Testing the Mamiya 7

[JSebrof]

So I just got a Mamiya 7. I have no lenses for it yet, but is there any way I can tell if it works? I've popped a good battery in it and turned it on, however I get nothing... Is this a bad thing or do I need a lens to see any change in the viewfinder?

Thanks,
Jonathan

[Pinholemaster]

Camera won't fire without a lens. Built that way for a reason.

[MikeSeb]

Great camera.

[SuzanneR]

Beg, borrow, or steal a lens!!!

[rpsawin]

Is there a pro camera shop near you? If so they may have new or used lenses for your camera. Stop by and ask to look at a lens and do you "checks" at that time. It will also help you decide where to start with your lens kit (you will likely suscumb and get them all but you have to start somewhere...lol).

Best regards,

Bob

[JSebrof]

Thank you for the responses. I saw in the manual for the camera the part about testing the battery and how the shutter speeds should light up in the viewfinder. I understand that there can be no firing of the camera without a lens, because the shutter for the Mamiya 7 is housed in the lens, that I don't have yet. But what I am interested in, is if the lack of anything lighting up in the viewfinder when I turn my camera on is an indication of it being broken electrically, or simply a matter of my not having a lens attached. Just thinking that if there were a problem I could use this time while I figure out the lenses I want and start getting them, I could have the body go to the shop to be looked at. I could just do that anyway, except that the camera looks to be in fantastic shape, I just had this one small concern.

[rphenning]

I just popped the lens off of mine and the viewfinder lights up with a reading. You sure the battery is ok? Is your curtain closed?

[JSebrof]

The battery is out of my Pentax spot meter, and now that I've tried it again the shutter speeds come up and a red light is blinking that the manual tells me is due to the battery level being low. I must have had the battery in backwards before when I tried it, or else not tried pressing the shutter button while looking through the viewfinder. This is probably all the testing I can do without a lens, I appreciate all of your help everyone!