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The Mamiya 7 is a mechanical medium-format camera with a rangefinder. It is small in size and with the lens sometimes weights in total even less than an ordinary professional camera. Moreover, owing to the absence of a built-in mirror, in many situations the camera allows hand-held photographs to be taken and works with high efficiency. And fantastic optics and the possibility to use professional 6×7 films allows for big slides with incredible sharpness; this in turn gives the opportunity to print photos with a size of up to 48,8 x 60,6 inches (120×150 cm) without losing quality. It is the only 6×7 camera with interchangeable lenses that is practical for travel and street photography.
In spite of its excellent size and fantastic performance, the Mamiya 7 has a considerable number of restrictions. I read time and again how many photographers admit that during their career they more than once tried to “tame” it, get used to its minuses, but as a result every one of them found a reason to give it up.
You may be surprised to learn that very few examples of photos made with Mamiya 7 can be found on the Internet that seems to have everything. It will be at most about a dozen or so sites.
By the example of my photographs I tried to show what kind of results can be achieved when the photographer becomes one with his camera. You will see examples of color and black-and-white pictures, as well as the ones made in absolutely new style of modern photography – The Beauty Vision Style. I strongly hope that many of the photos will destroy the great number of myths and prejudices about this camera.
And perhaps the new owners of the company will continue the production and development of The Mamiya 7, this most unsurpassed and irreplaceable instrument for fine art photographers.
In spite of the onrush of digital technology, the Mamiya 7 remains superior in its characteristics. If we draw an analogy with digital cameras, one needs a camera with a matrix of 80 million pixels to get the same picture quality. Progress is sure not to stand still, but in the next decade you are unlikely to find a camera with the same performance for $1200.
And maybe as an artist in love with his instrument I believe that Mamiya 7 is the camera that should have its own world, perhaps a most beautiful, unforgettable and splendid one.
I welcome you to the Mamiya 7 world!
Please visit Mamiya 7 photo gallery.
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