Mamiya Magazine 35

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cassel

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Watch this space for an upcoming review of this interesting rangefinder from Mamiya:) Just found a body with TWO magazines...should be handy and fun. I must officially admit that I am a camera collector:rolleyes:

Any experience to share about this camera?
 
Camera arrived today along with an extra back/magazine. Pretty cool camera! The camera has a few issues: rangefinder window glass is loose/crooked - does affect functionality; 1/500 does not work- fires when shutter is advanced-- not with the release button. Lens was advertised as having fungus and/or separation- but it looks decent under inspection. Advance lever does not spring back into place after advance. Otherwise seems OK.

I went ahead and loaded it to test it out. I will wait on trying out the functionality of the extra back until I'm sure it works otherwise. Viewfinder is nice- brightline for 50mm and round rangefinder spot. Not sure why my iPhone photos are upside-down...

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About half-way through the first roll...shoots pretty well.

Researching these cameras it appears that there are a couple of varieties. Some models have "Mamiya" printed on the front of the body. Some have a larger viewfinder window and the focusing range is in meters instead of feet (import vs. Japan) Some magazines have a red lock/unlock latch- some are black.

Several sources indicate production of a f2.0 model but I've not found any evidence that these actually exist.
 
Got the first roll back- all 36 frames came out fine with a variety of f/stops and shutter speeds. I also took the magazine out and put it back in - worked fine. Lens is sharp enough- needs a hood to reduce flare. Focus is spot-on. All-in-all its a decent little camera- I think the ability to quickly and easily switch film types mid-roll will work well for travel photos and changing light conditions. Here's a few quick low-res scans:

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Is the filter thread for 48mm? That'd be a weird size. I'd expect 46mm or 49mm on an old Japanese rangefinder.
 
Found another back and the rare leather case- both NOS :)

My new favorite camera- fun and different- would love to find the f2.0 version
 
Thanks for showing! I've never seen 35mm camera with film back. I only wish it could have to take [bulk loaded] 72exp. rolls if we go into int. back business.
 
That is definitely a neat camera, cassel. Glad you are able to find other goodies for it. Reminds me of the Zeiss Contaflex Super BC, though that's an SLR. Only other interchangeable back rangefinder I know of is the Koni-Mamiya Rapid 100/200. Oh, and the press cameras by Mamiya and Polaroid.

PF
 
There is a Model with a 4.8cm/F2 lens as I have one. When I first purchased this camera approx. 10 years ago I assumed it was the lens the model was designed with, but found out later the much more common model had the 4.5cm/F2.8 lens. I will assume the F/2 was first in design and for whatever reason Mamiya switched to the F/2.8 lens potentially for economic reasons, but I do not know the true reasons. I also have the original Mamiya lens hood for the 4.5cm/F2.8 lens Model which I have with two other backs.
Have never tested either camera with film as when I purchased these, I always had intention of testing but bought way too many cameras in a short time, and never made it back to them. Always knew the F/2 Model was much rarer, but never have seen any information about these cameras, other than a write up in a Pop Photo, circa 1958 when the Mamiya Magazine 35 was released.

Gary Hill
 
My mistake in the previous post. I should have been quoting the more common lens as 5cm/F2.8, not 4.5cm.
Gary Hill
 
I've had 1 for a few years, but have only put a couple rolls through it. It came w/an extra back & I was then able to score a couple more (1 broken, unfortunately) cheaply. The shutter on mine works fine, the only mechanical problem being that the RF patch is sluggish, i.e., it moves slower than the focus helical on the lens.

A few shots from the test roll:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/furcafe/tags/mamiyamagazine35c1957/

I just happen to have examples of every 35mm camera w/interchangeable backs: Kodak Ektra, Mamiya Magazine-35, & Zeiss Ikon Contarex.
 
furcafe said:
I just happen to have examples of every 35mm camera w/interchangeable backs: Kodak Ektra, Mamiya Magazine-35, & Zeiss Ikon Contarex.
Click to expand...

Collections never end. There still are the Contaflex, Adox 300, and the Rollei 2000/3003 series to add...
 
I stand corrected. The Adox looks like it could have been a contender (for my collection) if it had a rangefinder. The Monobar seems a bit too specialized . . .

sevo said:
Collections never end. There still are the Contaflex, Adox 300, and the Rollei 2000/3003 series to add...
Click to expand...
 
hilltime said:
There is a Model with a 4.8cm/F2 lens as I have one. When I first purchased this camera approx. 10 years ago I assumed it was the lens the model was designed with, but found out later the much more common model had the 4.5cm/F2.8 lens. I will assume the F/2 was first in design and for whatever reason Mamiya switched to the F/2.8 lens potentially for economic reasons, but I do not know the true reasons. I also have the original Mamiya lens hood for the 4.5cm/F2.8 lens Model which I have with two other backs.
Have never tested either camera with film as when I purchased these, I always had intention of testing but bought way too many cameras in a short time, and never made it back to them. Always knew the F/2 Model was much rarer, but never have seen any information about these cameras, other than a write up in a Pop Photo, circa 1958 when the Mamiya Magazine 35 was released.

Gary Hill
Click to expand...

Hey Gary-let me know if you ever want to sell the f2.0 Mamiya.

I just scored another back (that's 4 now) and an Auto-Up II close-up device.
 
I had missed this thread somehow. I never heard of 35mm cameras that had interchangeable backs. Fascinating.

Thanks for sharing your photos and experience with this camera.
 
My collection is just about complete!
Thanks to Gary- I picked up a rare f2.0 version of the camera.
Pretty exciting but I promptly broke it after unpacking it-:mad: the lens assembly is loose and the shutter won't fire consistently.

I don't think it will be hard to fix...

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I also picked up another back and an "Auto-Up" close up device:)
 
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