I should have researched the Mamiya 6 MF earlier. Saw one for 1800 Euro including the 50mm in great condition at a store, but first wanted to research how good the quality and longevity is. A day later this gem was gone. Thanks for your reviews. Always a great source when comparing MF cameras to my 500cm system.
Nice review Matt. I think you covered everything that can be said about the camera. Portability is the key to most aspects of photography other than studio work as you highlight. As I said before in the Mamiya 7 video I've used a 6 for over 12 years but have sold it 3 times to try other MF cameras but I've always gone back to a 6 in short time and would now never consider selling again. I had a Hasselblad 503 for a short while and whilst I agree with you that the lenses are a lot better on the character and rendering I barely used it because it's not a carry about camera, it's nowhere near as user friendly and like you I had to use with a finder just like I did when I departed the 6 when I was tempted by a Rolleiflex 3.5f and a Mamiya 330 later on That makes the problem even worse with added weight and bulk! As some never seem to tire of saying "The best camera is the one you have with you." I have always disagreed to a point and firmly believe that - "The best camera is the one you know inside out how to use." But..... If a camera is too heavy, too cumbersome to carry about and it ruins your day then in conceding to the first point you are just not going to have it with you no matter how familiar you are with it. That said, nope, I have my current Mamiya 6MF with all 3 lenses and I'm not going to part with that kit again no matter how tempted I am in the future by other systems. However, if I ever spot a mint Plaubel Makina 67 with a working meter............... 🤣
CiderGuy thanks CG! I’m happy to hear you suffer with the dreaded GAS too ha. I looked at the Makina 67 many times but thankfully talked myself out of it each time. I prefer 6x6 format. I think I use the camera that gives me the look I desire, and reliably, is fast to operate and as small as possible (for most situations). Of course it can be nice to play with big slow cameras too 4x5 but for model work especially I like fast to use cameras. (After entering the world of Contax RF mount type cameras recently that aspect has really struck me vs say Leica). All that to come + more MF cameras.
CiderGuy thanks. Busy testing those currently but with a lack of models it’s hindering my progress somewhat. I guess it is giving me time to make more videos until I can fly again.
Hi Matt, Much as I love my old Zeiss folder, I could be seriously tempted by an ebay find of this beauty, particularly if it included the wide angle lens. However, the realist in me always asks, "Would you really take better photos with this machine?" Answer: no. This is why the Zeiss stays in my pocket and the money stays in my piggy bank.
Haha you are stronger minded than me Jeremy.. optically yes it will, and with say 2 lenses, 50 and 150 you can create both wides and short tele that you can't on fixed lens cameras.. I like a wide angle 6x6 option especially.
Great review ! I also happen to have a Mamiya 6, and glad to hear you saying you prefer it over the Mamiya 7, but I kind of miss the opportunity of playing around with the panoramic view format of the Mamiya 7 though... cheers,
Alistair, who runs The Darkroom in Cheltenham Gloucestershire uses a Mamiya 6. That means it must be a great camera. I would love one. Until then I will make do with my 1958 Yashica Mat with the 75mm Lumaxar f3.5 lens. David Bailey uses a Mamiya 7. In my bag I carry my Yashica and a Nikon F2 with a Nikkor 50mm sc 1.4 lens and a Nikkor 105 p auto f2.5 lens.
Hi Neil., ha thanks, noted. Yes for sure they are great. I much prefer to the 7. (I ended up selling the 7 after years of trying to like it). Great setup!
as before and as always excellent video very informative and very relaxing as well ! ( and also top models !!) keep on to provide videos . thank daniel from france
hello Matt , sorry of my english but by relaxing I mean easy to listen and to view - i ma going to sleep looking at your videaos as there is so much to learn from them thks daniel @@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom
I sold my RB67 recently. It just ended up being too much of a beast. Made traveling with a camera a REAL pain. So now I will have a Mamiya 645 Super in a couple of days (transit from Japan....) and I'm hoping the 6x4.5 is enough real estate to please me....I watch Matt's videos to be more informed about what is out there and why would I possibly add to my collection.... it never hurts to be dangerous, eh?
Thanks Dave! The 645 is a much more portable setup, especially with the WLF + a small 80mm kit lens. The 645 negatives are still a massive jump up vs 35mm. I just sold one of my RZ67 to one of my students as I didn't need 2. Too big for travel for sure! :) ..if you want the ultimate travel camera watch my Voigtlander Perkeo video.. 6x6 and smaller than a Leica!
Waiting on a complete Mamiya 6 set from the estate of a pro photographer friend who passed, plus Nikon F5, and either an RB or RZ system as well. When living in Maui working as a wedding photographer, I used a Mamiya 7. But with standard lenses. Did I hear you mention you had a 43mm wide angle? Would love to see you put it through it’s paces. Cheers
Thanks Joe, nice! Yes I bought the 43mm but returned it as the finder was broken. I shot a test roll but nothing too exciting sadly. I can’t remember if I posted any on Flickr.
Thanks Marlon! Worth getting if you can find one! ..and you win the awards for the first/ fastest comment! Many thanks! (I'll share some work with my Rolleicord when I get time to use it!) :)
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Thx man! I found a Mamiya 6 (non MF) in a local store with the 50 and 150 in mint condition… but it costs almost 3 grand 🤓😅 Will visit and check if I really like it. The lens combo seems to make sense for what I shoot (street and portraits).
I like the review but it brought back some bad memories. I've had a bittersweet history with the Mamiya 6. I'm a big 6x6 fan and absolutely loved the output especially with the 50mm. The first one I owned was on a small tripod when a gust of wind (Cornish coast) blew it over. It didn't fall more than a couple of feet, the lens was undamaged but the lens extension assembly broke and I couldn't find anyone to fix it. I chalked that one up to operator error. Insurance replaced it with the 6MF. As luck would have it, on another trip to the UK the frame advance mechanism of the MF suddenly just failed, something broke inside. Once again it couldn't be fixed. So, in my experience, great camera concept but poor durability.
Cool camera. I don’t know if these are your settings but the number of ads played during your video is just insane in comparison to other photography channels.
Hi Nico, thanks for pointing that out. All my videos are set to auto ads so they should be the same as everyone else using that setup. If my videos go over 10mins more ads get added so that might make it seem worse vs shorter videos. I will try to do some research on want popular sites do setting wise. Thanks.
Fabio Lee thanks! I’m trying ha. Newer videos are probably less awkward looking that my early videos (hopefully anyway ha). More soon! Still many film cameras to come.
Hi sorry to confuse. Mamiya 6 = 6x6, Mamiya 7 = 6x7 (BUT.. you can get 35mm adapter so both will also do 35mm film with adapter). See MrLeica.com and search Mamiya 7 35mm or watch the video I did on that. (**I only had that adapter for Mamiya 7 so have no examples with Mamiya 6).
Love your approach generally, and as a life long Hasselblad user you are spot on, only trouble is, now I’m beginning to think about the Mamiya 6 as well . How annoying is that ?
Hi! I've noticed that on Flickr you have an album which uses the Mamiya 6 for fashion photography (beautiful shots). I was just wondering if you have any recommendations for medium format cameras which are best suited to fashion photographers? Many thanks!
Hi Emily, thanks for stopping by! It really depends how you shoot. Some shoot fashion with 21mm /wide lens, some with 200mm. Pick you lens first then camera. (You’ll see me say this in the video out today). A popular camera these days is the RZ67 for fashion, see the video but it’s better for portraits not full body for me. Medium format gives you much better resolution for clothing detail etc but fewer shots.
I have watched your excellent videos on Mamiya 6, 7 and Fuji GF670. Leaving aside the lenses for each, do you have an opinion on which of these have electronics and mechanics that might last longer than the others? Or if durability is a requirement, would it be better to search for an old folder camera instead, if looking for a medium format travel camera?
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom Thanks. Someone should bring back the folding camera concept today. With all the new high tech materials, they can design something that folds like a bellows camera but is not plastic. Come on engineers, there are film shooters out here!!!
My first camera decades ago was a Polaroid rangefinder with bellows, so the Fuji keeps calling to me even if the Mamiya 6 may be a little more sturdy…I’m super careful with equipment. I don’t need multiple lenses. Could I convince you to give a green light on the Fuji in this case?
Following you from flickr..........Want to throw another camera into the mix, the Pentax 67. I 'get it' that the Mamiya is lighter however, I would think the fact that the Pentax is an SLR and has a slightly larger negative would would off-set the Mamiya's lighter weight. "Is there a reason or reasons that you prefer the Mamiya 6 over the Pentax 67?"
Thanks Fred, I use the RZ67 (you will see in a future video) which is closer to the Pentax. I know the P67 can achieve excellent images such as with the 105 lens but equally I’ve never been tempted. Ideally I like smaller cameras and rangefinder cameras (though I do use most types in practice). I also much prefer 6x6 over 6x7. The RZ is better for me as both modular and I use with 6x6 back, vs Pentax. As to your question- Mamiya 6 vs P67. The Mamiya is a far more practical solution for most situations due to the size and weight. You are more likely to carry it with you. I prefer leaf shutter lenses too for cameras in this category. (Better for working with flash).
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom I've been shooting film for 20 years and am just now getting into medium format. I don't what took me so long. I'm also building my darkroom because it's now to expensive to send film off. I've learned quite a bit watching your channel. Keep up the good work!
Can you interchange Mamiya 6 and 7 lenses? Or are the Mamiya 7 lenses only for the 7 series camera due to the non retractable lens mount part as in the Mamiya 6? Are the lenses at least backwards compatible meaning using Mamiya 7 lenses on the Mamiya 6 even if frame lines are different? I guess you could use an external finder if no frame lines are available?
@@MattOsborne-MrLeicaCom That's a bummer and should be noted. It's one thing which bugs me with the Mamiya system: the lenses are specific to only one camera system. I became aware of this with the RZ67 Pro - since it focuses with the bellow inside the camera, all lenses have no focus system. Otherwise they could be used on other cameras, too. It's one reason why I prefer the Hasselblad system with V-lenses: I can use them with adapter even on my MLC. Can't do this with the RZ67-based lenses.
Thanks Sean, if you are comparing various videos it will give you an approximate idea of which one is cheaper atr least. I link to eBay in GBP & USD so just use link under video for latest prices.
I guess you mean the prices? I think it is more a case of demand is above supply so prices goes up. Not so much greed. People just want to buy nice cameras to use I think.
