Mamiya 6/7 portraits/people pictures

[jett]

I'm interested in one of these cameras with the standard lens (75mm/80mm) for eye-level candids/portraits/people pictures.

I know that this camera is limited in it's poor close-focus abilities, relatively slow lenses, and not-so-pleasant bokeh compared to 35mm rangefinders but it's larger negative and 6x6 aspect (of the M6) is real tempting.

In short, I'd like a fast-shooting rangefinder-focusing camera for candid shooting.

I have a Rolleiflex. I love it but waist-level viewing isn't the fastest. I hear that the prism is a bit awkward, atleast without a grip but one of those would be too bulky for my liking.
I have an Ikonta III. Being a folder, I don't like the ergonomics so much.
I have some 35mm RF's. I have no Leica, but I find the ones that I do have alright, but I'd prefer a larger negative.

So it seems to me that the most viable options are to settle/compromise with one of my current options or try a Mamiya. I know many claim the Mamiya to be sharp (maybe too sharp at times) but many of the pictures that I've seen are landscape-orientated and taken at small apertures so I can judge if it renders the image the way I'd like. The people pictures that I've seen on flicker are less-inspiring so anyone have any pictures for me to see?

Another concern is that in the flickr group, many topics are the "for sale" type while in the Leica group, many of the topics are of the "what should my next lens be" type. lol

[nksyoon]

Mamiya 6 with the 75 on Provia 400x




With the 50 on Provia 400x

[nksyoon]

50 on NPH

[nksyoon]

Rolleiflex 2.8F with Rolleinar 2

[j.scooter]

Mamiya 6 @ 75mm


There are better choices for portrait photography, but for fast paced people street photography, it will be just fine.

[sevres_babylone]

The Chess Players por sevres-babylone, en Flickr

Mamiya 7, 80mm, colour negative, converted to black and white in silver efex

[jett]

Originally Posted by nksyoon

Rolleiflex 2.8F with Rolleinar 2

Nice! Not from the Mamiya but I really like this portrait.

Also, I just noticed that I started this thread in the wrong subforum, so can a moderator please move this to the appropriate section (120 RF's Modern)?

[keytarjunkie]

I would stick to a Rolleiflex if I were doing portraits, I think it's a lot different than holding up one of these giant cameras to your face (your subjects will notice that difference too). However, I'm not a huge fan of TLR's, just a personal thing. I love the Mamiya 7, and occasionally I use it for portraits. With the 80mm

[Todd.Hanz]

portraits(esque) with the Mamiya 7 and 80/4
at pretty close to the min distance.










not everything is at min distance but they're closem hope it helps.

Todd

[coelacanth]

Mamiya 7 and 150mm with Neopan 400.

[G1DRP]

I have a 6 and a 7II. I prefer to carry the 6 around as it has the collapsible lens. You get 2 more shots on a roll too

[gogovisono]

Bali-Tri-X -001.jpg by gogovisono, on Flickr


Natives on Bukbuk(?) Beach by gogovisono, on Flickr


Villagers #1 by gogovisono, on Flickr

all on a Mamiya 7 with the 65mm lens. loving this combo

[yeah!]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/71206625@N07/


http://www.flickr.com/photos/rossiyears/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bolus/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stackleather/

all taken with the mamiya 7 and credited to their owners.

[Bobfrance]

As stated the Mamiya isn't so great for close-up work, but it is great in pretty much all other ways. It is a rangefinder after all so best suited for shooting situational images (IMHO).


Untitled by Bobfrance, on Flickr


Untitled by Bobfrance, on Flickr


Untitled by Bobfrance, on Flickr

Bob.

[2WK]

I don't mind the bokeh of the 80mm at all.

[rphenning]

two I've simply linked from my site:



I'll try and find some full resolution scans in a few minutes and post some 100% screenshots.

[nightlight]

Originally Posted by Bobfrance

As stated the Mamiya isn't so great for close-up work, but it is great in pretty much all other ways. It is a rangefinder after all so best suited for shooting situational images (IMHO).


Untitled by Bobfrance, on Flickr


Untitled by Bobfrance, on Flickr


Untitled by Bobfrance, on Flickr

Bob.

Wow. Wow. Excellent.

[Texsport]

The Mamiya 7 is an admirable camera, but if candid, "situational" shooting is the goal, no MF rangefinder can match the Fujica 670 or 690 with the 100/3.5 AE lens.

Automatic meter shooting must be the ultimate.

Texsport

[jsrockit]

Originally Posted by j.scooter

Mamiya 6 @ 75mm


There are better choices for portrait photography, but for fast paced people street photography, it will be just fine.

Actually quite nice.

[rphenning]

So here's a 100% crop:


and the full frame:



hope that helps

[rphenning]

that's wide open on the 80 f/4 too, so any front/back focus you see is definitely from me.

[2WK]

Bobfrance, did you dodge/burn these shots a fair bit? They don't look strait off the scanner to me. Super nice though!

[redisburning]

too much accutance is easy to handle. simply skip adding USM or deconvolution sharpening off your scanner. if you rely on a lab, ask them not to sharpen.

[StoneNYC]

Originally Posted by Texsport

The Mamiya 7 is an admirable camera, but if candid, "situational" shooting is the goal, no MF rangefinder can match the Fujica 670 or 690 with the 100/3.5 AE lens.

Automatic meter shooting must be the ultimate.

Texsport

Doesn't the Mamiya 7 have an AE mode?

~Stone~ The Noteworthy Ones - Mamiya: 7 II, RZ67 Pro II / Canon: 1V, AE-1 / Kodak: No 1 Pocket Autographic, No 1A Pocket Autographic. Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

[dtcls100]

Portraits taken with Mamiya 6. Optical prints were scanned on crappy flatbed scanner which greatly diluted resolution and tonality. However, the somewhat hazy result does give the portraits a bit of a nostalgic mood.