camera case for Mamiya 7II

I am going off on a hiking trip and will bring my Mamiya 7II and would like to

protect the camera in a case, not a bag, that I can use for easy access and

shooting. Just want to lift the camera off my shoulder drop the front of the

case and shoot. Are there any cases made that fit the bill? Thanks.

I ended up carrying the camera to REI and finding something that fits. It is a padded travel bag that is about as deep as the camera height and tall as the camera width. The camera fits in with the lens horizonal. Any lens but the 150 fits. Viewfinders have to come off. I've used it for about 3 years and am happy with it. I never saw a regular camera case that worked and was compact.

Get a Zing neoprene pro slr cover...fits perfect and I love mine

You did not mention whether you are also wearing a day/backpack while hiking. Regardless, I have been very happy with Lowepro Toploader 65 AW http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/279326-REG/Lowepro_1986510_Toploader_65_AW_Camera.html for my Mamiya 7II; plus 2 or 3 lenses, film and misc. stuff. The Toploader 65 AW can be worn, in front and handy, with either an optional chest harness or on an accessory belt. This is the best approach I have found while humping a 70lbs. backpack. The All Weather feature is worthwhile; it even protects from torrents of sweat that can flow in hot weather. The balance, convince and protection of this system worth considering. Good Luck!

If you only need a camera case, neoprene models offer a better protection against dust and moisture that leather ones. A better protection as shock-absorber too. <a href="http://www.optechusa.com/product/detail/?PRODUCT_ID=36&PRODUCT_SUB_ID=&CATEGORY_ID=5">Op-Tech neoprene cases </a> are great ones if you find the right dimension for your camera.<br>

An old thread (2003), but it's a valueable answer and can help you : <a href="http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=005WNN">Any travel pouches for M7 ?</a><br>

I second the Lowpro Toploader 65 AW suggestion. It worked great on it's own and now I'm fortunate enough to have two add-on lens cases. When I've got a backpack on my back, my camera case is on my chest. When I'm walking around town, I use the single strap and my camera case is at my side.

It is more difficult to use Toploaders with non-square cameras, like Pentax 67 or Mamiya 7, because if they have the shape of a 35mm reflex, they are rather large.<br>

As the cubic shape of some 645, 6x6 or 6x7 medium format cameras with exchangeable back corresponds to the shape of these bags, they can be easily put into a Toploader.<br>

I use several of them for my Rollei cameras, because the camera can be inserted into the bag without removing any lens from 40mm to 250mm nor the waist level finder or even the prism.<br>

When I bought the everready leather case for the Rolleis, I made a stupid mistake, as these cases are only for the current 80mm lens. As soon as you change the normal lens, the leather ER case becomes useless.<br>

On the Toploaders (better to buy the largest one, Toploader 75, if you have some long lenses) I fixed on one side a special pouch for a spare back and a lens case on the other side.<br>

Thus I can alternate between two lenses and two backs without opening the "big" bag.<br>

I use them most of the time with the chest harness, and now, I can really call it an "everready" case. ;>))<br>

Really great bags.<br>

I have a Mamiya 6MF, and I use the Zing neoprene case. For me, it was a convenient way to protect the camera from dust, dirt, and liquids.

 

However, the thin neoprene will NOT protect the camera from much physical shock, in my experience.

 

My 6MF recently rolled off a low shelf and across a hardwood floor, while wrapped in its Zing case.

 

The corners of the neoprene case tore where the camera body contacted the floor during the "roll."

 

The lens would no longer dismount, and now it's in the shop.

 

Moral of the story: Zing case good. Store on shelf bad.

 

I'd still recommend you keep your M7 in a camera bag too. :-)

 

Jeff