Mamiya Press Back dimensions

[cptrios]

I'm trying to decide between a Goodman Zone and a Ligero69. The main difference is the backs that they're built for; the Ligero uses Mamiya Press and the Goodman uses RB67 Pro S. Since I'm aiming for 6x7, I don't really care about that aspect of things - but I do care about size. Obviously, the Mamiya Press backs are a lot bigger, but I'm having trouble finding just how big they are. Does anyone have one they can measure for size and weight?

Thanks in advance!

 

[reddesert]

A Mamiya Press back is about 8" wide and 3-3/4" high. It is much thinner in the depth direction than a RB67 back. The Press back also has a much flatter film path vs RB67, if you care about that (may not be an issue unless you leave film in the back for a long time).

Dimensions aren't everything, there's also handling. I have no familiarity with either of these 3D-printed cameras, but the parts of the Press back that stick out in width make easy to handle grips. So it also matters how you're going to hold the camera and whether you include camera grips in the size and weight comparison.

 

[cptrios]

Thanks! 8" is pretty wide, but the whole camera could still work out alright with the body pointing down into the middle compartment of my bag insert and the ends of the back resting on the tops of the other two compartments. Unfortunately, removing the backs from either of these cameras requires loosening screws, so you can't just pop it off for storage. Hmm.

 

[mshchem]

Buy a Fuji GW 690II . Much easier

 

[reddesert]

The Fuji G690, GW690, etc are exceptional cameras, but no one has ever accused them of being compact. I think they're about 7.5" wide, only a little narrower than a Mamiya Press film back. They are easier to pack than an original Mamiya Press because the Press has parts that stick out in each direction, even without the handgrip/cable; hence the invention of these 3D-printed bodies for Press lenses.

 

[Neil Poulsen]

Mamiya Press equipment makes for an excellent, medium format kit. I sold my entire RB67 outfit in favor of keeping my Mamiya Press Universal outfit. However, I kept my RB67 film holders which I use on the Mamiya Press with the roll-film G adapter. I can also use these holders with my 6x9 view camera.

This combination is facilitated by a viewfinder extension that compensates for the added depth of the RB67 film holders, versus the much thinner Mamiya Press roll-film holders. These extensions are very rare; I was lucky enough to spot one on EBay many years ago.

One nice thing about Mamiya Press is having a range finder camera for spontaneous photography. At the same time, one can alsu sue a Mamiya Press system with a ground glass adapter for more precise composition and focusing.