Would you buy a Mamiya 6 in 2019?

Hi All

HELP! A camera I've always lusted over was the Mamiya 6. I've currently been offered a 6MF w/ all 3 lenses. The deal is pretty sweet, but that being said is still ALOT of money for me.

I'm buying from interstate and from what I know the camera in question is in 100% working condition with no issues w/ winding mech or bellows. All lenses are fine also. Pictures I've seen of it match description.

That being said, its a 25+ year old camera and from my research understand the bellows & winding mechs of these models maybe susceptible to eventually going. Can those things even be fixed?

So my question -- am I being overly paranoid or take the punt to buy (via Paypal) obviously?

You must dispassionately weigh the pleasure you might get from making photos with this system against the cost: can you truly "afford" it, or will it break you if the camera fails within six months or a year, requiring very expensive repairs? As with all vintage medium format gear, theres a 50/50 chance you will get nailed to a wall and gutted by extraordinary repair costs when you least expect. Whatever price you were willing to pay for this kit, add another $500 that you will need to put in escrow toward potential repairs. Can you still "afford" that new amount? If yes, its worth the risk. If not, there may be unpleasant consequences down the road.

Of course, sometimes we encounter irresistible offers that defy the usual common sense. A complete Mamiya 6 kit with three lenses, all in (alleged) good working order, at a reasonable asking price, would be hard to pass up. Depending what country you live in, it might be vastly more difficult to acquire these items separately. In such cases, availability overcomes logic, so perhaps you just go for it and roll the dice. Just be sure you are prepared for possible repair costs and downtime: the Mamiya 6 and 7 bodies are notorious for sudden failures.

It is wise to remember, these systems were not positioned as "premium" cameras in the Japan home market: while top performers, they were engineered down to a price in some respects, to lure the lucrative Japanese midrange customer. Upon export, Mamiya and its distributors chose to re-position these cameras as top-tier, Looney-Leica-priced systems with huge profit margins. They got away with it because the 6 and 7 were and remain the only game in town for this type camera. But the original, unrestored build quality simply isn't there given the inflated price.

For up-to-date info on repair/restoration costs, you might want to contact Precision Camera Works before investing in a Mamiya rangefinder system. PCW purchased all remaining spare parts from Mamiya, becoming the de facto 6/7 repair center in North America. You might inquire re a package cost to proactively update the film advance, upgrade the rangefinder, and match all three lenses to the rangefinder for reliable accuracy. This way you are prepared however the chips fall: this kit you are considering might well be perfect, and remain so for years to come at no additional expense. Or, you may have to pay more than you anticipated for an overhaul, after which the kit should also remain perfect for years to come.

Mamiya — PCW

You must dispassionately weigh the pleasure you might get from making photos with this system against the cost: can you truly "afford" it, or will it break you if the camera fails within six months or a year, requiring very expensive repairs? As with all vintage medium format gear, theres a 50/50 chance you will get nailed to a wall and gutted by extraordinary repair costs when you least expect. Whatever price you were willing to pay for this kit, add another $500 that you will need to put in escrow toward potential repairs. Can you still "afford" that new amount? If yes, its worth the risk. If not, there may be unpleasant consequences down the road.

 

Of course, sometimes we encounter irresistible offers that defy the usual common sense. A complete Mamiya 6 kit with three lenses, all in (alleged) good working order, at a reasonable asking price, would be hard to pass up. Depending what country you live in, it might be vastly more difficult to acquire these items separately. In such cases, availability overcomes logic, so perhaps you just go for it and roll the dice. Just be sure you are prepared for possible repair costs and downtime: the Mamiya 6 and 7 bodies are notorious for sudden failures.

 

It is wise to remember, these systems were not positioned as "premium" cameras in the Japan home market: while top performers, they were engineered down to a price in some respects, to lure the lucrative Japanese midrange customer. Upon export, Mamiya and its distributors chose to re-position these cameras as top-tier, Looney-Leica-priced systems with huge profit margins. They got away with it because the 6 and 7 were and remain the only game in town for this type camera. But the original, unrestored build quality simply isn't there given the inflated price.

 

For up-to-date info on repair/restoration costs, you might want to contact Precision Camera Works before investing in a Mamiya rangefinder system. PCW purchased all remaining spare parts from Mamiya, becoming the de facto 6/7 repair center in North America. You might inquire re a package cost to proactively update the film advance, upgrade the rangefinder, and match all three lenses to the rangefinder for reliable accuracy. This way you are prepared however the chips fall: this kit you are considering might well be perfect, and remain so for years to come at no additional expense. Or, you may have to pay more than you anticipated for an overhaul, after which the kit should also remain perfect for years to come.

 

Mamiya — PCW

Thankyou, I really appreciate your time w/ such a detailed thought provoking response. Yeh its in the irresistible ballpark range but still alot of money, so want to make sure doing the right thing because in all honesty.. I'm not sure how fragile these cameras really are, hence title. (eg: the Ricoh GR1/v/s.. if i was offered that for $500 I'm still not sure I would buy it because i *know* the LCD will die, and the shutter will break - happened to 2 of mine... and everybody else'. But this M6MF purchase is well over $500 so wanna be sure I know what im in for) Yup, I had read so much about PCW in my research and have just taken your advice to inquire costs about proactively overhauling the system to avoid anything. Lets see what they say. Again I maybe too paranoid...

The only real risk with the Mamiya 6 and 7 systems is the potential body failures related to film advance and rangefinder optics/mechanics, or (much less likely) an electronics issue (which could happen with any electronic camera). While proper parts and service for these failures can be difficult to find and/or very expensive, once upgraded the camera bodies normally remain functional for the remainder of ownership.

Balancing these potential issues with the body, the Mamiya 6/7 lenses are remarkably reliable: leaf shutters almost never fail or need repair. In rare cases a focus helicoid could require an overhaul to cure stiff or seized focus action, and occasionally a lens might need its rangefinder cam adjusted to precisely match a particular body (most often the 150mm portrait lenses, but sometimes the others).

Contrast this with the popular legendary Hasselblad system: bodies are usually OK in as-found condition, while most of the esteemed Zeiss lenses contain ticking time bomb mechanical leaf shutters that can easily blow a $400 hole in your pocket when you least expect (for EACH lens, mind you). Compared to unanticipated Hasselblad maintenance, service worries for the Mamiya 6/7 are a predictable, simplified "bargain". Every MF system has upfront and hidden costs: as long as you're aware of the possible pitfalls, can set aside some money for emergency repair, and have access to good technicians, it all comes down to what floats your boat and how much you're willing to spend to float it. Good luck!

I would, but that's me.

But first you have to ask yourself:

Do you like to shoot film?

Do you like square

Do you like the rangefinder experience

Do you want to spend that much

I have had my Mamiya 6MF for a long time - and during that time I've also owned Pentaxs, Hasselblads, Rollei, Bronica, Fujifilm, Kievs, Pentacons, etc... some I still have, but the Mamiya 6 has stuck around the longest.

I think only you can really answer that question.

One of the coolest (if impractical) things I've ever seen was a Mamiya 6 body customized to accept Hasselblad V-mount digital backs, and presumably the interchangeable 120/220 film backs as well. The price was higher than I could ever justify, but it was tempting. My fascination cooled upon remembering digital use would entail the usual medium-format compromise of a smaller rectangular 33x44 or 41x54 sensor (or ancient smaller 37x37 square sensor). Not to mention the lenses/viewfinder would be cropped and rangefinder focus accuracy might not be sufficient for digital. Still, a VERY cool hack: kudos to the genius who pulled it off.

UPDATE:

i bought it. took it vacation to christian and just got rolls developed. i'm in love.

thanks for all the replies!

(6MF, 75mm, Lomo800)

Would I buy one? No . . . Would I recommend that someone for whom it might work well buy one? At the right price, yes.

I shot weddings, for a studio, with these for several years. I liked the handling and the lens, although limited, are excellent. I never really got into the square format and I, personally, would go for a 645 or 67 system.

I know this is after the event, but here's a point of view. No way would I want a 25yo Mamiya 6 as my main or only camera. Especially if, as is my case, where the bulk of my photography is carried out on trips away from home in places where a repair would be very improbable. So would I risk a trip costing thousands of dollars on a Mamiya 6- not likely. On the other hand, if most of my photography was based at home, so a problem would at most cost me a few shots, and |I had other cameras old or new that I could use instead, then why not. I had the Mamiya 7ii for years albeit I used it as a second camera because my 6x6 slr was more flexible. That Mamiay rf got me many shots I could not have got with my slr (though the reverse is true also).

"Square" is a different and contentious issue. I shot square for 10 years and cropped very little. After 10 years with a dslr and now find I'm increasingly cropping to square on the pictures /collections I like best. I guess its still with me.

I would have said forget about it, but as you see the M6 takes wonderful pictures. I have mine from new and have never had a problem. Still, you have to realize that it's a rather complex camera. The collapsing lens mount can cause problems, and as I understand it winder problems simply can't be fixed as no parts are available. HANDLE WITH CARE.

i had my winder replaced in january and the camera is now good as new. there are winder parts and service available, precision camera still has them, so dont let this scare you off. if you dont mind square, its the best film travel camera. but the prices are insane at this point.

john

I know this is after the event, but here's a point of view. No way would I want a 25yo Mamiya 6 as my main or only camera. Especially if, as is my case, where the bulk of my photography is carried out on trips away from home in places where a repair would be very improbable. So would I risk a trip costing thousands of dollars on a Mamiya 6- not likely. On the other hand, if most of my photography was based at home, so a problem would at most cost me a few shots, and |I had other cameras old or new that I could use instead, then why not. I had the Mamiya 7ii for years albeit I used it as a second camera because my 6x6 slr was more flexible. That Mamiay rf got me many shots I could not have got with my slr (though the reverse is true also).

 

"Square" is a different and contentious issue. I shot square for 10 years and cropped very little. After 10 years with a dslr and now find I'm increasingly cropping to square on the pictures /collections I like best. I guess its still with me.

David,Is the Mamiya 7ii worth it? I use a RB67 but it's pretty heavy. Always shoot with a tripod. I was thinking about hand holding and the 7ii comes to mind. What do you think? What film? Worth it? Thanks. Alan.

What film?

My upgrading 35mm guy's opinion would be: "The fast BW of your choice." - Sorry, I can't sell t-crystals to a TriX lover. Once you go below 1/250 sec, MF is no longer worth it. But handholding RFs in the studio (i.e. with flashes hooked to them) can be nice too.

TMY worked for me (Agfa RF, C33(0), Pentacon). Picking Ilford you have more choices; AFAIK there hasn't been TMZ 120 but Delta 3200. Those are horrible in 135, maybe OK in 120 and surely desirable in 4x5".

I believe you have the Sony luxury P&S? - Only you can tell how much you like film. - I am content with snapping pictures and quite happy with digital Ms. I doubt going Mamiya 7 and fast film would give me a pre-press IQ advantage over the old Monochrom. "Nothing beats a silver print" standing unquestioned in the room.

Alan

I bought the Mamiya 7ii and 50/80/150 lenses as a second camera. I needed to carry a back-up camera on trips and my thinking was that I may as well buy something that would help me get pictures that I would struggle to get with my 6x6 slr. That included circumstances where I had to hand-hold; or when I wanted a rectangular image without cropping from 6x6. I was happy with the camera- very sharp lenses, though I'm sure they'd have been sharper still if I'd used the tripod more. I have some photographs that pleased me greatly with this camera, mostly with Velvia/Provia , sometimes with Tri-X.. Fair to point out some downsides though. First hand-holding is possible and I'd say that I expected a usably sharp image down to 1/30, and at 1/15 it was about 50:50. So useful but not say as easy or as reliably sharp at lower speeds as a good dslr with IS these days. I don't know what the metering on your Mamiya slr is like, but personally I never used a MF camera that I trusted as much as a handheld spotmeter, and the Mamiya 7 was no exception - you have to bear in mind that the field metered is the same irrespective of the focal length of the lens you're using. No matter if you're using an external meter of course. Not everyone finds rf focus as easy as slr focussing too, and of course if you're usual practice is to judge focus around the frame ttl then you don't do that with the rangefinder, and close focussing isn't possible . Finally you can't see the effect of filters ttl and using grads in particular is really difficult. Because I tended to use contrasty colour slide films I did sometimes resort to screw-in grads with the Mamiya. So an enigma- in some ways very flexible ( weight & hand-holding). In other ways quite restricting and imprecise.

Bear in mind also that I have to speak as a landscape-orientated photographer . Other people with different objectives won't necessarily feel as I do. I recall in particular that Jeff spirer used this camera very effectively for outdoor portraits.

Hi All

 

HELP! A camera I've always lusted over was the Mamiya 6. I've currently been offered a 6MF w/ all 3 lenses. The deal is pretty sweet, but that being said is still ALOT of money for me.

 

I'm buying from interstate and from what I know the camera in question is in 100% working condition with no issues w/ winding mech or bellows. All lenses are fine also. Pictures I've seen of it match description.

 

That being said, its a 25+ year old camera and from my research understand the bellows & winding mechs of these models maybe susceptible to eventually going. Can those things even be fixed?

 

So my question -- am I being overly paranoid or take the punt to buy (via Paypal) obviously?

Mamiya 6, 7 and 7ii are AMAZING. Be ready for some repairs at some point. The lenses are rock solid but the bodies can develop issues overtime. The good news is that most of the common issues are relatively easy to fix. Bob Watkins at Precision Camera Works is your friend for that!