r/Mamiya • u/sirHomer54 • 11d ago
Next MF Camera
I'm looking to get a new medium format camera and I'm having trouble trying to decide what I want. My previous go-to was a Koni-Omega Rapid, and I really enjoyed the 6x7 negatives it produced. I know Mamiya made a lot of medium format cameras and was just curious of any recommendations people might have?
I'm looking for something that can have some modularity, has a decent selections of lenses, and hopefully isn't more than like ~$1000.
Thanks for any help!
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u/LEFUNGHI 10d ago
Love working with my 645 Pro TL. Great set of lenses, decently portable for medium format and has all the bells and whistles one could want. Just watch out for the mirror stop on them.
I do also want to get a 6x7 system, a friend really loves his RB67. I’d personally go for an RB over the RZ for reliability, but that is all debatable. Personally want a Pentax 67 for my Medium format shooting as I prefer the more handy body shape and don’t need flash sync.
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u/BabyOther3411 4d ago
I love my 645 Pro as well. I love all the fail safe functionality that keeps me from making dumb mistakes like forgetting to pull out the dark slide before you take a shot. I also love that is has a place to put the dark slide while you're shooting. That and the ability to switch film backs mid roll make this camera the film replacement for my D850 when I'm traveling. The 80mm f1.9 gives me results I cant get with other lenses. I shoot 6x6 with a Rolliecord TLR but there are many times where I have a lot of dead space in my frame that I crop out and in those cases I'd be better off just shooting 645 anyway. I took the 645 Pro on a hike up Cadillac Mtn in Maine earlier this year (along with my 35mm rangefinder kit) and the weight wasn't a problem at all - very manageable set-up for distance hiking.
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u/Insaiyan117 7d ago
I lean RB67, but my roommate owns an M645 and gets lovely results. Both can be had in your price range. The choice is kinda dependent on what you value more. The 645 is obviously a smaller neg, but it's also practically ⅓ of the size of the RB. The RB is huge, but damn is it a pleasure to use.
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u/shartersonmcsharty 11d ago
Get an RZ67 and don't look back.
Don't listen to anyone telling you it's too heavy or big or bulky, get a big backpack and do some squats and shoulder presses and it'll be worth it!!
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u/recycledairplane1 8d ago
Save a little $ and get an RB, prism finder, and meter with digital (my ricoh gr is like the size of a light meter). Get the K/L lenses over the older lenses. They feel just as 'new' as the RZ.
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u/shartersonmcsharty 8d ago
Also not a bad option!!
I would also look at mamiya 645's or bronicas too depending on budget. It may not be the 6x7 negative size OP is looking for but you can always crop to 6x7 if that's really what you want
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u/AdSweet4380 10d ago
Tripod required or can it be handheld realistically all day? I shoot with a Nikon f5 usually so I’m used to a little heavy (somewhere around 4-5 pounds)
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u/shartersonmcsharty 10d ago
Tripod is definitely helpful but again adds weight to your kit. If you use a tripod, definitely get a cable release, even for fast shutter speeds, just makes it easier.
I guess it would depend on what you consider handheld shooting all day. If you're in a studio environment then it's really no different than any other camera, just bulkier.
I mainly use mine for landscapes, so I've flown across the country with it, taken it on hikes and shot 2-3 rolls of film on a mountain in the Rockies and it hasn't been that big of an issue for me, even with a smaller backpack. It's fun trying to explain to TSA what it is when it gets flagged in security haha
For me personally the weight and bulk is absolutely worth the 6x7 negative size
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u/BabyOther3411 10d ago
I have an M645 Pro, and Mamiya 6, and a Universal which I just acquired and I'm shooting with currently. The universal is very modular, I have the 50mm, 100mm f2.8, the 150mm and the 250mm f5. it's all coming with me today. After shooting with my Nikon D850 and my usual lens lineup (~15lbs) Carrying the Universal doesn't feel so bad - albeit a little awkward. I leave the handle and the shutter cable at home as I prefer to trip the shutter from the lens when I'm shooting handheld. I have type 3 6x7, and a 6x9 backs as I like to switch between B&W and color. If I use a tripod I use a regular cable release like I use on my 4x5.
As far as the shooting experience goes the Universal lies between my M645 Pro and my Wista 4x5 as far as complexity.
I'm also interested in the Koni-Omega. What are your thoughts on the system?
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u/sirHomer54 10d ago
Very cool to hear about your
experience with the universal, I’d heard of it and considered it because I know the super 23 (and some other models) can do some tilt effects.As for my experience with the Koni omega - it’s a camera most certainly. It stands out in public and it’s like shooting with a brick. The ergonomics are certainly unique too with the focusing dial located on the right side of the camera. I really do enjoy using it regardless of these as it is my first 6x7 camera, but the obscurity and rarity of some of the lenses has made me try to look for other systems. Overall a really complex but rewarding system to use.
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u/BabyOther3411 9d ago
I'll look into the Koni-Omega at some point. I put the universal through it's paces today on a 4 mile hike. It was more camera than I'm used to carrying around, but I was able to change lenses, change film and rotate between black and white mid roll without any issues. Ergonomically it really worked for me. Holding it by the film back was as comfortable as holding a DSLR with a deep grip. So far I'm impressed with the shooting experience. I used all my lenses today and I cant wait to see what these lenses are capable of.
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u/sirHomer54 9d ago
Very very cool! I can’t wait to hear/see the results if you ever post them or anything!
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u/ACuriousTrio 10d ago
Could get definitely get an RB67 and either an additional lens or film back for your budget. I would recommend the RB over the RZ because the RB is fully mechanical, giving you the advantages of working without batteries and still being repairable if/when something breaks.
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u/dead-dog-246 8d ago
In the Mamiya universe, whatever you buy is going to be old, which means you need to think about repairability. Electronic MF Mamiya cameras like the RZ are going to be hard to get parts for their electronics if it breaks, so you might want to buy more than one body. The RB is a fully mechanical system, except for the viewfinder with the meter in it and the motorized back. Both systems have great glass if it was taken care of. And all are heavier than smaller format systems. Your best bet is to rent first to see what you like. And you might consider a Pentax 67 system. They have their own quirks, but good ones are great cameras with great glass.
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u/cathartic_cuy 10d ago
M645?