My second rangefinder~ Mamiya super 23

jusxusfanatic

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Just bought a mamiya super 23 + 127/4.7 by seiko made in Japan + handle + 6x9 back
 

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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
 
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

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
 
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.
 
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. :D

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.
 
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

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).
 
Didn't they use it in an episode of «Space 1999»?

With an extra finder, IIRC?

Ha, childhood memories!


edit:

Espacio_1999_01.jpg
 
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.
 
Glad you enjoyed the Video , Folks ! Keep Snapping !

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! :D

I have a Polaroid 600se in repair purgatory with Tony Sansone. I need to contact him. (The purgatory is my fault, not his.)
 
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.
 
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.
 
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 (;->
 
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