Lomopedia: Mamiya 7 II

Introduced in 1999, the Mamiya 7 II was the follow-up to the original Mamiya 7 medium format rangefinder camera. The 7 II still used the 6x7 film format which is known for its high image quality and versatility. Like its predecessor, the 7 II was favored by a lot of professional photographers for its solid set of features and impeccable image quality.

One of the major improvements that the 7 II had over the Mamiya 7 was its lightweight body construction and compact size. This allowed users to freely use the camera without the extra weight and bulk that medium format cameras are typically infamous for. This meant that the Mamiya 7 II could be more easily taken for on-the-go shooting on trips and adventures, as well as for professional camera work like portraits and nature photography.

The camera's ergonomics were also greatly improved on the 7 II. Settings and controls were easily accessible from both the top and rear of the body, adding to the overall comfort and intuitive operation of the camera.

The bread and butter of the Mamiya 7 II is its ability to capture high-quality images on 6x7 cm film. This medium format film is known for its sharpness, detail, and tonal range and is supplemented by a wide variety of lenses that can be used with the 7 II. Prospective buyers will be happy to know that this camera offers professional quality photographs and can be used for various photographic applications. 6x7 is also ideal for a variety of photographs like portraits and landscapes compared to the more square look of 4x4 film.

Being a rangefinder camera, the 7 II can be used for fast and accurate focusing even under less favorable lighting. The split-image focusing aid helps users get quick and accurate focus and its parallax correction system ensures that the composition remains accurate once locked in. The center-weighted metering system also helps with accurate exposure readings even in poor lighting conditions.

Other Mamiya 7 II tidbits:

• The Mamiya 7 II used a die-cast aluminum body to make it light and robust—ideal for professional use.
• The 7 II has a built-in safety mechanism for double exposure prevention.
• The Mamiya 7 II has a dark slide curtain to permit changing lenses with a loaded camera.
• The shutter release of the 7 II is also locked when internal dark slide curtain is engaged.
• A shutter release button lock lever can be found on the body of the Mamiya 7 II.

Sample Photo Gallery

Mamiya 7 II Technical Specifications:

Type: 6x7 cm format interchangeable lenses, rangefinder camera, double formats (6x7 and 35 mm panorama)
Film Type: 120 roll (10 exposures), 220 roll (20 exposures) 135 roll (16 exposures with 36 exp.film)
Actual Image Size: 56 x 69.5 mm with 120/220 film, 24 x 65 mm with 135 film, using Panoramic Adapter Kit
Film Winding: A single 185-degree stroke
Lens Mount: Exclusive Bayonet Mount
Lens: Ultra-wide angle: 43 mm f/4.5 L with Optical Viewfinder, Wide angle: 50 mm f/4.5 with Optical Viewfinder, 65 mm f/4 L, Standard: 80 mm f/4 L, Telephoto: 150 mm f/4.5 L
Multiple Exposure: Possible by means of multi-exposure lever
Exposure Control: Aperture priority AE, SPD receptor in viewfinder metering range: EV3-EV18 (with 80 mm f/4 lens ISO 100), Exposure compensation: +2 to -2EV (in 1/3 EV Steps)
Film speed range: ISO 25-1600
Rangefinder: Lens declination, double image superimposing system; base length 60 mm (effective base length 34.2 mm)
Viewfinder: Coupled with rangefinder. Automatic bright line frame indexing (65, 80, and 150 mm). Parallax compensation. Magnification ratio: 0.57X. 83% of the field of view visible at infinity. Built-in shutter speed and exposure display, safety interlock warning L.E.D.
Power Supply: one 6V (4SR44, 4LR44 or 2 CR1/3 lithium battery)
Weight: camera body: 920 g. Body with 80 mm lens: 1,210 g

All information used in this article was sourced from Butkus Camera Manuals, BH Photo Video, So Perfect Images, and Albert Genato Photography.

written by cheeo on 2023-05-18 #lomopedia #medium-format #rangefinder #analogue-photography #6x7 #film-photography #lomopedia #mamiya-7ii