A Guide to Used Mamiya Medium-Format Cameras

by George Arthur Lareau

Mamamiya! Photo of Tucson

If you are a serious photographer working on a limited budget, these changing times offer you a great opportunity. Many (affluent) photographers are switching to digital systems, and their high quality film equipment is appearing on the second-hand market. In terms of high quality images, film is still a very competitive alternative to digital.

Mamiya medium format photographic equipment has long been the favorite of professional photographers and serious artists. Many Mamiya film camera models are still being manufactured and sold. These cameras all use 120 or 220 size film which is readily available in camera stores.

Mamiya has made five groups of film cameras: the RB67, RZ67, 645, TLR and rangefinders. There are several models in each of these groups, so you have a lot of choices for your high quality photography. A wealth of accessories is available for these models.

These are kit cameras, which means you can build your camera to suit your needs and tastes. You can choose from a variety of lenses, viewfinders, film backs, motor drives, grips, etc.

The RB67 single lens reflex (SLR) is probably the most popular. It gives you a 6cm x 7cm (2-1/4 x 2-3/4 inches) film image that enlarges to 8x10 ro16x20 without cropping the image (ideal format). This large film size produces a huge increase in quality over a 35mm image.

The RB67 was made in three different models: RB67 Pro, RB67 Pro-S, and RB67 Pro-SD. They have a revolving film back (RB) that lets you switch instantly between horizontal and vertical formats. There really isn't a great difference in these models, and they all produce the same quality.

The disadvantage of the RB67 is that it is a big, heavy camera and it really belongs on a tripod. It's great for studio or landscape work.

The RZ67 models offer motor drives, through-the-lens automatic exposure, and other refinements. These are more expensive cameras and produce the same quality as the all-manual RB67s. If you are doing mass-production photography such as yearbook photos, these added conveniences may be worth the extra cost.

The models are RZ67 Pro, RZ67 Pro II, and RZ67 Pro IID.

For hand-held work, the 645 SLR is a good alternative. The film image is 6cm x 4.5cm (2-1/4 x 1-3/4 inches), also the ideal format for enlarging to 8x10 or 16x20 without cropping. It is lighter in weight and easily hand-held.

The models are m645, 1000s, 645j, 645e, 645 Pro, 645 Super, 645 AF and 645AFD (digital).

The disadvantage of the 645 models is the smaller film size, but it is still much larger than a 35mm image.

The TLR (twin lens reflex) cameras are also very popular. These are not SLR cameras; they have viewing lenses that match the taking lens. They are also light enough for hand-held use, but also are often used on a tripod. The film size is a square 6cm x 6cm (2-1/4 x 2-1/4 inches). An advantage of this camera is that you don't have to turn the camera to get horizontal or vertical images; you crop the film one way or the other.

The TLR cameras do not have a mirror that moves during exposure like the SLRs (although the SLRs have a mirror lock-up feature), and this results in sharper images because of reduced camera vibration.

The models are C, C2, C3, C33, C22, C220, C330, C330f and C330s.

There are seven available TLR lenss and three viewfinders, but almost no options for the film back such as a Polaroid back. Also, for close-up work, there is a parallax problem that must be addressed, but Mamiya has provided solutions.

The rangefinders include a variety of cameras. Rangefinder cameras have a separate viewfinder that is not the same as seeing through a lens. Yet, Mamiya has made accurate viewing possible with various attachments. Also, rangefinder cameras have no moving mirror and are virtually vibration-free for sharp images.

A significant advantage of some of the rangefinders is that a larger 6cm x 9cm (2-1/4 x 3-1/4 inches) film size is available. Also, they are all compact and lightweight for easy hand-holding.

At the lower-price end are the 6-I, 6-III, 6-II, 6-IV, 6-V, 6-K, 6-IVB, Automat AII, 6-Automat, Automat BII,6-K II, 6-P, and Automat 2. Also, the Press, Press G, Press S, Press Standard, Press Super 23, and Universal Press.

Many of these are seldom seen in the second-hand market. The lower-priced rangefinder cameras are real bargains when you can find them and still provide excellent Mamiya quality.

At the higher-priced end are the Mamiya 6, 6MF, &, and 7II.

These higher-priced cameras are very expensive. The Mamiya 7 and 7II are reputed to be the very finest rangefinder cameras in the world, and many serious photographers will use nothing else.

Instruction manuals for these cameras are available. Reading instruction manuals is the best way to familiarize yourself with these cameras. First, check the Mamiya web site where you can download many manuals free: mamiya dot com. You can also find manuals in eBay auctions and online either in print or on CD.

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Mamamiya! Photo of Tucson