Mamiya Universal 6x12

Thanks. Yea the project is a lot of fun. The 50mm is a fantastic lens. I'm in love with it.

I've got another prototype on the way to me now that should help with light leaks.


www.stillthrill.com

I have the 50mm as well, but no viewfinder. I found that with 6x7, which my backs are, that the horizontal for 6x9 on the 65mm finders, works with the 50mm for 6x7, nearly anyway.
 
For the Fuji 50mm you could use the Mamiya 50mm viewfinder. They are both made for 6x9. Or a 21mm viewvinder for 135 format. Used that before I misplaced it somewhere.
 
You are kidding, does that attach to a Universal? How about my Super 23?

Maybe to clarify what others have said:

The Universal Press uses a universal adapter in place of the tilting back of the Super. Without an adapter the Universal will take the Polaroid Back, with the M-adapter it takes the Mamiya roll film backs, and with the G-adapter it takes the 2x3 Graflok backs.

The opening is about 3.5x4.5 inches without the adapters. The OP's adapter has a tapered section to open it up to full 4x5 inches. It looks like it takes 4x5 Graflok backs

On the Super there is only a choice of backs taking either the 2x3 Graflok backs or the Mamiya backs, which will take their respective ground glass and cut film holders as well as the roll film holders. But they are either/or, not interchangeable with each other or anything else.

Hope this makes things more understandable.
 
Maybe to clarify what others have said:

The Universal Press uses a universal adapter in place of the tilting back of the Super. Without an adapter the Universal will take the Polaroid Back, with the M-adapter it takes the Mamiya roll film backs, and with the G-adapter it takes the 2x3 Graflok backs.

The opening is about 3.5x4.5 inches without the adapters. The OP's adapter has a tapered section to open it up to full 4x5 inches. It looks like it takes 4x5 Graflok backs

On the Super there is only a choice of backs taking either the 2x3 Graflok backs or the Mamiya backs, which will take their respective ground glass and cut film holders as well as the roll film holders. But they are either/or, not interchangeable with each other or anything else.

Hope this makes things more understandable.



Thanks for that. It's difficult to describe why the super 23 won't work but you've nailed it. Essentially the size of the bellows within the super 23 won't allow for a larger opening at the back. This is why you can't fit a Polaroid back to a super 23. Cut film holders for 6x9 film are one thing. 4x5 is something else.

Also, I didn't mount a graflok back to the adapter. Rather, I printed an adapter that a standard style lisco 4x5 holder will accept.

Currently I am working on light leak issues and playing with different designs to minimize them.


www.stillthrill.com
 
Ah so! I would shoot for the Graflok as development proceeds. Actually the only real difference is the Graflok has the locking sliders on it as you can mount the sheet film holder without the rest of the ground glass back in the Graflok. I do that with my Pacemaker Crown Graphic when I am working handheld, no need to carry that extra weight around.

I other words, the ground glass back fits into the Graflok back just like a roll film holder.
 
A homemade 4X5 w/ Linhof back, and a Mamiya Press breechlock on the front. Various Focus helicals allow focus on various LF lenses.

This lens is a 75mm Mamiya w/ red P. Aaaaaalmost 4X5.
 
Hello,

I'm new to this forum. Infact I became aware of it because I was searching the internet in regards of Mamiya Universal conversions, so I found this cool thread.

I plan to do a Mamiya Universal conversion in order to use it with various film holders. I am definitely interested in taking pics on 4x5 film. So my dream setting for the Universal would be to be able to use a Grafmatic holder for 4x5, and/or a Fuji Quickload holder (respectively Kodak Readyload holder) to use with pack film. I addition to that I'd also like to convert the camera so that it takes the Polaroid 545i holder to shoot Pola 55 or New55 film. And finally I don't want to loose the option to use the normal 6x9/6x7 backs. Now my question: Did anyone already try this and if so, which were your experiences? Any help would be very appreciated. I am not sure if this is entirely practicable and I am very uncertain about the adapters that I need for the conversion. Already those different adapters for the Mamiya Universal appear a bit confusing to me...

kuzano, your description of your conversion is very interesting. Do you have some photos, or step by step descriptions regarding your project?

Thanks for any tips :)
 
I want one of the 6x12 adapters. Where can I find one?

Just go to eBay and search 6X12. You will find Dayi, Horseman, and a couple of others.

There is a Dayi that is multi format 6x6, 6x9 and 6X12. There is also a single 6x12 format less money, and there are 6X17 that extend out from a 4X5 Graflok back.

I get Graflex 4x5 graflok backs occasionally by themselves on eBay.

I also occasionally by a Graflex Super Graphic body with a revolving back and removable GG and grafloks.

These backs are not a real difficult item to find if you are open minded. I used a Linhof IV back on the wood camera onto the front of which I mounted a Mamiya Press 23 lens mount and the red dot 75mm polaroid that is made in the Mamiya Sekor shutter and helical.
 

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Hello,

I'm new to this forum. Infact I became aware of it because I was searching the internet in regards of Mamiya Universal conversions, so I found this cool thread.

I plan to do a Mamiya Universal conversion in order to use it with various film holders. I am definitely interested in taking pics on 4x5 film. So my dream setting for the Universal would be to be able to use a Grafmatic holder for 4x5, and/or a Fuji Quickload holder (respectively Kodak Readyload holder) to use with pack film. I addition to that I'd also like to convert the camera so that it takes the Polaroid 545i holder to shoot Pola 55 or New55 film. And finally I don't want to loose the option to use the normal 6x9/6x7 backs. Now my question: Did anyone already try this and if so, which were your experiences? Any help would be very appreciated. I am not sure if this is entirely practicable and I am very uncertain about the adapters that I need for the conversion. Already those different adapters for the Mamiya Universal appear a bit confusing to me...

kuzano, your description of your conversion is very interesting. Do you have some photos, or step by step descriptions regarding your project?

Thanks for any tips :)

It would be interesting to see how you could do that with the Universal body. Frankly, I don't think you could "hog" out enough of an opening in the back of the Universal body.

So I started thinking about how I could get a mount for ALL the Mamiya lenses in front of a High Quality revolving 4X5 back with Graflok mounts for all the variables of sheet film, grafmatic 4x5 holders, and the roll film backs.

I came up with the original Mamiya 23 Press lens mount off the front of the small press cameras. All the Mamiya helicals, shutters and lenses fit that one mount. Then I came up with the Linhof IV GG and Graflok back (any number of 4x5 field camera backs will work. I just happened to run across the Linhof on eBay for $125.

I measured it out and built a box, and a viewfinder standard on top.

Voila'

The FrankenKamera of the week (at the time)
 

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Nice work, man. Ok I get it, so you didn't use the original body in order to get the right distance to the film plane and get the rear opening big enough?

Frankly, I don't think you could "hog" out enough of an opening in the back of the Universal body.
You are right. It wont cover exactly 4x5, but almost. Regarding "almost" there is a nice conversion thread here, about a guy using the Mamiya with the Polaroid 545 holder.

I still didn't get my hands on all the components that I'd like to use. But some days ago I got a Sinar back including ground glass and graflok mounts. At least the graflok mount seems to be a solution for using any holder that I want. Of course I'll have to work out the film plane distance.

kuzano you said that the 75mm lens almost covers 4x5. Shouldn't the 127mm lens cover exactly 4x5, as it is the standard lens for the Polaroid 600SE?
 
kuzano you said that the 75mm lens almost covers 4x5. Shouldn't the 127mm lens cover exactly 4x5, as it is the standard lens for the Polaroid 600SE?


It will cover a full 4x5 if stopped down.

I've yet to test the 127mm on 4x5.


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It will cover a full 4x5 if stopped down.

I've yet to test the 127mm on 4x5.
That's what I've read elsewhere too. It can definitely be used with 4x5 film.
JChrome, did you test other lenses beside the 75mm and the 50mm? Have you built the above adapter from parts, or is it a 3D print?
 
Nice conversions. I've given up on converting or building cameras, I'm under-equipped in gear and skills to pull it off. I'd rather spend my time shooting or scanning, and writing.

I shoot a Horseman Convertible 842 for 6x7 and 6x9. It has a 62mm lens, which translates to 32mm and 27mm in 135 format.

Also I am lucky enough to own a very nice Brooks Veriwide 100, 6x10 with 47mm Angulon (translates to 21mm in 135 format). The latter vignettes quite a bit, I hope to find a center spot filter for it someday without having to trade a kidney...
 
Hey JChrome, this sounds amazing. Do you think you'll put it up on Shapeways? Or would you release the 3D model for those of us who have 3D printers? Also, would this work with a Polaroid 405 holder?
 
I'm afraid it won't attach to your Super 23. The bellows system there simply won't allow it.

To give you a better idea of the adapter I built, notice the angles allowed opening up to 4x5:

b220ae7a3cbe329d04b254b609858095.jpg


I've yet to try the 100mm on 4x5. My guess is that there will be some vignetting. The 75mm will 100% cover 4x5. The 50mm has some vignetting.


www.stillthrill.com

Does anyone know the image circle for a 100mm? This could be my perfect combination. Thanks.
 
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