Any Mamiya Press users here?

[newsgrunt]

You'd be surprised what kind of cameras get used. You've got the workhorses but you've also got the cameras you pull out now and then. You do need your editors to be on board however or else it's a non starter.

Forgot to mention another possiblity of the Mamiya's I liked was the ability to use 2x3 cut film holders. Not as convenient as 120 but an interesting option.

I've always wondered what a long lens on this camera would be like.

 

[shadowfox]

I'm another happy user in this forum.

The film is really *flat* with the S-backs. I won't go hiking or traveling with this one, but for those places I can go with my car, this is *it* for my 6x9 or 6x7 needs.

 

[kafrf]

Just picked up a gorgeous Universal, with standard 100 lens. Looks like it's never been used, so there might be some age problems.

 

[oftheherd]

...

I've always wondered what a long lens on this camera would be like.

Heavy, but of course, much more versatility.

Shadowfox - I used to carry it around more when all I had was the camera, the 100mm, and the 65mm. The later is not a heavy lens at all. Of course, 30 years ago I had more brawn. Unfortunately, I can't claim more brains now. 😀

 

[kafrf]

...and a Super 23

...and a Super 23

Just picked up a gorgeous Universal, with standard 100 lens. Looks like it's never been used, so there might be some age problems.

I'll be able to post some shots (6x7 and 6x9) ere long, shot with my Super 23, and am looking forward to taking the "new" Universal out this weekend, with 6x9 back and the original orange plastic Mamiya tab. I went through it last night and aside from some stiffness in the stabilizing plate, from non-use I would guess, everything is smooth and clean.

Ken

 

[bsdunek]

I love my Super 23, use it a lot. I have the 50mm, 100mm and 250mm f8. I've heard the 250mm f8 is not so good, but I'm getting good results.
Yes, it's heavy, but so what, builds muscles! I use it on a tripod most of the time.
The moveable back is of limited value. With it extended and extension tubes it's good for close work. You do need a dark cloth though, as the image is pretty dim. Yes, you need the GG back to use it. With the 100mm collapsed, you can do some perspective correction, that's about it.
I love the 50mm, very sharp and wide enough to be useful (sort of like a 25mm on a 35mm camera).
I keep three backs in my case, B&W, Color and IR. Or, when I've done weddings, load all three up and it gives me 30 shots.
I'll keep using mine as long as I can.

 

[shadowfox]

Heavy, but of course, much more versatility.

Shadowfox - I used to carry it around more when all I had was the camera, the 100mm, and the 65mm. The later is not a heavy lens at all. Of course, 30 years ago I had more brawn. Unfortunately, I can't claim more brains now. 😀

The 100/2.8 that I have is quite big and heavy.
I'd carry this camera around if I'm on a real assignment or project. The negatives from this camera is out of this world.

Brain is overrated 😀

 

[oftheherd]

The 100/2.8 that I have is quite big and heavy.
I'd carry this camera around if I'm on a real assignment or project. The negatives from this camera is out of this world.

Brain is overrated 😀

I used to lust after the 100mm f/2.8 constantly. I have given up on that. Not only is it very much more expensive, being less than one stop faster, I can live without if by using faster film, pushing the film, or both. Truthfully, I prefer to be able to stop down when I can.

 

[oftheherd]

I love my Super 23, use it a lot. I have the 50mm, 100mm and 250mm f8. I've heard the 250mm f8 is not so good, but I'm getting good results.
Yes, it's heavy, but so what, builds muscles! I use it on a tripod most of the time.
The moveable back is of limited value. With it extended and extension tubes it's good for close work. You do need a dark cloth though, as the image is pretty dim. Yes, you need the GG back to use it. With the 100mm collapsed, you can do some perspective correction, that's about it.
I love the 50mm, very sharp and wide enough to be useful (sort of like a 25mm on a 35mm camera).
I keep three backs in my case, B&W, Color and IR. Or, when I've done weddings, load all three up and it gives me 30 shots.
I'll keep using mine as long as I can.

I got my 250mm and then started having back problems, and only used my folders. I look forward to using it. I never heard any Mamiya lens was bad, or not a good performer. Perhaps whoever said that meant relative to something else. All the Mamiya glass I have used has given me superb results. After more than 30 years I still love it. Quite a bit better than 35mm with all that negative real estate, but not as heave and more versitile than 4x5. By more versatile, I mean the ability to change lenses and hand carry. I don't know how much of that I will do with the 250mm yet though. 😀 😀

 

[noah b]

I am currently looking and will probably order one of Tony Sansone's rebuilt Universal bodies. I have a homebuilt (bought it) body and use the 50, 75, 100 lenses on it. Linked are a couple of pics.

And no, none of the Mamiya Press lenses cover a full 4X5 sheet of film, but they do cover the 3X4 pack film. I use a Quickload back and a roll film back. When I shoot a 4X5 quickload, it is with the intention to crop to the usable image circle.

that is a nice camera! do you know if there are directions to make one online or know of anyone who makes these?

 

[Jim Howerton]

I just found this site. I have shot with a Superpress for over 10 years now and have always loved it. I own 65,100(dual focus),150,250mm and a 6x7 and 6x9 back and extension tubes. I've lugged the thing all over, from Mexico to up in the mountains on packgoats. I have the ground glass adapter but have never been able to find any Mamiya cutfilm holders and that is something I really want. I haven't shot much with it lately but I'm going to start using it regularly for pano in BW.
Hope to make some new friends here and I'm sure I'll be here everyday.
Jim

 

[oftheherd]

I just found this site. I have shot with a Superpress for over 10 years now and have always loved it. I own 65,100(dual focus),150,250mm and a 6x7 and 6x9 back and extension tubes. I've lugged the thing all over, from Mexico to up in the mountains on packgoats. I have the ground glass adapter but have never been able to find any Mamiya cutfilm holders and that is something I really want. I haven't shot much with it lately but I'm going to start using it regularly for pano in BW.
Hope to make some new friends here and I'm sure I'll be here everyday.
Jim

There is a J type on ebay right now. It is a sale by Camera$ who I think is always too high. The J type holds two sheets of film. They do come up on ebay from time to time, and other sites may have them for sale from time to time as well.

 

[1948nikon]

Mamiya Press

Mamiya Press

My very first photo shoot was with a Mamiya Press February 1964.

 

[sevo]

There is a J type on ebay right now. It is a sale by Camera$ who I think is always too high. The J type holds two sheets of film. They do come up on ebay from time to time, and other sites may have them for sale from time to time as well.

The single sheet J types seem to be the most widespread, and are mechanically the best Mamiya holders I have.

The difference between single sheet J and A is not in the capacity, but rather in that J can hold European/Japanese 6x9cm/"Dai-Meishi" film in addition to US size 2.5x3.5in/6.5x9cm film and plates, while A holders only fit the latter.

Sevo

 

[Jim Howerton]

Thanks oftheherd & sevo for the info

 

[kuzano]

I have a couple of cut film holders I will never use....

I have a couple of cut film holders I will never use....

I have the ground glass adapter but have never been able to find any Mamiya cutfilm holders and that is something I really want.

In fact they are both different and seem to need septums like the grafmatic graflex boxes. Both are still in original boxes, but I'm not clear on how they work. I don't plan to ever use my Universal Press with ground glass, and my other camera has a 4X5 GG back and I used Quickloads on that.

If interested in pics of the Mamiya Press cut film holders, PM me.

 

[kuzano]

Sorry to be so late getting back....

Sorry to be so late getting back....

that is a nice camera! do you know if there are directions to make one online or know of anyone who makes these?

I really don't know who made it. I could take pictures of the internals. It's nicely done. It uses a standard Mamiya press front lens breechlock, which mounts all the Press lenses. It's a standard Linhof GG back and could just as well be a Graflex or other back. The linhof back is clearly from a rotating back linhof, but the GG back and underlying graflok type mount is mounted fixed, it does not rotate.

I have played around with mounting some LF lenses in the proper Mamiya helicals to get coverage for the full 4X5, which none of the Press lenses cover. However, I can also use roll film backs up to 6X12 and polaroid pack film backs. I have a 150 M press helical, and my next project is to mount a fujinon W 150 in that helical and shoot 4X5. It does not have a rangefinder, so handheld is risky, but I'd probably use it GG anyway.

I had fancied getting a Razzle Polaroid, but this came up and suits my needs. So now I have about six Polaroid 110 A, B, a 120 and two 900's. What to do.... what to do???

 

[oftheherd]

The single sheet J types seem to be the most widespread, and are mechanically the best Mamiya holders I have.

The difference between single sheet J and A is not in the capacity, but rather in that J can hold European/Japanese 6x9cm/"Dai-Meishi" film in addition to US size 2.5x3.5in/6.5x9cm film and plates, while A holders only fit the latter.

Sevo

I have never had one. I had seen photos that looked like they were dual sided so could hold two sheets. I didn't know they were for different sized film. My cut sheet film Type A holders are thinner. I need to get back to using them. They are good for when you want to use a single exposure of film that will be developed diferent that the rest as on a roll. Even though I have about 5 holders, that can be an advantage from time to time.

Thanks for the additional info.

 

[treehggr]

I recently bought a Super 23 from Craigslist. Great shape, black, with the standard 100mm f3.5 Tessar lens. What a beast! Odd shape, and heavy. Separate film wind and shutter tensioning procedure keeps you thinking about what you're doing. The lens will need a CLA as the shutter is sticky/erratic due to sitting around for years. Yesterday I bought a 150mm lens for it from eBay for $60. I'd like to find a 50mm as well. Today is rainy so I'll have time to develop the roll of film I shot with it yesterday.

Is anyone here using one of these cameras?

don't know how old your post is but I just got the same camera. have a 65,90 and 150mm. Liking the difference from lf that I'm used to. Want to shoot sheet film but don't have the negative carrier for 6/9 on my Omega. Shoot landscapes and like to process film 3 sheet at one time. Hane a Bronica ,mamiya Rb and Horseman 6/9 in med.format and a calomet wide for 4/5. Hope your enjoying the 23

 

[zillauser]

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