Mamiya 7 II Medium Format Tutorial | ALL you NEED to KNOW

[@paulv22]

Great overview of this excellent camera. I've had a 7II since not long after it was introduced. This video makes me want to bring it out again. I'll add one minor addition. The meter is heavily center weighted and the meter spot lines up with the rangefinder spot when the lens is at infinity. Therefore, I always started the shot by setting the lens to infinity, metering and then focusing in towards minimum. This also means the cam is pressing in against the rangefinder mechanism. I was told that's more accurate.

[@hexeract1]

I never leave comments on KZbin, but I thought you deserved some praise. I just got my Mamiya, and all the other KZbin videos are so poorly executed at explaining everything about this camera, how it works, the functions, the buttons, the tools, how to load it, etc. I got so frustrated watching others doing such a lousy job. You just did everything perfectly. It was incredibly helpful. Thanks

[@mathphotographer]

Many thanks for your kind words, your positive feedback clearly makes my day!

[@blkshprd]

this is exactly the video I needed. clear, thorough and nicely into chapters to go to the relevant section. Thank you very much.

[@FlooKooTV]

I'm looking to buy this camera sometime next year, how often do you have to re-calibrate the rangefinder on the 7ii? I've read and watched some reviews and forums discussing that the rangefinder is delicate and every year or so the rangefinder becomes misaligned and you have to have it recalibrated.

[@ronaldsand3000]

Beautiful camera in collector grade condition! Very thorough tutorial of the features and use of the camera I hope you have much success with it

[@mathphotographer]

Thank you Ronald, shooting the camera is a pleasure and very likely I will post another video on the shooting experience and the digital workflow on top when scanning and digitizing.

[@MrPhotoMan22]

This video was so helpful. Thank you!

[@AnimalSuperSanctuary]

I love that you LOVE this camera!

[@Mglaiel]

If you set the infinity onto the right side corresponding f stop setting then read the same f stop on the left this gives you the hyper focal focusing range. This will give you a greater in focus range than just setting the infinity on the red line. Example if you are shooting at f 16 set the infinity on 16 on the right of the red line. Look at the 16 on the left and you will see the minimum focus 7 feet. This means everything from 7 feet to infinity will be in focus. If you set the infinity on the red middle line then the focus will be 15 feet to infinity. It makes it easier to shoot a subject if it is with in this range without having to focus each time

[@andywe7524]

Hi Math! Thanks for the Tutorial! The Mamiya 7 II is a beautiful Rangefinder-Camera, just like an analog Leica M but for mediumformat Film. This is nice. Greetings from rainy Frankfurt - Andreas

[@mathphotographer]

Greetings back to the beautiful Rhein-Main region, Andy!

[@robertparsons558]

The Mamiya 7II is a camera that I say I'll never sell. The one thing you have to be careful with is the winding handle for the dark slide. The handle is plastic and can break. A long time ago I purchased a replacement black painted metal version which I believe came from an independent supplier in Italy. What is very difficult to find is the Kirk Enterprises L bracket specifically made for the camera, I'm still looking.

[@lance0055]

You dont have to close light shield to change film...only if mid roll correct?

[@mathphotographer]

Correct, thanks Lance.

[@mikeblack_pw]

I had the Mamiya 6 with 3 lenses. I regret selling it. Sigh. One of my favorite film bodies ever.

[@richardt1792]

The Mamiya 7II is a most highly sought after cameras. A light, fairly compact medium format rangefinder with meter and interchangeable lenses. Checking ebay prices, that set-up in similar condition would run around $5500 at the low end. I'd love to have one but at my budget, I found that the Pentax 67, Mamiya Universal or Super 23, or Koni-Omega Rapid, 100, or 200 were more within reach. With a little shopping, any of these with a lens could be found used for less than $500. The Mamiya Universal or Super 23 can be fitted with a 6x9 back.

[@MarcS4R]

I have the Pentax and the Mamiya 7 and I would say that if you shoot portraits or like a bit of bokeh and classic rendering, i would always choose the Pentax.

[@svendhardenberg7714]

Where did you buy that mint camera?

[@dawster1949]

Nice video thank you - great camera, and it’s so gratifying when the condition is so perfect! Plastic-coated bodies from this era always show any use as the plastic gets shiny. I bought a Pentax 645 from Japan a couple of years ago - another plastic body with literally no signs of use at all. The equally perfect 150mm f3.5 lens I bought with it is now a surprisingly sharp telephoto option on my Fuji GFX for less than £80! I do love cameras from this period - the Fuji GSW690iii is another vintage gem I think 😊

[@mathphotographer]

Great comment, many thanks for sharing your experience and gear.

[@sophrapsune]

Stunning camera!

[@StreetMusicReportage]

Oh yes. I still use this camera for my documentary work. Fantastic, who knows how long i can justify the expences now that digital medium format became economical fisiable...also a pity we will probably never see an adapter for the x2d..i guess the deep leans rear in almost all the lens make it impossible

[@mathphotographer]

I am currently figuring out what adapters exist for which cameras ... these lenses are so incredibly sharp, they deserve to be shot also on digital cameras!

[@StreetMusicReportage]

@@mathphotographer totally! They are amazing. I have the 43-65-80, but I sold the 150 which didn't give me the quality i wanted...i am thinking tough to sell my mamiya kit to afford the h2d, since i didn't find any adapter

[@bernatix]

@@mathphotographer search for the Fotodiox Adapter. It's the only one I know and the Operation seems a bit complicated to me.

[@anta40]

My ideal medium format travel camera. Sure, SLR like Hasselblad or Mamiya RB/RZ are technically more versatile, but if you don't do something very specific like macro or landscape using telephoto lens, then the Mamiya 7 is fine. Unfortunately the price tag these days is.... ughhh.... 😅😅

[@protestagain]

Yes, I agree, the Mamiya 6MF and 7 are the most versatile cameras there are, and I have both of them, but miss the 75mm to the 6MF and have only the 43mm to the 7. Now I'm thinking of pursuing the 65 or the 80mm, and the 150mm. Those 65 or 80mm, both of them are quite expensive, about $ 1000 for each one, and the half for the 150mm. Well, we all know, it's an expensive hobby, but the prices are still rising, så it might be a good investment and better to buy photo-stuff than have the money in a bank. I had the Mamiya RZ before, but it's too heavy for my use. Then it's better and actually lighter to use a 4x5", and then I also have the 6X12 back. The only thing I really dream about is a Xenotar 150mm F2.8 for my 4x5" (about $ 5000).

[@mathphotographer]

@@protestagain Great comments, thank you both. I will likely post another video about my shooting experience and also show the additional digital workflow if you want to move from negatives to digital images.

[@mikahina3909]

Woolf you consider 2000 sterling to be a good price e for the camera? If it was sold for 180000 yen that would be of 1500 pounds in value😊

[@its.alecks]

so if i’m in AEL/A setting and i half press the shutter release and the meter tells me 1/60 shutter speed, do i adjust the shutter speed or do i keep it in AEL/A?

[@mathphotographer]

If your lightmeter is correct, you can trust AEL/A.

[@mathphotographer]

But the lightmeter needs to work as intended, sometimes a lightmeter on an older camera might no longer work properly. This you need to try out.

[@its.alecks]

@@mathphotographer so if the light meter is accurate do i change to the suggested shutter speed? or do i just keep it in AEL/A and will the camera shoot it at that speed. hopefully i’m making sense

[@streichelbock8986]

Danke für den tollen Beitrag, Math. Hätte nicht gedacht, dass die Kameras immer noch recht teuer sind.

[@mathphotographer]

Vor allem in "Mint Condition" zahlt mal ordentlich viel für eine Mamiya 7 II. Danke für das nette Feedback.

[@matthewhintz6404]

Been using this camera for a long time and I’ve never once seen anyone actually explain the yellow illuminated frame inside the rangefinder. The illuminated frame correlates specifically to the 80mm lens which is the standard lens for the 7ii. The extra space outside the gold illuminated dashes will not show up on your negative.

[@beneett6800]

Nice Video! Where did you acutally got the Camera from? Thank you!

[@sgroadie6367]

Superb system. The 43mm, especially, is truly superb. But the prices are very high these days.

[@gurugamer8632]

Hi, Is it worth buying the Mamiya 7 II + 80mm f/4 £3500-£3800? User says it is immaculate. Is it too risky to buy as they are old. User says he bought it new in 2003. Is this camera recommended for portraits and travel? Do these cameras break as they are old and has electronics.

[@mathphotographer]

Purchasing a Mamiya 7 II needs to be done in a cautious way, Guru. First of all, you need a trustworthy dealer to purchase it from. Second, when the camera arrived, make sure you test all parts and functional elements whether they work. I would also test the shutter speed controls, etc., like, do they really expose the film as long or short as they should, etc. Please test also the shutter, all buttons, the film magazine, etc. There should be no fungus in the camera body, for instance. And last but not least, shooting the Mamiya 7 II is by far not straightforward, you need experience with medium format film cameras to get good results. Having said that, if you have such experience, the Mamiya 7 II is a wonderful tool for wonderful photography and it feels true and right to shoot with it :)

[@mike747436]

It's a great camera, and the lenses are tack sharp. There is also a 210mm lens (which I don't own) that doesn't couple to the rangefinder, so must be focussed by other measurement or estimation.

[@mathphotographer]

Thanks, Mike, for pointing out, appreciated.

[@MarcS4R]

i had no idea you shoot film, thats cool

[@mathphotographer]

Thanks Marc. I love shooting film. The workflow is slower but its such a great feeling to wait overnight until the film roll is developed and then feeding the negatives into a digital workflow to get the images in high resolution on my Macbook :)

[@martinbowen9928]

Love this camera!!

[@mathphotographer]

Shooting it is a really cool experience, will come back and talk about that, also showing images and digital workflow after an analogue shooting.

[@martinbowen9928]

@@mathphotographer An review of the workflow is of great interest - In particular the scanning of negatives.

[@robknowles9750]

Try these mamiya 7 lenses on the GFX 100S.

[@mathphotographer]

I already shot older Mamiya lenses on the GFX100s, just had no time yet for making a video on the topic :)

[@sundeane3970]

Nice camera and tutorial.

[@mathphotographer]

Many thanks.

[@llevine6510]

I am planning to get one of these at the end of the year. The condition of yours is crazy, where did you buy this?

[@mathphotographer]

In Japan via Ebay, worked very well. Shipping was good, the condition of camera and lens was as advertised and generally a good experience.

[@Cruankkman]

@@mathphotographerwould you mind sharing the shop on eBay you bought the mamiya from?

[@steliokontos7448]

Cool cambo actus in the background

[@persiswassy5036]

I have this caméra and i really dont know how to use it i really want to sell it

[@pauldavidbarikder1546]

Thank you so much.

[@mathphotographer]

Pleasure - glad people like it!

[@exploringthroughthelens5127]

lol. Just like my Mamiya 7 II. I also own 80mm and 45mm lenses. Not use them enough.

[@wirelessg14]

I have this camera and lens and now I don't have to keep reading the manual :-)

[@mathphotographer]

Great :)

[@clockfingerboards]

I got scared when you put your finger on the lens 😳

[@johnnychin4777]

Hey Math, I'm a freelance logo designer and I wonder would you be interested to have a new, memorable and trustworthy logo for you channel to level up your channel's image? I would love to do a commisioned logo design work for you, let me know if you interested for further detail! :)

[@mathphotographer]

Thank you Johnny, let me think about your offer.

[@johnnychin4777]

Thanks Math for interested! Do you want to have a further talk in a private chat like Instagram's DM? :)

[@johnnychin4777]

Hey Math, had you make up your mind about the chance to have a logo makeover? :)

[@blende5.693]

very nice review, for me the camera has to much plastic and electronic inside. I prefer total mechanical full metal cameras like the Hasselblad 500. But this is just my opinion, the image quality is definitely amazing, like all Mamiya cameras. Thanks for this nice video.

[@mathphotographer]

Many thanks for the positive feedback. The camera and lens are fantastic and shooting them is a pleasure, will follow up on that with another video. From the perspective of build quality, the more rare Plaubel Makina 67 will then be more your taste :) I might come back and show that beautiful camera on my channel.

[@IndroneelMukerji]

Watching…

[@robifleming]

Thanks for the camera porn!!