Mamiya 6 Close-Up Adapters

[DBMILLER]

Does anybody have any experience with a Mamiya 6 Close-Up Adapter? How do they work?

I've only seen thumbnail size photos of them and don't quite understand the contraption.

Thanks

 

[keithwms]

I don't have one and haven't wanted one after reading how useless they are. My understanding is that you get a screw-in close-up diopter and that contraption that defines the plane of focus. You could alternatively get a diopter and use a tape measure... 😉

My own opinion is that the 6 or 7 or 7ii isn't the right camera for tight head shots, but if it must be done, then simply crop. With any of the lenses, you can crop down to 35mm frame, no worries. The biggest pill to swallow though, if you are accustomed to faster RF lenses, is that the mamiya RF lenses are not fast, and they are not going to give that creamy bokeh that you may want. So they are better suited to documentary style compositions than tight portraits.

 

[nksyoon]

I've seen a closeup adapter on auction for a ridiculous price - I'd rather crop. You won't get creamy bokeh as you would with a 135/2 on 35mm, but you can still get some decent blurry backgrounds. Example of bokeh with 75/3.5:

 

[Finder]

I have the close-up adapter - the one with the large plexi front not the goggles. It fits the lens hood bayonet. It is for the 75mm lens only and the larger plexi attachment compensates object distance for the rangefinder optics so you can focus. Framing is a bit difficult and parallax is greater. To be honest, I almost never use it.

 

[toyfel]

DBMILLER,

I second Keith`s comment. In combination with the screw-on close-up lens, the adapter is giving you the frame and the exact focus plane. So the adapter (or call it frame) supplied with the kit works only for one lens/close-up lens combination. Framing and focussing with the viewfinder alone is impossible. Due to the close focussing distance (something like 0.6 m) you get noticeable perspective distortion. Not very good for portraits or any frame-filling 3D objects. Frame size is also prestty small, can`t fit in the entire face of a grown up. DOF is extremely shallow. All in all its probably only useful for reproduction of static 2D objects. And for that you`d probably manage with just a close-up lens and a measuring tape. That`s my take on the close-up kit for the Mamiya 7 but I guess its the same for the Mamiya 6.

 

[Finder]

It is not impossible to focus and frame with the viewfinder - I have used one. There is no perspective distortion either.

 

[Ariya]

It really isn't the best tool for the job. With the 150mm I can get good head shots with a little cropping. For macro shots, nothing beats a camera with bellows focusing with an SLR as the second place finisher.

 

[oftheherd]

Not necessisarily for portraits, but a little ingenuity may solve the problem (if not creating more 😀). If you can find a cardboard or plastic tube of the right diameter, but to a desired length, and mount one end to the lens of choice and the other into the camera, you would have created your own extension tube. Then a bought or created (sanded with very fine grit sandpaper) ground glass will allow focusing and measurements from the front of the lens. Then experiments for the correct exposure compensation. Granted not an easy project, but the result might be better photos than a diopter filter.

Or, you could get another Mamiya system, such as the Universal or Super Press 23. For those you can then also purchase ground glass backs and ready made extension tubes.

Not what you wanted to hear I guess.

 

[Finder]

Not necessisarily for portraits, but a little ingenuity may solve the problem (if not creating more 😀). If you can find a cardboard or plastic tube of the right diameter, but to a desired length, and mount one end to the lens of choice and the other into the camera, you would have created your own extension tube. Then a bought or created (sanded with very fine grit sandpaper) ground glass will allow focusing and measurements from the front of the lens. Then experiments for the correct exposure compensation. Granted not an easy project, but the result might be better photos than a diopter filter.

Then there is the little problem of extending the lens contacts so the shutter in the lens can be used... or even opened

 

[oftheherd]

Then there is the little problem of extending the lens contacts so the shutter in the lens can be used... or even opened

Ah, see I didn't know that. Sorry. My Super Press 23 isn't sophisticated that way.

 

[toyfel]

Finder,

seems like my post was a bit confusing. When I said framing and focusing is impossible, I meant it is impossible when using only the in-camera viewfinder and without the kit adapter (or metal frame or whatever it is called). With the adapter it is quite possible to focus and frame of course, but not very convenient (at least for portraits). Perspective distortion might have been the wrong expression (can`t recall the correct english term) but for the lack of a better word let`s call it "big nose effect". Perhaps a matter of taste but it`s there 🙂