should i buy a mamiya 7 ii w 2 lenses for $1k?

[Brad Cloven]

<p>Dont know the lenses, but the kit was only ever used 3 times.</p>

<p>Thoughts?</p>

[stp]

<p>That seems really, really (perhaps suspiciously) cheap.</p>

[rossb]

<p> I do not know if you should buy one. However just the body is worth more the 1K. I just returned a few minutes ago from Yosemite and took a Mamiya 7 with me. It is not my camera but a friend of mine wanted me to have some fun with it. He does not want to sell it to me. What I found is the camera is pretty easy to shoot. The meter on the 7 was about 2 stops hotter then my D200 in contrasty scenes. Easy to focus, the tripod quick release blocks you from changing film and must be removed with each roll change. Easy to carry with the strap oriented to the side of the camera. Overall I like the camera. Since I have never used this camera before it will be probably Friday before I see the pitures. I cannot at this time say how well or poor they will be. Since I have little experience with the rangefinder system I found it very slow to orient the polarizer filter when I wanted to use it. You have to find the dark part before you mount it on the camera. You have to wear polarized glasses to do that such as sunglasses. The shutter is to quiet and a couple times I found myself wondering if I exposed the film or not. The waterfalls overpowered the shutter sound especially since I used the self timer. I guess you would have to decide if a camera like that would be useful to you. I think with film and processing cost I am going to pay about $1.50 for each shot. For that money I will get processing and a scan. Not sure what size actually but probably about 20megs. Because of the difficulty with the filters I would think it will not make a great landscape camera. To expensive to just go about randomly shooting. However it's definately a fun camera. I do not want to own one myself as they are to expensive to buy and shoot. I suppose for a thousand you could just turn around and sell it. I do not know where your camera is being sold at but I figure the camera is not legit or the guy selling it is financial trouble and is parting with stuff at throw away prices. I would not want to come about the camera in either situation.</p>

[robert lee]

<blockquote>

<p>Dont know the lenses, but the kit was only ever used 3 times.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Fell off of a truck, eh?</p>

[Brad Cloven]

<p>the camera is from a friend, who knows im getting a deal. my alternative would be a rollieflex with a planar or xenotar. </p>

<p>see my pics for the types of shots i take. when i was in yosemite, i used a billy record II.... now i have a rolleiflex automat i like. but the screen is dark.</p>

<p>im afraid the camera collection bug has bit. but it seems hard to miss out / lose out on such an opportunity.</p>

[t._kim]

<p>The Mamiya is a great deal no matter what lenses are included, but know that the wides (43, 50 and 65) are the gems of the lens line up. Heck, if your friend is knowingly offering such a good deal, pick up the Rolleis too!</p>

[rossb]

<p> Since the camera has only been out 3 times I assume it was purchased new and your friend probably spent about $6000.00 for the system. I suppose it depends on which lenses and if he paid sales tax. Why would he want to dump the camera for peanuts? It makes no sense to me. </p>

[david_henderson]

<p>Again, why? Why should your friend volunteer to lose a lot more money than he needs to to affer you a good deal? </p>

[stuart_richardson]

<p>Why? Because he's a friend!! Man, you guys must think I am crazy...I gave away a Rolleiflex to a friend as, --gasp--, a gift! Brad -- the Mamiya 7II is one of the best medium format cameras you can get. The lenses are spectacular, and the 6x7 format provides ample amounts of room for huge enlargements. I currently have an exhibition going on with several Mamiya 7 prints, including one which 1mX1m...that one is a crop down to roughly 6x6. I would note two things about Ross's comments though -- the tripod quick release plate issue is not an issue if you get the right one. Really Right Stuff makes one that is form-fitted to the camera and does not interfere with the operation. I put it on there when I bought it and have not taken it off since...<br>

I would also deny that because it is difficult to use some filters, it is not a good landscape camera. It is all about what kind of photography you do. I don't use filters at all. Ever. I also take a ton of landscapes. For me, what makes a good landscape camera is good lenses with no distortion and a light camera and lens kit. If you have experience with rangefinder cameras, the Mamiya is just a big one of those, so you will have no issues. If you require through the lens viewing to visualize your shots and rely on a lot of filters and grads, then the Mamiya will likely not be your favorite. If I had to keep only one camera though, it would be the Mamiya 7II.<br>

Here are some shots I have taken with it:<br>

<img src="http://stuartrichardson.com/eastern-trip-012.jpg" alt="" /><br>

<img src="http://stuartrichardson.com/kvivik-view-farmer-gallery.jpg" alt="" /><br>

<img src="http://stuartrichardson.com/drying-fish-m7ii.jpg" alt="" /><br>

<img src="http://stuartrichardson.com/subway2.jpg" alt="" /><br>

<img src="http://stuartrichardson.com/seb-skriduklaustri1.jpg" alt="" /><br>

<img src="http://stuartrichardson.com/faeroes-light-001-ed.jpg" alt="" /><br>

Sorry for so many, and for only black and white, but I would reiterate my love for the camera! Take fantastic lenses, put them on an extremely quiet camera that is light and easy to handle, and the put a 6x7cm negative behind it and you get a camera that can do a lot more than most where it matters -- in the superwide to slight tele-range, from about 1m to infinity. If you need a Swiss Army camera or something to work in the extreme ranges (very close, very far), you should get an SLR, but for me the Mamiya is the best choice for most things. I say this as someone with a rather large collection of Hasselblad and Rollei 6000 gear as well. </p>

[AlanKlein]

<p>Sounds like a nice friend and a nice camera. I'd go for it. Alan</p>

[simon_crofts]

<blockquote>

<p>the tripod quick release plate issue is not an issue if you get the right one</p>

</blockquote>

<p>I use a fairly standard Manfrotto quick release plate on the Mamiya 7. You just have to put it on sideways, at 90 degrees to its 'normal' position, so that it doesn't interfere with the spool release under the camera. Since the Manfrotto quick release plate I have can drop into the tripod head at 90 degrees to its 'normal' position too, this is no problem whatsoever.</p>

[marc_batters]

<p>How well do you know the seller of this kit? Easily over 2K USD on the used market, maybe more depending on the lenses. I share Robert's concerns that this may be stolen property.</p>

[Komatsu]

<p>If you can get it for $1K, pay the money and run!!<br>

I've owned a Mamiya 7 in the past, and like everybody has said, it is a fantastic camera.</p>

[john_a5]

<p>If it isn't what you think you will like, versus an slr type camera, how will your friend feel when you sell it for a tidy profit?</p>

<p>It is a great deal but not if you can't sell it if it doesn't meet your needs. I have a 7 with the 65 and although I have taken many great photos with it, it just sits in a closet (with several other cameras as well) and essentially has since I got it. I prefer other cameras in most cases, it just didn't meet my personal needs as I thought it might.</p>

[stp]

<p>I'd go for it too, knowing that it's coming from a very generous friend.</p>

[n_w1]

<p>Great camera!<br>

I only have the 50mm. The 7ii internal rangefinder is polarized and Mamiya also make a flip-down arm w/polarizer for this camera. I too use the ReallyRight Stuff quick release plate and have access to the spool release, etc. The self timer can replace a cable release too.<br>

I use it for landscape mostly. It's both fast handling, and razor sharp and got it to use instead of my Hasselblad system for shooting on a trip to Europe (rented the 43 and 150).<br>

It's not as rugged as the 'blad but I do take care of my gear.</p>

[Brad Cloven]

<p>OMG! He sent it home with my daughter today.</p>

<ul>

<li>Mamiya 7 II in very good shape</li>

<li>80mm / f4; Dusty but great</li>

<li>43mm / f4.5; Dusty but great</li>

<li>4 Good Filters</li>

<li>Pentax V Spotmeter</li>

<li>Besseler Bag</li>

<li>6 Rolls of 120 Film</li>

</ul>

<p>I'm going to do it. It needs a fresh battery, so I'll head out and get one.<br>

I've noticed that the Pentax V Spotmeter and my Nikon F3 HP meter about one stop differently. Has anyone else had that sort of experience?<br>

Thanks for all the opinions! My wife will hate having me spend the money, but this is the deal of a lifetime!<br>

My daughter said my friend said when he handed it to her, "He's never going to use the gear again, and he was so impressed with your photography he thought you should have it." <br>

Woo + Hoo!</p>

[simon_crofts]

<p>You are so lucky. Especially that 43mm.</p>

[ts_photo]

<p>The 80mm lens may be the sharpest, most contrasty lens on a camera.<br>

The 43mm is great for a variety of wide shots.<br>

The 150mm works well for landscapes and detail shots; it's not really a portrait lens for not really a portrait camera, until you enter the arena of environmental portraits.<br>

The body with those two lenses, in near mint condition, is worth a lot. Be careful though, these cameras help to define "not rugged". /..</p>

[furcafe]

<p>It's not unusual for meters to behave differently due to different manufacturer/model specifications, coverage area, etc. The most important thing is that meter is consistent. Also, like other leaf-shutter RFs (Mamiya 6, Plaubel Makina 67, etc.), the metering on the 7 & 7 ii isn't TTL.</p>

 

<blockquote>

<p>I've noticed that the Pentax V Spotmeter and my Nikon F3 HP meter about one stop differently. Has anyone else had that sort of experience?</p>

 

</blockquote>

[mark_lewis2]

<p>I continue to use a Minolta handheld meter with my 7 II (old habit that likely won't be lost) so I never bother giving much credit to the in-camera meter.<br>

Sounds like you got the deal of the decade on that camera outfit!</p>

[simon_crofts]

<blockquote>

<p>I've noticed that the Pentax V Spotmeter and my Nikon F3 HP meter about one stop differently.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>One stop is a lot - in the realms of error. My Mamiya 7 underexposes one third of a stop, and so does my Nikon D700. Probably deliberately, to avoid burnt highlights eg. in slides. I have one third of a stop compensation dialled in pretty much permanently to compensate, especially when using negatives.</p>

<p>It only takes a few seconds to check the calibration of the metering precisely, if you have access to a plain, evenly lit whitish or light grey wall, and a digi camera handy.</p>

<p>I've found the metering of the Mamiya very reliable. You do have to remember that if you use attachments on the lens, especially ones that stick out above, this can effect the metering. So do the calibration with and without lens hood attached, you'll probably find a difference. Also, of course the angle of view doesn't change as you switch lenses, so bear in mind that with a wide lens like the 43mm, the exposure meter is almost a spot meter relative to the angle of view of the lens.</p>

[Brad Cloven]

<p>Just back from 2.5 weeks in Portugal. The Mamiya 7 ii seems to have performed well. I loved using it.</p>

<p>A camera store near my Pensione sold me a roll of Fuji Reala, and I went out onto the street for some quick shots, and into a church or two. The best shot was a 4 second ~f/8 of an altar with silver candelabras, etc. Tripods weren't allowed, so I perched the 43mm lens on my city map on a bannister, and used the self-timer.</p>

<p>The shot came out great. Metering wasn't a problem. I checked several spots in the shot for highlights and lowlights, hit a nice average, and the exposure was spot on. All the street shots metered correctly too, and were tack sharp on about a 6"x7" print as expected.</p>

<p>Of course print film has lots of latitude lee-way. I've sent off my Velvia today, and we'll see how that goes. When I have a good set to show, I'll start a new thread.</p>

<p>Thanks everyone! My Nikon F3HP sat in my bag the whole trip unused!</p>