5 Years With the Mamiya 7: Why This Medium Format Rangefinder Is My Ride or Die

WELCOME TO MY LOVE

It’s been five years.Nearly 2,000 images, 12+ states, and only God knows how many miles on foot.And through it all, this camera’s been right there with me.

The Mamiya 7 isn’t perfect.But it’s the one I trust every single time I head out on another adventure.

If I had to shoot one camera for the rest of my life?Yeah. This is the one I’d grab.

This isn’t just a Mamiya 7 review.It’s more like a love letter.Some real talk.And a look back at one of the most iconic medium format rangefinder cameras ever made.

And yes—we’re also answering the question everyone keeps asking:

Is the Mamiya 7 worth the hype?

Short answer: Pure yes.

Living With the Mamiya 7 for Five Years

If you’ve watched Bad Flashes before, you know I shoot a lot of film.I’ve tested plenty of cameras—SLRs, rangefinders, point-and-shoots, bricks disguised as cameras.

And yet… I always come back to the Mamiya 7.

While I gush, we’re exploring the great plains of Texas, because if you’re going to romanticize a camera, you might as well do it with dust in your boots.

How I Found the Mamiya 7 (And Why It Was Inevitable)

The first time I ever shot a Mamiya 7, my buddy Jason and I swapped cameras for the evening.(We did not swap wives—relax.)

The photos from that shoot?Absolute dumpster fire.

But even then… I knew.

The only problem?The price.

So I did what any budget-conscious photographer dreaming of a medium format rangefinder would do:I bought a Fuji GW690.

And look—great lens, gorgeous negatives—but it was basically a rangefinder-shaped Band-Aid over my Mamiya-shaped heart.

Eventually, I surrendered to my 6×7 desires and picked up a Mamiya 7 as a birthday present to myself.Original box.Pristine condition.That iconic 80mm lens—the only lens I used for years.

A Brief History of the Mamiya 7

In 1989—the same year I entered this chaotic universe—Mamiya Optical Corp released the redesigned Mamiya 6, reclaiming their place in the rangefinder market.

That camera paved the way for the Mamiya 7, released in 1995 (my brother’s birth year, if you’re keeping score).

You could say the Mamiya blood runs deep.

Like most dynasties, it didn’t last forever.Mamiya was acquired by Phase One in 2015, and while the brand shifted, its soul lived on.

At least—in my hands.

Why the Mamiya 7 Is My Ride or Die Medium Format Camera

This isn’t just a tool.This is my default 6×7.My MFing ride or die (MF = medium format… obviously).

Image Quality (Aka: Too Sharp for Its Own Good)

Let’s get this out of the way:The Mamiya 7 lenses are borderline unfair.

That 80mm f/4?Ridiculous.

It’s equivalent to a 40mm on 35mm—perfect for everyday photography.Not just sharp… forensic-level detail.

Every time I think I’ve outgrown the hype, I shoot another roll and get dumbstruck all over again. Sometimes I look at my negatives and think:

Why would I shoot anything else?

Because it’s a rangefinder, there’s no mirror slap, no softness at slow shutter speeds. I’ve handheld shots at 1/15 that I’d never attempt on my Pentax 67.

Consistency is the secret sauce.

Portability: A 6×7 That Actually Travels

When people hear “6×7,” they think massive.Bulky.A shoulder-destroyer.

Not here.

The Mamiya 7 handles like a big 35mm camera. It fits perfectly in my Brevity bag—with room to spare.

I’ve taken this thing hiking, through deserts, and onto boats in the Pacific Ocean.

It’s honestly the only 6×7 camera I’d want to carry all day—and that’s saying something, considering I skip arm day religiously.

Shooting Experience: Ergonomics Matter

This camera fits my hand perfectly.And I’ve got big hands.

Most cameras don’t know what to do with my pinky, but the shutter placement on the Mamiya 7 is pure bliss. No strain. No awkward finger yoga.

The shutter is whisper quiet—almost invisible. Rare for a medium format camera.

And that bright rangefinder viewfinder?Aligning those ghost patches is effortless. It’s actually the reason I sold my Fuji GW690.

Once you get used to it, there’s no going back.

The Mamiya 7 Lens System

For years, I lived on the 80mm—and honestly, you could do that forever.

But across the board, the Mamiya 7 lens lineup is insane. Even the wide-angle lenses are tack sharp with minimal distortion.

I eventually added the 50mm, which is an absolute feather compared to my Pentax glass. Next on the list? The 150mm—because my telephoto game needs beefing up.

Trust Factor: The Camera I Grab When It Counts

More than anything, this camera is reliable.

When a roll has to count, this is what I grab.It’s easy to load.Easy to live with.Not flashy.

It just works.

Real Talk: The Downsides of the Mamiya 7

No camera is perfect—if it were, capitalism would collapse.

Electronics

This is an electronically controlled, battery-powered camera. If that circuit board goes, it’s game over.

Mamiya isn’t making parts anymore, so yeah… that lives in the back of my mind.

Always carry a spare battery.

Shutter Speed & Metering

The max shutter speed is 1/500. Fine—but 1/1000 would’ve been nice.

The internal meter is basically a super spot meter. Blink and you’re two stops off. Auto mode? Don’t trust it.Use AEL, lock it in, move on.

Price

Let’s not dance around it.

In 2025, the Mamiya 7 and 7 II are expensive—often $3,000+, especially with lenses. Film prices aren’t helping either.

But even with all that…The pros still crush the cons.

The Mamiya 7 in 2025: A Legacy Medium Format Camera

Here we are in 2025, and the Mamiya 7 has only gotten more legendary.

It’s the camera people dream about once the medium format bug bites.

Beyond the hype, it earned its reputation:Insane image quality.Beautiful engineering.Lightweight 6×7 perfection.

I’ll always wonder what Mamiya could’ve been if they stayed in this market. A Mamiya 7 III? A man can dream.

Final Thoughts: Still in Love

I’ve shot a lot of cameras.Some I liked.Some I forgot about.

The Mamiya 7 is the only one I’ve never considered selling.Not once.

If everything else had to go, this is the one I’d keep—no question.

And if something ever happened to it?I’d buy another one immediately… even if I had to sell feet pics.

Watch the Full Video on YouTube

This blog post is paired with my full video review on the Bad Flashes YouTube channel, where you can see real-world images, Texas dust, and five years of memories with the Mamiya 7.

👉 Watch “5 Years With the Mamiya 7 – My Ride or Die” on YouTube