Mama Mia Mamiya... One more piece today!

[kuzano]

As much as I like my Fuji "Texas Leica" G690, I have had a long standing passion for the Mamiya Press series cameras. I sincerely think the Mamiya Universal Press is, by far, the most flexible modular camera, lens, back system in Medium Format, short of LF type bodies. I'd rank the lenses on a near par with the Fuji Rangefinders.

Today, I received in the mail, one more component I have been looking for.... A "near mint" body with no top dings whatsoever. Those who like the Mamiya's know how hard it is to find one of these with a straight top cover. In addition, it came with an excellent 6X9 roll film back (the one with the shutter release button).

I also happen to have a custom body which has a Linhof 4X5 Graflok back. I can use all the Mamiya lenses (I have the 50, 75 and 100). In addition, I have modified a 100 mm Mamiya helical and have a 103mm 4X5 lens mounted in that helical.

The big Fuji will still be the 6X9 I carry most often, but this Mamiya system has some nice features, including using 4X5 sheet film and 6X12 roll film backs.

I think I'm almost complete on this kit.

 

[hans voralberg]

Kuzano where can you get a 6x12 back for it?

 

[FrankS]

Looks familiar! 🙂

 

[kuzano]

Sorry... not for the Universal... for the Custom

Sorry... not for the Universal... for the Custom

Kuzano where can you get a 6x12 back for it?

Since the custom has a 4X5 back, I can get (next item) one of the 6X12 backs for 4X5 cameras that fit the Graflok system. Here is a link to one such:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Dayi-612-Film-r...otography_Film_Cameras_ET?hash=item4cebc135ce

Interestingly, it looks like Mamiya did make a 6X12 roll film back as shown on another of this same persons listing. However, I do know know of a Mamiya Press body with an opening large enough to take the back. Perhaps someone here knows. Here is the link showing pics of the Mamiya 6X12 roll back. It does not look like a modified or "hacked" back:

http://cgi.ebay.com/DAYI-612-6X12-C...wItemQQptZAU_FILM_CAMERAS?hash=item4cecd1a232

 

[filmfan]

Wow. That looks really nice.

 

[oftheherd]

Nice looking kit. I have been a fan of the Mamiya system since I got my Super Press 23 back about 1975. It truely is a system camera. Other things you might want to consider is the extension tube set, and either a 150mm or one of the 250mm lenses. I think there is a 250mm f/8 on ebay right now. Of course that one is scale focus, not coupled to the rangefinder. It is also much lighter. The 250mm f/5 is a sweet lens, but requires two men and a boy to carry.

I think there is a guy on ebay who advertises plans for converting the Mamiya Press cameras to 9x12, but pulling off the rangefinder top, and other barbaric actions. I'll stick to my 6x7 backs for now. If I find a cheap 6x9 back, I would probably go for it, but I do have my Zeiss Ikon for 6x9 when I feel I want it. But 6x7 fits enlarging paper well.

Sign, I can hear the whooshing sound as the ebay prices for Press camera shoot upward.

 

[acheyj]

Great Kit. I bought from an ex PJ mate of mine a universal with the f2.8 lens and both 6x7 and 6x9 back. To my shame I have yet to put a roll thu it. After your post am now motivated !.
Always wanted to get a broken one, strip off the RF and make a WA one , still looking for a body and WA lens. Like the Mam glass have a RB67 with 180, 90 and 50mm.
Cheers
ron

 

[kuzano]

You can use the older press bodies for a "flat top"

You can use the older press bodies for a "flat top"

Always wanted to get a broken one, strip off the RF and make a WA one , still looking for a body and WA lens. Like the Mam glass have a RB67 with 180, 90 and 50mm.
Cheers ron

If you are going to flat top one of these for a wide angle, you can use the old Press bodies. The breech lock mount for the lenses were never changed and all the last lenses mounted in the early cameras.

If you look closely at the front of the Custom Wood camera with the 4X5 back you will see that the lens mount is the very early short press camera lens mount. When you remove the short top and all the rangefinder equipment, you have pretty much the same body as the Universal. I did this and had the top machined flat, to add a polished aluminum plate.

Here is a link to bigcamera.com, linked to the page where the "flat top" mamiya is discussed.

http://www.bigcamera.com/articles/MakeFlatTop.htm

 

[acheyj]

Thanks Kuzano for your interest. Yes agree abt the older body, in fact I should have made it clear any body would do. In fact some older bodies also have a "swing back" as I am sure you are well aware. There is of course no need to remove the rf top it just makes for a neater WA camera.
I also have a Betram press camera with the three coupled lenses fitted case and filter set + original manual in english, quite a rare camera, must post some pics one day. The leather front cover needs replacing and the shutter is stiff on the slow speeds, when I get time I will clean it. It also has a adjustable back same as the earlier Mamiya press.
I still use MF as the negs scan with my flatbed scanner (Epson 4870) so well.

ron

 

[photobizzz]

I to have a Mamiya Super 23 (just got it) and have a 100/3.5 & 65/6.3 with 6X7 & 6X9 backs. I would love to make one of these "flat top" bodies, could I buy a 600SE body and chop it and my lenses would fit? I would like to graft a grafloc back onto the hacked body so I could mount a 6X12 back. Also would the 65mm cover 6X12 or would I have to get the 50mm?

 

[kuzano]

The Breechlock mounting systems are different.

The Breechlock mounting systems are different.

You cannot in any way, mount the focus helical built for the Mamiya mount on the front of the Polaroid 600SE, or vice versa. That was a very intentional contractual arrangement between Mamiya and Polaroid to separate and protect lens sales for each company. There are NO mods that will override that limitation. There are some hacks on cross platform of the backs, but it simply is too bothersome to try these.

Parts for the Polaroids and Mamiyas are unique to each system.

The Lenses in shutters can be removed and mounted on the other platforms, but the important part is the focus helical and you cannot cross mount those.

Frankly, the Mamiya Press cameras have far more accessories available and FAR more inventory in the used market place. In fact you can mount your Mamiya mount lenses on even the early model press camera's with the exception of the very first model with fixed lens.

Therefore, it's much cheaper to "flat top" an early press camera, either the standard or the 23 (not Super23). Furthermore, if you flat top the standard 23, you will have a camera with the Graflok back and bellows automatically. That was the distinction between the Standard and the Standard 23.... the bellows and graflok. Otherwise, the "flat top" modification is the same, and you can use ANY Mamiya lens in the Mamiya mount.

I have "flat topped" the Super 23 and the Universal. The Universal has the widest selection of back options of all the Press models from Mamiya and Polaroid.

Also, because of the glut of Mamiya bodies, and the limited numbers of Polaroid 600SE, the Polaroid often sells for more than Mamiya. Also, the first Polaroid 600 (no SE) was a fixed lens/mount 127mm press using Pack film.

 

[photobizzz]

BTW here is the same holder from China (where it is made anyway) for $220 shipped.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Film-Back-Holde...ltDomain_0?hash=item563977ec18#ht_1965wt_1165

I want to find one of the Mamiya backs though, look so much cooler and have to be made better. Check eBay australia, there is a guy selling a 6X12 camera (no lens) for $999 AU, and they have the Mamiya 612 (6X12 roll film back). He has 9 for sale. I emailed him to ask where he got the backs and if he had an extra he could sell by itself.