Mamiya Press Roll Film Holder

[Struan Gray]

I recently snagged a couple of 6x7 Mamiya Press rollfilm holders that were headed for the dumpster. They were used (or rather, not used: they're mintier than mint) on a Jeol electron microscope that has also recently been junked.

I don't see myself building a complete system around these holders, but I also snagged the standoff boxes and mounting hardware used on the microscope ('M'-style plates like those found on the cameras) so I may adapt them for use on my LF monorail. The standoff box will vignette, but only at larger movements than I am likely to use.

A couple of questions. First, am I mad? Google searches indicate that the press backs seem to have a good reputation for film flatness and reliability. Is this deserved?

Second, my holders have a release button and a connector for a shutter-release coupling cable on the right hand end of the holder (as seen from the rear). None of the photos I have found of holders online include this. Anyone else have one of these, or are my holders perhaps a special version for technical photography?

Third, are there any good sources for Mamiya Press accessories? Any in Europe? I would want to find an M-frame compatible ground glass, and perhaps a short rear extension piece to lessen the standoff a bit.

Grateful for any and all info.


Struan

 

[bennoj]

I haven't used my Mamiya Super 23 in a couple of years as I've moved on to mostly LF work, but I have several film holders of various vintage (both knob wind and lever wind) and have never had a problem with film flatness. I got most of my accessories on the infamous auction site, despite many hours of searching I was never able to find any one location selling Mamiya Press/Super 23/Universal accessories on a consistent basis. If you're looking for pieces to salvage for a project, I'd just watch the auctions for a junker body that has the piece you need and then go for it.

Good luck!

 

[k_jupiter]

I recently snagged a couple of 6x7 Mamiya Press rollfilm holders that were headed for the dumpster. They were used (or rather, not used: they're mintier than mint) on a Jeol electron microscope that has also recently been junked.

I don't see myself building a complete system around these holders, but I also snagged the standoff boxes and mounting hardware used on the microscope ('M'-style plates like those found on the cameras) so I may adapt them for use on my LF monorail. The standoff box will vignette, but only at larger movements than I am likely to use.

A couple of questions. First, am I mad? Google searches indicate that the press backs seem to have a good reputation for film flatness and reliability. Is this deserved?

Second, my holders have a release button and a connector for a shutter-release coupling cable on the right hand end of the holder (as seen from the rear). None of the photos I have found of holders online include this. Anyone else have one of these, or are my holders perhaps a special version for technical photography?

Third, are there any good sources for Mamiya Press accessories? Any in Europe? I would want to find an M-frame compatible ground glass, and perhaps a short rear extension piece to lessen the standoff a bit.

Grateful for any and all info.


Struan

There is a ground glass for the rb/rz series. it's a mamiya sx701. It probably fits on the rotating back Graflex mount of a rb/rz67 camera. It's expensive.

Now if you have an extra M adapter you might want to part with, send me a note. We will make it worth your while. I have a couple of Press roll backs that need that adapter for my rb camera.

tim in san jose

 

[Struan Gray]

Benno, Tim - thanks.

Attaching the opposite end of the standoff box to a spare lensboard will let me use these on my Sinar, so for the expenditure of a tiny bit of effort it seems worth the try. I will probably use these for portraits and/or long-lenses, so restricted movements are not something that will bother me much.

Tim, I'll PM you on the adapters.

 

[firecracker]

I think there are a few good sites dedicated to Mamiya Press cameras in English. I have a Universal model with a K-type folder and have checked them on occasions.

For the accessories, you might want to get the Mamiya Press Universal instruction book PDF file from Mamiya USA.

 

[Struan Gray]

Thanks firecracker. I found some nice picture sites which helped me work out what it is that I have, and photo-net was surprisingly helpful in determining what was and wasn't compatible with my backs/adaptor plates. I've grabbed the Mamiya pdf - good thing too: I wouldn't have guessed the wind-on has to be released every time, and I would probably have tried to thread the leader under the roller next to the take up spool

I know for my Kowa there are a few dealers and one repair shop that are regularly recommended, even now that eBay has opened up the secondhand market to the whole world. I was wondering if there were similar reliable sources for the Mamiya Press kit. I'm not afraid of eBay, but transatlantic shipping can make returns an expensive game.

Anyway, I appreciate the help and pointers.

 

[ondebanks]

I recently snagged a couple of 6x7 Mamiya Press rollfilm holders that were headed for the dumpster. They were used (or rather, not used: they're mintier than mint) on a Jeol electron microscope that has also recently been junked.

I also snagged the standoff boxes and mounting hardware used on the microscope ('M'-style plates like those found on the cameras) so I may adapt them for use on my LF monorail.

To quote Monty Python: you lucky, lucky, bastard!
You have snagged at least $400 worth (by recent ebay auctions) of tasty stuff.

A couple of questions. First, am I mad? Google searches indicate that the press backs seem to have a good reputation for film flatness and reliability. Is this deserved?

You are not in the slightest mad; you are the sanest person I've met all day.
The backs definitely DO deserve their good reputation. I had become sick of film flatness problems with my 6x6 cameras and was about to "go digital", but then I discovered them (and the Mamiya Press system); they really helped to restore my faith and joy in medium format film photography.

Second, my holders have a release button and a connector for a shutter-release coupling cable on the right hand end of the holder (as seen from the rear). None of the photos I have found of holders online include this. Anyone else have one of these, or are my holders perhaps a special version for technical photography?

These are the most desirable backs - the Type 3 backs. I posted about them in another thread ("Thoughts on Mamiya Press cameras?") earlier today.

Third, are there any good sources for Mamiya Press accessories? Any in Europe? I would want to find an M-frame compatible ground glass, and perhaps a short rear extension piece to lessen the standoff a bit.

Two or three dealers operating out of Japan dominate the ebay market for Mamiya Press stuff. I've bought several items from "camera.japan" and from "ginotokojapanusa". I have not found any regular supplier based in Europe, but the cameras do seem to have been especially popular in Germany.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you think you won't need one of your "M" adapters; I could do with another one.

Ray

 

[Konical]

Good Morning, Struan,

Check out a web site named bigcamera.com for more information on the Mamiya Press/Universal system.

Konical

 

[Struan Gray]

Ray, Konical - thanks very much. I am sorry for the delay in responding to your posts, but I have been beyond the reach of the Internet for the last month or so, watching the rain scud past in Northwest Scotland.

Thanks for the link Konical. Useful site. I hanker somewhat after RB backs rather than the Press versions, but I have the Press versions in my hand and I don't see myself doing that much rollfilm work with my LF monorail. This has been a nice way to get an extra capability for free.

Ray, it's interesting that the backs I have were a stock photographic item. Some of the other electron microscopy stuff is an odd mix of custom and standard. Having the shutter release on the back makes a lot of sense in terms of use.

Tim (k_jupiter) is first in line for the second M adapter: I'll put you second. I have first to find a way of seperating it from the microscope standoff adapter (it needs an odd narrow-slot crosshead screwdriver and seems to be potted or loctite-ed beyond my usual abilities to bodge a solution). I am not yet sure if the location tabs on the front side are there or have been removed by Jeol. We'll see.