mamiya press 6x9 camera

[kuzano]

And forgetting to cock the shutter.....!!!!!!!!!!

And forgetting to cock the shutter.....!!!!!!!!!!

I would love to show you some of the gorgeous shots I made without removing the dark slide. 🙁 Alas, I'll have to show one I remembered to remove the slide for.

Hill County courthouse, Hillsboro TX. by Kenny Johnson, on Flickr

This with the 100mm f3.5 and Tmax 100 film. I love mine but don't shoot it often enough. In addition to the cut sheet back and GG, I also have a 6X7 and 6X9 back for it.

Kenny

I will back that up with all the shots I made without cocking the shutter, and then the shots of the back of the lens caps.... Hundreds of both.

These camera's teach you to be slow and deliberate on your shots. Thoughtful and creative shots come from that practice.

I finally got rid of my Universal for one reason only.... The constant hunt for more accessories, lenses and backs.

Pick a film back, pick a lens, and just go shooting. Otherwise kiss money and time wasted hunting for pieces good bye.

Excellent system... I loved mine and it was difficult to pull the plug. I went to the Fujica GL690 rangefinder. At least the shutter cocks when transporting the film. The GSW690 fuji's have the 65mm EBC multicoated lenses. The Fuji was the only alternative after years with the Mamiya Universal, and press.

 

[JChrome]

I will back that up with all the shots I made without cocking the shutter, and then the shots of the back of the lens caps.... Hundreds of both.



These camera's teach you to be slow and deliberate on your shots. Thoughtful and creative shots come from that practice.



I finally got rid of my Universal for one reason only.... The constant hunt for more accessories, lenses and backs.



Pick a film back, pick a lens, and just go shooting. Otherwise kiss money and time wasted hunting for pieces good bye.



Excellent system... I loved mine and it was difficult to pull the plug. I went to the Fujica GL690 rangefinder. At least the shutter cocks when transporting the film. The GSW690 fuji's have the 65mm EBC multicoated lenses. The Fuji was the only alternative after years with the Mamiya Universal, and press.

I have both the Mamiya universal and Fuji GL. Of course the GL wins in terms of ergonomics and weight (and perhaps lens quality). But that 50mm Fuji costs about a grand. The 50mm for the Mamiya is around $300. While the hunt for more accessories continues, all pieces are reasonably priced. I'd say it's a significant bargain for the system.

And there are about 10 lenses for the Press system whereas there are 5 for the Fuji.

For traveling, the Fuji is excellent. While the Mamiya press is not so great in that department... Stay tuned, I'm about to release some accessories for the Mamiya Universal that will allow you to do some interesting things...


www.stillthrill.com

 

[mich rassena]

I used my Mamiya Super 23 last night and shot three rolls with the 65mm lens on a 6x7 back (I'm still looking for a cheap 6x9 back). This was my second outing with the camera, and I found the camera very usable. It's easy to focus, and the accessory finder is not an inconvenience.

The weight isn't as significant an issue as you'd think. I was using it handheld, and it was a very windy day, > 30 mph winds and I was able to hold the camera still, even for vertical shots. Last week I was walking around for an hour with a 4x5 speed graphic and did find it a bit heavy and cumbersome. The handgrip and trigger on the Mamiya has a better feel to it than the body release on the graflex.

The Mamiya offers a lot of flexibility. I can switch out the lenses and they'll be cammed for the rangefinder. I can use the ground glass with the option of the rear bellows. I have a box of 2x3 film that I want to use with the accessory back. I like that the camera gives you the option to work fast or slow, as the situation dictates.

I think for its price point it's a great camera. It seems like a workhorse, whereas my Graflex XL seems a bit too delicate, with its plastic focusing handle.

 

[zillauser]

I am new to Mamiya Universal too

I am new to Mamiya Universal too

Hi All, I am new to Mamiya Universal too. I have done a lot of street shooting with my Leicas, but I got the Mamiya because I want to slow down to shoot more carefully. I expect my Mamiya, aka Godzilla, to spend most of it's time on a tripod. I don't have a darkroom set up yet though I have a Beseler 23 enlarger, lenses and negative carriers in storage with the rest of the darkroom gear. I see your images and have darkroom fever real bad now. Keep shooting and showing! Richard ,zillauser. In NE Michigan😀

 

[oftheherd]

Hi All, I am new to Mamiya Universal too. I have done a lot of street shooting with my Leicas, but I got the Mamiya because I want to slow down to shoot more carefully. I expect my Mamiya, aka Godzilla, to spend most of it's time on a tripod. I don't have a darkroom set up yet though I have a Beseler 23 enlarger, lenses and negative carriers in storage with the rest of the darkroom gear. I see your images and have darkroom fever real bad now. Keep shooting and showing! Richard ,zillauser. In NE Michigan😀

I think you will enjoy your Mamiya Universal. I have the Super Press 23. I don't very often use it on a tripod, although naturally that will give you sharper photos. But I found it so easily hand holdable, my photos were still quite good and shake free. Try both ways and see what you like.

Do expect that if you find you like those big negatives, you will want more backs, extra lenses, and other accessories like extension tubes, cut film backs, etc.