Oh Man! Plaubel Makina III! Back to RF.
- Thread starter Nokton48
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f16sunshine
Moderator
Right on! Congrats to your new family members arrival 🙂
JChrome
Street Worker
I've never seen a Makiflex before. Nor a Makina III. Very cool indeed!
Spanik
Well-known
+1... Want one badly.
Nokton48
Veteran
I have had a bit of time here and there to properly check out my new-to-me Plaubel Makina III. Although this one was advertised as being below average, it seems to be mechanically perfect (at least to me so far). After putting a Plaubel Groundglass back on it, it seems to rangefinder focus perfectly at infinity, and about 3.5 feet, the minimum focus distance. It -is- somewhat difficult to see the rangefinder patch, but according to the instruction book, you have to center your eye in the viewfinder field, to find it. By moving my eye around I can find the circular patch there and does work fairly well.
I have some original accessories for it, although it did come with original Plaubel lens cap(!). I just bought a medium-yellow filter for it ($20), and I have Plaubel groundglass Back, as well as a Makina leather-covered plate which protects the back inside of the camera (slides in like a plate holder, has DOF tables engraved the flip side of it). Also have a 6x6 cm Plaubel Makina Viewfinder Mask, which fits very precisely over the camera's optical viewfinder. This is great and necessary if I want to shoot 6x6 cm. The optical viewfinder is a joy to view through. Shutter speeds seem approximate so I am good there.
My plan is to put a strap of good quality on this, and the camera will be ready to try out. I have an old Swedish Medical Bag (like a gas mask bag) and will be perfect for carrying a small outfit incognito. I have a half-roll of Neopan 400 in one back, and a half-roll of Fuji Acros in another back, so that is what I will start with.
001 by Nokton48, on Flickr
I have some original accessories for it, although it did come with original Plaubel lens cap(!). I just bought a medium-yellow filter for it ($20), and I have Plaubel groundglass Back, as well as a Makina leather-covered plate which protects the back inside of the camera (slides in like a plate holder, has DOF tables engraved the flip side of it). Also have a 6x6 cm Plaubel Makina Viewfinder Mask, which fits very precisely over the camera's optical viewfinder. This is great and necessary if I want to shoot 6x6 cm. The optical viewfinder is a joy to view through. Shutter speeds seem approximate so I am good there.
My plan is to put a strap of good quality on this, and the camera will be ready to try out. I have an old Swedish Medical Bag (like a gas mask bag) and will be perfect for carrying a small outfit incognito. I have a half-roll of Neopan 400 in one back, and a half-roll of Fuji Acros in another back, so that is what I will start with.
001 by Nokton48, on Flickr
Nokton48
Veteran
The Swedish Medical Bag (from the local Army-Navy surplus store) holds Makina III body, 100mm lens, four 6x9cm loaded Plaubel Makina film backs, some small Makina accessories, extra rolls of film, and my Pentax spotmeter. Planning to take it out this afternoon. The rangefinder matches the groundglass focus exactly at close distances. Shooting Fuji Acros, Fuji Neopan 400, FOMA Creative Pan 200, and some old Agfa APX100. Should be interesting to see the differences in these films.
I took the viewfinder eyepiece apart, it was caked with many, many decades of dust. And took the lens groups apart and cleaned them. Both procedures were entirely successful. I also put a Domke Wide Gripper strap on it, which seems like a good match.
001 by Nokton48, on Flickr
I took the viewfinder eyepiece apart, it was caked with many, many decades of dust. And took the lens groups apart and cleaned them. Both procedures were entirely successful. I also put a Domke Wide Gripper strap on it, which seems like a good match.
001 by Nokton48, on Flickr
Nokton48
Veteran
I went out yesterday with the Makina III, finishing a roll of APX100 and also shooting a full roll of FOMA Creative 200. This morning I processed four rolls of 120 in my new JOBO Multitank 6. I used Microdol-X straight and processed the film for twenty minutes at 20C on a Unicolor Uniroller. This is working just great for me, I am really pleased.
Results are somewhat mixed but overall quite good. This is quirky equipment, but I am learning the curve and making adjustments. The APX100 is light struck, the reason for this is, the springs in the back do not hold the roll tightly upon loading (my guess is that rolls earlier in the century were much thicker, probably both film and the paper backing). So I have applied adhesive foam padding to "build up" the springs, and no more roll unwinding like a spring uncoils. The backs have a tendency to pop open, so I have applied black electrical tape to seal them, and that solves that fogging problem. Soon I will be getting eight perfect exposures on a roll, that is the goal.
The Makina III is truly a hoot to use, and requires a certain mindset for operation but things click and make perfect sense after a bit. It seems quite odd to hold at first, but actually, it handles beautifully once you get the hang of it. Simply follow the steps in the instruction book.
Negs are drying now and will be scanned later when I have time. The JOBO tank works perfectly, and the good thing is I will be able to process eight rolls of 120 at a time! That is truly useful processing capacity for me. Eyeballing the negs while they dry, they do look really interestingly cool.
I really like this new machine!
Results are somewhat mixed but overall quite good. This is quirky equipment, but I am learning the curve and making adjustments. The APX100 is light struck, the reason for this is, the springs in the back do not hold the roll tightly upon loading (my guess is that rolls earlier in the century were much thicker, probably both film and the paper backing). So I have applied adhesive foam padding to "build up" the springs, and no more roll unwinding like a spring uncoils. The backs have a tendency to pop open, so I have applied black electrical tape to seal them, and that solves that fogging problem. Soon I will be getting eight perfect exposures on a roll, that is the goal.
The Makina III is truly a hoot to use, and requires a certain mindset for operation but things click and make perfect sense after a bit. It seems quite odd to hold at first, but actually, it handles beautifully once you get the hang of it. Simply follow the steps in the instruction book.
Negs are drying now and will be scanned later when I have time. The JOBO tank works perfectly, and the good thing is I will be able to process eight rolls of 120 at a time! That is truly useful processing capacity for me. Eyeballing the negs while they dry, they do look really interestingly cool.
I really like this new machine!
JChrome
Street Worker
Why would you need 4 film backs? Is it difficult to reload a back with film while out and about?
Really interested in this camera. There are few viable 6x9 RF cameras out there so its fun to see more of them.
Really interested in this camera. There are few viable 6x9 RF cameras out there so its fun to see more of them.
Nokton48
Veteran
The backs are not at all modern and I find them very slow to reload, really not a good idea in bright sun, it's recommended to do so in the shade. I like to load them inside where I can use a table, and I use scotch tape to attach the beginning of the roll to the takeup spool. It takes about three hands, and I have messed up loading in the field. You roll the film by hand (not easy to do) until you see the beginning of the tape holding down the emulsion, then close the back and wind on to "1". How is that for archaic? Also I do like to have a choice of emulsions. But I can forsee the time I may want to cut down on weight and maybe just carry one on the camera. You can fit the camera in one coat pocket and the back in another. It's very compact if you do that.
In my case I have partially exposed rolls in backs I want to use up. That is one reason I opted for picking up the Makina III after all these years. Plus it's truly a different photo experience. 🙂
Crazy Fedya
Well-known
Looks very nice. I have a Makina II with 100/2.9 lens, that I have been thinking of loading some film in. I think I will do it tonight.
f16sunshine
Moderator
Nice Dan!
I like the somewhat arty look from this lens.
I know other don't like it or find it's shortcomings difficult to overcome.
Once you get to know it's personality, some very nice things are possible 🙂
I need to fix the light trap on my lone 120 film Back. I pulled the camera out the other day and the velvet strip just disintegrated 🙁
I have some sheet holders but don't really feel like getting into small sheet film.
Any leads on a spare 6x9 film back would be appreciated!
BTW,... I do have a spare tele Makinar and I'm not a collector. If anyone gets curious about that lens I would happily loan it out for a trial 🙂
I like the somewhat arty look from this lens.
I know other don't like it or find it's shortcomings difficult to overcome.
Once you get to know it's personality, some very nice things are possible 🙂
I need to fix the light trap on my lone 120 film Back. I pulled the camera out the other day and the velvet strip just disintegrated 🙁
I have some sheet holders but don't really feel like getting into small sheet film.
Any leads on a spare 6x9 film back would be appreciated!
BTW,... I do have a spare tele Makinar and I'm not a collector. If anyone gets curious about that lens I would happily loan it out for a trial 🙂
nanthor
Well-known
How many elements in the lens? Your test picture looks like it has the same "presence" that I get with my Bessa Rangefinder with the 105mm f3.5 Heliar lens, another 6x9 rangefinder camera. Bob.
Nokton48
Veteran
Can't really tell by trying to count reflections. It's probably a Heliar variant.
f16sunshine
Moderator
^^^
Dan your copy looks like it gets swirlier than mine does. But maybe not. It could be the oof in front of the subject is just like that.
I'm looking for a sample from mine that has some oof in front of the in focus subject.. not finding any.
Dan your copy looks like it gets swirlier than mine does. But maybe not. It could be the oof in front of the subject is just like that.
I'm looking for a sample from mine that has some oof in front of the in focus subject.. not finding any.
sevo
Fokutorendaburando
It is a Tessar type.
Nokton48
Veteran
Andy,
Just remove the velvet, clean off the old glue, and apply a strip of adhesive backed foam. Here is a 6x6 back where I have done that.
If you need a piece, let me know. I'd also recommend adding the foam pads to keep the roll from unwinding. I can drop this stuff in an envelope to you 😉
Attachments
f16sunshine
Moderator
^^
Great idea. Thaks for the envelope offer. I have those items around the house here so,... I'm all set!
Great idea. Thaks for the envelope offer. I have those items around the house here so,... I'm all set!
Nokton48
Veteran
So much for no more lenses........ 😉
This 300mm F5.6 Schneider Componon is big and heavy and came along at a good price.
Have all the other Componons (except the 360mm, too big for these cameras!) so I thought
I better grab it. This one is heavier than, but not bigger than, my 360mm Tele-Arton. It's just a beast.
The rear cell is massive and -barely- fits inside the (for Wista) tubes I am using, from China.
I now need to buy some more ($15 each) as I choose to dedicate tubes for each lens.
Also (from France) a 210mm G Claron for $22US. I have the matching 150 and 240, so why not?
So will need more tubes from China..............
Also (more relevant to this thread) shot two more rolls of film through Makina III at three different locations during this holiday weekend. My new JOBO Multitank 6 will process eight rolls of 120 at a time. That's good, 'cause that's what I have right now.
This 300mm F5.6 Schneider Componon is big and heavy and came along at a good price.
Have all the other Componons (except the 360mm, too big for these cameras!) so I thought
I better grab it. This one is heavier than, but not bigger than, my 360mm Tele-Arton. It's just a beast.
The rear cell is massive and -barely- fits inside the (for Wista) tubes I am using, from China.
I now need to buy some more ($15 each) as I choose to dedicate tubes for each lens.
Also (from France) a 210mm G Claron for $22US. I have the matching 150 and 240, so why not?
So will need more tubes from China..............
Also (more relevant to this thread) shot two more rolls of film through Makina III at three different locations during this holiday weekend. My new JOBO Multitank 6 will process eight rolls of 120 at a time. That's good, 'cause that's what I have right now.
Attachments
Nokton48
Veteran
Here are nine Plaubel Makina 6x9cm cut film holders, loaded with fresh film, ready to go.
Three are Ilford FP4+, three are Foma 200, and three are Efke PL100.
Three of my favorite emulsions.
Just enough, when I shoot it off, to completely fill my new Jobo Multitank 5.
It will do 18 6x9cm sheets in a go. And of course, I can also use these in my new Makina III.
Three are Ilford FP4+, three are Foma 200, and three are Efke PL100.
Three of my favorite emulsions.
Just enough, when I shoot it off, to completely fill my new Jobo Multitank 5.
It will do 18 6x9cm sheets in a go. And of course, I can also use these in my new Makina III.
Attachments
JChrome
Street Worker
Really intrigued here. Are these lenses easy to find?
Can you fit normal LF lenses within the helicoid? Or are these lenses designed specifically for the camera model?
Medium format rangefinders with long lenses = Heaven.
Even though the focusing on them can be frustrating.
Keep posting please! Love this thread.
