Plaubel Makiflex Standard.

[Nokton48]

Thanks Dan,

That's pretty cool. I'd like to have one of those. I do have an SK Grimes made adapter to Linhof Technika.

Thanks for the pics. I'll definitely try to make one,

All my best, Geoff

 

[AgX]

Interesting is "PN 1/350 Made in Germany" as I never ever saw a german product bearing PN (part number).

 

[Nokton48]

Makiflex with 120mm to 95mm Plaubel Adapter board. Also on the camera is a new to me freshly restored Graflex 70mm 6x7 film back.

DSC06086 by Nokton48, on Flickr

DSC06084 by Nokton48, on Flickr

PN1350 Plaubel Profia 120mm to 95mm Adapter Board 2 by Nokton48, on Flickr

 

[Nokton48]

DSC06088 by Nokton48, on Flickr

Yesterday I was out shooting hand held with one of my Plaubel Makiflexes. I had forgotten what a complete joy this camera is to use! In this one, I'm running 70mm unperforated Efke PL100 in a Beatty Transet Graflock 70mm back. What fun! Lens was Plaubel Makiflex auto-iris 150mm Schneider Xenar, shooting wide open. I think ADOX Borax MQ is the way to go with Efke PL100, although I've also had killer results with Pyro PMK+ Wonder about Microdol-X?

 

[Nokton48]

Hello Again Everybody!

New lens just ordered to adapt to my 9x9cm Makiflex bodies.

The 134.9mm F2 B&L Super Cinephor.

See Here: Dead Link Removed

Here is my new lens! Tis a big heavy one.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Bausch-Lomb-Projector-Lens-Super-Cinephor-EF-5-25-2/312018826162?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649

 

[lobitar]

Hi all,

thanks to Nokton48 and this thread for all the valuable information about Makiflex !
After a long search i finally got myself one. Now i want to open it for some CLA, but am stuck - can't remove the big speed dial and the focusing knob (see pictures). Any help with that is much appreciated.

View attachment 189223 View attachment 189224 View attachment 189225 View attachment 189226
br,
rado

Again Thanks a lot to Nokton for all the interesting and informative tales about the Makiflexes

I acquired a Makiflex Standard about 35 years ago, but have hardly used it on account of a sluggish shutter.

I remember I once tried to open it up somewhat to do some CL(A), but only managed to remove the left side body panel, which is to no awail. You cannot access the bearings needing lubrication from under the left side panel.

By the way: The focusing knob on the left side is secured with a bolt that has a LEFT thread! I suppose the right side converse has a right thread; but I never managet to loosen the right side bolt, which seemed stuck.

I was of course intrigued by reading about the need to remove the back panel, and have tried it out this sunday pm.

As the pictures may show i managed to wreck 3 of the 8 small, low quality steel bolts holding the back panel fastened to the steel chassis. The camera seemingly had a few drops of water inside at some point. Hence the rusty bolts and other traces of rust seen in the pics.

I also managed, albeit with some difficulty on account of very tight bolts

under the tripod plate, to remove the bottom plate. So I think I have been able to clean and lubricate the running parts sufficiently.

Only the slow speeds gear train inside the right body panel has been partly inaccessibel. But off hand everything seems to be running merrily enough as of now. Note this is the M. Standard, lacking the very slow speeds.

There is no functioning finder. The angled finder seen has missing mirror and finder optics. I hope to eventuelly fix this. I also have picked up a Fujica waist level finder for the 680 at some point, which should be adaptable.

So I'm looking forward to using this handsome brute in the not too distant future. And thanks again to everyone for inspiring reportings.

 

[Nokton48]

Hi Lorbitar!

Thanks for your kind words. Makiflexes are cool, no doubt about it. Your camera has some light surface rust, -hopefully- not deep inside! If the curtains are running smoothly I would think you are probably good to go. If the body screws came out in one piece, I would try to replace them. Any local repair shops around you that might have replacement screws that would fit?

Regarding the Makiflex Porrofinder, you will need a piece of front surface mirror, cut to exactly the right size. Perhaps a close-up diopter filter could suffice as an eyepiece lens? Then also you could screw in a rubber hood to not scratch your eyeglasses. The Porrofinder does invert the image upside-down, perhaps you will not like that?

The Makiflex frame (the flat frame that slides into the camera body) can be adapted to take a variety of other viewfinders. I particularly like the Mamiya RB67 Metered Stovepipe, I adapted one to fit my Makiflexes. The diopter adjustments and screen viewing is just lovely! Geoff Berliner has adapted Arca Swiss Stovepipe viewfinders to his Makiflexes, and he likes them.

The best thing about the Standard Makiflex, is that is will take Plaubel recessed lensboards. So wider lenses will go on your camera. I particularly like the 120mm Schneider Angulon f6.8 (in a barrel mount; no shutter). Lovely lens.

Let us know how it is going. There are few of us, but we are a very helpful group.

Plaubel Recessed Board 2 by Nokton48, on Flickr

DSC05687 by Nokton48, on Flickr

 

[lobitar]

Thanks Nokton, I will. The 3 screws are broken, obviously being of a rather poor quality that rusts easily. I didn't realise that this particular finder turns the view upside down. But I suppose I perhaps can live with it, as I'm wont to work with viewcams. I'm trying to figure a solution to the viewfinder problem. Also I would like to check the focusing accuracy with a ground glass over the film opening. My back takes the ordinary metal single plate holders. I have a few 'home made' lens panels from ordinary 2mm alu plate that a friendly mechanic made for me some years ago, and will be on the lookout for a suitable lens. By the way I dont think I have seen the Schneider 150mm 2,8 lens for sale here in Copenhagen for several decades, and it obviously has become wildly expensive. On account of being rather fully booked up for this fall, I probably won't get around to more work on the MF until wintertime. But very many thanks again for some interesting reports!

 

[Nokton48]

DSC06092 by Nokton48, on Flickr

Here is my "new" Bausch and Lomb" Super Cinephor 132.8mm F2.0 lens. Designed for theatrical movie projection of 35mm and 70mm film. Hoping I can adapt this "beast" to the Makiflexes. It weighs a ton

Shown in between two 150mm auto Makiflex lenses (Symmar and Xenar), for size comparison

Super Cinephor by Nokton48, on Flickr

Super Cinephor image from the internet. I'd like to do something like this, but a 9x9cm image on LF sheet film.

 

[Nokton48]

Xenotar Makiflex by Nokton48, on Flickr

Geoff Berliner's Makiflex (one of six Makis he owns) with 150mm Schneider Xenotar.

With this adjustable iris mount, he says it focuses from infinity to very close up with no problems. Wish it had been that easy with my Xenotar………….

 

[lobitar]

Both the adjustable holder and the Xenotar, and especially the f.2 Super Cinephor are impressive pièces of artillery. Not something one stumbles upon every day, indeed. Hope for happy shooting!

 

[Ed Sawyer]

Did your xenotar not work out with that cool lensmount that was dedicated for it? Would think that would be a better solution than this one....

With this adjustable iris mount, he says it focuses from infinity to very close up with no problems. Wish it had been that easy with my Xenotar………….

 

[Nokton48]

Hey Ed,

Igor's Auto Makiflex iris mount works perfectly on my 150mm F2.8 Xenotar (although it's a bit sticky inside). I was referring to the work involved mounting it on a recessed board initially, to get the rear cell far enough into the mirror box to focus further out. It was trial and error. Infinity to close up are perfectly optically spaced, with the Auto Maki iris mechanism.

I'm sure it took a lot of engineering to design it. And they clipped down the rear cell casing, so it didn't strike the mirror on it's upward stroke. I did the same thing myself.


Automatic Makiflex 150 Xenotar by Nokton48, on Flickr

Test Xenotar 150mm F2.8 wide open, with two ND4X filters up front. Handheld exposure.

150 Xenotar Auto Makiflex Foma by Nokton48, on Flickr

 

[Nokton48]

Today I was able to finally remove the front ring from my Automatic Makiflex Schneider Symmar 150mm F5.6, that I bought from Poland, last year. The ring was completely jammed on, I was finally able to remove it with a rubber Band Wrench, and a lot of brute strength. It has now broken free, so I will now attach a protective filter to the front of the Symmar.

150mm Symmar Makiflex Automatic Mount by Nokton48, on Flickr


Here you can see how the spring loaded Makiflex Automatic mechanism is attached to this barrel mount lens. The front ring also serves as a lens hood, and protects the inside spring mechanism. This is the only Automatic Symmar I have seen so far, they seem to only be in Europe. Along with the Auto Makiflex Voigtlander Heliars, of which I have seen a few. But only one Symmar ever.

 

[lobitar]

Nice work. And a couple of VERY nice black-and-whites, by the way.

 

[Nokton48]

Thank You Lobitar

DSC01430 by Nokton48, on Flickr

I have just figured out how to put the Bausch & Lomb 5.25" monster theatrical movie projection lens onto the Makiflex Standard.

IT FITS AND FOCUSES PERFECTLY. But not out to infinity, very close-up only. About 18"x18" area image in proper focus. Amazingly lovely bokeh. Should work well for very tight portraits. The Makiflex excels at fashion and portraiture according to Plaubel.

Ten pound lens. F2! Perfect for Makiflex. Presently held to Plaubel board with gorilla tape. Rear of lens barely fits into Makiflex Standard body. It's HUGE. Will not fit Automatic model Makiflex, due to cables, smaller throat, etc.

 

[Nokton48]

B&L 6.25 inch F2 Super Cinephor by Nokton48, on Flickr


159.1mm F2 Bausch & Lomb Super Cinephor lens. Designed for 35mm and 70mm theatrical Movie Projector.

Cool lens. I would love to find one. Perfect for Makiflexes

This one might focus out to infinity on Makiflex, maybe? Being nearly 160mm.

 

[Nokton48]

J Lane 6.5cmx9cm Dry Plates by Nokton48, on Flickr

An early Birthday gift to myself. Thirty 6.5x9cm J. Lane Hand-Coated Silver Gelatin glass plates. I have over sixty (60) Plaubel Makina film holders that I use with my Makinas and Makiflexes. Some of these holders will be loaded with these J. Lane glass plates. Bright sun exposure should be about 1/125th at F2, with my new Super Cinephor lens (rating plate at EI 2). Or could go to 1/60 at F2 for denser exposure (about EI 1). This will be fun

BTW top speed on Makiflex Standard is 1/125.

 

[Nokton48]

Did your xenotar not work out with that cool lensmount that was dedicated for it? Would think that would be a better solution than this one....

Geoff Berliner has over twenty-five hundred large format lenses in his stash. I thought I had a lot!! And six Makiflexes!

 

[Nokton48]

Wooden 120 film spools by Nokton48, on Flickr

I have just decided I will no longer attempt to load modern plastic 120 spools into Plaubel Makina film backs. I shot a rather important roll a couple of weeks ago, using a plastic spool I wrapped with duct tape. Well when I opened the back to change film, it did not load evenly onto the spool, and the roll is fogged! Luckily I was able to switch backs and reshoot my important photos but I am not going through this again!

I bought another dozen wooden spools for the take up side in these backs, which will solve that problem! Onward and upward!

I am opening and re-loading all of my Plaubel backs with wooden take up spools as of now.

Film advance with these old wooden spools is smooth as butter. Very nice!

 

[Nokton48]

New Showcase for Plaubel System by Nokton48, on Flickr

We have new floor to ceiling shelving in the office area of my home, so here is my Plaubel collection, ready for use. Nicely organized behind glass doors to keep it dust free.

This keeps me thinking about taking it out and using it! That is up ahead, in a very big way.

This is not all of it (no way) just the things I want to use all the time. The rest is in my studio in the basement.

 

[EdSawyer]

Looking good!

 

[gorbas]

WoW! You will not be bored in retirement Dan!

 

[Nokton48]

WoW! You will not be bored in retirement Dan!

Thanks Goran! Between working on the house, taking care of family, and PHOTOGRAPHY!!! I can't imagine I will be bored in retirement.

Stay tuned for much fun ahead after the holidays

 

[Trask]

I bought another dozen wooden spools for the take up side in these backs, which will solve that problem! Onward and upward!

I am opening and re-loading all of my Plaubel backs with wooden take up spools as of now.

Film advance with these old wooden spools is smooth as butter. Very nice!

I’m curious about these wooden spools. I see that people sell old ones on that auction site — was that your source, or is someone making them new? I shoot a fair amount of 120/220 in a variety of cameras, so I’m wondering if I too would benefit from using wooden spools — what exactly do you appreciate about them? My biggest gripe with 120 spools is that there is no friction between the spool and the paper tongue, so the tongue is always trying to slip out of the film spool slot when I’m trying to load film.