Mamiya 7

For street, travel, and most landscape shooting for images destined to print in large sizes, the Mamiya 7 system is unsurpassed. You buy a medium format mostly for its rollfilm-sized slides and negatives. Having a camera about the same size and weight of a 35mm SLR but yielding a slide 4.5 times larger is a compelling driver and the Mamiya 7 doesn't disappoint. Its bright viewfinder, fast split image focusing nearly negates the advantage of autofocusing and the surprisingly accurate light meter provides the user confidence in catching the shot almost every time. For daytime street photography and journalism, getting those "right now" shots are easy. Unfortunately, the slow aperture range of all its system lenses make it less than ideal for shots in waning light and flash photography when less than wide apertures will limit range. A Mamiya 7 body and two or three lenses would make a great kit for travel. Also everything from day hiking to exhibition length treks are easily managed with the light weight of such a kit. Although some users have had problems with camera mechanicals such as that associated with the viewfinder, I've not experienced any. The Mamiya 7 (and it current production successor the Mamiya 7 II) is THE camera for 35mm outdoor and travel shooters who want to move up to medium format. Even as digital imaging increases capability, for now, no commercially available electronic imaging system at any price will deliver the image quality you get by shooting with with the Mamiya 7 system.

A relatively small, lightweight package producing a large image size. The meter is amazingly accurate even when shooting slides in tricky light. All lenses produce top notch image quality on par with the best in medium format. With no slapping reflex mirror or focal plane shutter, competent users can handhold at very slow shutter speeds. Editing 6X7 images is far faster and easier than with 35mm.

The weaknesses are inherent with any rangefinder such as minimum focus distance, dealing with parallax, and slightly slower lens changing period. Slow speed lenses limit DOF effects and might need steadying devices. Viewfinder mechanics are subject to being knocked out of calibration.

Only previous experience shooting medium format has been with a TLR.

None required so far.

My 7II has become my "go everywhere" camera of choice. I got mine pretty cheap after trading in my RZ for it (YES, it was worth it!!), The rangefinder is easy to focus even in dim light, and the optics are absolutely outstanding! The camera is the lightest 6x7 in existence, and is still very well made (don't let the exterior fool you; it has a metal chassis underneath), and the simplistic finish helps to deter would-be thiefs (they'd never beleive that it is a $3000 camera!) I love how it is extremely simple to use, and yet produces very high quality images. And the shutter....almost silent!!! I only have one lens for it, the 80mm (They are super expensive, but you get what you pay for), but I like to keep it simple, so that's all I need. It has a max aperture of f4, but I've gotten very good shots handheld at 1/15" and even at 1/8"!!

very easy to determine critical focus in rangfinder, beautiful ergonomics, near silent shutter, battery lasts forever, extremely reliable

can't really think of any!!

RZ 67II, Rollieflex, Pentax 67, Hassy 501, SQA

Have never had to use them other than for the complimentary yearly checkup (free), otherwise very friendly and fast

The Mamiya 7 is a great solid pro camera. It is simple to use so it won't get in the way of your art; Everthing feels right. The lenses are super high quality and the film format is so much bigger than 35mm. I hope they make a digital back for it.

It's the smallest 6x7 format camera. Light weight, easy to take anywhere. The best optics I've seen.

Can't close focus without adapter and Price.

Hasselblad, Mamiya RB67 & C330, Rolleiflex TLR, Canon & Nikon SLR's.

Very easy to contact and friendly.

I purchased this camera in order to use the 43mm dream lens and I have had no regrets since. The M7 rangefinder provides excellent focusing under most lighting conditions that one will encounter both indoors and outdoors. The light metering is "good enough" for all film types. Have had no problems with this camera. In brief highly recommended.

accurate focusing, Supports 43mm wide angle lens perfectly, very light weight compared to other medium format cameras, excellent battery life, for me a perfect fine art and travel camera

metering difficult to see for those of us wearing glasses, body does not come in black, near useless 35mm adapter (don't buy it), limited focal lenght selection (but I don't mind), some difficultly using 220 rolls if not started correctly (recommend 120 use only), 43mm viewing adapter does not have metering indicator (just a wish not a show stopper)

Leica M6 Mamiya RZ67 Mamiya 645 super various 35 mm SLR cameras

excellent, free checkup once a year at local dealerships, also had M7 rangefinder optics upgraded to M7II level and had quick turn around, a matter of days.

This camera is awesome. the lenses are really sharp. ( except when the 80mm is fully open)I even use it in the studio. I don't feel they could improve on this too much. When I drink I throw expensive equiptment through walls, once even through a window. I can honestly say I will never throw this fine machine through a wall or any similar material. You see, It is and always will be a good boy.

43mm ultra wide angle !

Slightly expensive

mamiya c330, toyo 4x5, super foopa 3000, gurgle birdy, and the mochican master 2000.