Mamiya 6
The Mamiya 6 is widely regarded as one of the finest medium format rangefinder cameras ever produced. Introduced in the late 1980s, it combined exceptional optical performance with a compact and innovative design, making medium format photography far more portable than many photographers thought possible. Paired with the Mamiya G 75mm f3.5 L lens and matching lens hood, it remains a highly desirable camera for landscape, travel and street photographers alike.
One of the most distinctive features of the Mamiya 6 is its collapsible lens design. When not in use, the lens retracts into the camera body, significantly reducing its size and making it much easier to carry than traditional medium format systems. It’s a clever engineering solution that transforms what could be a bulky camera into a remarkably portable travel companion.
For this review, I took the Mamiya 6 aboard a cruise through the Norwegian fjords, using it to capture dramatic mountain scenery and coastal villages of Norway. Loaded with the new Lucky 200 colour negative film, the camera proved to be an excellent combination for travel photography.
Lucky 200 has quickly gained attention among film photographers thanks to its distinctive rendering and affordable price point. The film is known for bold saturation, warm tones and that unmistakable Lucky character. The film also delivers strong contrast, subtle green shadows and excellent colour separation. Throughout the trip, the film rendered the dramatic Norwegian landscapes with rich colours and plenty of visual impact.
The Mamiya G 75mm f3.5 L lens performed beautifully. Often regarded as the standard lens for the system, it offers outstanding sharpness across the frame with excellent contrast and clarity. The matching lens hood not only completes the camera aesthetically but also helps maintain image quality when shooting in challenging lighting conditions. The lens is noted to have very light internal haze but as you can see from the photos, this had had no affect.
Despite its professional credentials, the camera was surprisingly straightforward to use. Exposure control is intuitive thanks to the LED display located within the viewfinder. By selecting the desired aperture and shutter speed combination and then half-pressing the shutter release, it is easy to confirm whether the scene is correctly exposed. This simple yet effective system encourages a more thoughtful approach to photography while still allowing for quick adjustments when conditions change.
As a rangefinder camera, focusing is handled through a bright and highly accurate viewfinder. The rangefinder patch is easy to see, making precise focusing straightforward. While most of my photographs were taken at or near infinity due to the vast fjord landscapes, the focusing system inspired confidence whenever more precise adjustments were required.
Of course, one of the biggest attractions of the Mamiya 6 is its image format. The camera produces large 6x6 square negatives on 120 film. The square format also encourages a different way of seeing, inviting photographers to compose more deliberately and consider balance and symmetry within the frame.
Throughout the journey, the camera felt perfectly suited to the task. Whether photographing towering cliffs rising directly from the water, colourful villages nestled along the shoreline or distant snow capped peaks disappearing into low cloud, the combination of the Mamiya 6 and Lucky 200 delivered consistently impressive results.
The Mamiya 6 remains one of the most refined medium format cameras ever made. Its compact body, innovative collapsible lens design and superb rangefinder system make it a joy to carry and use, while the Mamiya G 75mm f3.5 L lens produces images of outstanding quality. Paired with Lucky 200 film, the camera delivered vibrant colours, warm tones and rich contrast throughout a photographic journey across the Norwegian fjords. Easy to use, highly portable and capable of producing stunning 6x6 negatives, the Mamiya 6 is a camera that fully deserves its legendary reputation.
The Film
Lucky C200 is a daylight balance ISO 200 colour negative film known for bold saturation, warm tones, and that unmistakable Lucky look. Lucky film delivers high contrast, warm saturation, strong red and blues, and subtle green shadows. This film is especially praised for its affordability.
Lucky 200