Mamiya 645 vs Mamiya 7 II vs Contax 645 vs Pentax 645N II

[trippingthelight]

Hi,

Recently I offered the 4 MF cameras from someone who is selling his collection of MF camera and lens. Personally I like the Contax 645 and its lens. But it is heavier than both the Mamiya and Pentax cameras. Price wise, the person is asking for about the same for each of these with the bodies. The lens are another issue. Contax seems to be much more expensive than the Mamiya and Pentax. Also the Contax seems to drain the battery more than the other MF cameras. He was kind enough to allow me to test everyone of them by shooting a roll of film for each. The Mamiya 7 and Pentax seems light enough. The Mamiya 7 lens are very sharp. So is the COntax. Pentax 645 so-so. Would like to buy his whole collection but I will have to rob a bank first! I am thinking of just buying a body and 1 lens to start with. I didn't quite like the Mamiya 645 though.

What are your thoughts on these 4 camera systems?

 

[knight84]

Contax is brilliant with its f 2 lens but my concern ia the electornics and having tr replaced when it does break down

If i were u i d go for a fully manual system. Prob a mamiya 7 since u didnt like the pentax or the mamiya 645

Alternatively explore keh.com see what u get!

Cheers

Hi,

Recently I offered the 4 MF cameras from someone who is selling his collection of MF camera and lens. Personally I like the Contax 645 and its lens. But it is heavier than both the Mamiya and Pentax cameras. Price wise, the person is asking for about the same for each of these with the bodies. The lens are another issue. Contax seems to be much more expensive than the Mamiya and Pentax. Also the Contax seems to drain the battery more than the other MF cameras. He was kind enough to allow me to test everyone of them by shooting a roll of film for each. The Mamiya 7 and Pentax seems light enough. The Mamiya 7 lens are very sharp. So is the COntax. Pentax 645 so-so. Would like to buy his whole collection but I will have to rob a bank first! I am thinking of just buying a body and 1 lens to start with. I didn't quite like the Mamiya 645 though.

What are your thoughts on these 4 camera systems?

 

[nightwolf75]

in terms of servicing, mamiya and pentax are still existing. so, if u ever need to get servicing or spare parts, at least u know they should still have. contax a bit more problematic.

btw, mamiya 7II technically is a rangefinder camera, just that it uses 120 format film. so, you have to get used to focusing via RF method and have to live with the fact that RF lenses dun have close focusing distance. IIRC, the mamiya 7II's 80mm/f4 lens focuses minimum to 1m.

 

[lualua]

The Mamiya 7 is the clear winner in terms of format size and vibration( mirrorless). Lenses are also biting sharp.
The contax uses zeiss(branded glass) and the standard lens is an f2(faster) vs an f4 for the Mamiya 7. so u gain the lens speed and auto-focusing.

I dun see much going for the other 2 unless they're a lot cheaper.

Finally, I'd say a lot depend on your shooting style. Rangefinders and SLRs are different realms altogether. Which are you more at ease with?

If the choice is mine, the Mamiya 7 wins hands down.

 

[lualua]

Another point would be the flash sync speed. The mamiya, being a lens shutter sync up to 1/500s. The contax can do only up to 1/125s. Meaning the mamiya can do balanced fill flash with a breeze.

 

[Nikkornos]

One more point to add is, a 645 does not really add too much advantage to a matured 135 system, seriously.
The Contax system is a problematic system. I always say welcome to the World of Contax. You spend time repairing it than using it.
I had one and I don't want to remember it.

6X6 is a leap forward, and can crop anytime. 6X7 is even better. But the price of the Mamiya 7 is outrageous. A Fuji 690 would make more sense.

 

[raytoei]

one name for contax: jose villa. he singularly raised the price of contax 645 by creating incredible wedding photos...
see http://thecreativemama.com/jose-villa/

mamiya 645: nice! but very cheap in the used market, so don't pay too much.

pentax 645: can't comment, never played with it.

i own the most expensive and the least expensive 645 around.

bronica rf645 and bronica etrsi

 

[kgston]

Personally, I went with the mamiya 7 and never regretted it. Compact, lightweight and excellent lenses; the M7 of the medium format cameras I agree its on the pricey side, but if you really think about it, it is the other cameras that has been devalued so much. I know of friends who went with the lumbering "slr type" MF cameras and eventually lost their interests because it was cumbersome and heavy. The camera is there to work for you, not you work for it

 

[Nikkornos]

Personally, I went with the mamiya 7 and never regretted it.

KGSTON, yes, keep the Mamiya 7 if you already have it, it has superb lens. I once owned it (bought in HK) but later sold it. I only used it once shooting Ubin but I did not loose much then. Still no regret as the price these days are low (as in ~US$1000) which was incredible when I fist bought it.

Here are some old catalogs I kept during the time I decided between the Mamiya 7, Bronica systems. Guess which one lived until today, just about a decade later.

 

[Nikkornos]

This also was in my heart once, but being 645 it was out immediately.

Ended up did buy the Mamiya 645. You can still see the price then.
The camera still in the dry box, but right at the bottom of the least open cabinet.

 

[Nikkornos]

one name for contax: jose villa. he singularly raised the price of contax 645 by creating incredible wedding photos...

Hello Brother raytoei, many forget they are NOT Jose Villa.

Maybe Contax gave him 10 spare cameras to change every day. Anyway, Contax is R I P.

 

[trippingthelight]

Hi all,

Thank you so much for all the information given. I am grateful.
I have no problem with a rangefinder type of camera as I am using a Leica M7.
Since most of my shots will be landscape and travel type photography the Mamiya 7 II is indeed a good candidate. Since I don't use much flash in photography (at least not for landscape), this is of very little concern to me.
The one down side is that the Mamiya 7II cannot be easily fitted with a digital back. Is this absolutely true.
The reason is that one fine day when the prices of digital comes down, I would like to buy one and fit it on an M7 II.

 

[nightwolf75]

Hi all,

Thank you so much for all the information given. I am grateful.
I have no problem with a rangefinder type of camera as I am using a Leica M7.
Since most of my shots will be landscape and travel type photography the Mamiya 7 II is indeed a good candidate. Since I don't use much flash in photography (at least not for landscape), this is of very little concern to me.
The one down side is that the Mamiya 7II cannot be easily fitted with a digital back. Is this absolutely true.
The reason is that one fine day when the prices of digital comes down, I would like to buy one and fit it on an M7 II.

eh..... nope.

since u want to go digital, then u have to get the mamiya AFD645II/III/phaseOne bodies.

 

[kgston]

Yup, the sensor is 645 anyways so even if you force it on by some magic, it won't be 6x7 format

 

[wootsk]

Since you want a digital back, I will suggest you to look at camera like the Hassy 500cm. Base on how you reply, I feel that Mamiya 7II isn't for you, they are for analog and only pure analog shooter. Digital shooter or thinking of going digital shouldn't be looking at those few.

 

[wootsk]

Yup, the sensor is 645 anyways so even if you force it on by some magic, it won't be 6x7 format

With some magic, maybe you can combine 2 645 = 6x9 format.:bsmilie:
But base on TS knowledge level, I suggest not to try anything too funny as for now...

 

[Nikkornos]

If want a Digital, just get the Full Frame system from Nikon and Canon. Don't mess around with the hardware and you still have the software to worry about.

For your info, if you don't invest in software, your pictures coming out will be no difference from the scanned negative of any old Seagull 4B-1. I can show you.

 

[trippingthelight]

Hi all,

Sorry to give the impression that I am going digital. I like film very much and as much as I can I prefer to shoot film rather than digital.
But digital offers another way to get your shots so having digital as an option is just that, an option. I know that MF with digital back costs a small car! But sometime in the future when money is more available and prices of digital backs comes down enough, I would like to experiment with a digital back on MF.
So if I am going to invest in a MF system, like the Mamiya 7 II, then it makes sense to see if at all it can go digital in the future. Having said that the Pentax 645 and Mamiya 645 has digital backs for them. I know that 645 format is no really much better than 135 format so I am not to keen to invest in a 645 format system then later decide to go 6x7 later.
It looks like going Mamiya 7II is the way to go for now.
Thanks to all who have given your input.

 

[pinholecam]

My few cents.

The Pentax has a very good range of fast lenses (ie. f2.8) and they are compatible with its current 645D system, so thats a point to consider if you consider going that direction in the future.

If its just to play around without intent to go any further, then just keep the cost down and consider the Mamiya 645 (or Pentax 645).
If you want a handy MF system, a keeper of a MF camera and willing to pay a bit, I guess the Mamiya 7 best fits that.

 

[Nikkornos]

6X7 will be just the beginning. You will eventually move to a 6X6 and 6X9.