Mamiya Press & Sheet Film

RSImages

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A friend recently gave me a Mamiya Press. I believe it is the original version as there are no markings on the front other than the word Mamiya and it has the 90mm lens.

He also have me some sheet film and a couple of holders. There was no ground glad back. I went into the auction sight and thought I had purchased the right back but apparently not as the height of the back is the same as the film holder itself and so I'm unable to slip the film holder in the back.

I'm hoping someone can tell me where I went wrong.
 

Paul Howell

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Looks like the film holders for are 2 1/4 X 3 1/4 double sided, the Mamiya sheet film back is 6X9 and takes a single sided holder.
 
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RSImages

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Paul,

Thanks for the quick reply. I guess I have some additional questions then. The manual refers to a 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 film pack as an accessory. Is there a different GG back that will allow the use of these double sheet holders? Or am I SOL with this size film?
 

Besk

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Your camera apparently came with a M type back. And if it is the original model the backs are not interchangeable.
The same original model was available with G type backs. The M type roll film holders are reputed to hold film flatter than other style holders, BTW.

Yes, there is a G back for newer models that uses standard Graflok roll film backs and if it has the ground glass accessory, standard film holders will work fine.
 

Paul Howell

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You will to find a Mamiya Graphlock back that will take the standard graphic 2 1/4 by 3 1/4 film backs. So you need 2 parts the Mamiya Graphlock back then the Graphic sheet film back. Once you have the Graphic back you can also use the Graphic roll film insert that works the the Graphlock back. 2 1/4 by 3 1/4 are the most common, I seen 2 1/4 by 2 1/4 as well. It might be cheaper to find a 2 1/4 by 3 1/4 Crown or Speed with the sheet film back, not the interchangeable model, the standard sheet film back, which are less expensive than the models with the roll film backs as MF sheet film is expensive. I have both, a Mamiya ground glass back and 6X9 film holders for my Universal, and a Bush Pressman that takes the standard Graphic film holders. I use the Mamiya on occasion if I want to use one the wide angel lens, the Bush when a normal 101mm lens is fine. And then only when I'm in a zone state of mind, otherwise I use roll film. MF sheet film cost the same as 4X5 with only a few emulsions on the market.

To be clear your film holders are double sided Graphic type? If so then maybe a

 

Paul Howell

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Good point I forgot about the M Vs G backs. I have the G back and M backs for my Universal. But you can remove the M and replace with a G, just not sure it's worth the time and money. Just get a Crown with a sheet film back.
 
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RSImages

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The camera is the M style with 4 knobs. The holders are all similar to this.
 

Paul Howell

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The Mamiya M back takes 6X9 single sided holders, you have a graphic style holder, double sided. Is your film 6X9 or 2 1/4 by 31/4? As noted above you need the G back and graflock sheet film insert.
 

xya

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I'm not sure about what has been said in this thread about the the sheet film holders of the Mamiya Press. Yes, the original Mamiya holders are single sided. But to begin with, there are 2 types.

There is a sheet film holder type "J", which can accept 6.5x9 (2 1/2 x 3 1/2") plates and film + film from a full sheet cut into 4 quarter sheets.

Then there is a sheet film holder type "A", which can accept 6.5x9 (2 1/2 x 3 1/2") plates and 2 1/4x3 1/4 cut film.

See my page https://www.oddcameras.com/mamiya/mamiya_press_23.htm there is also a 23 with the "G" type back and its accessories.

I also made a page about the Mamiya Universal https://www.oddcameras.com/mamiya/mamiya_universal.htm which is different.
 

Paul Howell

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I have never seen the A holder, once in while the 6X9 holders come up on Ebay, looked for a A, not seen one.
 

reddesert

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Hopefully what others have written clarifies the issue, if not:
- you have a camera with an M type back,
- the GG back matches your camera,
- the film holders are Graphic type and do not match either the camera or back.

It looks like you have a roll film back attached to the camera in post #1, that will take normal 120 film.

The most straightforward way to use the sheet film with this camera, assuming it is standard size 2.25x3.25" film, would be to find the Mamiya cut film holders that fit the GG and accept 2.25 x 3.25" sheet film (not 6.5x9cm film as that is a different size), as discussed above. These holders occasionally show up included with a Mamiya Press outfit, I think. You might be able to find some on ebay, this is the kind of niche item that I would hope to find cheaply, but of course when you go looking for it there aren't bargains to be found.
 
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