olleorama
flasher extraordinaire
How would you compare these two systems? Which has the better viewfinder/rangefinder? How does the lenses compare? Which would you choose?
sevo
Fokutorendaburando
The Graflex had better lenses (having bought in a few top class Zeiss ones), but the higher end Mamiya lenses are close - the bulk of the Mamiya lenses are Tessar type, excellent when stopped down, but rather on the slow side.
Finder wise, I can't tell as my Graflex was topless, massacred by some earlier owner. The Mamiya Universal and Super 23 have excellent finders, earlier Press system cameras are quite a bit worse, though.
Mamiya has quite significantly better backs - the film planarity on the Graflex backs is nothing to write home about, while the Press system "M" backs are among the best 6x9 film holders ever.
Finder wise, I can't tell as my Graflex was topless, massacred by some earlier owner. The Mamiya Universal and Super 23 have excellent finders, earlier Press system cameras are quite a bit worse, though.
Mamiya has quite significantly better backs - the film planarity on the Graflex backs is nothing to write home about, while the Press system "M" backs are among the best 6x9 film holders ever.
olleorama
flasher extraordinaire
I understand there were loose helicals for the graflex system, but for what? LF lenses?
How are the mass and bulk of the systems compared to each other?
How are the mass and bulk of the systems compared to each other?
Roger Hicks
Veteran
If you get Graflex, modify it to take Mamiya backs: the Graflex backs are awful.
Early Mamiya lenses are all soft-focus, though on the 6x9 format this is nothing like as important as with 35mm.
Both are good.
Cheers,
R.
Early Mamiya lenses are all soft-focus, though on the 6x9 format this is nothing like as important as with 35mm.
Both are good.
Cheers,
R.
olleorama
flasher extraordinaire
Hi Roger, I'm honoured to have you answering my thread. You and your books have cost me a lot of money sir! (Although, to be fair, I have gained a lot of knowledge from it).