Mamiya 6 VF accuracy...

My Mamiya 6 hasn't seen a lot of use lately, but recent results strongly suggest that the viewfinder accuracy isn't too great. Objects at the right edge of the frame that I included in the VF are cut off on my negatives. The only lens I have is the 50mm f4, BTW.

Next roll, I'll do some kind of framing accuracy test to confirm the problem but, assuming that I do have a problem, any suggestions for a good repair source for this camera?

Thanks in advance,

Gary

East Snook, TX

Gary, what lenses do you have for your '6'? I am also assuming that you have the newer Mamiya 6 also?? I know that if the rangefinder is off, that is gets exaggerated the longer the focal length. Mine is set fairly well, but have better luck when using the DoF scale. At any rate, Mamiya USA or MAC still does repairs, and will recalibrate your rangfinder for about $65. It will be money well spent.

Hi, Andrew -

My only lens is the 50mm f4, my camera is the original Mamiya 6, not the MF version, and I'm talking about a viewfinder issue, not the rangefinder.

I may well need a rangefinder calibration but, the way I generally use the camera (smaller apertures, distant scenes) will tend to disguise any focusing issues.

It's good to hear that Mamiya is still servicing these cameras. Are there any smaller repair shops that specialize in this camera?

Regards,

Gary

Gary,

I assume you are in the US. Bob Watkins at Precision Camera Works services Mamiya 6 & 7's and does top notch work. Dead Link Removed

Richard Wasserman

You can fire the 6 with the back and curtain open. So maybe if you have a little piece of ground glass or something, you can check the framing accuracy. If that is fine then maybe it is how the film is rolling through....

I only have the 75mm and 150mm for mine and I have never noticed any framing issues. I have had repairs done on a couple of different M6 bodies at Mamiya (New Jersey) and they have done a great job for me. They don't charge for estimates, but you pay shipping. It might be worth it to send it to them to have a look at.

Thanks, Richard and Keith -

Well, I just fabricated a groundglass out of a frosted plastic envelope and did a little test on the front porch. While the viewfinder definitely includes a bit more on the left than on the right, as compared to the groundglass image, there's always more room on the "film" than in the viewfinder. I tried this at a couple of focusing distances and the results were consistent - no cutoff as compared to the groundglass image.

So, I can blame the camera for a bit of bias toward the left side of the scene but, if I actually experience cutoff on the right side, it's gotta be operator error. I don't wear eyeglasses when I photograph, and shifting my eye around while viewing didn't seem to affect the placement of the viewfinder image.

With all this in mind, I'll shoot another roll of film, include a test frame or two, and see what I get...

Thanks,

Gary

Gary, is it possible that you are a fellow sufferer of the condition nasus maximus? If so, then let me point out that surgical intervention is possible, and it would likely be less costly than submitting your Mamiya for repair.

When using rangefinder, nasus maximus is a common source of mismatch between the viewfinder image and what is actually captured on film. The condition usually manifests itself as a tendency for the compositions to be rendered a bit further to the left than anticipated.

Keith wondered:

Is it possible that you are a fellow sufferer of the condition nasus maximus?

Well, I hadn't considered that possibility, but I do want to consider all potential causes of my problem. If the nasus maximus surgery isn't too dear, perhaps I could think about having a more complete makeover done at the same time.

I could write it off, right?


Gary

Indeed it is a disability, if it impairs your productivity in the workplace.