avoid any shake created by pressing the shutter button.

The viewfinder of the Mamiya 7 is fairly big and bright. The focus window is excellent is various lighting conditions, which was one of my complaints with the Leica m2. But, oddly enough, I don't consider it as bright as my m2's viewfinder.

Still, it does a fine job of allowing for a good user experience. The Mamiya 7 feels good in the hand. It's ergonomic, very lightweight for a 6x7, and doesn't feel too burdensome to bring along on a day-trip.

In terms of a grab-and-go camera, I'd feel just as comfortable grabbing the Mamiya 7 as I would grabbing a Canon 5div with a 50mm 1. I do mostly landscapes. The mm I have has had no problems. I find it nice when I want to capture a tighter shot. The 80 I use as the normal lens, and I find it is a bit on the wide angle side.

I want to get the 65mm to augment the sytem. I know it is close to the 80mm but it would be just that bit wider angle that I would like on some shots, without going all the way to the 43mm. Stay away from the mm. I was talking to one of the Mamiya reps at a conf. I'll take Mamiya's word on that one. I also have the close up set.

It works great. You are not going to be doing extreme macro work with it, but you can get within 18 inches of the subject. With the size negative you have, it is not a problem after the fact to crop for a more macro feel.

To me that is my small format camera. If it could give me 4x5 negatives, I would use it exclusively. Dec 22, 5. I once owned this camera and loved the 65mm for it. I thought it was the perfect "one lens" system. Dec 22, 6. As always, APUG is a treasure of great information.

Thank you for the informative responses. Aggie, I'm intrigued by the close-up adaptor you mentioned. It looks like it would give me some variety to the 80mm I currently use, without separating me from too much money! Anyway, still trying to decide. I tend to just use one lens at any given time, but it'd be nice to have a few more options in the camera bag! Dec 22, 7. Messages: Suzanne, I have my entire Mamiya 7II system for sale. It is incredible, but I don't shoot it anymore, so it is redundant.

The sale of all of that gear will help fund my 7x17 I'm looking to get soon. I haven't put them up in the APUG for sale listings yet.

Dec 22, 8. I think the Mamiya is the best camera set I own. The 65mm lens is fantastic and easy and quick to focus, but as you say, similar to the 80mm, especially at the cost. The mm is the sharpest lens I have ever used. It does have drawbacks however: personally, I find it tough to focus in portraiture due to the small viewfinder, particularly when using large apertures.

A moving target, wide open is a challenge! If I were to shoot close up my little one playing in the woods, I wouldn't use the mm. But maybe I'm just crap a focussing a RF. A bit of practice and it would be fine, I'm sure. You also can't focus close 1. With a 6x7 neg, you can afford to lose a little resolution.

Having said that, it's still a fantastic lens. In short, the two lenses I have for the Mamiya 7 are hard to beat. Dec 22, 9.

Suzanne A friend of mine now uses the Mamiya 7 system. But in the past she used the Fuji GSW with the 65mm lens, so I imagine that her main lens is the 65mm on the Mamiya. Her name is Sheron Rupp and here is a link to some of her images: www. Dec 23, Thanks for posting this thread Suzanne and all who have contributed. I have found it very informative.

I have just bought a Mamiya 7 with the 80mm lens. Inevitably, more lenses are envisaged and it is good to hear first hand experiences of the lenses in use. First impressions are how well it handles and versatile I expect it to be.

I am not sure I understand the metering yet, but will have to learn since I do not want to always have my spotmeter with me! The other point I have not resolved is the 65mm versus 50mm. Some will throw in a case for the Fuji GF as an option but unfortunately I have no experience with one. What are your experiences with the Mamiya 7 system?

Agree or think this is brimful of excrement? Let us know your thoughts below. I've been in Japan for 11 years, initially as a graphic designer for a major ad agency then after the earthquake said f this s, became a freelancer and never looked back. Years ago, I started in medium format with a good old unmetered Rollei, but it was heavy, and since I often shoot horizontal subjects, the square format involved more cropping, reducing image size on the film.

I also needed interchangeable lenses. So I sprung for a Mamiya 7. It was expensive, but I can carry it on a shoulder strap all day, the meter works well, and the lenses are sharper than the old Rollei lenses. I own several medium format machines and my favourite and the one I will never sell is Mamiya 7, then Norita, then Exakta because of the Xenotar MF , then Hassy.

Well, I love them all, but M7 is my preferred one. Of course is because I like to shoot landscapes, is not the best choice if you want head only portraits. Your email address will not be published. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Camera Geekery: Mamiya 7 There is no shortage of hullabaloo about the legendary Mamiya 7. Mamiya 7 Tech Specs Mamiya 7 Camera type 6 x 7 format rangefinder with interchangeable lenses Format 6 x 7cm 56 x Spool Release Levers A feature from the Mamiya 6, the spool release levers are also on the Mamiya 7 and makes loading and removing film a cinch.

Mamiya 7 Gripes The following are the glaring gripes I had with this camera. Shutter Release Button The shutter release button is sensitive. Strap Lugs The Mamiya 7 strap flat lugs are placed on the left side of the camera so it is in portrait mode when hanging around your neck. A B indicator for bulb is also present. The film speed range is from 25 to ISO.

Since it's a leaf shutter system, flash sync is available at all speeds. It can be used with either the hot shoe or the PC sync connector. An electronic self-timer is available with a delay of 10 seconds. It can be activated with the button next to the rangefinder window.

When set, the LED in front is lit, and then blinks when about to release. To load film release the the back with the switch on the left hand grip; press the spool release buttons on the inside bottom of the film chamber. Film spooling is the semi-automatic type, meaning you have to align the start indicator on the film to a indicator on the camera body. Remember the take up spool is located on the right.