The only area where an M Leica’s is superior is in the contrast of the rangefinder overlays.īowns Canyon Hillside, Lake Powell AZ. The M7‘s viewfinder is the largest and brightest that I’ve ever seen. In a rangefinder camera the size and brightness of the viewfinder is critical. The right-hand grip is comfortable (I have small hands) and the location of the single-stroke wind lever and shutter release essentially perfect. Not a single aspect is ill-fitting or inappropriate in size or location. Metal and plastic merge together and are almost indistinguishable. The quality of materials and finish are also first-rate. Considering that it shoots the same format is the monster Mamiya RB and RZ67 models its diminutive size is astonishing. The size, shape and handling characteristics are exemplary. The Mamiya 7 is one of those rare cameras that for me at least falls-to-hand almost perfectly. Possibly more than with any other hi-tech tool, the way a camera feels and handles plays a considerable role in its contribution to successful images. The GW 670 and 690 models are interesting, but neither has a built-in meter or interchangeable lenses, so that lets them out.įirstly I want to mention the issue of “ feel“. Too much automation, roll film point-and-shoots, if you will. The various GA 645 models don’t count because basically they are non-rangefinder focusing. The camera has its strengths but up against the Mamiya it’s facing tough competition indeed.įor the sake of completeness here’s a quick look at the other competitors in the rangefinder roll-film arena. I won’t go on, though there are a number of other items which I found less than appealing. The viewfinder of the Bronica is good but the data area on the left of frame is difficult to see at the same time as the main subject, and almost impossibly so when wearing glasses. Given that the Mamiya produces a 6X7cm frame, and the Bronica one that’s 6X4.5cm, the result is a negative or slide that’s 55% larger for the Mamiya. While the spec sheets showed it to be smaller and lighter than the Mamiya, in the flesh the difference was not that marked. The camera lacks a second shutter release for when its held vertically and so I would be holding the camera awkwardly for the bulk of my shooting. While a portrait photographer might find it irresistible, historically my landscape and travel shooting is some 75% horizontal in orientation. Build quality was very nice, but the first hurdle was the portrait orientation of the viewfinder. A half hour with the Bronica and I knew it wasn’t for me. Mike Johnson has contributed a thoughtful rebuttal review of the Bronica RF645.
Photographed with a Mamiya 7 II and 65mm f/4 lens I had a trip with some major hiking coming up, my Spring 2001 Master Class in southern Utah, and I wanted a light-weight system that also offered high-image quality for it, and future hiking trip. I decided that what I would do was a shootout between these two systems and then would purchase the winner. Its only competitor in the interchangeable-lens roll-film rangefinder arena was the Mamiya 7 II. Since 1996 my primary landscape tool has been the superb Rollei 6008. But on long or difficult hikes it can be just too bulky and heavy for the job.Īt Photokina in September 2000, Bronica introduced its RF645, seemingly an ideal tool for the applications I had in mind.
But I find 35mm film (and digital) lacking in the quality that I’m looking for when doing serious landscape work. I use 35mm equipment ( Canon EOS) extensively for wildlife work and specialized applications where long lenses, motor drives and similar advantages are needed. Recently, I’ve been a big fan of the Hasselblad XPan. I’m a long-time rangefinder fan, having used a succession of M-Series Leicas both professionally and personally over many years. Since then I’ve encountered a number of occasions when a medium-format rangefinder camera would have made sense, particularly on field-trips with extensive hiking involved.
Though I had no personal experience with this camera system it seemed like a fair evaluation and so I published it. In late 2000, Jack Zyberk submitted a review of the Mamiya 7 II to this site.