Hallo mate! Good info. I’m trying to learn the history of my 2 lenses. The old & new of the Sekor P 100mm f2.8. What year was it introduced? My “Blue Dot” came in. 1983 kit but I understand they made into 1991
Hi there I am not familiar with that sort of detail, but there are many forums on the web with some pretty knowledgable people who seem to know all about lenses. TRy searching for Mamiya Rangefinder forums Dave
Hi Dave, thanks for the video. I recently bought a Universal press with a 6x7 back, wondering if I use 6x9 or 6x6 backs do I need buy viewfinder masks?
Hi Cibeen No need for masks for the backs, for the 6x7 you frame with the inner corners in the rangefinder window, for 6x6 I would just take a guess at the framing and fine tune after a roll or two. There is a mask for the 127mm lens but for other lenses you use a separate finder in the hotshoe Dave
Enjoyed this thanks. I have a Super 23 coming from Japan. With the 100mm lens. I'm now looking at the prices of the 75mm with viewfinder - looks like they would set me back about £250. I had thought about digitising the negatives with my DSLR but it hadn't occurred to me that you could stich several images together. Thanks for the tip.
Hi Stephen You can get pretty enormous files from these negs. It does seem that ebay only has cameras from Japan sometimes! It makes me wonder whether I am missing a UK source that everyone else is using?! Best wishes Dave
@@DaveJSmith Yes - I haven't seen many from the UK on eBay. After watching this video, I regretted a little my decision to go for the Super 23 / 100mm. I think, as you say, the basic body without bellows would be simpler, and the 75mm would be nearer to my preferred focal length of 35mm [Equivalent].
Nice video, thank you. It provided enough incentive for me to bring out my Universal and start thinking about shooting it again. I have 3 lenses ( 65mm, 100mm and 150mm w/ finder) and 3 backs (6x9, 6x7 and Polaroid). Think the Polaroid back has seen better days...so will search for another one.
Hi Cole Thanks for taking the time, it is much appreciated. Is it worth getting another polaroid back given the state of the market for that film? I will add some more lenses to this camera at some point, started with the 75mm as a compromise length. May get either 50(?) or 65 and 150 lenses at some point. Dave
@@DaveJSmith Thanks for the response. I have not shot instant film in some time, so looked up the status and price after your comment. Wow! I still have 3 unopened packs of Fujifilm FP100C and one of FP3000B....now apparently worth somewhere between $300 to $400 total! Guess I'll sell it....just have to decide what vintage equipment to spend the money on ;-)
I have the Mamiya Press Super 23 with 3 lenses and 3 backs. I can shoot 4.5x6, 6x6, 6x7 and 6x9 with the same camera. I love it! I don't know if there's a camera out there able to cover all those film formats...?
Hi there Actually I believe some of the Chinese makers have cameras that cover similar ranges (the fotoman 6x12 for example comes with masks as does the Dayi) the trouble with those cameras is that they are really zone focus cameras though they do come with a GG back for focusing it is not really the way that we use cameras of this size (fine for large format but constantly changing form one back to another would get old pretty quick!). I may well buy a super 23 body as well in the future. Dave
Hi Anthony Must be something at your end, I didn't change anything (just saw these messages) and I fade the music in over the final few words only. Dave
Thank you for the in-depth review of the Mamiya Press camera. I have been looking to get an affordable film camera that will give me a good quality 6x9 negative. This camera looks like a real possibility.
Hi Steve I am glad that it has been of some use. It is a great camera which has the capability of the 6x7 back as well. I wouldn't call this a compact camera, but the rangefinder is quite bright and works well Dave
Hi Dave, Interesting video, very good, the music at the end of the video drowns your voice. I bought a Fuji GX680 after seeing your videos on that camera, I'm very pleased with it. Now looks as though you have talked me in to getting a Mamiya Universal Press, they look good value for the money. What next !!!! Best wishes, Anthony.
Hi Anthony Glad that you are enjoying your Fuji, they are behemoths for sure! As for what's next ... well, that would be telling, but there is going to be a next!! Dave
one other thing to think about, Dave, with this, as it is a rangefinder, you MUST remember to take the lens cap off, as it is NOT an slr, where you can see if the cap is on, as you are looking through the lens!!, also you can double expose without difficulty as no interlocks, so you must THINK, then act, to save any technical mistakes.
Hi Andy Yes exactly so, there are many cameras where having an ingrained routine will save lost images and ruined film. I shoot in large format as well (up to 12x20 inches) and waste can be pretty expensive in every way! Dave
@@DaveJSmith yes, but one more mistake I noticed, like the Hasselblad, and any MF/LF camera with a leaf shutter you MUST check the darkslide is IN otherwise, as there is no baffels (on 500c\m's there is), the film fogs the instant the lens comes off, hasselblad 500 series have a baffel, so not as much of a risk, but, with the rangefinder, no mirror, so no baffels (they are the back of the lowered mirror, if not a separate flap); so, like Mat Marrash says learn 'the dance' WELL or use a checklist, and like LF do it step by step, then you can't fail.
Wait what? Did you seriously just tell us that you wasted a frame right before telling us that you can shoot twice on the same frame? How'd you do that just shoot again on the same frame
Hi Melody, of course you would just shoot again on the same frame unless ... you only realise what you did after winding on the film, or after developing the film!! Dave
I have exactly the same set up..I've been a photographer for over 40 years and this is one of my favourite cameras to use, despite its weight. Incidentally, it's the same camera lens set up used by Don McCullen for his Somerset landscapes. see here th-cam.com/video/mSsuDwqeTv0/w-d-xo.html&ab_channel=Hauser%26Wirth I shall get the 100mm f2.8 next which is more expensive but I understand to be amazing.
@@DaveJSmith BTW... I got the 75mm finder, which I wouldn't bother with if I were you. Unless you're shooting closer subjects, in which case, the finder has parallax adjustment.
Hallo mate! Good info. I’m trying to learn the history of my 2 lenses. The old & new of the Sekor P 100mm f2.8. What year was it introduced? My “Blue Dot” came in. 1983 kit but I understand they made into 1991
Hi there
I am not familiar with that sort of detail, but there are many forums on the web with some pretty knowledgable people who seem to know all about lenses. TRy searching for Mamiya Rangefinder forums
Dave
Hi Dave, thanks for the video. I recently bought a Universal press with a 6x7 back, wondering if I use 6x9 or 6x6 backs do I need buy viewfinder masks?
Hi Cibeen
No need for masks for the backs, for the 6x7 you frame with the inner corners in the rangefinder window, for 6x6 I would just take a guess at the framing and fine tune after a roll or two. There is a mask for the 127mm lens but for other lenses you use a separate finder in the hotshoe
Dave
Enjoyed this thanks. I have a Super 23 coming from Japan. With the 100mm lens. I'm now looking at the prices of the 75mm with viewfinder - looks like they would set me back about £250. I had thought about digitising the negatives with my DSLR but it hadn't occurred to me that you could stich several images together. Thanks for the tip.
Hi Stephen
You can get pretty enormous files from these negs. It does seem that ebay only has cameras from Japan sometimes! It makes me wonder whether I am missing a UK source that everyone else is using?!
Best wishes
Dave
@@DaveJSmith Yes - I haven't seen many from the UK on eBay. After watching this video, I regretted a little my decision to go for the Super 23 / 100mm. I think, as you say, the basic body without bellows would be simpler, and the 75mm would be nearer to my preferred focal length of 35mm [Equivalent].
Nice video, thank you. It provided enough incentive for me to bring out my Universal and start thinking about shooting it again. I have 3 lenses ( 65mm, 100mm and 150mm w/ finder) and 3 backs (6x9, 6x7 and Polaroid). Think the Polaroid back has seen better days...so will search for another one.
Hi Cole
Thanks for taking the time, it is much appreciated. Is it worth getting another polaroid back given the state of the market for that film? I will add some more lenses to this camera at some point, started with the 75mm as a compromise length. May get either 50(?) or 65 and 150 lenses at some point.
Dave
@@DaveJSmith Thanks for the response. I have not shot instant film in some time, so looked up the status and price after your comment. Wow! I still have 3 unopened packs of Fujifilm FP100C and one of FP3000B....now apparently worth somewhere between $300 to $400 total! Guess I'll sell it....just have to decide what vintage equipment to spend the money on ;-)
I really wish they had continued to make peel apart film in some capacity beyond watch the DIY kit that is nearly $20 a frame.
I have the Mamiya Press Super 23 with 3 lenses and 3 backs. I can shoot 4.5x6, 6x6, 6x7 and 6x9 with the same camera. I love it! I don't know if there's a camera out there able to cover all those film formats...?
Hi there
Actually I believe some of the Chinese makers have cameras that cover similar ranges (the fotoman 6x12 for example comes with masks as does the Dayi) the trouble with those cameras is that they are really zone focus cameras though they do come with a GG back for focusing it is not really the way that we use cameras of this size (fine for large format but constantly changing form one back to another would get old pretty quick!).
I may well buy a super 23 body as well in the future.
Dave
@@DaveJSmith I think the super 23 has got its own place
Hi Dave,
Just watched again, no problem with the sound, did you sort it or was it my problem?
Best wishes,
Anthony.
Hi Anthony
Must be something at your end, I didn't change anything (just saw these messages) and I fade the music in over the final few words only.
Dave
Well done. Thank you.
Thanks for that
Dave
Thank you for the in-depth review of the Mamiya Press camera. I have been looking to get an affordable film camera that will give me a good quality 6x9 negative. This camera looks like a real possibility.
Hi Steve
I am glad that it has been of some use. It is a great camera which has the capability of the 6x7 back as well. I wouldn't call this a compact camera, but the rangefinder is quite bright and works well
Dave
Hi Dave,
Interesting video, very good, the music at the end of the video drowns your voice.
I bought a Fuji GX680 after seeing your videos on that camera, I'm very pleased with it. Now looks as though you have talked me in to getting a Mamiya Universal Press, they look good value for the money. What next !!!!
Best wishes,
Anthony.
Hi Anthony
Glad that you are enjoying your Fuji, they are behemoths for sure! As for what's next ... well, that would be telling, but there is going to be a next!!
Dave
I bought a used Super 23.
A lot heavier than I thought.
Yes, they look quite benign from afar, but built like tanks, and probably from the same material!!
one other thing to think about, Dave, with this, as it is a rangefinder, you MUST remember to take the lens cap off, as it is NOT an slr, where you can see if the cap is on, as you are looking through the lens!!, also you can double expose without difficulty as no interlocks, so you must THINK, then act, to save any technical mistakes.
Hi Andy
Yes exactly so, there are many cameras where having an ingrained routine will save lost images and ruined film. I shoot in large format as well (up to 12x20 inches) and waste can be pretty expensive in every way!
Dave
@@DaveJSmith yes, but one more mistake I noticed, like the Hasselblad, and any MF/LF camera with a leaf shutter you MUST check the darkslide is IN otherwise, as there is no baffels (on 500c\m's there is), the film fogs the instant the lens comes off, hasselblad 500 series have a baffel, so not as much of a risk, but, with the rangefinder, no mirror, so no baffels (they are the back of the lowered mirror, if not a separate flap); so, like Mat Marrash says learn 'the dance' WELL or use a checklist, and like LF do it step by step, then you can't fail.
Wait what? Did you seriously just tell us that you wasted a frame right before telling us that you can shoot twice on the same frame? How'd you do that just shoot again on the same frame
Hi Melody, of course you would just shoot again on the same frame unless ... you only realise what you did after winding on the film, or after developing the film!!
Dave
I have exactly the same set up..I've been a photographer for over 40 years and this is one of my favourite cameras to use, despite its weight. Incidentally, it's the same camera lens set up used by Don McCullen for his Somerset landscapes. see here th-cam.com/video/mSsuDwqeTv0/w-d-xo.html&ab_channel=Hauser%26Wirth
I shall get the 100mm f2.8 next which is more expensive but I understand to be amazing.
Hi Neil
Yes, it is quite a beast! I was surprised by how clear and bright the rangefinder is
Dave
@@DaveJSmith BTW... I got the 75mm finder, which I wouldn't bother with if I were you. Unless you're shooting closer subjects, in which case, the finder has parallax adjustment.