Plaubel Makiflex Standard.

[Nokton48]

Today I carefully removed the bellows (which is rather ratty) from one of my Automatic Makiflexes. I have inquired with "Custom Bellows" and I am shipping this to them (they are in the UK).

Last month I talked on the phone with Ken Ruth at "Photography on Bald Mountain" and he is familiar with the Makiflex, he has worked on a couple of them. In fact he has one in his shop right now, that has traveled all the way from Italy! Anyway we had a pleasant conversation and he will be getting this Makiflex, along with the new bellows from "Custom Bellows". The fast speeds are sticky in this body. I'm sure Ken can help me out. I have a brand new (in the box) Makiflex set of shutter curtains, and an escapement mechanism that bolts to the side of the body (I bought them from a repair shop in New York City). I will send these extra parts to Ken, just in case.

He advised me -not- to consider the automatic 150mm Apo Lanthar in Makiflex mount. He had one in his shop that he could not improve. I told him if I ever find one (only seen one in 25 years and it was $2000!) I wouldn't consider buying it without trying it first. He agreed with me on that.

Attached are photos of the Automatic Makiflex Bellows removed from the camera. The bellows is screwed to the camera body via a metal frame, and appears to glued from the inside, to the front standard of the Makiflex body, via a cardboard or "fibre" spacer. I will let Ken sort all of that out.

 

[AgX]

Here is the RADA catalog which has been a great help to me.

They once manufactured more than 80 different sheet film cassettes alone.

 

[Nokton48]

They once manufactured more than 80 different sheet film cassettes alone.

Wow. No wonder it is so hard to find exactly the right ones............

Was trial and error for me for quite a while.

 

[Nokton48]

Here I am practicing loading scrap old 6.5cmx9cm cut film, onto three JOBO 2509n sheet film reels.
This setup will process eighteen sheets at a go, which I think is pretty good production.
These three reels fit perfectly into my JOBO Multitank 5.
Practicing with lights on is the best way to learn.

Using the JOBO Multitank 6, I will also be able to process eight rolls of 120 film at a go.
I have ordered four JOBO 2502 reels for holding 120 roll film, although I still need the "red clips"
so I can process two rolls of 120 per reel. Thus, eight 120 rolls per film run. Not bad!

So things are coming together nicely. My Multitank 2 will be able to process (one reel) six sheets of 6.5cmx9cm.
This will be especially useful if I should wish to do any stand development in the future.

And of course the 2509n reels also hold 9x12cm film, so I am really set to go.

 

[Nokton48]

From "Custom Bellows Ltd" in the UK.
Just arrived; Very quick turnaround.
My Plaubel Makiflex Rubber Bellows.
Brand New and absolutely perfect in every way.

So now this will go with the camera to Ken Ruth at the end of June.
Camera works OK but could benefit from a CLA.

 

[Nokton48]

When I spoke to Ken Ruth at "Photography on Bald Mountain" last month, he suggested to me that I obtain Schneider Componon lenses as he thinks they are really good useful performers. I found this nice 150mm F5.6 Chrome Schneider Componon on Ebay, a good price at $42. It arrived today and it is in excellent condition. After a good cleaning, I mounted it onto a Peco Jr Plaubel board (slightly recessed) and it looks great through the camera, from infinity, to extreme close-up. I'm sure it will get use in the future. Here it is on the Makiflex Standard, focused at infinity.

In my deep freeze I uncovered some FOMA 100 and 200 film, which I have loaded into two black Plaubel Makina 6.5x9cm filmbacks. I really like what I see on the internet with the FOMA films. Have enough 120 to do some serious work, four rolls of each. And I have a lot of FOMA sheet film which I will be loading up soon.

I have vacation time coming up ahead so I am looking forward to getting out working with these cameras.

 

[Nokton48]

OK. Here's another one. Playing with the scanner today.
150mm Lens shootout, the 150mm Xenar and the 150mm Apo-Ronar.
Agfa APX100 120 in a Plaubel Makina filmback.
Processed in straight Microdol-X.
Dust is an ever present issue.
Fifty to sixty year old holders and cameras.

One thing I have noticed when shooting 120 in the Plaubel Makina filmbacks, is that the majority of frames are -really- close together, a few even were overlapping. So I am learning; I will advance on "a bit" between frames, there is plenty of film stock on the 120 roll. I guess this is because modern films are so much thinner than the ones from the first half of the century.

I like the curved edges of the Makina filmbacks. Got a few more rolls and sheets to develop at this point.

 

[Nokton48]

Here are three (new to me) lenses, mounted and ready to go.

On the camera is a 210mm Schneider Componon.
In front is a 135mm Schneider Componon, mounted on a Durst recessed cone.
It easily achieves infinity focus when set up this way. But not so quick to change the f/stop- but it works! And to the left, a 240mm Schneider Symmar. I really do think these chrome (60-70's vintage) lenses are the perfect match for these cameras.

I have been taking these lenses completely apart, to clean the front and back of the cell groups. All of them have become much more useful to me, without the "milky-white" outgassing deposits

And my Automatic Makiflex #2 is on it's way to Ken Ruth (Photography on Bald Mountain) for CLA.
I have more cut film and rolls I need to develop, as I have time.

 

[Nokton48]

My (partial) collection of Schneider F5.6 Componon lenses, which I have just finished adapting to fit the Makiflexes. From the bottom left, the 150mm F5.6 Componon, bottom right 180mm F5.6 Schneider Componon, top right 210mm F5.6 Componon, top left 240mm F5.6 Schneider Componon.

I also have the 50mm, 60mm, 80mm, 105mm, and 135mm. In the process of revitalizing my old Omega D2 Enlarger, I intend to get my B&W darkroom up and running again.

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Ken Ruth suggested I get the Componons, and I am pleased. BTW he has Makiflex #1 in his shop right now, and overall he thinks it's in great condition. Should not be a problem to CLA it, it's the the third Makiflex he has worked on.

 

[Nokton48]

And here is what happens, when you are cleaning the cell groups in a 135mm Symmar, and one of them "squirts" out of your hand, and hits the concrete floor in my workshop. Won't do that again Luckily these old Schneider lenses are fairly plentiful, and not too expensive. I have a replacement coming from Prague that should be here this afternoon.

At least I can reuse the retaining ring

 

[Nokton48]

Here I have taken an old Omega D 3.25"x4.25" Negative carrier (homemade but very nice metalworking!) and "opened it up" to hold a full-frame Plaubel Makiflex Negative, with a bit of border all around. This would be on 9x12cm film in single sheet film holders. Actual image size full gate is 90mmx82mm from the Makiflexes.

This will be perfect for making "full frame" silver prints from my Makiflex negs.

 

[Nokton48]

Two more new lenses probably the last I will be getting (I always say that!)
The 150mm F9 Schneider G-Claron, and the 240mm F9 Schneider G-Claron.
Not expensive and great for close-in shooting. Optimized for 1:1 , different from my Apo-Ronars.
These are the more modern Plasmat-type G-Clarons, as opposed to the older Dagor type.
Nothing wrong with having a few more modern lenses for these cameras.
I think that is what is advantageous about SLR's. These two are great to look through.

 

[Milos Gazdic]

Hey Nokton
Can you maybe tell me which are the Standard's shutter speeds?

On the right, is the "Makiflex Standard" with 150mm F2.8 Schneider Xenotar. This model has a more restricted range of shutter speeds, and no auto-iris provision.

 

[Nokton48]

Hey Nokton
Can you maybe tell me which are the Standard's shutter speeds?

Milos,

The Makiflex Standard has shutter speeds of "B", 1/8", 1/10" (strobe X sync), 1/15", 1/30", 1/60" and 1/125".

 

[Milos Gazdic]

I see. Thanks for the answer. I spent today quite some time reading about your Makiflexes. I am in love with this camera for long time but for last 3-4 years never had a chance to win an auction for any of them They are just too expensive for me...

And as I can see Standard has really less speeds - especially higher ones / shorter exposures - which I would need since I would like to use some of my barrel lenses on it fully open.

Until the day comes that I will be able to buy some of them - I would for sure love to see some more of your shots made with these gorgeous cameras!

 

[Nokton48]

And as I can see Standard has really less speeds - especially higher ones / shorter exposures - which I would need since I would like to use some of my barrel lenses on it fully open.

I would for sure love to see some more of your shots made with these gorgeous cameras!

Milos,

Thanks for your comments. I am shooting more with these, and will be posting more soon. Right now I am using 6x9cm B&W roll films of various types; Fuji Acros, Fuji Neopan, FOMA Creative 200, and some old Agfa APX100. Will be interesting to see the differences in these film types.

As to the speed of shutter issue, it sounds like the model you want is the one simply marked "Makiflex". This is the more "deluxe" model, takes auto-iris Plaubel Makiflex lenses. You cock the shutter, and the lens stops down right before shutter firing. Very fast to use! Or you can use most manual barrel lenses from 125mm on up.

The "Makiflex" also has a wider speed range; "B", 1/15" (X-sync), 1/30", 1/60", 1/125", 1/250", and 1/500". It also has a separate "slow speed" dial so it also has 1/8", 1/4", 1/2", 1", 2", and 4". Much more versatile!

-Nokton

 

[Nokton48]

100mm F2.9 Makina III meets one of the Makiflexes (with 180mm Schneider Componon & homemade Mamiya RB67 Mag Hood).

 

[Nokton48]

Another Makiflex Test.

360mm F5.5 Schneider Tele-Arton, FOMA Classic 200, processed in straight Microdol-X, 20 minutes at 20C in a JOBO Multitank on a Unicolor Uniroller. Scanned on an Epson 4490 scanner.

 

[Nokton48]

From the same roll. Makiflex 120mm Schneider Angulon @f11 1/4" FOMA 200 Microdol-X

 

[Milos Gazdic]

Its lovely to speak with someone who knows so many things about given camera!

The "Makiflex" also has a wider speed range; "B", 1/15" (X-sync), 1/30", 1/60", 1/125", 1/250", and 1/500". It also has a separate "slow speed" dial so it also has 1/8", 1/4", 1/2", 1", 2", and 4". Much more versatile!

Can you please tell me how do you swap from one shutter speed selector to the other? I mean - how does camera know which one of the two is to adjust to?

As to the speed of shutter issue, it sounds like the model you want is the one simply marked "Makiflex". This is the more "deluxe" model, takes auto-iris Plaubel Makiflex lenses. You cock the shutter, and the lens stops down right before shutter firing. Very fast to use! Or you can use most manual barrel lenses from 125mm on up.

That is awesome! One could use some nice 125 or 135mm lenses on it! Or even adjust Aero Ektar maybe (rear element could be an issue???) to work with it on full ranges of distances? But beauty is that on such camera I could use my beloved Xenotar 150

 

[Nokton48]

Can you please tell me how do you swap from one shutter speed selector to the other? I mean - how does camera know which one of the two is to adjust to?

But beauty is that on such camera I could use my beloved Xenotar 150

Hi Milos,

On the Makiflex (not the Standard) The big wind knob sets the speeds. To use the slow speeds, you set the big knob to "B". Then you wind the second (smaller) speed knob and the shutter stays open however long you set it. You have to hold the camera open with a cable release (or hold the release lever down) while it is firing or the shutter will close early. In the picture the shutter is set to 2 seconds.

The 150mm F2.8 Xenotar will not fit on my regular Makiflex, I had to put it on a recessed board that only fits the Standard. On the Makiflex you would need to put it on a flat board, but it won't focus to infinity. But very nice for closer-in shooting

 

[Nokton48]

I like this one. Makiflex Standard with 360mm Schneider Tele-Arton FOMA Classic 200 Microdol-X

Makiflex Test #4 by Nokton48, on Flickr

 

[Nokton48]

This one too. 120mm f6.8 Angulon at F/11 Plaubel Makiflex Standard

makiflex #6 by Nokton48, on Flickr

 

[Milos Gazdic]

Thanks for the detailed reply about the both things Nokton!

So basically the long exposures are like control of the bulb exposure. Which is cool! So if you want to shoot longer than 4" can you do that too?

So there is no way to attach Xenotar to regular Makiflex at all to focus to infinity?

I love that lens. It would be great to be able to use it with high shutter speed SLR camera where it can be used to focus to infinity and close up too Maybe its time for some MODERN / NEW SLR 4x5 camera? Who needs more of the filed cameras???

 

[RalphLambrecht]

Cost, availability and practicality are the factors here. I don't need any more shiny mechanical film-consuming items in my life. But I can dream!

Peter Gomena

The trick is to be happy with what you have and not with what you want! I have plenty to be happy