Plaubel Makiflex Standard.

[RalphLambrecht]

I understand why the back of the Makiflex body has to be 9x9, whatever 9 means, also why back of the Mamiya RB/RZ also has to be 9x9 or so, whatever 9 means.

What I don't understand is why lenses made for the Makiflex or RB/RZ have to cover 9x9, whatever 9 means. This because the Makiflex gate is 6x9, whatever 6x9 means, and the RB/RZ gate is 56 x 68.4 mm. Surely lenses for these cameras can be counted on to cover the camera's (or is it roll holders'?) gates, but I don't see why one can count on greater coverage. The claim that RB/RZ lenses in fact cover 9x9, whatever 9 means, was recently made in a for sale listing on this site (or was it on the LF forum?).

Will wiser more experienced folks please clear this up for me?

6 means 6 cm but in actuality it is often just 56mm;9 similarily means 9cm or just under 90mm

 

[RalphLambrecht]

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.

I got new bellows for my Linhof Technikardan from Custom Bellows in the UK.Great job and fast turnaround for 1/6 of the Linhof price;highly recommended.

 

[Dan Fromm]

6 means 6 cm but in actuality it is often just 56mm;9 similarily means 9cm or just under 90mm

Thanks, Ralphie, for answering a question I didn't ask.

For the second time, why do people think that lenses made for 6x7 or 6x9 formats have to cover 9x9, whatever 9 means, when the cameras they're fitted to have rotating backs?

 

[Nokton48]

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?

Hi Milos,

1) Yes you can time any length of exposure by using the "B" Hours and Hours if you want

2) Yes, it can be done to work with both cameras. But I have not completely gotten around to it yet
See picture of my 150mm F2.8 Xenotar below. It is mounted on a Plaubel Peco Jr recessed lens board,
that I had around. It fits the Makiflex Standard, but not the Makiflex (because the recessed cone is too
big to fit into the front of the Makiflex. The interior recess is smaller on the Makiflex, because of the automatic
cables inside the body. If I got a smaller lens cone to recess the lens (like a Durst IXOTUB) it would fit both
cameras. This will involve an intensive amount of metal cutting.

Second problem: When focused at infinity, the Xenotar rear cell strikes the mirror inside the camera body, when you go to fire the shutter. Solution: Remove a lot of heavy brass material from the rear of the Xenotar cell (see the picture, I have done it!) and you can fire the mirror with the Xenotar on both of the Makiflexes. Actually Plaubel had an Automatic version of this lens and that is exactly what they did at the factory! A nearby camera dealer has this very lens, and lent it to me for a weekend, to take pictures and make measurements

Whew!! A lot of engineering and very heavy metalcutting. But it can be made to fit both cameras.
I just have not gotten around to building the final recessed board that will fit both cameras. Stay tuned


001 by Nokton48, on Flickr

 

[Nokton48]

Here is the Plaubel Makiflex 150mm F2.8 Auto-iris lens (on my Makiflex) A super rare lens
This Xenotar will work on both Plaubel Makiflex models and focuses from infinity to super close-up.

002 by Nokton48, on Flickr




Here you can see how it was set up at the Plaubel factory. Very ingenious........ Note how the rear cell has been remanufactured at the factory, to clear the mirror when focused at infinity.

004 by Nokton48, on Flickr




003 by Nokton48, on Flickr

 

[Nokton48]

the Makiflex gate is 6x9

It's 90mm x 82mm exactly, or 82mm x 90mm exactly, depending on portrait or landscape orientation.
Has a revolving back like the RB67. Puts the image on a 9x12cm or 4x5" piece of sheet film. The lens needs to cover the entire plate with good results in either orientation.

 

[Milos Gazdic]

Thanks so so much for all the clarifications!!! I am more and more in love with the camera! I can only imagine how much it would cost to have that original lens with the board for the camera, since I know what are the prices these days for our beloved Xenotar!
I will keep my eyes opened for Makiflex (Nice thing is that since our childhood till to day I am calling my younger sister "Maki")
Best regards & keep us posted with all the novelties dealing with your trio-fantasticus & share a shot from time to time done with them please too
Milos

 

[Dan Fromm]

It's 90mm x 82mm exactly, or 82mm x 90mm exactly, depending on portrait or landscape orientation.
Has a revolving back like the RB67. Puts the image on a 9x12cm or 4x5" piece of sheet film. The lens needs to cover the entire plate with good results in either orientation.

Thanks for the correction.

I'm sorry, but I don't understand your explanation. It works for 9x12/4x5 sheet film but I've always understood that Plaubel sold the Makiflex and Pecoflex as 6x9 roll film cameras that could be used with an adapter to shoot 9x9 on 4x5 sheet film. See, e.g., Bernard Sulmon's article http://www.galerie-photo.com/chambres-photo-plaubel.html If I'm mistaken please correct my misunderstanding.

As I understand things, your 6x9 rollholder's gate is 56 x 82 or so, diagonal 100 mm or so and that's what your lenses have to cover.

To make the source of my discomfort clearer, I shoot 2x3 (roll holder's gate 56 x 84, diagonal 101 mm) and 6x12 (56 x 112, diagonal 125 mm) with a 4x5 Cambo. My camera's back is reversible so I can shoot in landscape and portrait orientation. Detach back, rotate 90 degrees, reattach. With my rig, a lens usable on 2x3 has to cover 101 mm, on 6x12 127 mm. My roll holders' gates fit in 101 and 125 mm circles respectively regardless of the roll holders' orientations.

The function carrier's gate is somewhat larger than 150 x 150. I don't see why any of my lenses has to cover the function carrier's gate to be usable on 2x3 or 6x12.

Cheers,

Dan

 

[Nokton48]

I'm sorry, but I don't understand your explanation. It works for 9x12/4x5 sheet film but I've always understood that Plaubel sold the Makiflex and Pecoflex as 6x9 roll film cameras that could be used with an adapter to shoot 9x9 on 4x5 sheet film. As I understand things, your 6x9 rollholder's gate is 56 x 82 or so, diagonal 100 mm or so and that's what your lenses have to cover.

Forgive me but I don't understand your question.


First of all, the link is in French. Sorry but that is an issue for me.
9x9 (I'm assuming that is a rough approximation) is close but not exactly correct.
The image on the sheet film is exactly 82mm x90mm. I measured it with a very precise Sinar metric ruler.
For my uses (with makiflexes) the lens needs to cover that diagonal with some quality. I have removable Makiflex backs for 6x9 cm rollholders (Plaubel Makina), one for single shot 9x12cm film holders, one for 4x5" Graphic, Polaroid 405/545 holders, and one for USA Graphic 2x3 holders (like Lisco Riteway, etc). Those are everything they made for these cameras.

Of course, the roll back images for the Plaubel holders are smaller in size, they are 52cmx83cm (just measured them).

Thanks for the link! Nice pictures but it dosen't appear to go into any particular detail.

 

[Nokton48]

So much for no more lenses........

This 300mm F5.6 Schneider Componon is big and heavy and came along at a good price.
Have all the other Componons (except the 360mm, too big for these cameras!) so I thought
I better grab it. This one is heavier than, but not bigger than, my 360mm Tele-Arton. It's a beast.

The rear cell is massive and barely filts inside the (for Wista) tubes I am using, from China.
I now need to buy some more ($15 each) as I choose to dedicate tubes for each lens.

Also (from France) a 210mm G Claron for $22US. I have the matching 150 and 240, so why not?
So will need more tubes from China..............

 

[Nokton48]

Here are nine Plaubel Makina 6x9cm cut film holders, loaded with fresh film, ready to go.
Three are Ilford FP4+, three are Foma 200, and three are Efke PL100.
Three of my favorite emulsions.

Just enough, when I shoot it off, to completely fill my new Jobo Multitank 5.
It will do 18 6x9cm sheets in a go. And of course, I can also use these in my new Makina III.

 

[Nokton48]

Here's an old test image, made on Ilford Delta 3200 roll film, rated at EI 800. Developed this weekend, eight rolls in the Jobo Multitank 6 on Unicolor Uniroller is perfect for my uses. Microdol-X straight 24 minutes at 18C, 360mm F5.5 Tele-Arton lens wide open. High speed roll film shows a lot of promise for me. This stuff was not available when this camera was in it's heydey.

 

[Nokton48]

Infinity test of 360mm f5.5 Tele-Arton on Makiflex. I think a pleasant image.
Agfa APX100 Microdol-X 24 minutes Jobo Multitank 6 Unicolor Uniroller.

 

[mfuser]

I apologies in advance for my ignorance.. I'm just getting started with my Makiflex.. I acquired it from my uncle and it came with a sheet film back. I would love to use 120 film see several posters with a roll film back. So I have a few questions. What backs are compatible and where can I purchase one. Also, I have no clue as to how I can mount one of those backs onto my Makiflex, is there an adapter that I need?

 

[Nokton48]

I apologies in advance for my ignorance.. I'm just getting started with my Makiflex.. I acquired it from my uncle and it came with a sheet film back. I would love to use 120 film see several posters with a roll film back. So I have a few questions. What backs are compatible and where can I purchase one. Also, I have no clue as to how I can mount one of those backs onto my Makiflex, is there an adapter that I need?

Wow another Makiflex owner!

The best thing for you to do, is to take some pictures of the back of the camera, with the sheet film back on, but also with the film back off. Post them here. I'll tell you exactly what you have, and what you will need to get going with roll film. Plaubel made 4+ different backs, some of which will take roll holders. Post some pictures and I'll be glad to help.

 

[Nokton48]

Probably the Makiflex back I see most often (maybe this is what you have) is the MX1/521, or the MX1/525 (which comes with a spring-loaded groundglass screen), which is a great and very useful accessory. This back takes Plaubel Makina roll film holders, which were made in 6x6cm and 6x9cm formats. You could also use Plaubel Makina single sided 6x9cm sheet film holders.

001 by Nokton48, on Flickr

You can find Plaubel Makina film backs on Ebay
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Plaubel-Rada-Roll-film-back-/281784664150?hash=item419bacc056

Rada also made a back to fit the MX1
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rada-120-ro...x6-cm-boxed-/121761269956?hash=item1c598988c4

They also made the MX1/539, which would work with Linhof Rollex backs, Linhof Cine Rollex, USA Graphic/Graflex 4x5 rollholders, and also fit the Polaroid Instant backs. I would like to find one of these.

 

[mfuser]

Wow another Makiflex owner!

The best thing for you to do, is to take some pictures of the back of the camera, with the sheet film back on, but also with the film back off. Post them here. I'll tell you exactly what you have, and what you will need to get going with roll film. Plaubel made 4+ different backs, some of which will take roll holders. Post some pictures and I'll be glad to help.

Thank you!! Here are the pictures you requested. The camera seems to be in good working order.. all the shutter speeds seem accurate and the actuation counter is at 1687.. The only issue I see is that the bellows has a small tear(1cm) on the bottom at a crease. I'll need advice on how to repair that as well. Thanks for all your help, after reading through all these posts, I feel I've made contact with someone very knowledgeable about this camera.

 

[Nokton48]

Hello again!

What you have, is the MX1/538, 3 1/4 x 3 1/4 Back for double dark slides. This back puts an 82mmx90mm image onto a sheet of 4x5" sheet film. Fidelity, Linhof, Graphic/Graflex, or Polaroid 4x5" sheet film holders fit this back. Very easy to find these holders, they are everywhere and not expensive. Very rare and cool to have this for this camera. 1687 actuations is nothing.......... One of my cameras has 21,000 actuations.......... Yours looks in great shape. The bellows is leather and can be patched. A cut-down strip of good quality black electrical tape makes a good temporary patch.

You have a Plaubel Makiflex (not the Makiflex Standard) this is the deluxe model. It has a 150mm 4.5 Plaubel Auto-iris lens. You cock the lens and it stops down right before exposure. They referred to this as "Automatic" operation back in the 1960's.

Is the lens a Xenar? I have that one, it's a really great optic. If you are REALLY REALLY lucky you have the Apo Lanthar.

See above for the Plaubel Makina film back ^^

 

[mfuser]

Thank you for the quick response... I've got the Xenar so I guess that makes me unlucky. So I happened to be watching that eBay item(Plaubel Rada film roll back) as well but I'm lost as to how it attaches to the back of my camera. I really would like to use 120 film as opposed to sheet film. Thanks again

 

[mfuser]

After studying your pictures of the Makina film back pictures more carefully, it seems that the MX1/521 attachment would fit on the back of my camera. Then all I would need would be the Plaubel Rada back listed. Am I correct in my assumption? Thanks for being so patient with me.

 

[Nokton48]

After studying your pictures of the Makina film back pictures more carefully, it seems that the MX1/521 attachment would fit on the back of my camera. Then all I would need would be the Plaubel Rada back listed. Am I correct in my assumption? Thanks for being so patient with me.

Absolutely correct! BTW having an automatic Xenar is not unlucky. It's a rare lens with Plaubel Automation. I love mine.

In fact I would be interested in trading this Plaubel back, for your 4x5 back, if you are interested...... Send me a PM maybe be can both benefit

This will fit your camera. Plaubel called it the "double rail" system and it takes Makina and Peco Jr accessories

002 by Nokton48, on Flickr

 

[mfuser]

Yes I think I'd be interested.. I can't seem to find one anywhere.

 

[mfuser]

I can't seem to get my slow speeds to work. Can you tell me if I'm doing this correctly? First I set the main dial to Bulb and then wind that same dial. Then when I try and turn the smaller slow speed dial, all I get is a click and doesn't rotate. Am I missing a step here?

 

[Nokton48]

It sounds like it might need a CLA. Ken Ruth is presently working on one of Makiflexes.

Photography on Bald Mountain

http://www.baldmtn.com/

 

[Nokton48]

Per an offline request here is the Plaubel Groundglass back, which fits the double rail Adapter Back.
So you can view the image at the film plane, just like a view camera.