Mamiya 6 MF, worth it?

wolfpeterson · 05-07-2011

I have the opportunity to buy a Mamiya 6 at a reasonable price, but I just noticed it is a 6 "MF".

I've been waiting a while for a decently priced 6, but as Ken Rockwell has noted about the MF version, the viewfinder is cluttered with the multi-format framelines...

I will take a look at it on monday, but can anyone weigh in on whether this is actually bothersome. If so, is there a way to have the camera modified to only show the 6x6 framelines?

Pablito · 05-07-2011

Not bothersome.

smiling gecko · 05-07-2011

yeah...
+1 for what pablito said.
for me the generous view finder was so clear and large i don't recall being bothered by the additional multi-format frame lines. needed to raise money to go back to russia, so i sold it (regrettably). why back to russia? please visit www.neverforgetbeslan.org for some insights.
later bought a mamiya 6 from pablito (pablito: thank you!!)

breathe, relax and enjoy.
sg, aka smiling gecko, aka kenneth

newsgrunt · 05-07-2011

I'm the odd man out as I have both and prefer the cleaner looking view of the 6. not a reason NOT to buy the 6MF if it's a great price and used 6's are hard to find.

---f · 05-07-2011

Ken Rockwell is one man with his own opinions, and some are good. Many aren't. Going by what someone else thinks and not experiencing things on your own is really going to restrict the richness you can get out of this one life you have. Despite what many people would like to think, there are no do-overs.

Mister E · 05-07-2011

I really loved my Mamiya 6, but I've never had or used the 6MF.

wolfpeterson · 05-07-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fireboy

Ken Rockwell is one man with his own opinions, and some are good. Many aren't. Going by what someone else thinks and not experiencing things on your own is really going to restrict the richness you can get out of this one life you have. Despite what many people would like to think, there are no do-overs.

I agree. As I mentioned, I'm going to check out the condition of the camera on monday and I will have a look through the finder. I'll be more in a position to determine whether it will bother me or not.

I would not have started this thread if I was going to base my purchase on M. Rockwell's opinion alone

emraphoto · 05-07-2011

I find the 'extra' framelines of the MF sort of helpful when lining up horizons etc.

brian steinberger · 05-07-2011

I love the simple clean square of the 6 viewfinder. The MF to me is cluttered and I don't like it. If I hadn't used a 6 for years before looking through a MF I may never have known the difference. If it's a really good price get it for sure, but if it were me I'd wait for a 6.

---f · 05-08-2011

before taking the leap on the Mamiya you may want to consider the Hasselblad equipment too. I'm currently really enjoying using my hasselblad gear much more than my Mamiya TLR gear and my Leica Rangefinder gear. Now MF is a completely different beast and you can't carry it with you all the time like you can with your Leica. But make sure you check out the Hassy used market too before you settle in.

wolfpeterson · 05-08-2011

For me, portability is a big issue, that's why I was considering the 6 or the Fuji GF670, but the fuji is a bit out of my price range and only has one lens. I had a Bronica ETR but I just couldn't deal with the size and weight.

Gary E · 05-08-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by emraphoto

I find the 'extra' framelines of the MF sort of helpful when lining up horizons etc.

I thought I was the only one who used the bottom 35mm lines as such.

But seriously, it doesn't get in the way at all. As you use it more and more, only the outside sq box gets used in your vision when composing.

If you like the Sq format, MF film and compactness of a collapsible lens then look no further. I still use mine regularly, and with the 75mm collapsed, it fits into my BBB and gets lost in my BBB2. I am also on the trail for the GF670, but like you said it's out of my financial reach at the moment.

wolfpeterson · 05-09-2011

I went to check it out but there were no 6x4.5 and 135 framelines. Everything else also indicated it was a plain ol' 6.

So that means the top plate was replaced, bad sign?

Gary E · 05-09-2011

So the top plate says "6 MF" but the VF doesn't have any other frame lines? If that's so, it was repaired with another parts camera. That's my guess anyway.

If it winds fine and there's a warranty, it would depend on the price. These cameras are hard to come by, so you might not see on again for some time. I once saw a used listing at a local camera store and it was priced at about $1400 with a 75mm lens.

By the way, the 6MF comes with the 6x45 mask to put in the film gate to get the 6x45 neg in portrait (you'll have to turn the camera on it's side to get landscape).

Richard Ross · 05-10-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fireboy

MF is a completely different beast and you can't carry it with you all the time like you can with your Leica.

Actually, the beauty of the Mamiya 6 is you CAN take it with you, it's small and light. I've seen bigger 35mm cameras! I have the MF version and the extra vf lines really aren't an issue. I heard somewhere the MF version is also stronger than the original, dunno if that's true.