© Ben Anderson
I primarily shoot using a Mamiya 7II 6×7 rangefinder, it’s a wonderfully simple camera to shoot with. The camera has a couple of viewfinder idiosyncrasies to overcome when you first start out with it*, but once you know what to expect from the framing it is really rather liberating to use. It is quiet, relatively compact, and above all incredibly portable.
The fact that it is a rangefinder means the camera is very easy to hand hold, removing the necessity for a tripod in all but the most extreme situations. This means you can shoot quickly and inconspicuously in many more situations than when carrying a cumbersome tripod. The upshot of this is that this camera has become almost like an extension of my body, it is with me almost all of the time. So it is particularly wrenching when the camera breaks. And it has done it twice now.
I don’t get much time to shoot which means I plan what I’m going to do – I like to take random meanderings from what are normally A-B routes, this way I find new rat runs for commutes whilst also reccying new locations to shoot. I also spend a fair amount of time using google maps satellite view to explore possible locations (as I know others do). Turning up at one of these locations to have my camera freeze after frame 1 is disappointing to say the least. The most recent time this happened I wasted 2 rolls by reloading to check if it was just some bizarre jam. Alas No – another day wasted, another month and a bit away for repair: 3 out of 11 months without the camera to date.
With the camera now safely back in hand I’m shortly heading out to run a roll through, hopefully this time 7 will once again be my lucky number.
* with a 65mm lens, parallax issues mean the frame lines crop peoples feet for full length close up portraits, and images at infinity are approx 20% larger than the frame lines.
The good news is that the camera seems to be functioning correctly – the return slip from Johnsons (Mamiya’s UK service agent) stated that the camera was received in ‘jammed’ state, and that once released the fault could not be replicated.
I’d be interested to know what the unjamming procedure is.
Comment by BennehBoy — February 17, 2009 @ 2:05 pm
I’m looking at getting a 7 in the near future and wondered about the overall robustness of it. A few have mentioned that the 6 is a slightly better option.
How often is yours jamming? What causes the jam?
Comment by Daniel — February 18, 2009 @ 8:58 am
Well, I’ve heard the 6 is actually a worse option because Mamiya have stopped providing parts for service.
I know of perhaps 20 people shooting a 7 and mine is the only one that has done this twice, one other person has had it happen once.
The first time mine broke it did so mid-roll and needed new parts, this time it would simply refuse to wind on after taking the first shot. I found a post on Photo.Net that seemed to indicate this was simply something clogging the film advance gearing in the upper housing of the camera, but that it required specialist tools to remove the cover – given that no parts were replaced this would seem to agree with the scenario that I found myself in.
If you don’t need to shoot double/multiple exposures then I’d say go for a MK I 7, they can be had for a lot less, but naturally you’ll have to pay for any repairs, both of mine have been in warranty.
The camera is simply superb irrespective of the issues I’ve had – if the fault re-occurs then I’ll be asking for a replacement, and perhaps thinking about a 2nd body (probably a used MK I).
PS, if you are going to buy new then do so soon, Mamiya have doubled the cost of these to suppliers and that will start to get passed on as soon as dealers work through stock. Current UK retail of a newly supplied kit MK II with 80mm is £2900!
Comment by BennehBoy — February 18, 2009 @ 11:49 am
Bloody hell, didn’t realise they were that much. I might get it in Thailand as they were around 1000 quid for the
Comment by Daniel — February 18, 2009 @ 12:46 pm
You must love it. I’d have a tough time not float testing it after such frustrations.
Good luck.
Comment by dazedgonebye — February 18, 2009 @ 1:34 pm
@Daniel, pretty sure you can get a kit for about 1200-1300 new here, but do it soon if you do!
Comment by BennehBoy — February 18, 2009 @ 2:12 pm
I’ve just bought myself a used MKI w/ 80mm lens from the UK. Since the pound is quite low (€1,13) I was able to get one for €820. First impressions are very very good. I’m amazed by its silence. Weren’t able to scan the negatives yet
So if you consider buying one and you’re on European mainland; do it now
Comment by Erik — February 26, 2009 @ 3:48 pm
Hey Ben, on the Mamyia 7 – check out if you can the documentary “Daddy where are you” about the photographer Tierney Gearon; It was released on DVd two years ago, and the camera is an integral part of the film, and what you mentioned about it been an extension of your body, it is very clear to see in the film; besides, the documentary is excellent!
best
Cristiano.
Comment by Cristiano — June 1, 2009 @ 11:46 pm
I’ll look that out thanks.
Comment by BennehBoy — June 2, 2009 @ 10:09 am