Wanted: Mamiya 6/7II

http://www.summilux.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=19270

nice machine, a friend is just raving about his 6×7, he just got it in cape town, have you tried johan at kamaraz in jhb…

buzz me when you are close. j

I’m back down at the coast, you free early next week?

You should be aware that there have been two versions of the Mamiya 6. The Mamiya 6MF (MF means here multiformat, 6×6, 6×4.5 (precisely 56×41.5mm), 35mm panorama) is newer and has a few other things updated beside the multiple formats being available.

I thought I would answer your questions regarding the metering on the Mamiya 6 here, always good to get a 2nd opinion.

I’m not sure what type of metering the 6 and 6MF has but I do know it’s not precise. I have a 6 and 6MF. In my experience the meter will underexpose on both models when it says correct in the viewfinder. The meter is great if your shooting chrome but I usually shoot neg so have to open it up a bit to get more detail out of the shadows.
I sometimes go half or even a stop over what the meter says. You would need to experiment.
Other than that superb camera. In my opinion it’s the best and most mobile compact MF 6×6 you can buy. The lens are crisp(I compared a neg from my Mamiya 6 and one shot on a Hasselblad, nothing in it) the 50mm is so nice you won’t want to take it off, hence the reason I have 2 bodies.

Personally I would look in the Japenese market for one. I bought both of mine from Japan. They are clean and well looked after and reasonably priced. In fact much cheaper in Japan than on eBay, people are asking silly money for cameras on eBay.

Maybe Tomoko can help you with some of the Japanese camera shops online. I had a friend in Tokyo have a look around for me and got a good deal.

Hope that helps.

The only other thing I don’t like about the camera are the shitty lens hoods. There plastic with this annoying locking system. I have in the past put the lens hood on slightly bow legged but not sure if it affected the image. I still got flare with the hood on properly.

I am looking to get a hood that screws into the filter.

If anyone knows if there is a screw in lens hood option I would appreciate a lead.
There is this review that I never read. It does mention the metering at the bottom. http://photo.net/equipment/mamiya/6

Good luck

While I can look up Japanese camera stores online, I cannot buy any camera for you because I am not in Japan. Those stores would not export cameras. You have to either mailorder in Japan or visit them yourself.

Reading the review Mark linked above reminded me that I do have a Polaroid back for my Mamiya 6. I use two bodies, one of which is permanently attached to the Polaroid back.

Thanks for all your help, I think unless I visit there soon, I might need to look at Europe or the US to have one shipped here, that’s if I can’t find one in SA.

It’s interesting to hear that the 6’s metering system isn’t perfect, they don’t mention that in the brochures :)

Daniel seriously get one from Japan.

I have several friends there who had the time to go and have a look and get it tested. I had all this done for me in advance. The shop I brought mine from found a slight problem on the winding mech and got it fixed regardless if I purchased it or not + I got a 1 year guarantee.

I intend to buy all my gear from Japan. There is a wonderful selection of analogue equipment in good condition at good prices.

If you know anyone in Tokyo ask them to have a look for a Mamiya 6 with or without the lens.

Tomoko the magazines you sent me are great BTW. Some really nice work in some of them. It’s a shame I don’t read Japanese as I could point Daniel in the right direction, the mags are full of adverts.

thanks Mark!

Those adverts are dated because the magazines are back issues. I`m glad that you are finding nice work in them. My only regrets are only two LSers got to get them.
Did you notice that I have thrown in one issue of Olympus Photography? The magazine used to exist for the Zuiko Club members in Japan and abroad. They switched to an online version.

Daniel,

The only store which offers 1-year warranty in Japan I know of is Sanpou Camera.
They have only two Mamiya 6 bodies in stock.

http://www.speedgraphic.co.uk/