Mamiya Super 23 - First Roll

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photobizzz

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Well I just developed my first roll from my Mamiya Super 23. Talk about super sharp lenses! I shot a roll of Kodak Plus-X (125 ISO) with the 100/3.5 handheld using the rangefinder. I developed it in Microdol-X at 68F for 8 min.

The negatives are currently drying and I will drop them off to be scanned on Monday since I currently don't have a scanner 🙁 . I will post the scans here once I get them back later in the week. These are 6X7 but I can't wait to get some shots done with my 6X9 back and the 65/6.3 lens I just got.

I am super excited about this kit, now I cant wait to see what the shots will look like from my Toyo 45A and 90/8 Super Angulon I just bought! I am loving the large negatives, and now don't know why I ever stopped shooting medium and large format!

Why in the heck did I ever start shooting digital? I have now gone full circle from where I was about 6 years ago, but with nicer cameras and lenses!
 
I just picked up a sad Universal body with M adapter, 6X7 back and 100/3.5 & 150/5.6 lenses for $120! I have already dismantled the body, back, and done a CLA on the lenses. I got both shutters operating well and the 150 is good to go except for a bit of seperation in the rear element. I have yet to get any shots back from the 150 but I dont think the seperation will affect it too much. I took the optical elements out of the 100 and put them in the shutter/helical I already had since they are the newer model with the 55mm filter size and from what I have heard better. I shot a roll using the new elements in the old shutter and it worked perfectly. I am not sure what I am going to do with the other set.

I am making a "flat top" camera out of the Universal since I took the VF elements out and put them in my Super 23's VF. The ones that were in my Super 23 were fogged really bad and made it look like I was standing in a fog bank all the time. Works great now and very clear, the VF rivals any Leica M VF I have ever looked through!

I also got lucky and bought a 65/6.3 from Adorama in "VG" condition, I expected to get an alright lens but when it got here it was in "EX" condition easily! I was going to use a CV 28mm finder for the lens, and already bought one but the RFF member "dante_stella" was selling a 65mm finder for $90 and I snatched it up! Sold the 28mm to another RFF member and recouped my costs! I have been getting lucky lately with my purchases!

Happy camper here! 😀
 
I would love to have the 75mm lenses; I think they are a Biogon or Biotar copy (optical formula anyway), they are sooo expensive if one can be found. I see them sometimes for the Polaroid 600SE but haven't seen one on eBay yet for the Mamiya mount.
 
Welcome to the wonderful world of Mamiya Press cameras. I have the Super Press 23 and love it. Currently my 65mm and now my 100mm need work on the shutters. Don't know if I willl send them off or try myself. But the Press cameras are great. I also have the 150mm, 250mm, and the 50mm. All great lenses.

When you get ready to expand, try things like the focusing back and extension tubes. A new world.
 
I have the GG back - it is a really nice accessory. Makes my Super 23 a small field camera with movements! I now also have a Universal that was exposed to a lot of moisture that I have taken completely apart and and making a "flat top" out of. I don't really see the appeal of the Universal over the Super 23 though. Have to have an adapter for anything but a Polaroid back, no movements. I think the Super 23 is superior IMHO.
 
I think the Universal would take some accessories with different back adapters that the 23 would not. However, I am not interested in Polaroid nor Graphic roll film backs. To me the 23 is the better camera as well. With the bellows back, you mainly only get perspective/focus control if you have the 100mm f/3.5 collapsible lens. Also a little extra extension if you are using extension rings. Cut film holders if you have one of those GG backs are getting expensive, but if you are into zone system, they give you that ability. Or just into anything else where single exposures are better. I have 10 of them but seldom use them anymore (like not in years). I was actually looking at them just this morning thinking I should cut some 4x5 film down so I could play again.
 
oftheherd said:
I think the Universal would take some accessories with different back adapters that the 23 would not. However, I am not interested in Polaroid nor Graphic roll film backs. To me the 23 is the better camera as well.
Click to expand...

Absolutely. I have both, and the Super 23 sees more use. The back extendibility of the Universal is not really that beneficial - the only extra back I own is the Polaroid one, and it does not see much use, as Polaroids are vignetting on all my lenses.
 
oftheherd said:
I think I read that the 50mm does not vignette, but I have no personal experience and could well be wrong.
Click to expand...

Like the 65mm it does not vignette, lacking the baffle which is on the longer lenses. But the light fall-off is so dramatic as to amount to pretty much the same - if you blow another $250 on a used Super Angulon Center ND filter, it might cover Polaroid, but as-is it is practically useless.

Sevo
 
Vignetting of the 50 and 65... yes on 6X12

Vignetting of the 50 and 65... yes on 6X12

There is a web site called www.bigcamera.com where I have found tons of information about Mamiya Press modifications, including flat topping the cameras, etc.

I particulary am interested in the 4X5-6X12 model of his modded camera. I have a wood mod with the Mamiya front mount for lenses and a Linhof 4X5 rear film back with Graflok.

However, on the discussion of the lens coverage on 6X12, showing that the 50 and 65, while ample for 6X9, do vignette on 6X12. The 75 coverage is ample for 6X12.

Here is the link to the test image page:

http://www.bigcamera.com/articles/images/4X5X6X12TEST.gif

It looks to me however, that with the added field of view of the 50, one could clip off the vignetting and still get the same coverage as the 65 with it's vignette.
 
Last edited:
I can confirm that 65mm does vignetting on polaroid which means it probably will vignette on 6x9.
I have just got the 75 and 127p and both of which doesn't vignette at all.
 
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