zalmy - I think I had the same thought edward had - the RZ strung up around your neck! The Mamiya 7 would be a great event cam - you may even want to look into a Mamiya 6 - much cheaper, 12 shots per roll, etc...
"Once you get your film scanned outside, there is very little to nothing that can be done in terms of PP, because the files will be in 8bit. Of course, if you scan at home, the possibilities are limitless with negative film."
There's plenty you can do in post from scanned film. The files will be whatever bit depth the scanner operator sets in the scanning software, but some scanners like the ones many labs use and even high end Crossfield drums can only output 8 bit.
I've always thought the charging per megabyte was stupid, particularly after finding that (at least on the Howtek drum scanners) there was absolutely no difference in time between an 8 bit tiff or a 16 bit version. The scanner always scans in 16 bit per channel. When you ask for an 8 bit scan, the software is actually sampling that down after the fact. I make all my scans 16 bit no matter what, although I sometimes run into files size restrictions in Mac OS9 and have to make two scans to stitch.
Just an fyi, mamiya 6 is usually not much cheaper (if at all), and I believe parts and service are no longer available from mamiya. 2nd the idea of the mamiya 7 though. It's a great system.
I guess I have just seen "kits" with one standard lens prices. I've not really looked At prices for multiple lenses with body. I believe there's a 6 for sale now at RFF... And there's a 7 that will pop up frequently too. I was really surprised at the last few prices I saw - kinda low!!
The mamiya 7 80mm is a fantastic optic, agreed. I wish the minimum focus distance was shorter and it ws an f/2.8 but otherwise there is not much to be improved on in that lens. Actually all the mamiya 7 lenses are pretty much the best 6x7 lenses at any price.
I had both the 7 and 7II at the same time. No real meaningful differences, really. I kept the 7 and sold the 7II. The whole system can be found at decent prices with some patience. It may take a while, but deals can be had.
I'd avoided C41 monochrome for decades (sticking with tried and trusted FP4 and HP5) but bought a can of 35mm BW400CN on a whim a few months ago to fill out a 3 for 2 deal at a shop when they had only two rolls of the slide film I was after.
Finally got round to using it in a T70 that I'd recently bought and sent it off for processing; when I came to scan it, I found really loved the results. More detail than I'd expect from HP5 and with a little pushing the contrast in PP I enjoy the tones it delivers.
Somewhat enthused, I've recently picked up a 5-roll box of 2011-expired 120 BW400CN and put the first one through my Mamiya M645 1000S. The next one will go in my Yashica 124G.
From a walk at the local state park that backs up behind our house. This was in July, all on gold200 with I believe a vivitar 135 f2.5. but again, I forget and may just be on a 50mm.
cropped panorama seemed to work better for this one
Interesting side note: All the images above are of an ancient American Indian Ceremonial grounds that were used for thousands of years.
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