Comments on: the Mamiya 6 – a highly subjective review

By: Ryuji - boston wedding photographer

Ryuji - boston wedding photographer — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:33:36 +0000

I’ve shot many weddings with Mamiya 6. I always wore two cameras with 50 and 150, or 50 and 75, depending on the situation, and loaded with fast film, unless the wedding is outdoors. They take beautiful pictures, very classic feel on film, that are very difficult to reproduce with digital, and I’m pretty competent with digital workflow. I still offer film as a part of my service, but digital is okay for ceremony, and I’d say better for reception coverage.

Besides, I shoot a lot of headshots/portraits, as well as editorial and advertising, and I offer film capture for high end clients. The camera I use for that is Mamiya 6, but could be other cameras, depending on the nature of the shoot.

I’ve been using these cameras for more than 10 years and I love the fact that there are only 3 lenses. I’d rather have these than having to choose good ones from a sea of crappy lenses… like most 35mm world.

By: Ron Veelik

Ron Veelik — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 17:05:24 +0000

I have had a 6 for about 15 years, and love it.

Not a camera for high volume shooting. I do use it for wildlife, and weddings. However it’s a ‘High Quality print camera. holds it own with my RZ67 in portrait art. Or any thing else that calls for a top quality large print. landscapes, nudes. classic cars, You can live with just the 75MM lens however having them all makes this the tool it rely can be. The lens quality is hard to believe. Using Ektar 200 ( PHR 200) I can blow up to 6 foot by 6 foot no gran vizable. It holds its own with a 4X5 end print wise.

Never had any mechanical issues with it.

Ron Veelik

By: Marc Maclennan

Marc Maclennan — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 20:36:10 +0000

I have recently bought myself a Mamiya 6 with the 50mm and 75mm lenses. I agree with your review, particularly how the camera seems to get out the way and let you get the shot you want, it’s very immediate. Also, it has the best viewfinder / rangefinder i’ve ever encountered and despite looking quite large and boxy, it’s actually very ergonomic. I’ve only had 1 roll through the camera so far, but the results blew me away.

By: Ed Z

Ed Z — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 12:23:40 +0000

Hi Phil – the bag is the “Lima” model from Naneu Pro (not as well known as domke/crumpler/thinktank, but nice bags nonetheless)

By: Steve chapman

Steve chapman — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 12:52:36 +0000

Have you had your camera repaired now
Who repaired it for you
How much did it cost
Steve

By: Phill

Phill — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 19:29:21 +0000

Hey, would you mind telling me what kind of camera bag you got there? Brand, model etc! It looks really cool. And great review btw!

By: Douglas McCarthy

Douglas McCarthy — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 21:06:56 +0000

Excellent review, thanks for sharing your thoughts. I have been shooting 120 on a Yashicamat for 8 months and have just bought (thanks Santa) a Mamiya 6 with all 3 lenses. First day’s shooting tomorrow…

By: Tom

Tom — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 22:26:43 +0000

I just bought one of these with a three lens set. It’s a sweet camera in use, clear viewfinder, logical controls. I shot one roll of B&W with the 50mm lens. WOW, detail galore with nice contrast. I can’t imagine wanting a better camera.
It’s now one of my faves along with some of the other classics like the Rolleiflex 2.8 and the Hasselblad SWC.

By: Arne

Arne — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 17:50:33 +0000

Ed – Well it’s true, it is a bit of a hack, and rangefinders aren’t good at closer distances, although the Leica M has a very nice close-up adapter for the very old Summicron and the current 90 Macro-Elmar; much better than the Mamiya auto close-up. I’ve seen some very nice examples of work done with a Leica M and the 90 Macro setup. But I’m mostly thinking of being able to get a bit closer than the 1 meter limitation, so I can do slightly more detailed views. Thanks for the great review, best!

By: Ed Z

Ed Z — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 15:38:08 +0000

Arne – Never used the attachment. I’ve got other cameras for doing close up work (which I don’t do much of anyway). FWIW, I think it’s kind of a hack to try and use a rangefinder for close up anyway, it’s not what they are good at. much rather have an slr with a good macro lens.

By: Arne

Arne — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 23:10:17 +0000

I’ve been using a Mamiya 6 with the 75mm lens over the past Summer for a personal documentary project and it always feels like a great fit.

I’m wondering if you or any of your readers have used the auto close-up attachment. I’ve seen mixed reviews online. I know the attachment is essentially just a diopter lens with a huge, funky parallax lens. But it seems like it might be worth a try.

By: starnerd

starnerd — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 00:33:23 +0000

Love the review

i only have one question…. Where did you get yours??

and where would you recommend that i go to get one ???

By: David Axelbank

David Axelbank — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 14:59:06 +0000

I agree with much of your review. I have owned a Mamiya 6 since 2003 and it is quite simply the best camera I have ever come across. It is not flawless (no camera is) but the optical quality is simply unbelievable, and of course the camera is extremely portable.

Most of the work on my website is shot with the Mamiya 6,and scanned on an Imacon (Hasselblad) scanner.

My camera used to belong to Magnum photographer Ian Berry, who sold me the entire kit over the time. All three lenses are remarkable. The most often used is probably the 75mm, but the 50mm also gets loads of use. The 50mm is particularly well-corrected, so virtually no distortion. The 150mm might actually be the sharpest of the lot. At the very least it seems like the most contrasty.

I also own the close-up attachment which is great. A little tricky to get the framing right, but once you’ve got the hang of it, you can get to within 15 inches of objects. Plus its great for throwing the background out of focus.

If I could only have one film camera it would be the Mamiya 6. In a heartbeat.

By: Rick

Rick — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 22:38:31 +0000

Very well written review. My wife is moving up to B&W med format and since there are no camera stores in the area that would carry a Mayima 6 for her to handle your review answers a lot of questions.
Any idea what a used Mayima would go for in this day and age?
A great review thanks
Rick

By: Ed Z

Ed Z — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 23:22:14 +0000

The bag is by Naneu Pro, the “Lima”. It’s a nice “non-camera-bag” looking bag (I took off the logos etc…) It’s my go-to carry bag, the padded inserts are removable as well so it can be used as a normal shoulder bag too.

By: Arne

Arne — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 23:13:13 +0000

I am curious about the bag you have pictured…Nice review!

By: Sam Milianta

Sam Milianta — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:52:23 +0000

I just bought one but haven’t recieved it. I’m a rangefinder junkie. Just curious….what shoulder bag is that you have it in? It looks perfect for the type of bag I need for everyday shooting.

By: Tom Cramond

Tom Cramond — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:23:40 +0000

I’ve just bought myself a Mamiya 6 and couldn’t agree more with what you have written!

I started as a digital photographer, then starting experimentation with B&W 35mm film and finally with the Mamiya – every time I use this camera it is a joy to use.

Great review btw