Mamiya SIX Model IV flash synch question

[DannyC71]

This time for a Mamiya Six folder, model IV. There doesn’t seem to be anywhere to connect a flash. I know other models have a connection by the lens. Manuals for this model seem to be a needle in a haystack. Also this red thing on the front of the lens seems to have no function.

 

[DannyC71]

A little tinkering and I answered my own question, you connect the flash to the back of the red thing.

 

[BrianShaw]

Im happy that you figured it out. I keep thinking about getting one and will want to use a flash. Would you mind showing how the flash connects? I’d that red thing a cover over a PC port or… ?

 

[DannyC71]

The red thing itself is just a red thing. The connection is behind it, it’s just a single post and a PC cable doesn’t fit. I was able to touch the cable to it and fire the flash, but no idea what specific sync cable would fit this particular one.

 

[BrianShaw]

Thanks very much, Danny.

 

[MattKing]

Thread title tweaked - to make it easy to search for

 

[John Wiegerink]

The red thing itself is just a red thing. The connection is behind it, it’s just a single post and a PC cable doesn’t fit. I was able to touch the cable to it and fire the flash, but no idea what specific sync cable would fit this particular one.

I'm thinking it might not all be there. The Mamiya I had was equipped with the twist-lock ASA type flash connector, which many cameras from that era were. Maybe yours was too and is just missing that part. If it is I think I have what you may need. I have some brand new ASA flash connector parts, but it might take me a while to locate them.

 

[DannyC71]

I did a quick search and the only thing that popped up was this….

PC To ASA Bayonet Flash SYNC Adapter For Graflex & Medalist Cameras | eBay

Used in good condition No returns accepted

www.ebay.com

It’s no big deal if I never use a flash on this particular camera, I have plenty more I can use a flash with.

 

[reddesert]

There was an earlier thread about the red circle on the Mamiya Six lens standard, which several people, including me, think is merely a non-moving red circle. The sync post is behind it as the OP discovered. My guess is that there was a flash attachment or cord that clipped over the red circle and the post, but that none of us have ever seen it. Bear in mind that it would have been in the flashbulb era.

If I were going to try to use the sync connector, I would try to homebrew a cord, perhaps using something like a barrel plug (the kind that is used for DC power supplies) to fit over the post, and some kind of clip to connect the outer terminal of the plug to the camera lens standard.

 

[DannyC71]

Interesting idea, and I do have some of those lying around. I discovered in my tinkering that the PC cord would be functional if you found a way to attach it to the post. Although when I would touch the connector to the post it would initially fire the flash on contact, but after that it did go off when I clicked the shutter.

 

[reddesert]

There is a sort of block at the top of the lens standard - the piece that has a flat top, curved bottom, and the red circle at upper right (subject's right side). If I remember correctly, inside this block there is a springy piece of metal, and this spring is whacked by the back of the shutter cocking lever as the lever flies back when the shutter is triggered. You can kind of see it in your first picture. This closes the mechanical contact that makes the sync to the post on the top rear of the lens standard. It's a little primitive, and my guess is this is how Mamiya added flash sync once there was a demand for it, without having to source shutters that had sync built in.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

The red thing itself is just a red thing. The connection is behind it, it’s just a single post and a PC cable doesn’t fit. I was able to touch the cable to it and fire the flash, but no idea what specific sync cable would fit this particular one.

are you sure the metal post didn't just make contact between the two poles of your cable when you touched it?

 

[DannyC71]

are you sure the metal post didn't just make contact between the two poles of your cable when you touched it?

That’s exactly what happened. It would set off the flash on contact, then after that it would fire with the shutter.

 

[Mamiya_Repair]

That’s exactly what happened. It would set off the flash on contact, then after that it would fire with the shutter.

The reason the flash would fire on contact is that the simple flash system Mamiya used with this camera did not have a safety switch in the circuit so that once contact is made (sync socket shorted to body ground), the contact would remain closed until the shutter was cocked. Not really a problem for flashbulbs although you did have to cock the shutter before putting in a new bulb. Of course, this would not work for electronic flash. And in any case, the sync socket would provide an M sync not suitable for electronic flash.

Mamiya used four different flash sockets on their 1940 to late 1950 medium format cameras, Mamiyaflex and Mamiya 6: 1.) single pin 2.) socket for a single pin 3.) ASA bayonet 4.) pc terminal.

The photo in post four appears to be #2, socket for a single pin with the pin broken off from the sync cable and hanging out of the socket.

 

[DannyC71]

There was an earlier thread about the red circle on the Mamiya Six lens standard, which several people, including me, think is merely a non-moving red circle. The sync post is behind it as the OP discovered. My guess is that there was a flash attachment or cord that clipped over the red circle and the post, but that none of us have ever seen it. Bear in mind that it would have been in the flashbulb era.

If I were going to try to use the sync connector, I would try to homebrew a cord, perhaps using something like a barrel plug (the kind that is used for DC power supplies) to fit over the post, and some kind of clip to connect the outer terminal of the plug to the camera lens standard.

So I tried this, spliced together a PC cable with a plus that fits the post, and nothing. I don’t think the post is long enough to make a connection in the plug.