My second rangefinder~ Mamiya super 23
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CMur12
Veteran
Nice! I tend to forget about these when I think of medium-format RFs.
I wonder about the ergonomics, however, for a left-eyed photographer like myself with that VF window on the far right.
- Murray
I wonder about the ergonomics, however, for a left-eyed photographer like myself with that VF window on the far right.
- Murray
jusxusfanatic
Well-known
Should be fine 🙂 But it's weird that you have to use you right hand for the focusing ring instead of using your left hand lol but I got used to it pretty quickly
charjohncarter
Veteran
I'm left eyed and no problem, ergonomics are great for me (right handed). It is heavy but when you see the 6x9 negative; you suddenly forget about that. I have two lenses the 100mm and a 65mm. Both are really sharp. I will say I don't really use the tilt-shift feature.
CMur12
Veteran
This camera is sounding better with each post. Thanks for the feedback about left-eyed use.
- Murray
- Murray
oftheherd
Veteran
I am right handed and right eyed. The camera is big enough I don't think that should be a problem, but I haven't had to use it that way so I don't really know. The Super Press 23 is a great camera. You can do a search on RFF and find some useful comments on both the Universal and the 23.
Holding the camera with the left hand and focusing with the right wasn't really a problem with me, just something to learn if I wanted to use it. I felt better about it since the handle had a shutter release, and the roll film backs other than the multiformat, had a 35mm-like crank to advance the film. I have seen other MF RF and SLR, and felt I would be less comfortable with them over my 23. But that is just my preference.
I sure liked the big negatives, 6x7 in my case, since I don't think I even knew I had a choice when I bought it. I convinced myself that 6x7 was what I preferred, and held that opinion until I got a 6x9 Zeiss folder. Now I believe that 6x9 has a place in photography, but defer to the Zeiss, or 9x12 backs in 6x9, or cut film (cut down) with the 23. I don't do enough 6x9 to buy another back and anyway I have six 6x7 backs.
I found 100mm and later the 65mm a good selection, especially since that was all I could afford at the time. I later got the 150mm, 50mm (incredible), and the 250mm RF coupled lens. That one is nice enough, but requires a caisson with a crew of two men and a boy to carry around. 😀
It is absolutely a system camera, and not so heavy as some might think (assuming your back is in good health). For some time my back wasn't, which got me into folders. I haven't really gotten back into the 23 as folders, especially 9x12 have become something of a fascination for me. I need to get back into using it for the nice selection of lenses. I hope you enjoy yours.
Holding the camera with the left hand and focusing with the right wasn't really a problem with me, just something to learn if I wanted to use it. I felt better about it since the handle had a shutter release, and the roll film backs other than the multiformat, had a 35mm-like crank to advance the film. I have seen other MF RF and SLR, and felt I would be less comfortable with them over my 23. But that is just my preference.
I sure liked the big negatives, 6x7 in my case, since I don't think I even knew I had a choice when I bought it. I convinced myself that 6x7 was what I preferred, and held that opinion until I got a 6x9 Zeiss folder. Now I believe that 6x9 has a place in photography, but defer to the Zeiss, or 9x12 backs in 6x9, or cut film (cut down) with the 23. I don't do enough 6x9 to buy another back and anyway I have six 6x7 backs.
I found 100mm and later the 65mm a good selection, especially since that was all I could afford at the time. I later got the 150mm, 50mm (incredible), and the 250mm RF coupled lens. That one is nice enough, but requires a caisson with a crew of two men and a boy to carry around. 😀
It is absolutely a system camera, and not so heavy as some might think (assuming your back is in good health). For some time my back wasn't, which got me into folders. I haven't really gotten back into the 23 as folders, especially 9x12 have become something of a fascination for me. I need to get back into using it for the nice selection of lenses. I hope you enjoy yours.
sevo
Fokutorendaburando
You can have it the other way around with the model 3 roll film holder (which had a right hand release knob with double exposure interlock).
jusxusfanatic
Well-known
You have a point 🙂 Thanks!
Yea I might also buy the "3 roll film holder"
Yea I might also buy the "3 roll film holder"
elmarman
Bail out the Brits too !
Hi Folks -- I did a Video on my 1968 Mamiya Press Super 23 outfit -- you can see it here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_oqSiQGd1Q
radi(c)al_cam
Well-known
Didn't they use it in an episode of «Space 1999»?
With an extra finder, IIRC?
Ha, childhood memories!
edit:
With an extra finder, IIRC?
Ha, childhood memories!
edit:
radi(c)al_cam
Well-known
charjohncarter
Veteran
oftheherd
Veteran
Thanks for the video and link to it. I have had a Mamiya Super Press 23 since about 1975 or 76. Haven't used it in a while though. Maybe time to give it another fling.
elmarman
Bail out the Brits too !
Glad you enjoyed the Video , Folks ! Keep Snapping !
unixrevolution
Well-known
I enjoyed the video as well, but the way you described above I thought you meant that you shot the video WITH the mamiya, and I was curious! 😀
I have a Polaroid 600se in repair purgatory with Tony Sansone. I need to contact him. (The purgatory is my fault, not his.)
bsdunek
Old Guy with a Corgi
Had my Mamiya Super 23 for about 30 years now. Have 50, 100 and 250mm lenses. Both 6X7 and 6X9 backs as well as ground glass and sheet film holders (in case i just want a couple of photos quick).
Really love the camera. Very sharp, with bellows back and extension tubes can do great close work. Used to do weddings, using a Heiland flash - did really well.
Wouldn't trade it for anything.
Really love the camera. Very sharp, with bellows back and extension tubes can do great close work. Used to do weddings, using a Heiland flash - did really well.
Wouldn't trade it for anything.
rybolt
Well-known
I got my first Mamiya Press in 1967. I had owned a Bronica S before I got the Mamiya and in the past 49 years I've owned many of the Mamiyas but I've never NOT had one. They are a versatile and fun camera.
ColSebastianMoran
( IRL Richard Karash )
Great camera. Big and heavy. Simple mechanisms make it reliable. And, you gotta love 6x9 negatives.
BillBingham2
Registered User
My father used a Koni-Rapid to transition from 4x5 to 35mm when he changed jobs. I used it a number of times and never found the handling (shutter release on the left, focus and film advance on the right) to be an issue. With the exception of the painful darkslide it was a lot of fun to use.
B2 (;->
B2 (;->
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