The BEST Medium Format Camera for Travel | Mamiya 6 Review
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 18 фев 2020
- Easily one of my favorite medium format cameras I’ve ever owned, the Mamiya 6 deserves every bit of praise that it gets.
SQUARESPACE!
To get 10% off of your first purchase of a website or domain, go to squarespace.com/mattday
MERCH: mattdayphoto.com
INSTAGRAM: / mattdayphoto
TWITTER: / mattdayphoto 
Кино
I drunkenly left a Mamiya 6 and Konica Hexar RF on a New Jersey train 15 years ago. I hope whoever found them were into photography
Jay Kickliter I would lend my time machine so you could get it back
Dang. That would have made me quit drinking tbh
I’m so sorry. So sorry. Hope you’ve replaced them.
I love your attitude
Oh no. Normally I’d sit here laughing, but I really, REALLY feel your pain. So sorry, man.
This video alone has increased the price even more
Cale Ross I’ve got mine. I’ll never sell it.
Yep! Those cameras are well over 1500.00!
Totally, I'm fortunate enough to own some awesome film cameras and the Mamiya 6 is my favorite. The only downside is that it's very easy to shoot a TON of 120 film.
Good point! I burn through film like crazy with this thing.
So true. I love my 7. And yeah, after shooting 36 exposure rolls of 35mm for so long, those 120 rolls go by fast.
Thank you for making this video. It's very helpful.
Great to actually see the close up gadget and sample images. Always wanted one, but never tried too hard to get it! Would love to see more images.
Great review - I don’t think I’ll ever get rid of my Mamiya 7ii, seriously such an amazing camera and lens lineup 🙌🏽
Samuel Elkins That Mamiya glass is something special, man!
"people say that it's difficult to focus with this lens, but I didn't have any issues, maybe it's luck"
No, it's not luck, it's because you are a boss at nailing focus.
Great photos, thank you for sharing them.
Denis Bosonetto Haha, I don’t know about that. But thank you!
I think they have issues with Rangefinder alignment with the longer lens. Those having focusing issues should make sure that their rangefinders aren't out of whack for the 150
Great video Matt, loved the ending! :)
I have been loving your content, Matt. Keep up the awesome work! (Also, yes, this caused me to buy a Mamiya 6/75mm setup.)
Cannot agree more. I got a Mamiya 6MF. It's always my primary camera when I travel.
Great video. Another wonderful medium format rangefinder that I own and love is the Koni Omega Rapid 100. There are several very similar models with a limited range of lenses similar to the Mamiya. They also have the same kind of closeup filter gizmo too. The Koni Omega is also light on the wallet and has interchangeable backs.
After my Konica Hexar, I picked up a Mamiya 6 and used it for about 10 years. I also carried a Gitzo table top tripod: great travel companions. I miss this "Texas Leica"!
Great video and review! I’ve owned a Mamiya 7 for a few years now and it’s definitely my ideal camera. It’s hard to shoot anything else with it around because it’s just so fun to shoot with
Great video, great no-nonsense info, all to the point and all I wanted to know about this camera. I love the square picture format too. I once owned the Bronica RF645 but I didn't like the portrait format, nor the flimsy winding lever. The Mamiya indeed looks like the ideal hiking mf camera. Thanks. BTW nice pictures too!
Solid review and great pictures. Love your content!
Scapaflow Thank you!
Great video! I'm super excited as I am saving up for a Mamiya 6 as my Fuji GS645W has finally given up on me after several repairs. After experiencing a rangefinder medium format for traveling I can't go back! Hoping I can get one soon! I miss shooting!
Borrowed this camera for a week from a friend about four years ago and shot twelve rolls of film out in Pennsylvania. Wonderful camera, though I botched the framing for the first few rolls not realising that with rangefinders you frame a square within a square. Tch. I was new, all a learning process, right? Portra is just straight up gorgeous coming out of it, never seen anything quite like it. There was just the one lens, the 'normal' one but it was remarkably flexible. Great video, if my buddy ever sells his I'll try and snap it up. (He won't.)
I love that close-up add-on, by the way. Gloriously preposterous, looks like a bazooka blast-shield aiming device! Great video once again, dude.
Good job Matt. I'm not a rangefinder guy but I bought a screw Mount Leica and for three months now I haven't touched my medium format cameras. but yes with telephoto lenses I think that's my main gripe with rangefinder is composing through a small square within a square.
I have wanted one of these since they first came out!
Love those photos !
Your work is brilliant
Hello Matt, thanks a lot for this very informative and entertaining video😎👍! A local camera store has one or two used Mamiya 6 or 7 in the window. I think I will check them out😆😉👋!!!
I used a Makina Plaubel a few times. Fantastic Nikon lens and a folding design which makes it really quite slim and easy to travel with. Two versions were made I think , both primes the one I used was fitted with an 80mm lens I think, although it was a long time ago, but worth checking out
You take nice portraits. Always wanted a Mamiya 6. Maybe someday.
The hood needed this one right here 🔥📸
Woow i love it, samples photos amazing 🙌❤️
great video as always, matt :)
metal fingers Thank you!
Thank you Matt for making the prices on Ebay EXPLODE! 😂
love your detailed points and the end part joke lol
Your compositions are right on, loved the portraits. Not everyone gets the square format. (I wish I still had my 7ii.) These are also quiet!
I was looking for a decent 6x6 120 travel camera and I decided to with a different Mamiya 6, I picked up a Mamiya-6 Automat, a fixed lens foldable camera with a coupled rangefinder, fully mechanical. At this time, my personal buying policy for analog gear is: it needs to operate fully mechanical, no dependence on electronics and batteries.
I spy the Hocking Hills - Great images. I’m one of those lazy guys that appreciates a built in meter and aperture priority. Nice feature set and that 75mm lens looks very versatile.
theoldcameraguy Thanks, man!
Always wanted one for my travels, but because of the cost I ended up settling for a Mamiya Six Automat.. The 75mm fixed lens has worked out well, though I would've liked a wider version.
I've used a handful of MF cameras over the years, and I also consider the Mamiya 6 to be the best travel MF kit you could put together for film. I shot a bunch with it until I decided to pack in the darkroom, but I do have regrets about selling the Mamiya 6.
The collapsing lens mount is key to this, and while I'm sure there is a reason they didn't continue to use that approach for M7 when it came out, I wish thy had, because I might have felt the M7 was the better camera... but since they didn't the M6 wins out in my opinion.
If I ever decide to shoot film again, this will be the camera I go to if it involves roll film.
I always like your reviews and pretty much the only reason to get a Mamiya 7 is to be able to shoot the 43mm ( 35 mm equivalent to a 21mm ) which is an incredible wide angle for medium format.
A Matt day video at night??
A surprise to be sure but a welcome one
🙏
It was ready to go so I figured I’d send it.
I have had tlr cameras and rangfinder cameras and enjoyed them, but I have become more of a wysiewyg 'what you see is EXACTLY what you get' kind of a nerdy picky person now.
I only use slrs now, Pentax K1000 and my very old Spotmatic, but mostly my Nikon FE with a 55mm f2.8 micro lens and the wonderful Kiev 6c with the 90mm 2.8 lens with waistlevel finder ( with eye level focussing too). Perfection for me. I love composing at waistlevel.
Tri X on the FE for darkroom enlargements and Portra on the Kiev for Epson V600 scanning.
Oh man. Just when I start thinking about maybe getting one in the future, you post a video and make me want it more 🙈😛
Labradorhund It’s great!
@@mattdayphoto I bought one yesterday. I think for a reasonable price. Very excited to see the first photos!
Tim and Eric reference? Great Job! I loved shooting the Mamiya 7 (never owned one) and recently wanted to buy the 6. Ultimately decided to stick with the Pentax 67. I read that you have to get the rangefinder recalibrated with the 7 sometimes? Is it the same case with the 6? Photos from the 6 look awesome man!
those 75mm shots especiallt are so stunning
Wesley Thanks, brother!
Hi Matt, great video and I'm a fan of the content on a camera that doesn't get much love!
Can I ask how you expose your C-log, do you leave the exposure compensation at +0 or do you over-expose your footage to reduce the noise?
I had Leica m3 and m7 from. before and I desired MF camera, so I bought Mamiya 6 with all 3 lenses. Mostly I use 75mm, sometimes 50mm, but I haven't used 150mm yet and I own this camera for a while. Probably because I mostly shoot with 28,35 and 50mm on leica. I am not such fan of telephoto lenses, but it's nice to have all set. Mamiya 6 is great, just something photos are underexposed, you really need to move camera in many directions, if you use cameras lightmeter. Usually I use then some medium readings. I take photos with this camera slowly, otherwise there is some unusable photos, mostly underexposed beyond usable to scan. I was thinking to use external lightmeter, when photos must be 100% correctly exposed. Anyway, camera is really easy to use and really fun to work with. My favorite film for this camera is hp5+, and I push it or pull it, from ISO 100-1600..... for color scans I use Porta films. If you want easy and small MF camera, this is it 🤘
Great review as always...
Looks like a excellent camera to "Document our Life"...
U.O
Glad I got one before you posted this as prices will now go boom 😂 but unreal video as always
leicanoct I don’t seem to understand what you mean?
I’ve been fascinated by this camera for ages! I’d love a walk around video on it if possible. Also that close up of Molly on the tele made me actually gasp 😋
jaxboe SAME! 😍
Oh also, there is a video where I walk around with this camera and shoot some Cinestill 50D from back in the late summer / early fall.
@@mattdayphoto Oh yeah! Sorry I forgot that I'd watched that when it came out. I love the lone barn photo from that video
Hey Matt, love the videos! 😎👍🏼
Just wondering what your thoughts are on the Ansco Titan 20 camera for medium format?
Love the vid! The photos are good or better than digital.
I have a Makina 67, it's an incredible travel camera also! Especially with the folding body. The only downside is that unlike the Mamiya, it doesn't have exchangeable lenses. : +(
Pedro Pimentel I’ve never show with the Makina, but that’s another great travel option! I need to try one out one of these days...
This one has been on my list! They seem really nice
I’ve actually owned a Mamiya 6 Foldable that folded up really compact and shot both 6x6 and 645 but unfortunately it had holes in the bellows and had to get rid of it ☹️
Tho this Mamiya 6 version looks really nice
Great video Mr Day
Ah, the OG Mamiya 6!
My dream camera, one day I’ll get one of my own
This was my last film camera. And while I loved it for being the most fun film camera to use, the focus mechanism was not the most dependable thing in the world - and desperately needed resetting professionally a couple of times. Once so unexpectedly that I lost two weeks of exposures (and then another two weeks wait). I sold it when it came back the second time. If finding one, make sure to check the focusing.
This is probably why people have misses with the 150mm lens. It relies heavily on the focus mechanism, and most bodies probably aren't all that calibrated anymore.
I hear the Mamiya 6 has an older brother that is pretty good too.....
Corey Wolfenbarger you still rocking dual mam 7’s?
Corey Wolfenbarger Bring one to Chillicothe again, Carl’s is waiting.
The Mamiya 6 is the older brother...
I bought a Mamiya 6 before, but the film advancer had some problems and I couldn't use it at all. I sent it back to the seller, and it returned as somewhat usable. But I found it sometimes cannot advance a whole frame of film, which causes multiple exposure on a single frame. And it is hard to repair because many components are discontinued and Mamiya this brand basically faded out. So I will suggest just be careful when buying it.
Talking about travel friendly medium format, I would love to see a plaubel makina 67 review 😬
Gabriele Boscaratto If I can get my hands on one for a bit, I’ll give it a go!
Gonna have to keep breaking my back with my Pentax 6x7 while I travel until I can find a steal on a Mamiya 6 lmao
Hey Matt. Great video. I just picked up a Mamiya 6 yesterday! Quick Q... are you using the 75mm with an ND filter during the day to get the shallow DOF? If so, which filter is it? Thx!
You should do a review on the fuji gw690ii!
looks like hocking hills! rad! I'm in cincinnati would love to work with you!
Love the video very interested in the camera, looked on eBay for what one... 1999$ nah I’m good.
For travel an old Agfa/Ansco Super Isolette may be even better: A comparatively compact folding rangefinder (1m to infinity) camera with 1:3.5 75 mm lens (not the same quality as the Mamiya lens, but quite good), film transport with counter (no red window at the back), and 2 close-focus attachments (called "Proximeter") smaller than the one for the Mamiya. No build-in light meter (an iPhone might help ;-)) and no interchangeable lenses, though … ;-)
6:25 May I ask which film was used here? And what aperture here 5:35
As the prices for the Mamiya 6 and 7 are so outrageous I guess I will be keep my Hasselblad 500C. I do have a Fujica GW690 and it is fun to use too. The fixed 90mm lens is sort of limiting but it is a real kick to use. Still if someone gave me Mamiya 6 or 7 I certainly wouldn't be turning it down.
Great images! 6x6 isn’t that easy to frame in an interesting way, but your framing rocks, shot after shot.
Hi Matt, I like your video, and follow up you for a long time. Do you have any experience about fuji gl690 pro ?
Man I’d love one of these. They are pretty hard to get these days.
The Mamiya 7 close up adapter laughs at the Mamiya 6’s puny clip on one.
nice video! i was wondering tho, how does the view finder works when u change lenses... i mean, if im using a 50mm lens, does it frame on 50mm ?
When I know I don't have too much time for photography, I like to take with me the Fuji GA645. It's in a kind limiting because has a fixed focal lenght but it's also one of the things I like more, you need to think different because without the option of a zoom you challenge yourself to find different perspectives. It's a point and shoot medium format, in a kind, and the lens is amazingly sharp.
Fabrizio Zago - Photography and Media My buddy Corey Wolfenbarger just did a video on this camera recently!
@@mattdayphoto Thanks for the suggestion, I've seen it when he uploaded it :-)
I would like to do a video about it as well in spring.
@Bobby Brady Yes, the "Zi" version, but I have preferred the fixed focal lenght because with the "Zi" you are not free to zoom within the entire range, only in 4 steps. This would bother me, so I went for the prime lens :-)
Do you have the "Zi"?
@Bobby Brady You say "Still a lot better than being stuck with a one fixed focal length lens camera" but finally it's all relative, what works for you may not work for others.
I’m so tempted to try this but I already started a Hasselblad 500c/f Investment so what not. I’d love to do the 645.
How is rangefinder focus closer up Wilde open? I’m good wi/ Leica IIIg rangefinder, easy to use but f1.4-2.8 is a challenge but u can do it
I prefer my GA645. I’m sure prices are up these days but I got a minty one for $300 a few years back.
Is there a light leak at the bottom of some of the frames?
As a longtime 35mm shooter, I'm semi interested in breaking into medium. This camera features on several YT channels. However, This video was a little alarming because it only has 3 lenses??? I dont think I could do that! For framing I love a zoom but also have some primes. I'm also guessing lens mm size has a difderent end result due to how wide the light is at the film plane? In 35mm, 50mm is definitely not wide. Kind of like the reverse of the APSC crop effect, yes?
Where would be the best place to obtain either a Mamiya 6 or Mamiya 7?
How do the lenses compare to typical FF equivalents?
How does the focusing work on the Mamiya 6?
Hi Mat. I Have Mamiya C330 S, I'm thinking of Mamiya 6. I know you have both. Which you prefer?
hello, a tip also to make the review interesting. however important my opinion may be ... but I from Mamiya 6, 7 etc. have seen everything. but the most important feature that is never highlighted is the rangefinder. no one to show what you see from the viewfinder. how it interacts with the exposure meter. how it focuses. do you know why I haven't approached that type of car yet? just because I don't understand how difficult it is to use a rangefinder. in addition, the electronic automatisms referred to the exposure meter how they work. ok as the roll advances ... ok alignment ... ok everything ... but the maf? the rangefinder? I hope I have been critical but in a positive way. I watch your channel carefully I really like it. if such information could be integrated occasionally it would be useful. thanks and congratulations
As we know this camera is at least more 20 years old. it's not whole mechanical. I worry about the shutter and the e- photometric system. If it has problem it's very hard to repair or find a e-replacement of component, right? thanks for your answer!
Hey Matt, awesome video! May I ask how you scaned those frames? Currently thinking about buying an Epson Flatbed, but do not know if this is suitable.
At the time of this video, I was having my film developed and scanned at The Darkroom in San Clemente, they scan on a Noritsu.
Okay. Since film guys like you and Willem Verbeeck agree that our skills are enhanced by shooting a mix of digital images, too, I’ll admit right here... A used Hasselblad X1D-50C can be had now for $2,400 - $2,600 at reputable dealers like B&H. I bought one, along with Hasselblad’s new 35mm equivalent (f4 45mm) compact lens. OMG! THAT combination is the ultimate medium format travel camera and lens.
Bobby Brady They (X1D vs. RZ67+Porta 400) just have a different look to the photos they make. You have to slow down a bit for the Hasselblad, too. :)
Make a Canon a1 shooting video!! I saw it sitting on the shelf behind you!!
I love the Canon A-1
I actually made a video on it where I shoot expired film lol
spyrate kondax Planning on it!
It's the last medium format I've bought and will likely ever buy (it would take a huge change in my shooting style and tolerance for bulk to buy an RZ67 or Pentax67). The Mamiya 7 for whatever reason did the unthinkable and removed the bellows, which kills one of the main draws of the system, which is portability/size.
Z Z Agreed!
I've owned the Pentax 6x7... it was a nice system, but HUGE. I much preferred the Mamiya 6. Similarly for the Mamiya 7, which was bulkier and the lenses a little larger. Not as bad as the P6x7 though. If I felt I couldn't work with the square format, I'd have gone for the M7, but square suites me well, so I was happy to use the M6.
Also, I feel that the Mamiya lenses were superior to the P6x7 lenses mostly. There was a much broader range in the Pentax line, but I worked just fine with the three Mamiya 6 lenses. I think I used the 50 and 75 about equally, and the 150 a distant third.
Should do a video on the Plaubel Makina 67, as a very good option for MF travel friendly camera...
If I can get one, I will!
Anybody compare with Hasselblad and those Zeus’s lenses?
Second best 😀 imo the Fuji GF670 is best...😁
Awesome video. I’ve been lucky to have a quick go with a Mamiya 6, but I’d really like a Mamiya 7.
Would you personally sell a Leica M6 kit and replace it with a Mamiya 6 or 7? (I’m wondering if I should do it or not)
I personally wouldn’t but in my case, the M6 has a special place in my heart just for sentimental reasons.
Mamiya 6 could be up there for perfect camera if it didn't require me to remortgage my house.
Same here, guess I will stick to my Rolleiflex and Bronica SQ.
Thanks for the video. To anyone who gets one, make sure you keep extra batteries with you. Because they die and the camera stops until you get more.
Joe Tobiason The biggest downfall of electronic cameras.
Bro what area are you from? Those 75mm examples has pictures of a fairground with an advertisement I'm familiar with, lykans. You happen to live in southern Ohio? Cincinnati area?
I used a Mamiya 6 for wedding photography, which was much easier & more manageable, not to mention less expensive, than trying to lug a Hasselblad around for several hours. The Mamiya 6 is just about perfect for EVERYTHING except for use as a studio camera.
I would say it's also perfect as a studio camera due to the leaf shutter! Since it syncs through all shutter speeds for flash work. But I guess Mamiya covered that field much more effectively with the RZ.
@@jonathans.9372 - It's great when a camera can flash sync at any shutter speed, although I'm not sure why that should be considered an advantage inside a studio setting. It's great outside when photographing a wedding. Flash to remove shadows from faces, and a shutter speed fast enough to not overexpose the bride's gown. Well, it makes a bit more sense with film, because digital is more particular and hard to deal with.
As much as I love digital, I seriously miss the days of film.
The only thing I don't enjoy is the high cost of film and developing.
The struggle I'm having is that I want a portable mf camera that also can excel at portraits... I'm not convinced this is that camera, but it may be one of the best. Where does this excel compared to a GA645, or do they generally fill the same space?
how come no one talks about how the focusing system works?
SquareSpace ? Get Macromedia's Dreamweaver and create your own web pages; have your own wed address too; absolutely no restrictions on content, layout or changes.
I don't know it is OK to say because I'm married, but I think your wife looks quite beautiful. Actually she is beautiful...
I'm a big fan of her....
By the way, I love your channel as well, Matt.
I miss the mamiya6's compactness and handling... Even though I know I didn't like square format at all. It's truly the most fun to use camera I ever had.
PS if you think the close-up adapter for the 6 is ridiculous, look up the one for the Mamiya 7...
Phil Knall Oh, man...
@@mattdayphoto I bought this when camera rescue had their year end sale. It's completely ridiculous and impractical. Had a laugh when I took it to the local store/gathering place.
Hey Matt! I was wondering, is the camera on the bookcase behind your left shoulder in the video a Canon F-1? I have the New F-1 from the earlier 80’s. Mine has the motor drive, wish I had the AE Finder to go with it.
Looks like Canon A-1 to me. Would like to see a video about that.
hedger0w For sure! I’ve wanted an A-1 for a long time! I was finally about 15 years ago able to get the New F-1 w/ Motor Drive, and a T90 at the same time from Adorama. I still use both, particularly the T90!!
@@MacPhotoGuy79 Better get one soon before prices go up. :) Canon AE-1 prices are going up already and A-1 is following.
@@hedger0w I'd love to, but just lost my job today, so not sure when I'll be able to do that. I was planning to buy a couple of used EF lenses out of my tax return this week, guess that's not happening now. :(
Inspector Gadget :D
Man now you tell me lol, guess im gonna throw away my 7 then. 😂
Had one that I bought used and sold it after a couple of months... same issue as the Mamiya 7: lens is extremely sharp but lack microcontrast, not much 3D pop to what you would expect from MF. Bought a Plaubel Makina that has much more of that 3D pop. Still, nothing beats a Pentax 67 or Mamiya RB-RZ 67 in terms of rendering...
@Bobby Brady Just because you don't see it, doesn't mean it's not there...
Sharpest thing ever !