Plaubel Makiflex Standard.

[Nokton48]

One of my Plaubel Makiflexes, with Plaubel 270mm f5.5 Auto-iris Schneider Tele-Arton, and Graflex 23 Roll FIlm Back. This is what I will be testing next up. The Stovepipe Viewfinder I cobbled up myself, from an old RB67 mag hood. This camera has only 2800 actuations on it, which is next to nothing.

2016-02-07 12.33.50 by Nokton48, on Flickr


2016-02-09 20.10.26 by Nokton48, on Flickr

 

[Nokton48]

Twelve Plaubel Makina 6.5x9cm holders loaded with outdated Orwo NP20 (EI 80).
And another six Makina holders loaded with outdated Orwo NP15 (EI 25).

Ready to shoot in my Makiflex.

2016-02-11 13.59.52 by Nokton48, on Flickr

 

[Nokton48]

This arrived today from Photoimpex in Germany. 500 sheets of 6.5x9cm Foma 100 (this film is mislabeled on the boxes 6.4x8.9). It is NOT; I removed a sheet and it is actually 6.5cmx9cm. HOORAY! Also 150 sheets of Adox Planfilm 2.25" x 3.25". Also arrived today, two more Linhof 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 holders.

2016-02-16 15.26.52 by Nokton48, on Flickr

 

[Nokton48]

I am taking inventory, here are my Rodenstock Imagons that fit my Makiflexes. Back left, 120mm H4.8 Imagon on recessed board, next to that the 150mm H5.8 Imagon (screws into the same recessed board), then the 200mm H5.8 on a custom made extension board, then the 250mm H5.8 Imagon on a extra long Peco Jr Plaubel Peco Tubus. Finally the 300mm H5.8 Imagon on another custom tube (which takes the same flat board as the 200mm).

2016-02-22 16.49.40 by Nokton48, on Flickr

 

[Milos Gazdic]

Here is my new 300mm Rodenstock Imagon in barrel, and some of the new "tube system" parts.

Sir,
Hope I am not bothering with the too many questions (1-2 asked over on Flickr)...?
Do you have a contact of a person selling these tubes in China?
TIA!

 

[Milos Gazdic]

Dan,
If you need help boring the lensboard let me know.
Here is my latest-- Makiflex's cousin- the Pecoflex.
It needs to be cleaned up a bit and a few things require fixing but overall a nice example. Plus only ~400 shutter actuations.

Hey Matt,
Glad to see that you own a PecoFlex too do you think that mating Peco Junior's front standard (and rail) + it's bellows with rear frame + Makiflex body would simply create the PecoFlex?

BTW - as of 2-3 days ago I am new owner (in a way since Makiflex still didn't arrive) of the camera too. So I am asking to join the MakiClub if you allow. Hence all the questions that I have been asking over on the Flickr and here

 

[Milos Gazdic]

Few more questions:

1) Since Plaubel Peco Jr. front standard plates / lens plates are identical as the lens plates of the Makiflex I wonder if Plaubel Peco Jr. rear standard accessories (Camera backs and similar) fit Makiflex's (do I need 's there or ' only) too?

2) Over on Flickr you've said that the laser cut lens plates were not fitting? Why? It's so simple shape? I can redraw it perfectly precise!

 

[Nokton48]

Hi Milos,
Sure you can join the Makiflex club! Let's see your new camera!!

Here is where I have been buying the tubes, rings, and flat end caps. I have purchased quite a few.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/201043934192?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Regarding the Peco Jr boards, if you can manufacture them, go for it. A friend told me he thinks they were hydraulically pressed at the Plaubel factory. They are complicated, but if you have the necessary skills, go for it. I prefer the factory boards. Just be careful, there were different versions (ask me how I know!).

Some Peco Jr backs fit the Makiflex, but I am not sure if they work (well). A view camera is not the same thing as an SLR......... Real Plaubel Makiflex backs have a "badge" with Plaubel code "MX 1/###". That is how you know you are getting a real Makiflex part.

I have bought many parts and they don't fit. Sometimes I win and sometimes I don't.


2016-02-24 07.34.54 by Nokton48, on Flickr

 

[sneebot]

Milos,
Some time ago there was a Pecoflex that was on ebay (4 or 5 years ago maybe?) that had a Maki body instead of the Peco body. The problem with this set-up is that it further limits your short focal length options. The Peco body does not have a bellows and associated gear rack (because it has it's own bellows)- this allows the front standard to get a bit closer to the camera body. Using a Maki body would certainly work but the on a Peco Junior-- but you would have two sets of bellows. For longer focal lengths this would be great-- especially if you got an extension rail.

Hey Matt,
Glad to see that you own a PecoFlex too do you think that mating Peco Junior's front standard (and rail) + it's bellows with rear frame + Makiflex body would simply create the PecoFlex?

BTW - as of 2-3 days ago I am new owner (in a way since Makiflex still didn't arrive) of the camera too. So I am asking to join the MakiClub if you allow. Hence all the questions that I have been asking over on the Flickr and here

 

[sneebot]

Most of the Plaubel parts are sheet metal or sheetmetal fabrications. The lensboards would probably have been stamped out, the edge details would have been put in at the same time or possibly in a secondary stamping op.

Hi Milos,
Sure you can join the Makiflex club! Let's see your new camera!!

Here is where I have been buying the tubes, rings, and flat end caps. I have purchased quite a few.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/201043934192?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Regarding the Peco Jr boards, if you can manufacture them, go for it. A friend told me he thinks they were hydraulically pressed at the Plaubel factory. They are complicated, but if you have the necessary skills, go for it. I prefer the factory boards. Just be careful, there were different versions (ask me how I know!).




2016-02-24 07.34.54 by Nokton48, on Flickr

 

[sneebot]

Do you have any images taken with these? I've never used one.

I am taking inventory, here are my Rodenstock Imagons that fit my Makiflexes. Back left, 120mm H4.8 Imagon on recessed board, next to that the 150mm H5.8 Imagon (screws into the same recessed board), then the 200mm H5.8 on a custom made extension board, then the 250mm H5.8 Imagon on a extra long Peco Jr Plaubel Peco Tubus. Finally the 300mm H5.8 Imagon on another custom tube (which takes the same flat board as the 200mm).

2016-02-22 16.49.40 by Nokton48, on Flickr

 

[Nokton48]

Do you have any images taken with these? I've never used one.

I'm just getting started (again) with mine. But here are some typical of "The Imagon Effect"
I'm planning to take these out soon.

https://www.flickr.com/search/?text=imagon

 

[Nokton48]

In the original Plaubel Catalog:

Product No.97478 "Attachment with Bellows (MX 1/510) and monorail with swings, tilts, rising and falling front and lateral shift
(to convert Makiflex into Pecoflex) Code PX 1/08 User Net $280

2016-03-04 20.05.05 by Nokton48, on Flickr

 

[Nokton48]

2016-03-05 00.58.07 by Nokton48, on Flickr

 

[Nokton48]

2016-03-05 00.57.35 by Nokton48, on Flickr

 

[sneebot]

That's interesting so it was possible to buy the Maki and then make a Peco out of it. Bellows attachment on the camera side (I think) might be different, I'll have to check. One would still be limited in the short focal lengths even more than a straight Pecoflex.

Thanks for posting these.

In the original Plaubel Catalog:

Product No.97478 "Attachment with Bellows (MX 1/510) and monorail with swings, tilts, rising and falling front and lateral shift
(to convert Makiflex into Pecoflex) Code PX 1/08 User Net $280

2016-03-04 20.05.05 by Nokton48, on Flickr

 

[Nokton48]

Thanks Matt! Glad it found these interesting!

I think I have found a Sinar Air Release that should work with my Makiflexes.
I will need to determine what type of Squeeze Bulb will make it work properly.

Also soon I will show how I use Sinar Norma Cable Releases with the Makiflexes.

 

[Nokton48]

Found this Linhof 6x9cm Rollex Film Back for a great price, to use on my Makiflexes. Even came with an extra film insert. Typical Linhof Precision; super solid and beefy construction throughout. Like a brick house. This back is listed in the Makiflex catalog, along with the Super Rollex. I also have a 70mm Linhof Super Rollex Back that fits these cameras.


2016-03-26 13.57.01 by Nokton48, on Flickr

 

[Nokton48]

In the USA the Plaubel Makiflex was distributed by Ehrenreich Photo-Optical Industries. They also distributed Nikon among many others.

[url=https://flic.kr/p/Fe4nNM] 2016-04-10 10.18.07 by Nokton48, on Flickr2016-04-10 10.15.30[/URL] by Nokton48, on Flickr

 

[Nokton48]

European literature regarding the Makiflex. Purchased from a dealer in London.

"Experience cannot be bought". "The camera for the photographer who is hard to please".

How True!

2016-04-10 10.32.59 by Nokton48, on Flickr2016-04-10 10.32.15 by Nokton48, on Flickr

 

[Nokton48]

In the upper left is a Plaubel Makiflex MX1/539 Film Back with Graphmatic clips. A friend in England bid on this for me on German Ebay, and then convinced the dealer (conversing in German) to ship it to me. Anyway I won all this stuff for just under 40 Euros plus international shipping. It is now on it's way to me.

This back will work with my new Linhof Rollex Film Back, or any other back that fits a camera with Graphmatic clips. Have quite a few Graphic 22 & 23 backs that also fit this adapter. Even a 70mm Beatty back. And Polaroid of course.



[url=https://flic.kr/p/GdAryB] $_57 by Nokton48, on Flickr[/URL]

The think the old fountain pen markings in German are cool.



$_57 by Nokton48, on Flickr

 

[Dan Fromm]

Good snags!

Minor points of terminology. They're not Grafmatic clips, they're Graflok sliders.

The lower row center back is a proper Graflok back that will accept a Graflok, possibly not Graflex Inc's own, focusing panel. The pins in the middle of the sliders accept a Graflok focusing panel's spring-loaded arms.

The upper row left back seems to be -- I could be mistaken -- a plain International back that will accept Graflok accessories such as roll holders but won't accept a Graflok focusing panel. There should be a focusing panel for it that's held in place by the Graflok sliders.

About International and Graflok backs. Cambo made several versions of International backs for the SC-1 and, I suspect, later 2x3 view cameras. Their 4x5 view cameras (SC-2 and later) have Graflok backs. The little backs have focusing panels that, depending on the version, slide in or are held in by Graflok sliders.

 

[Nokton48]

Thanks for the input Dan!

The reason I bought this lot was to get the rare Makiflex back in the upper left corner. They are hard to find and can be expensive. The last time I saw one come up on Ebay (it was in the Netherlands and part of a really sweet Makiflex outfit that was well-identified and being pieced out) it went for over 350 US Dollars! Matt (Sneebot) has a metal fabricating business and offered to make me a one-off reproduction, but it would be very expensive.

I also have several Plaubel Peco Profia 4x5 view cameras, with standard bail-type backs. So it will be interesting to see what else in this lot will fit my Profias. But, there are variations, I have found, the best way to to fit them to the cameras and see what works.

If the lower back center back takes a proper Graflok (Graflex), then that is good, 'cause I have a few around that I use on my Normas. But it may also be a Plaubel Graflok-type, will just have to see. It does look like some of it may fit my Peco Profias. The rest of will go into my Plaubel junk boxes.

Sneebot Maki Back 1 by Nokton48, on Flickr

Sneebot Maki Back 2 by Nokton48, on Flickr

Above ^^ the Makiflex Back Sneebot fabricated for his Makiflex. Hope he dosen't mind me posting them here! Fabulous metalworking!! See the light trapping material? I'm sure I will have to re-do it on my new back, as the foam always seems to turn to sticky goo. The Peco Jr lensboards are much more tedious to clean up, but it can be fairly easily done. Just time consuming.

 

[Nokton48]

Here is my new Makiflex back installed on one of the cameras. Also my new 6x9cm Linhof Rollex.

2016-04-19 06.18.35 by Nokton48, on Flickr

 

[Nokton48]

Take a look at this one........... http://www.ebay.de/itm/222108210744?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

With the automatic Xenotar 150mm F2.8 it may well be worth the cost.
Certainly the cleanest and newest I have EVER seen.

Comments are welcome!