Mamiya 6 vs 7 durability and repair?

atlnq9 · 07-10-2007

Hey the Mamiya 6 is getting old and I have heard that they are almost imposible to repair when something like the winder or lens mount goes out. Then someone told me that the 7 uses many similar parts to the 7ii making repairs posible plus you have the lack of the compressible lens mount. I am really wanting a Mamiya 6 because of the colapsibility but was concerned about this issue. Is it rare for these break downs... Also I am having a very hard time finding a 6 in good condition, if you know of one let me know! Thanks, Andrew

oftheherd · 07-10-2007

Hopefully someone with experience with these will jump up with an answer. I get the impression these haven't been popular lately. That said, most who have had them usually speak highly of the experience. I have had a Super Press 23 for years and prefer it. It is durable, has a nice stable of lenses, and a 6x7 negative. Probably a little heavier and larger than the Mamiya 6 or Mamiya 7, but I don't know that for sure.

Good luck.

TJV · 07-10-2007

I would be very surprised if Mamiya 7's in either of their forms can't be easily fixed as the 7ii is still in production. Also, the mechanisims inside the camera are pretty stock standard in that there isn't a lot of technology there. I imagine any "real" technician with sense could easily repair the shutters in the lenses and give general overhauls etc. The 6 may be a differet story but I doubt a good professional couldn't service one. The parts on the other hand may be hard to find, like you mention the rewind etc, but there are plenty of tallented tech's out there!

nksyoon · 07-10-2007

A couple of years ago I had a light leak fixed on my Mamiya 6 in Switzerland - the Swiss Mamiya distributors told me that they still had all the parts for the 6 and would have no problem fixing anything.

Finder · 07-11-2007

I have been using my 6s since 1993 and except for my stupid mistakes (dropping the camera), there has not been a mechanical failure. I have had to have the rangefinder adjusted a few times.

atlnq9 · 07-11-2007

Ok, it sounds like I will be safe with a Mamiya 6. I think I am really going to enjoy the compactness over the 7. Now it is just trying to find one in decent condition, if you know of one anywhere and could pass on the info it would be very apreciated. I don't have more than a couple weeks of looking as my Canon 1v just died, still have the lenses though if anyone is interested, L sieres. If I cant find the 6 I will have no choice but to get a 7. Thanks

nksyoon · 07-11-2007

At KEH, the 7 (not 7II) is actually cheaper than the 6. I'm not sure if the differences between 7 and 7II are significant.

oftheherd · 07-12-2007

You have to make your decision based on what you yourself want. However I would still recommend considering the a 6x7 negative. Quite often with 6x6 you end up cropping to 645 and end up wasting part of the negative. There are shots that are better square, but we tend to prefer rectagular prints. Of course, YMMV.