Plaubel Makiflex Standard.

[Nokton48]

70mm Kodak WL Surveillance Film D23 1:1 20' 62F by Nokton48, on Flickr

70mm Kodak WL Surveillance Film D23 1:1 20' 62F by Nokton48, on Flickr

Plaubel Makiflex Graflex RH50 70mm Back, Kodak Surveillance Film, D23 1:1 20 minutes at 62F. Two reel Paterson Tank Modded 70mm Reel holds 220 length, I like the WL Surveillance (bank camera film?) very high speed, pushes to 1600 EI with good results. As you can see I bracketed the roll to give myself choices in negative selection. 70mm HP5+ also available and has a different rendering than this stuff. The D23 provides a wide range of soft tonality that I kind of like. Previously I have been developing this film in replenished ADOX Borax MQ, which results in a much "beefier" looking negative. Good to have a choice

 

[amerz]

does anyone have a makiflex polaroid adapter they'd be interested in selling? The one for 4x5 pack film would be ideal, but I'd take a regular pack film one as well. I just got a makiflex in pretty good shape and a dying to shoot my pack film stash with it.

 

[Nokton48]

amerz,
Welcome to Makiflex! My favorite camera to use

They made a Graphmatic Back which holds Polaroid Holders, they are kind of rare but they do pop up. I have a Back for Graphic/Linhof 4x5 Sheet Holders, that will take the single shot 4x5 Polaroid. I have a small number of sheets of Polaroid #52 B&W with negative, that I am holding back for special use. Perhaps somebody here can sell or trade something for what you need?

How about a picture of your new treasure! Congrats What lenses are you planning to use? Limitless possibilities

 

[OrientPoint]

I've been looking for 5+ years and have yet to see a Makiflex Polaroid pack film back. I'd love to get one as I too have type 600 packfilm to shoot.

I've see a few MX 1/126 6x9 cut film holder backs over the years but that's pretty much it. They seem to be the most common. All of the others are seemingly non-existent. The back you really want is the MX 1/539, which will mount 4x5 graflok type backs, including the Fuji PA-45 and Polaroid 550 4x5 pack film backs. I was fortunate to find one of these about 3 years ago, but it was the first and only time I've seen one for sale. It's just a bit of metal, but the spacing and sizing is tight so it is not an easy thing to hack together if you're not a machinist. Maybe someone could 3d print them, but I'd say the Makiflex market is quite small so it probably won't happen :-(

In sum try to find (or make) and MX 1/539 as that'll let you shoot 4x5 film (including Polaroid) as well as 600-series pack film (via a 4x5 405 back).

 

[Nokton48]

SONY DSC by Nokton48, on Flickr

I was gifted some Kodak Readyload TMX100 and also some Ektar Readyload 4x5 film. I've been shooting up the TMX100 with this setup. The Plaubel Makiflex Adapter for Linhof and Graphic Film 4x5/9x12 Holders. Works good. This will also work with the Fuji Quickload 4x5 Backs. A flip of the switches top and bottom, and it goes from WIDE Linhof, to NARROW Graphic holder widths. Here it's set for Graphic Holders.

 

[OrientPoint]

How does that old Polaroid 52 work? I have some 10 years younger than yours and while it works, it pretty much black and white and nothing in-between.

 

[Nokton48]

Last time I wasted a sheet it looked pretty good.

A trio of Plaubel Makiflexes by Nokton48, on Flickr

The final Swan Song of the Plaubel Camera Company, (in the early 1960's) was the reflex-SLR version Plaubel Makiflex. Here is my collection of Makiflexes, the two on the left, are the Automatic "Makiflex". Very similar to a European Auto Graflex, with automatic diaphragm mechanism. You cock the lens, and it stops down the lens right before exposure (hence "Automatic"). The Plaubel original lenses are the 180mm Schneider Xenar, and the 210mm F4.5 Schneider Xenar. 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. These cameras are from what I call "The Golden Age of Photography". I have always liked this image.

 

[Nokton48]

Scan-150209-0001 by Nokton48, on Flickr


Plaubel Makiflex Automatic, 180mm Schneider Xenar Plaubel Automatic lens, 1/60 at F9.5, EFKE PL100 9x12cm film. Developed in ADOX Borax MQ developer. Scanned on Epson 4490 Scanner. Handheld image

 

[Nokton48]

Makiflex on Youtube!

 

[Nokton48]

Petzval type unmarked brass projection lens Makiflex No iris by Nokton48, on Flickr

Unmarked Petzval type beautiful brass Projection Lens vintage late 1800's? Central stop removed, very swirly beautiful bokeh. I'd guess 200mm focal length, I wanted speed and I'd guess about F3.5 wide open. Sharpest in the center, central bouquets were focused on and are sharp! Depth of Field is near nil. Orwo NP22 9x12cm I bought in bulk from Bulgaria. Voigtlander Makiflex Plate Holder pretty good match. RADA made plates from Plaubel and were hooked up with them for a good while. These tend to light leak and I'd retrapped a lot of plate holders, could maybe be improved? I also have some French and Russian Plate holders that seem to work as well. Yes it is sharp in the center only, that was my intention. Removing the central interior stop increased the swirly bokeh, and increased speed to about F3.5 or so. The central stop was blackened by a candle, the black soot got all over my fingers. NP22 developed in straight Legacy Mic-X Replenished. A Deep Tank Developer that lasts for many many years

 

[Nokton48]

SONY DSC by Nokton48, on Flickr

My collection of Plaubel Makiflex Film Backs. Here also is the highly desired Plaubel Makiflex Graphic Graflock Film Back, with the Graflock Clips. BTW all these holders are loaded with film ready to go. And one is 9x12 glass plate. As you can see the most plentiful back is the Plaubel Makina Double Rail Back. The 6.5x9cm film plate holders are fun to shoot, but are heavy to carry around. Good thing they came out with roll film European shoppes sell the planfilm

 

[Nokton48]

Scan-150208-0001 by Nokton48, on Flickr

Apples in a Bowl. Plaubel Makiflex, 240mm F5.5 Schneider Tele-Arton, eight seconds at F/16, 9x12cm EFKE PL100 film developed in ADOX-Borax film developer. Scanned on Epson 4490. Lens focused on stem of the apple in the very front.

 

[Nokton48]

2x3 & 6x9 Holders Makiflex by Nokton48, on Flickr

Also this Makiflex Back will take the 6.5x9cm and 2x3 Linhof Plate Holders. Will hold film or glass plates. The Guy at the local hardware store cut the glass for me and did a great job.

 

[amerz]

I've been looking for 5+ years and have yet to see a Makiflex Polaroid pack film back. I'd love to get one as I too have type 600 packfilm to shoot.

I've see a few MX 1/126 6x9 cut film holder backs over the years but that's pretty much it. They seem to be the most common. All of the others are seemingly non-existent. The back you really want is the MX 1/539, which will mount 4x5 graflok type backs, including the Fuji PA-45 and Polaroid 550 4x5 pack film backs. I was fortunate to find one of these about 3 years ago, but it was the first and only time I've seen one for sale. It's just a bit of metal, but the spacing and sizing is tight so it is not an easy thing to hack together if you're not a machinist. Maybe someone could 3d print them, but I'd say the Makiflex market is quite small so it probably won't happen :-(

In sum try to find (or make) and MX 1/539 as that'll let you shoot 4x5 film (including Polaroid) as well as 600-series pack film (via a 4x5 405 back).

thanks, that's the conclusion I've come to as well. I am not a machinist, alas. That said, I'm thinking of buying another MX 1/126 and cannibalizing the plate from it and giving it a shot with a local machinist, if I can find one. I just wrote to SK Grimes on the off chance they've made something like this before. Or maybe a 3d printer is the way to go? I live in Portland OR, an analogue photography Mecca of sorts, so maybe there's a good camera hacker here who can help me. I also might give this conversion to a 4x5 back a try if I can't find another way:

https://lensretro.com/2021/01/07/convert-a-plaubel-makiflex-to-4x5/

Does anyone have any thoughts about this process? Seems almost too good to be true.

 

[amerz]

SONY DSC by Nokton48, on Flickr

My collection of Plaubel Makiflex Film Backs. Here also is the highly desired Plaubel Makiflex Graphic Graflock Film Back, with the Graflock Clips. BTW all these holders are loaded with film ready to go. And one is 9x12 glass plate. As you can see the most plentiful back is the Plaubel Makina Double Rail Back. The 6.5x9cm film plate holders are fun to shoot, but are heavy to carry around. Good thing they came out with roll film European shoppes sell the planfilm

Thanks, this is very helpful to see! The Graflok back is on the left, middle row, next to the roll film back, correct?

What is that in the middle of the bottom row, one of the extremely rare Lumix backs?

 

[amerz]

I've read that the Makiflex shares lens boards with the Peco Junior--are Peco Junior film backs also compatible? They don't look it online.

 

[Nokton48]

I've read that the Makiflex shares lens boards with the Peco Junior--are Peco Junior film backs also compatible? They don't look it online.

Yes the Graflock one is on the middle left, next to the Graflex 70mm Film Back. The thing in the middle front is a Sony Nex3 Digital Body, JBWelded to a Plaubel Makiflex 120x120mm Lens Board. So I can shoot digitally with the Makiflex.

 

[Nokton48]

I have Peco Juniors too and they take 95x95mm boards, so you are right. Makiflex Boards are 120x120mm.

SONY DSC by Nokton48, on Flickr

SONY DSC by Nokton48, on Flickr

Initial test of Makiflex Digital Back! Auto Makiflex #1 150mm f5.6 chrome Schneider Symmar Auto Iris Plaubel Makiflex lens mount. Key Day F11 Easily hand holdable, great way to test all my lenses. Much fun ahead. If I want I can switch to film in 30 seconds, although the camera needs totally reset in that case. But so versatile.

 

[amerz]

I have Peco Juniors too and they take 95x95mm boards, so you are right. Makiflex Boards are 120x120mm.

SONY DSC by Nokton48, on Flickr

SONY DSC by Nokton48, on Flickr

Initial test of Makiflex Digital Back! Auto Makiflex #1 150mm f5.6 chrome Schneider Symmar Auto Iris Plaubel Makiflex lens mount. Key Day F11 Easily hand holdable, great way to test all my lenses. Much fun ahead. If I want I can switch to film in 30 seconds, although the camera needs totally reset in that case. But so versatile.

very impressive!

 

[OrientPoint]

thanks, that's the conclusion I've come to as well. I am not a machinist, alas. That said, I'm thinking of buying another MX 1/126 and cannibalizing the plate from it and giving it a shot with a local machinist, if I can find one. I just wrote to SK Grimes on the off chance they've made something like this before. Or maybe a 3d printer is the way to go? I live in Portland OR, an analogue photography Mecca of sorts, so maybe there's a good camera hacker here who can help me. I also might give this conversion to a 4x5 back a try if I can't find another way:

https://lensretro.com/2021/01/07/convert-a-plaubel-makiflex-to-4x5/

Does anyone have any thoughts about this process? Seems almost too good to be true.

The Lens Retro technique will work, and it's reversible as all of the holes are being drilled in the Toyo back, rather than the Makiflex. The Makiflex back plate is easy to remove and reinstall. I think it'd be worth a try if you can find a Toyo, or similar, back. Of course, once you do this you won't be able to use the Plaubel backs but if you don't have any that won't really be worry.

If you need dimensions for the Plaubel 4x5 adapter I can provide them. I'd think it wouldn't be that difficult to 3d print them if you know what you're doing.

 

[OrientPoint]

I've read that the Makiflex shares lens boards with the Peco Junior--are Peco Junior film backs also compatible? They don't look it online.

The Peco Junior uses the same MX backs as the Makiflex. The lens boards are smaller for the Peco Jr. Most of the Peco Jr's I've seen come with the mounting back for the 6x9 Rada backs and the MX 1/126 cut film adapter, which makes sense given that it's a small-ish 6x9 camera.

 

[Nokton48]

Makiflex with PJ1325 Universal Normal Double Groove Back and Double Groove Holders by Nokton48, on Flickr

I also have this unmarked (badge missing) Plaubel 6.5x9cm Groundglass Back with Bail, it came bundled as a set with these matching sheet film holders. I think they are called "double rail" holders, Anybody? Single sided holders. Anyway I have a good number of these beautifully made, they hinge open and hold the film tightly and precisely. I also have some matching holders that are "double sided". The 6.5x9cm Planfilm came from Germany, the UK, Ebay, B&H and Freestyle. Orwo NP22 6.5x9cm came from a bulk purchase from Bulgaria. Prices were pretty good as I recall.

 

[amerz]

The Lens Retro technique will work, and it's reversible as all of the holes are being drilled in the Toyo back, rather than the Makiflex. The Makiflex back plate is easy to remove and reinstall. I think it'd be worth a try if you can find a Toyo, or similar, back. Of course, once you do this you won't be able to use the Plaubel backs but if you don't have any that won't really be worry.

If you need dimensions for the Plaubel 4x5 adapter I can provide them. I'd think it wouldn't be that difficult to 3d print them if you know what you're doing.

Thanks, I would be grateful for the dimensions of the adapter. 3d printing seems the path or least resistance (and cost).

 

[Nokton48]

very impressive!

Thanks. The point is it's a lot cheaper (and different) from pulling test "roids. So since all you need is a PJ1 Makiflex Board with proper sized hole, and a mirrorless digital body (I chose the "E" mount Sony cheapo, bought used from World of Used Photography for Sixty Bucks. Lots of digital fun with Plaubel Maki lenses for very little money.

"I'm saving a small fortune in Instant Film" LOL

Fits my two Peco Juniors also.

SONY DSC by Nokton48, on Flickr

SONY DSC by Nokton48, on Flickr

This is rainy foggy day handheld digital view camera photography. Plaubel Peco Junior with 240mm Schneider black barrel Tele-Arton wide open. Handheld exposure NexC3 Digital Back. I like the bokeh and lower contrast rendering, thanks to the olde Tele-Arton formula. Making up this digital unit enables me to use this lens for the first time Lens mounted on 3D printed board from Italy, I added light foam trapping and it works OK

 

[amerz]

The Lens Retro technique will work, and it's reversible as all of the holes are being drilled in the Toyo back, rather than the Makiflex. The Makiflex back plate is easy to remove and reinstall. I think it'd be worth a try if you can find a Toyo, or similar, back. Of course, once you do this you won't be able to use the Plaubel backs but if you don't have any that won't really be worry.

If you need dimensions for the Plaubel 4x5 adapter I can provide them. I'd think it wouldn't be that difficult to 3d print them if you know what you're doing.

SK Grimes is willing to take on the task of building a graflok adapter for me; if you can send me the dimensions of yours when you have a chance, I'm sure it would be helpful to them. Thanks!