Congratulations on your purchase of the Mamiya 7 and welcome to the world-wide family of happy Mamiya camera owners! Mamiya pioneered the 6x7cm medium format SLR system camera when it introduced the first Mamiya RB67 in 1970. In 1982 an additional model followed, the Mamiya RZ67 with electronic features. Both cameras soon became the market leaders and the preferred tool of trade for portrait, commercial and magazine photographers all over the world and established the 6x7 rectangular image as the "ideal format". Now we are proud to present the Mamiya 7, 6 x 7cm rangefinder camera. Reflecting Mamiya's traditional quality workmanship plus modern design, the Mamiya 7 is compact and lightweight. It offers the handling ease of a 35mm camera, while yielding far superior 4.5 times larger images. Featuring interchangeable, rangefinder coupled lenses and AE metering, it also permits taking 24 x 65mm panoramic images on 35mm film, by means of an optional adapter kit. The Mamiya 7 lens program includes a standard 80mm lens, a 65mm wide angle lens, an ultra-wide 43mm lens and a 150mm telephoto lens. The Mamiya 7 and its lenses have undergone extensive quality controls at every step of manufacture. Please read this instruction manual thoroughly before you use the camera. A proper understanding of all its features and functions will eliminate potential misuse and ensure a long service life. Contents Mamiya 7, the ultimate 6 x 7 rangefinder camera ....................................................2 Nomenclature and Functional Parts ..........................3 Inserting Battery .........................................................7 Removing Camera Body Cap .....................................7 Opening/Closing Light Shield Curtain ......................8 Mounting/Removing Lenses ......................................9 Battery Check ........................................................... 10 Releasing the Shutter ............................................... 11 Before Loading the Film ........................................... 12 Loading the Film ....................................................... 13 Shutter Speed ........................................................... 15 Shutter Release Button ............................................ 16 LED Indicators in the Viewfinder ............................. 16 Focusing the Lens .................................................... 18 Taking Photographs ................................................. 19 AE (Automatic Exposure) Photography .................. 20 AE Lock (AEL) Photography .................................... 20 Manual Photography ............................................... 21 Self-Timer ................................................................ 21 Depth-of-Field .......................................................... 22 Diopter Correction Lenses ..................................... 22 Exposure Compensation ........................................ 23 Time Exposures ...................................................... 23 Flash Photography .................................................. 24 Infrared Photography .............................................. 24 How to Hold the Camera ......................................... 25 Trouble Shooting .................................................... 26 Lenses ...................................................................... 27 Accessories.............................................................. 28 System Chart............................................................ 29 Specifications........................................................... 30 Common Sense Camera Care and Practice..................................................... 31 1 Mamiya 7, the ultimate 6x7 rangefinder camera. The Mamiya 7 is the only camera in the world that has these exclusive features: · Ideal 6x7cm film format that enlarges to standard photographic and industrial paper sizes without cropping and without wasting film. A size that can be viewed with the naked eye and that is easy to retouch. · Lightweight, compact, "quick on the draw" and ergonomically designed to fit in your hand like a glove. · Crisp, accurate, broad based, split-image rangefinder, that is easy to focus, even in poor light. · Bright viewfinder with frame lines that are automatically indexed to match the focal length of lens in use and that automatically adjust for parallax. · Interchangeable, world-class Mamiya lenses, utilizing the latest optical glasses and computer aided design and that take advantage of the camera's short flange focal distance (there is no mirror box) to reach new heights in lens quality. · Precision, super quiet, electronic shutter with speeds from 4 to 1/500 sec., flash synchronized at all speeds. · Built-in "dark slide" curtain that permits changing lenses with film in camera. · Precision AE (automatic exposure) meter with manual overrides. · Selftimer (delayed action release) with automatic turn-off. · Optional external battery case to wear inside clothing in extreme cold. · Optional panoramic adapter that permits use of 35mm film and yields 24x65mm images. · Built with typical Mamiya quality for hard professional use and long service life. 2 Nomenclature and Functional Parts Exposure compensation scale Exposure counter window "S" appears automatically when opening the back cover. (Any other numeral indicates that the film is loaded. Do not open the back cover under this condition.) Film speed window (ISO) Shutter speed Index Mark Self-timer button Rangefinder window Shows the field of view within the bright frame and the doubleimage superimposed rangefinder. Exposure compensation lever Cable release socket Shutter release button Rangefinder coupling roller Power on/off lever Turn off after use Electronic contacts (Do not touch contacts and keep them clean in order not to impair good electrical contact.) Self-timer pilot lamp Lights for 8 seconds when the Self-timer button is pressed, then blinks for 2 seconds, after which the shutter is released. Lens release button Bayonet mount PC Terminal Lens alignment dot Align with the dot on the lens to mount/remove the lens. 3 Nomenclature and Functional Parts Hot Shoe for mounting electronic flash Shutter speed dial When A or AEL on the shutter speed dial is aligned with the indicator on the camera body, the dial will lock in place. To unlock it, rotate the dial while pushing in the AE lock (AEL) release button located in the center. Film advance lever Advance until it stops - the shutter is then cocked. Film setting index dots Pressure plate Set the pressure plate position according to the film type (120 or 220/135) used. Spool release levers When replacing the film, be sure to push this lever to the side to lower the spool stud. Exposure compensation lock release button Film starting indicator Be sure to align the film starting indicator "'w" on the camera with the arrow on the film. (Incorrect alignment may result in the film loading failure.) Film type (120 or 220/135) Position the pressure plate with either the 120, 220 or 135 roll film index mark. Film spool stud Film holder spring Back cover latch Back cover lock release button Back cover Memo clip Holds the film box top or memo as a film type reminder. Viewfinder eyepiece 120-220/135 selector index window When the pressure plate is aligned with the film type used, either "120" or "220/ 135" is indicated in this window. Rubber eyecup Film Rewind Button (use for 135 type film) Carrying strap lugs Battery chamber Film spool stud Stores one of silver-oxide battery (4SR44), alkaline manganese battery (4L-R44), or lithium battery (2CR1/3). Lower cover Tripod socket The socket has U1/4" threads. Light shield curtain release Used to open a closed curtain. Light shield curtain closing lever mark indicates that the curtain is open. mark indicates that the curtain is closed. 5 Nomenclature and Functional Parts Aperture scale Focusing ring Used to focus the lens. Aperture ring Distance scale (m-ft) Used to set or read the subject-to-lens distance. Depth-of-field scale Allows the aperture (f-stop) to be checked in relation to the correct focusing range. Infrared index mark When engaged in infrared photography, use this mark to align lens according to usual focusing position. Lens alignment dot When mounting or changing a lens, align this dot with the dot on the camera body. Rangefinder coupling lever 6 Inserting Battery [Power on/off] Removing camera body cap The camera will not function without a battery. 1. Remove the battery chamber cover on the bottom of the camera with a coin or screwdriver. 2. The + terminal is indicated on the inside of the battery chamber cover. Insert the battery as shown in the Photo, being sure to properly place the battery with the "+" side up, facing the cover. [Batteries] The Mamiya 7 uses one of 4SR44 silver oxide battery, 4LR44 alkaline battery or 2CR1/3 lithium battery. 1. Power can be turned on/off with the small lever beside the shutter release button. (ON) Align the white dot on the lever with the white dot on the camera body. (OFF) Align the white dot on the lever with the red dot on the camera body. While pressing the lens release button "A" in, rotate the cap counterclockwise, and align the groove "B" on the cap's side with the lens alignment dot on the body. The body cap can then be pulled out. *The lens release button cannot be pressed when the light shield curtain is open. So make sure the curtain is closed. For curtain opening/closing see page 8. 7 Opening/Closing Light Shield Curtain [Opening the light shield curtain] [Closing the light shield curtain] Before opening/closing the light shield curtain, be sure to cock the shutter, otherwise, it will not open/close. CAUTION: Never touch the light shield curtain. If touched, light leakage or a malfunction may result. * When the light shield curtain is open, the lens cannot be removed. Close the curtain to remove the lens. * When the light shield curtain is closed, the shutter cannot be released. When taking a picture, open the light shield curtain. (If the light shield curtain is closed, the red warning lamp in the viewfinder will indicate that it is closed.) 8 Mounting/Removing Lenses [Mounting lens] [Removing lens] CAUTION Remove the front and rear lens caps. The front lens cap can be removed by pressing in the tabs on the right and left with your fingers and pulling the cap towards you. The rear lens cap can be removed by rotating it counterclockwise. Align Lens Alignment Dot "A" with the Camera Alignment Dot "B". Insert the lens into the camera body. Then turn the lens in the direction of the arrow (clockwise) until it clicks and locks into place. Same method as removing the camera body cap. While pressing in the lens release button "A", rotate the lens in the direction of the arrow until the lens alignment dot is lined up with the white alignment dot "B"on the camera body. Changing lens * When the lens has been removed and film remains in the camera body, avoid exposure to direct sunlight as film fogging may result. * Put the front and rear lens cap on the lens when the lens is removed. 1) As the rangefinder coupling roller is precisely adjusted, be sure not to touch with your hand or move it with finger. 2) Gold plated electronic contacts are located inside the bayonet mount and at the rear of each lens. If oil , dirt, or other foreign matter collects on the contacts, poor electronic information transfer may result. When soiled, use a clean cloth to wipe them. 9 Battery Check CAUTION 3) Be careful not to damage the rangefinder coupling lever and the shutter cocking lever at the rear of each lens. 4)When mounting the 43mm or 65mm wide angle lenses make sure that the rear lens rims do not touch the rangefinder coupling roller. 1. Set the shutter speed dial at A (Auto Exposure) position. When the power is turned on and the shutter release button is touched slightly, the shutter speed is indicated on the lower part of the viewfinder. 1) When the shutter speed LED lights on, the battery power is normal. 2) Blinking light of the shutter speed LED indicates drop of the battery power below the allowable level. Then replace the battery. 3) No light or blinking light of the red warning lamp on the lower left side of the viewfinder indicates depletion of the power, so that camera will not work. Replace the battery immediately. Position the front face of the lens which has been removed as shown in the photo. 10 Releasing the Shutter Before using the camera, it is advisable to understand how it works. Set to ON. (See page 7) . .......... Wind the lever to y Film advance cock the shutter . z Light shield curtain .............................. Open. (See page 8) { Back cover .......................................Open. (See page 12) | Release the shutter (See page 16) Note: If the shutter is not released, red warning lamp in the viewfinder will light; repeat steps y to { again. Tip: To observe the function of the shutter release and the interaction between the light shield curtain, shutter and lenses, you need not load film in the camera. Just leave the back cover open: x Power on/off lever ... .......... 11 Before Loading the Film [Setting the film speed] [Opening/closing the back cover] [Setting the film type] Set the film speed of the film being used by lifting up the outer rim of the shutter speed dial and rotate it until the correct ISO value appears in the window. While depressing the back cover lock button, simultaneously push down the lock lever in the direction of the arrow and the back will open. When closing the back cover, securely press both corners until it clicks. This camera can use either 120 or 220/ 135 film. To set for the type of film used, simply rotate the pressure plate in either direction of the arrow until the white dot is at "120" or "220/135". When set, "120" or "220/135" will appear in the small window under the memo clip on the rear of the camera. The number of exposures on the film counter is automatically set at 10 for 120 film and 20 for 220 film, according to the position of the pressure plate. · Be sure to set the exact film speed, as otherwise incorrect exposure will result. · If pressure plate position is not matched to the type of film used, a picture can be taken but it might be out of focus. 12 Loading the Film [Memo clip] This memo clip on the back cover is used to hold the film box tab to serve as a convenient reminder of the type of film in the camera or for recording other data. 1. Push the spool release lever on right side to the right, and install the take-up spool in the take-up spool chamber, top first, then push the lower spool stud up. 2. Like installing the take-up spool, push the spool release lever on left side to the left, place a roll of film in the film chamber, making sure it seats properly. Make sure the backing paper is in the position illustrated above, black side facing the lens, colored side towards the back. * The product identification number, and other data are printed on the outside of the backing paper. If not visible, the film has been loaded incorrectly. Simply remove and position properly. * When loading film or installing the take-up spool, carefully place the spool in the stud and make sure it is seated properly by gently turning to the right or left so that it engages smoothly. 13 Loading the Film * Make sure backing paper advances evenly between the spool flanges and does not begin to slant. If it advances unevenly, remove the backing paper from the take-up spool and start over again. * If the film is not properly aligned with the "w" indicator, the film may be improperly loaded and cause spacing problems. * When any other numeral than "S" appears in the exposure counter window, it is an indication that the film is loaded. So do not open back cover. * Do not pull excessively on the backing paper, and do not load/unload the film in direct sunlight: bright light may fog the film. * When photographing with the 135 Panoramic Adapter, see its instructions. 3. When the new roll has been inserted, be sure to reset the lower spool stud by pressing it in. (Also, be sure to reset the take-up spool stud in a similar manner.) 4. Pull out the backing paper, and insert the tip into the slot on the take-up spool as pictured. 5. Wind the film advance lever until the small arrow (the starting indicator on the backing paper) aligns with the film starting indicator (w) on the camera body. Then close the back cover. 6. Wind the film advance lever until it stops automatically and "1" appears in the exposure counter window. · When a 6EX roll film (5 exposures) is used, the procedure of loading the film is the same as with 120 roll film. 14 Shutter Speed [Determining the shutter speed] Shutter speed dial: A. (Automatic exposure) Based on the aperture setting, the camera automatically selects the shutter speed. AEL.(AE lock) The camera memorizes the aperture when shutter release button is touched slightly so that, even when the position of the subject or camera changes, a picture can be taken with the initial aperture setting and is not affected by changes in light conditions or subject contrast. B. (Bulb exposure) At this position, the shutter will remain open as long as the shutter release button is pressed. Shutter controls On the shutter speed dial the yellow numbers indicate the number of whole seconds while the white numbers indicate fractions of seconds. Example: "4" indicates 4 seconds while 125 indicates 1/125 seconds. The Mamiya 7 has an aperture-priority, AE lens shutter. Once the aperture and film speed are set, the AE meter selects a proper shutter speed in relation to the set aperture. In the manual photographic mode, proper shutter speed is indicated by a blinking red LED within the viewfinder. 1. To set the diaphragm to a desired aperture, rotate the aperture ring "A" until the appropriate figure is aligned with the central red index line "B" (Click stops are provided at each engraved aperture number but the diaphragm can be set also for intermediate stops.) 2. Rotate the shutter speed dial and select either the A(Auto exposure) or manual mode for photographing. Rotate the dial to align it with the white index line (-) on the camera body. * At A or AEL, the dial is locked. The lock can be released by pressing the AE lock release button "A" in the center of dial. * In any position other than A or AEL, the shutter speed dial is in the manual mode and moves freely from click-stop to click-stop: it must be set on a specific click-stop and cannot be used at an in between setting. * Intermediate Diaphragm settings (between click stops) are possible Intermediate Shutter Speeds (between engraved numbers) are not possible. 15 Shutter Release Button LED Indicators in the Viewfinder The shutter release button is designed so that pressure can be applied in two stages. When it is lightly touched, correct metering data is displayed on the bottom of the view finder. When it is depressed all the way, the shutter is released and an exposure is made. The LED's are located at the bottom of the finder in order not to interfere with the field of view of the wide angle lens. The red lamp illuminates when · the shutter is not cocked · the light shield curtain is closed · the film is not loaded. · the lens is not attached. · the battery power is weakening : The lamp blinks. 16 LED Indicators in the Viewfinder AE photography AEL photography Manual mode Long time exposure 1 sec to 4 sec at the A and AEL modes. 2 sec and 4 sec at the Manual mode. Under-exposure Over-exposure Battery drain increases in the AE mode Battery capacity is sufficient. Battery capacity drops. When the Battery is badly weakening. Red warning lamp 17 Focusing the Lens [Photographic area covered] When the lens has been focused, the double image superimposing rangefinder produces two superimposed images with in the square of the viewfinder. How To: 1. Position the subject within the central square of the viewfinder. As on the top left the subject will appear as a double images. 2. Rotate the focusing ring until the two images converge and are superimposed as on the figure on the left. The lens is now focused. The two images can also be superimposed by using the lateral boundary line between the viewfinder and the center rectangle zone or split image. Adjust the images until the boundary lines converge. Within the viewfinder the subject area covered is indicated by the visible bright frame. Parallax is automatically compensated for according to the subject-to-lens distance. The composition will be within in the lines of the bright frame "A" for 6 x 7 format and "B" for 135 panoramic format. 83% of the field of view is visible at infinity and 100% is visible at the minimum focusing distance. The appropriate bright frame area is automatically indexed upon lens interchange. 18