Mamiya Press/Universal wide conversion???

[paniolo]

Hello Photographers,
I would like to ask how to remove the top VF/RF housing of a Press model to get the bare body. The idea is to use it with a wideangle lens like the 50 or 65mm and an aux finder. No rf coupling of course.

Or is there any easy and cheap way to adapt a standard roll film back to a lens like on the linked picture?

I see very epensive "solutions" from Alpa, but they are out of reach.

 

[Deleted member 65559]

Check out the "Cambo Wide". lots of photos on google images

 

[oftheherd]

Not sure what you are trying to do. If you intend to use a Mamiya 50mm or 65mm, then there is no need to remove the top. There is a finder for both that fits in the flash shoe. I have a 50mm that I don't have a finder for. I find that a 65mm finder with 6x7 backs, can be done.

What your photo seems to show is something other than a Mamiya lens. That would indicate a spacer as a problem first of all. Then to insure it will cover a 6x7 or 6x9 back.

Can you provide a little more information?

 

[wjlapier]

I'd look into the Mercury camera. I did some reading last night and can see where this camera could reduce size and weight. Price I didn't see.

If you got money to burn then maybe buy the Press/Unversal camera and send it off to SK Grimes. Should be simple enough and they have the ability to make it look like Mamiya made it that way.

 

[bsdunek]

Not sure what you are trying to do. If you intend to use a Mamiya 50mm or 65mm, then there is no need to remove the top. There is a finder for both that fits in the flash shoe. I have a 50mm that I don't have a finder for. I find that a 65mm finder with 6x7 backs, can be done.

What your photo seems to show is something other than a Mamiya lens. That would indicate a spacer as a problem first of all. Then to insure it will cover a 6x7 or 6x9 back.

Can you provide a little more information?

This was my thought also. I use a 50mm lens and accessory finder on my Super 23. With a 6X9 back it really gives a nice wide view. For fun, I roll 35mm film on 120 backing paper and spools. Gives a neat wide shot and you can include the sprocket holes for fun.

 

[johannielscom]

No need to hack any camera up, what you want exists for sub-Alpa prices already.

It's the Horseman 842 Convertible.
https://www.johanniels.com/index.ph...convertible-a-medium-format-wide-angle-camera

 

[mpaniagua]

Seeing one on the bay. I would say it looks expensive 😛

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Horseman-6x7-Convertible-camera-w-62mm-lens-roll-film-back-Clad-Nice-Ex/391991394742?hash=item5b448201b6:g:xRwAAOSw74Fal66z

Looks good though.

Marcelo

 

[johannielscom]

Seeing one on the bay. I would say it looks expensive 😛

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Horseman-6x7-Convertible-camera-w-62mm-lens-roll-film-back-Clad-Nice-Ex/391991394742?hash=item5b448201b6:g:xRwAAOSw74Fal66z

Looks good though.

Marcelo

Hm. I paid under EUR 500 for my Horseman Convertible, with a CLA. couple of years ago.
Another member here had one for sale a few years back and it went for something like EUR 450. On eBay, no takers here.
So they can be had cheaper!

 

[oftheherd]

Without more commentary from the OP I still think it would be better to just get a Mamiya Universal or Super Press 23. I think the Super Press 23 is the better one, but it depends on what the OP has in mind for use. The only advantage I can think of right now would be if he wanted to use Polaroid and can find the adapter and film. But either the Universal or the Super Press will take both 6x7 or 6x9 film. 120 and 220 as well, but I don't think 220 is going to be back.

Both take the 50mm, 65mm, 100mm (both), 150mm and 250mm (f/5 version) with rangefinder coupling. The older 250mm f/8 was scale focus, but was much smaller and therefore lighter (The 250mm f/5 needs a caisson and a team of horses 😀). I think both bodies also take the 127 and 90mm lenses. Both cameras were production cameras so you should be able to get them without paying so much.

Both take 4 different ground glass backs, 3 with film holders and one just a simple ground glass. Two of them are right angle iirc. The Super Press has a bellows back for perspective control (and can be used with the extension tubes for magnification).

I think the Universal required an adapter to use some of the accessory backs, but you will have to wait for someone who has one to comment. I never had one and don't recall now.

There was also a back that could use inserts to give 6x6, 6x7 or 6x9. Problem was they also needed inserts to place on the front of the viewfinder for framing.

Paniolo, have you looked at the Mamiya cameras or is there a particular reason you want the configuration you showed?

 

[wjlapier]

I have the Universal with a Graflok back adapter. I've considered taking the top off and shooting the 65 or 50--maybe the 75. Too nice to cut up though. But, I might try to find one that is in worse shape and modify it.

 

[YouAreHere]

Like this?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/37082363@N08/7856475032/

These conversions are done because the user wants to cut down, literally, on the camera's size, and is using an ultrawide angle lens where RF focus isn't needed.

The medium format equivalent to a Bessa L with the added benefit of switchable backs.

 

[YouAreHere]

This site has info on accessing and cleaning the rangefinder optics. It gives some insight of what would be involved in removing the complete RF package.

https://tinkeringwithcameras.blogspot.com/2015/03/mamiya-press-restoration.html

 

[johannielscom]

The Horseman Convertible can do 6x7 and 6x9 backs, both in 120 and 220.

The 62mm lens translates to a 32mm eq. on the 6x7 back, and a 25mm eq. on the 6x9 back. No RF needed to focus it.

It's also way smaller than a Mamiya and definitely lighter.

I'm considering hacking an additional front lens board with a 47mm Super Angulon for it. Very easy to do, but so far I have not found a bargain price lens yet...

 

[oftheherd]

Like this?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/37082363@N08/7856475032/

These conversions are done because the user wants to cut down, literally, on the camera's size, and is using an ultrawide angle lens where RF focus isn't needed.

The medium format equivalent to a Bessa L with the added benefit of switchable backs.

I agree the Super Press and surely the Universal are not light cameras. Me personally, even though I have a recurring back problem, I would not wish to cut the RF off any body. I just don't think it would cut enough weight to help much, and then I couldn't use it easily with other lenses. I guess if you didn't have any other lenses than the 50mm, and didn't want any, it might be OK. But I still wouldn't see any advantage to mounting a non-Mamiya lens.