Mamiya Magazine 35

[cassel]

Wow, what a Journey! I applaud you for your extreme persistence and you now have potentially one of the rarer classics from the era. And to think, not only one but two examples. I really wonder how many more are still around and now especially, functioning. Kudos to you, and I hope you have many years of enjoyment with these.
Gary

Thanks so much Gary! I have been shooting the recently repaired camera the last few days and it's been fun and rewarding. I keep track of any online traffic of these cameras on a regular basis...occasionally (about once a month or so) the f2.8 examples pop up for sale but the only two F2.0 models that have surfaced in the last few years are here with me🙄 I too wonder how many are out there ?

These cameras are good users as well...it is nice to be able to switch film/bodies at will. Normally I keep notes to track what I shoot.

 

[hilltime]

You are correct. I also track cameras of interest on Ebay and I have never seen another of these for sale. It's odd, I did see the other F 2.0 Model before you purchased it and I was thinking maybe I should bid on it, but you were so interested in these I figured why would I need another after just selling this one to you. I think they have found the right home and hopefully will be with you for a long time. I feel like this saga has about come to an end now this camera appears whole again, but always the best of luck, and I'm still crazy about my Auto Terra's.
Regards,

 

[hilltime]

Beautiful color rendition. What film are you using and are you getting processing done in
Seattle?
Regards,
Gary Hill

 

[cassel]

Beautiful color rendition. What film are you using and are you getting processing done in
Seattle?
Regards,
Gary Hill

Hey Gary-
Thanks--- took a couple of years to find a process/sequence for color and for B&W.

Generally, ALL of my color work (about 95%) is AGFA 200 - Processed and Scanned by TheDarkroom.com I use their scans to post online and they send me a higher res file on CD and of course, the original negs. The results are consistent! Punchy, vibrant colors and nice grain. Not too fast, not too slow for handheld rangefinder work.

For Black and white I only use Tri-X @ 400.... same processing company.

This winter, I plan to set up my darkroom after a 15 year break.🙂

 

[cassel]

And then there were FOUR🙄

Today I picked up Mamiya Magazine #4 --this one is complete but not working - got it for parts. The lens (the F2.8 variety) is very nice/perfect, rangefinder is right on, just won't fire...

I already robbed the viewfinder window trim frame for my recently repaired f2.0... plus I can use the removable film back and it came with a complete leather case. Good deal I think at $40.

Funny thing is, the serial number was already on my list as a known camera... it was bound to happen that one that I saw somewhere online would end up surfacing again. Can't be many of these around!

I may carefully dismantle this one (already had the top off briefly today) and see how they "tick"

 

[Gnome2]

Cassel,

I'm not a photographer but I found this thread on a search about the Mamiya 35 Cartridge. It was an absolute joy to read everyone's comments and I learned so much about the camera.

I live in Tokyo and found an f2.8 camera with spare magazine when i was clearing out a house of one of my wife's relatives. They are both in brown leather cases and seem to be in good condition. The shutter works fine, although a little quieter than I was expecting.

Reading the thread I was almost tempted to take up photography and start using it myself, but on reflection, it's probably better if I can find someone who will make better use of it. As you seem to be cornering the world market, I wondered if you might like to add another to your collection?

Let me know if this sounds of interest.

 

[cassel]

Sent you a private message....

 

[cassel]

Rare "Big Window" early serial number variant on eBay right now. Difficult to find this style outside of Japan! Very tempting and a good price🙂

https://www.ebay.com/itm/282729012234?ul_noapp=true

 

[cassel]

My three Mamiyas are still clicking away😎 Sort of bummed about those dead links - all of my threads lost images. From here on, I will post shots hosted only on RFF.

In the meantime, I finally bought a "Big Window" model🙂 It's not here yet but enroute from Portugal...
AND
Check the big auction site carefully and you may find the very rare f2.0 variant- only the third camera of that type recorded (at least by me) in four years!!! It's in Australia, I'm definitely tempted, if you want a cool and rare and use-able rangefinder with the ability to switch rolls mid-way - GO FOR IT😉

data entered on the newly listed f2.0 model:
Serial number 782521 (very close to the other two known f2.0 models)

(check page two of this thread if you are curious about the list of all known serial numbers)

Lens number 198748 (also quite close but not in order)

has a small screw in the center of the advance lever pivot -weird - custom repair?

If someone doesn't buy it soon...😱

 

[Sarcophilus Harrisii]

My three Mamiyas are still clicking away😎 Sort of bummed about those dead links - all of my threads lost images. From here on, I will post shots hosted only on RFF.

In the meantime, I finally bought a "Big Window" model🙂 It's not here yet but enroute from Portugal...
AND
Check the big auction site carefully and you may find the very rare f2.0 variant- only the third camera of that type recorded (at least by me) in four years!!! It's in Australia, I'm definitely tempted, if you want a cool and rare and use-able rangefinder with the ability to switch rolls mid-way - GO FOR IT😉

data entered on the newly listed f2.0 model:
Serial number 782521 (very close to the other two known f2.0 models)

(check page two of this thread if you are curious about the list of all known serial numbers)

Lens number 198748 (also quite close but not in order)

has a small screw in the center of the advance lever pivot -weird - custom repair?

If someone doesn't buy it soon...😱

Nice! Worth getting I reckon.

 

[cassel]

The "BIG Window" model arrived today... lots of interesting little details that are different from the later serial numbers/smaller windows.

I will go through and photograph the details and differences for this thread but the summary is:

Bigger viewfinder, rangefinder and eyepiece windows, but, notably, NO framelines in the viewfinder HOWEVER the big window is a 1:1 life size view🙂 while the more common viewfinder WITH framelines (50mm) looks to be a .60 finder

No visible RF adjustment port (hot shoe screws are different, though😕)

Lens barrel focus is in METERS (not feet like the majority)

Misc. screws are different, but that's about it...

 

[cassel]

I'm considering a "strip and paint black" job on one of my currently non-functional Mamiya Magazine cameras. Started carefully taking apart the top and bottom plate. Again - this was a broken camera😉 Pretty easy to get the thing apart - now I'm trying to figure out what is brass. Looks like the advance lever, the top plate, hot shoe, and some little bits. The bottom plate is also stamped brass BUT I'm not sure about the counter window frame and the film speed frame - those are the big round circles on either end of the bottom plate. They seem to be pressed into the plate and might be aluminum or steel ? Not sure exactly how to tell or remove them. (EDIT - not magnetic - so aluminum?)

Also the top plate has a pressed in steel collar for the shutter release and both glass windows are glued in. What will remove the glue without damaging the glass? Already removed the hot shoe, the RF adjustment plug and the viewfinder peep hole plastic trim.

I also studied my early model - the "Big Window" design and found more interesting differences. In addition to the completely different viewfinder/rangefinder design, the removable magazine is not compatible with the later. more common design...that is really unfortunate and doesn't really make it practical to shoot my Big Window model as it was intended- i.e. to ability to switch film types mid-roll.