Mamiya universal

Roi · Jan 28, 2022

I have an opportunity to purchase a Mamiya Universal locally. I have not a clue about these cameras but a quick search and some googled
Yielded some good info. I would welcome any tips and suggestions about this system , it’s backs , lenses and all the quirks that make this what it is. Things that it excels in and things they are not really good at. What to look out for, persistent issues, repairs and maintenance related. Thank you in advance.

gordrob · Jan 29, 2022

Here is a link to a good site that will give you a good overview of the Mamiya Universal and the Super 23.
A lot of people will tell you that it is a heavy camera but that will be determined by the individual user. i have both the Universal and the Super 23 and really do enjoy them. I normally shoot 6x9 on the 120 and have 4 backs so i can carry an assortment of films when I am out. There are an assortment of lenses from 50mm f6.3 that is an excellent lens, 65mm f6.3, 100 f3.5 and 100 f2.8 which is a great lens, sharp, 150mm and a 250mm f5. With the 250mm on the camera and a film back the camera is heavy. I haven't had any problems with either camera and I have had them for 1t least 15 years. The film backs are known for keeping the film flat. You can get film backs in 6x9, 6x7 and an early back that allowed to shoot 6.45, 6x7 and 6x9 but it needed masks to be installed . Some users have had issues with the rangefinders but there a ample articles on the internet that shows you how to do adjustments. The Super 23 has bellows where the Universal does not and the Universal needs adapter plates to mount the roll film backs. If the one you are looking at doesn't have a roll film back with it make sure the adapter plate M is on the camera.

https://emulsive.org/reviews/camera...3-and-mamiya-universal-press-by-kikie-wilkins

Gord

ruilourosa · Jan 29, 2022

The lenses are very good!
I just have one universal but i want another... And will print One or two liggeros 69...
The 100 2.8 is one of my favourite lenses.

ruilourosa · Jan 29, 2022

gordrob said:
Here is a link to a good site that will give you a good overview of the Mamiya Universal and the Super 23.
A lot of people will tell you that it is a heavy camera but that will be determined by the individual user. i have both the Universal and the Super 23 and really do enjoy them. I normally shoot 6x9 on the 120 and have 4 backs so i can carry an assortment of films when I am out. There are an assortment of lenses from 50mm f6.3 that is an excellent lens, 65mm f6.3, 100 f3.5 and 100 f2.8 which is a great lens, sharp, 150mm and a 250mm f5. With the 250mm on the camera and a film back the camera is heavy. I haven't had any problems with either camera and I have had them for 1t least 15 years. The film backs are known for keeping the film flat. You can get film backs in 6x9, 6x7 and an early back that allowed to shoot 6.45, 6x7 and 6x9 but it needed masks to be installed . Some users have had issues with the rangefinders but there a ample articles on the internet that shows you how to do adjustments. The Super 23 has bellows where the Universal does not and the Universal needs adapter plates to mount the roll film backs. If the one you are looking at doesn't have a roll film back with it make sure the adapter plate M is on the camera.

https://emulsive.org/reviews/camera...3-and-mamiya-universal-press-by-kikie-wilkins

Gord

I really feel that these unprecise and blogger tipe reviews are not worth reading...
Its more usefull to buy the camera and use the time for getting to know how it works and photograph...
If you dont like it i can buy it from you.

Roi · Jan 29, 2022

ruilourosa said:
I really feel that these unprecise and blogger tipe reviews are not worth reading...
Its more usefull to buy the camera and use the time for getting to know how it works and photograph...
If you dont like it i can buy it from you.

Thanks will keep you posted. Yes I’ve read “reviewers” on this camera, it’s can be subjective most of the time.

Roi · Jan 29, 2022

gordrob said:
Here is a link to a good site that will give you a good overview of the Mamiya Universal and the Super 23.
A lot of people will tell you that it is a heavy camera but that will be determined by the individual user. i have both the Universal and the Super 23 and really do enjoy them. I normally shoot 6x9 on the 120 and have 4 backs so i can carry an assortment of films when I am out. There are an assortment of lenses from 50mm f6.3 that is an excellent lens, 65mm f6.3, 100 f3.5 and 100 f2.8 which is a great lens, sharp, 150mm and a 250mm f5. With the 250mm on the camera and a film back the camera is heavy. I haven't had any problems with either camera and I have had them for 1t least 15 years. The film backs are known for keeping the film flat. You can get film backs in 6x9, 6x7 and an early back that allowed to shoot 6.45, 6x7 and 6x9 but it needed masks to be installed . Some users have had issues with the rangefinders but there a ample articles on the internet that shows you how to do adjustments. The Super 23 has bellows where the Universal does not and the Universal needs adapter plates to mount the roll film backs. If the one you are looking at doesn't have a roll film back with it make sure the adapter plate M is on the camera.

https://emulsive.org/reviews/camera...3-and-mamiya-universal-press-by-kikie-wilkins

Gord

Thanks for the detailed information.

Paul Howell · Jan 29, 2022

If you dig enough sometimes you can old reviews in Modern or Popular Photography. I have 2 universals and a press, set of 4 lens. As noted above it is a heavy beast, gets heavier as I get older, as pro level camera it is very rugged. I have 6X9 and 6X7 backs, the view finder on the Universal bright line frames for both backs and a switch for the 100, 150 and 250 lens but you will need a separate finder for the wide angles. The lens are really good, I have the 100 3.5, there is 100 2.8 as well. I have the 50 and 65 wides and 150, the 250 tends to be pricy and as I understand it there are coupled and uncoupled versions. While in the U.S. Air Force in the early 70s we used Konica Rapids, what was nice about the Konica system is that advancing the film also cocks the shutter, with the Universal you need to cock the shutter which slows down shooting a bit. On the other hand if you count the lens that were matched for the Polaroid version of the Universal there are more lens available, larger options for formats, in addition to the 6X9 and 6x7 backs there is a multiback with masks for 6X4.5, 6X6 and 6X9 and sheet film back.

Here is a short review found in Modern, you need to go to the bottom archived by Mieeckman.com

https://www.mikeeckman.com/2020/04/kepplers-vault-60-top-47-cameras-1974/

Roi · Jan 29, 2022

Paul Howell said:
If you dig enough sometimes you can old reviews in Modern or Popular Photography. I have 2 universals and a press, set of 4 lens. As noted above it is a heavy beast, gets heavier as I get older, as pro level camera it is very rugged. I have 6X9 and 6X7 backs, the view finder on the Universal bright line frames for both backs and a switch for the 100, 150 and 250 lens but you will need a separate finder for the wide angles. The lens are really good, I have the 100 3.5, there is 100 2.8 as well. I have the 50 and 65 wides and 150, the 250 tends to be pricy and as I understand it there are coupled and uncoupled versions. While in the U.S. Air Force in the early 70s we used Konica Rapids, what was nice about the Konica system is that advancing the film also cocks the shutter, with the Universal you need to cock the shutter which slows down shooting a bit. On the other hand if you count the lens that were matched for the Polaroid version of the Universal there are more lens available, larger options for formats, in addition to the 6X9 and 6x7 backs there is a multiback with masks for 6X4.5, 6X6 and 6X9 and sheet film back.

Here is a short review found in Modern, you need to go to the bottom archived by Mieeckman.com

https://www.mikeeckman.com/2020/04/kepplers-vault-60-top-47-cameras-1974/

Is there anything I be looking for? “Red flags” when buying a system as this ?

Dennis-B · Jan 29, 2022

My Universal has the 100mm f/3.5 and the 250mm f/5. No matter which lens is mounted, it's still a beast to hold. So, mine is used exclusively on a tripod. My next purchase will be either a 50mm or 65mm wide angle lens.

Yes, the process is an extremely slow one, but if I wanted fast, I'd be using a newer camera. The Mamiya lenses are tack sharp, and every bit as good as more modern Mamiyas such as RB, RZ, 645, and Cxxx series cameras.

One has to follow a set process, because if you skip or omit a step, you get anything from 0 to double exposures, and more. And don't forget that a good meter is an absolute, unless you absolutely trust "Sunny f/16".

And BTW, I also use a Koni-Omega Rapid 100. Same rules apply, and those lenses are also very sharp.

ruilourosa · Jan 29, 2022

Extremely slow is not how i define its operation...
Adding a shutter cocking does not seem much more work or time....
RB is not so diferentes, nor alpas

Large format is a bit more slow...

Paul Howell · Jan 29, 2022

Roi said:
Is there anything I be looking for? “Red flags” when buying a system as this ?

Run the lens shutter from 1 second up, at 1 second should open around a second, open the back of camera and with lens on B and watch to make sure the lens is opening and closing as you run though the aperture. Test the rangefinder, pick a spot with a known distance see how the rangefinder aligns up, take a long tape measure to be exact as possible. The lens system is a breech mount, make sure the breech mounting ring on the camera body fits tight with the lens fitted. If the seller agrees bring a roll of film to test, make sure the back is light tight. Other than that, not much to go wrong.

In case you have not found it, here is the link to the manual.

https://www.butkus.org/chinon/mamiya/mamiya_universal_black/mamiya_universal_black.htm

xya · Jan 29, 2022

IMHO it's still a very good system. If you just want information, have a look at my pages https://www.oddcameras.com/mamiya/mamiya_universal.htm

gordrob · Jan 29, 2022

There is not a lot to go wrong with the camera box itself. Things to watch out for are fogging in the rangefinder and make sure the rangefinder coupling works for the lens attached. The 100mm f3.5 lens is a collapsible lens that needs to be extended for normal use. Make sure that when you extend the lens that it locks tightly into place otherwise it can collapse on you unexpectedly. Check the rollfilm holders to ensure that the light seals are in good condition and haven't dried out. Replacing the light seal on the holders is not a big job and should be done if the old seals are not in good condition. If you are looking to buy the 50mm or 65mm wide angle lens make sure it comes with the matched rangefinder. The 50mm is a great lens for wide angle shots. It's 35mm equivalent is about a 20mm lens.
Gord

Paul Howell · Jan 29, 2022

Forgot about the collapsible 100, when I got mine, 35 or so years ago it was of course used, did not have a manual, took a whole of film, had it developed, luckily the dealer I was a customer of at the time told me why all my negatives were out of focus.

gordrob · Jan 29, 2022

Same thing happened to me. Shot a roll of the kids in the mountains and got home and process the film and it was out of focus. Pays to read the instructions.

reddesert · Jan 30, 2022

Make sure that the lens shutter works, that the focusing is smooth (focus helical not jammed by dried grease - not common but does happen), and that you get a dark slide with the roll film back.

The Mamiya Press / Super 23 / Universal doesn't have a lot of interlocks, so you can easily take double or blank exposures. On the other hand interlocks are a common cause of problems in older cameras, so you avoid that.

halfaman · Jan 31, 2022

It is also very important to verify rangefinder calibration, depth of field in 6x9 is very small. 100mm f/3.5 lens does not have any cam and needs only in-camera rangefinder calibration, rest of lenses do have a cam to calibrate. Unfourtenately the only way to verify it is by using a roll or by using the focusing screen accesory.

Mamiya universal

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