Any Mamiya Press users here?

zillauser said:
Hi, I have a 23 and a Universal. Using the 23 because the Universal has a little problem with the frame lines not moving as I focus. I have the 50mm, 65mm, 100mm f3.5 collapsable, 150mm silver, and a 250 f5 black. I use the S backs, 6x9 for B&W and 6x7 for color. I've not used it much since my darkroom has been in boxes for at least 10 years. With luck I can get it set up this winter. The last lab I used did not scan 120 negatives and their proof prints were very disappointing. So I have nothing to show at the moment. Glad I found this site though. Will keep in touch
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Welcome to RFF from Northern Virginia. Look forward to your future input, especially on the Super Press 23. I don't get to use my cameras much anymore due to work and life. I keep hoping to get out the 23 again as I always enjoyed using it. I got some really great photos with that in the past.
 
zillauser said:
Hi, I have a 23 and a Universal. Using the 23 because the Universal has a little problem with the frame lines not moving as I focus. I have the 50mm, 65mm, 100mm f3.5 collapsable, 150mm silver, and a 250 f5 black. I use the S backs, 6x9 for B&W and 6x7 for color. I've not used it much since my darkroom has been in boxes for at least 10 years. With luck I can get it set up this winter. The last lab I used did not scan 120 negatives and their proof prints were very disappointing. So I have nothing to show at the moment. Glad I found this site though. Will keep in touch
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That's a great setup. I've got many of those lenses. Never used the 65mm but I'd like to. One problem with the 250 F5 is focusing it at close distance. It's a lovey lens but I can never nail the focus using the rangefinder. The ground glass back is a necessity.


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I got my first Universal in 1968, and I haven't been without one since that time. I've owned all of the lenses at one time or another. I've primarily used it as a mini-view camera with the ground glass back and the 6X9 roll holder. I use the rear bellows as an extension tube for closer focus. The 50mm lens is superb.
 
Have this system, Universal and several lenses.

I don't use it: New gear is small, light, and at 24MPx, excellent image quality.

I do miss it.
 
I'm really surprised the Mamiya press isn't a more popular camera. It has a rangefinder and a ground glass option, rear movements, takes a variety of film backs, is relatively compact (i.e. no front bellows to unfold) and quite robust. I think I prefer it to the Graflex XL, which always feels a bit fragile, especially the focus ring.

I've used it some with the 65mm lens using the rangefinder to focus. It's a good walking around camera. Probably a bit on the heavy side, but I use an accessory handle which makes it manageable.
 
In my opinion, if camera had been made lighter it would have been far more popular. Has a lot going for it. I have several including a "flat-top."

mich rassena said:
I'm really surprised the Mamiya press isn't a more popular camera. It has a rangefinder and a ground glass option, rear movements, takes a variety of film backs, is relatively compact (i.e. no front bellows to unfold) and quite robust. I think I prefer it to the Graflex XL, which always feels a bit fragile, especially the focus ring.

I've used it some with the 65mm lens using the rangefinder to focus. It's a good walking around camera. Probably a bit on the heavy side, but I use an accessory handle which makes it manageable.
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Sort of user. I have a Standard 23 that I bought as a set with a lot of parts that never were taken out of the box since bought in 1969. But it has a light leak I cannot find. Then there is a Super 23 that I should try one day and anotherone I want to use as a pinhole.

Nice cameras but heavy.
 
Spanik said:
Sort of user. I have a Standard 23 that I bought as a set with a lot of parts that never were taken out of the box since bought in 1969. But it has a light leak I cannot find. Then there is a Super 23 that I should try one day and anotherone I want to use as a pinhole.

Nice cameras but heavy.
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They are heavy. I got mine when I was in my early 30s. It really didn't seem heavy then, and I loved those 6x7 negatives. Now with occasional back problems I think otherwise. And despite my best efforts, I cannot convince my wife who hates cameras, that it would be a kind gesture to carry my Super Press kit for me. :p
 
picked up a mamiya universal with the 127mm and 100mm with a 6x9 and just got a 6x7 back today. its really fun to use. makes you stop and think about your shot. the image quality is fantastic.
 
Good to see some activity on this particular thread. Still meaning to get my negs scanned so I can post some images. One of my New Years resolutions is to unpack my darkroom that has been in boxes for twenty years.
 
I just stumbled upon this thread, and I'm glad I did. It's nice to see a few other members can appreciate this relatively obscure and underrated camera... And we can do it in our own little corner of the internet. ;)

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I've since added an Arca-type L-plate and leather hand grip. It's my go to setup and works very well for backpacking, shooting handheld, and on a tripod.

Virtually all my serious work has been shot with a Mamiya Super 23, with a custom Graflok back, a 100mm f/2.8, or 65mm f6.3: https://www.flickr.com/photos/brickartisan/
 
Any Mamiya Press users here?

Baipin said:
I just stumbled upon this thread, and I'm glad I did. It's nice to see a few other members can appreciate this relatively obscure and underrated camera... And we can do it in our own little corner of the internet. ;)

I've since added an Arca-type L-plate and leather hand grip. It's my go to setup and works very well for backpacking, shooting handheld, and on a tripod.

Virtually all my serious work has been shot with a Mamiya Super 23, with a custom Graflok back, a 100mm f/2.8, or 65mm f6.3: https://www.flickr.com/photos/brickartisan/
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I also don't use the handle. It's really ergonomic but the weight of the system stops me from using it.

Could you let me know more about the custom back? What is custom about it and how did you make it?


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The G back is used for my Universal. That back is a Graflok back. That back has been modified to take Horseman holders.

Also, don't use the handle. Instead attached a wooden handle to the side and use it to grip the camera. It is light and fits close to the side of the camera. Will try to get a photo posted in a week or so.
 
Hopefully this will give you some insight into what I do:

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Please excuse the crappy cellphone pictures! ;-) Here's one of the setup in practice, with the 65mm f/6.3:

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...Taken just as I was shooting this:

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Enjoy!
 
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