Shutter release on a Mk3 Mamiya Universal 6x9 film back

Imagegb · Apr 14, 2019

Hi, I'm pulling my hair out (if I had any) over this problem. I have just invested in three Mamiya 6x9 film backs the ones with the shutter release built in, all purchased from differing sources. I have the correct cable release for them but I cannot get the button on the film back to depress and activate the shutter. I have tried all of the following but with no luck, the button on the film backs will only depress about 2mm, and seems to be in a locked mode.
Settings tried
Film loaded/not loaded
Dark slide in the stored in rear of film back position
I cannot see any secret catch to make this work. The only catch visible is the one on the base of the film back which unlocks the cable release.
I don't want to force anything so has anyone any ideas please.

choiliefan · Apr 14, 2019

I may have missed it but ave you tried it while attached to the camera body?

Imagegb · Apr 14, 2019

choiliefan said:
I may have missed it but ave you tried it while attached to the camera body?

Yes tried on and off the camera body.

choiliefan · Apr 14, 2019

It would be great to see other views of the back.
The back's release mechanism has to be coupled to the body so looking at the camera's mating surface can you trip the lens/shutter pressing something that way?
I'm sure an expert will chime in soon.

Imagegb · Apr 14, 2019

A cable release fits between the film back and the lens, so nothing else required, just the button on the film back to move!! The cable release works fine with the pistol grip.

choiliefan · Apr 14, 2019

Waiting for the experts...

itsdoable · Apr 14, 2019

You could try it with a dummy roll in the back, the shutter release may be interlocked with the film advance.

Imagegb · Apr 14, 2019

Yes, I have tried that.

j_landecker · Apr 15, 2019

There is an interlock which is supposed to release the shutter button only once on each exposure to prevent double exposure. You may need to have the cable inserted for this to work. There is no coupling with the camera body. I believe you can override the interlock by moving the wind release lever opposite to the arrow. I have one of these somewhere, so I can verify if I can find it...
Edit: I found my back. You need to have film in the back, and at each new exposure the shutter button is free to be depressed all the way down once. The cable release does not need to be installed for it to work, and the interlock override works as I described above. Using the shutter button also has the function of releasing the film winding to wind to the next exposure. Hope that helps!

Imagegb · Apr 15, 2019

Thank you for your response, I got quite excited by the possibility of a solution! However, I have just tried this and all my backs (3) when the film is advanced to the next frame the interlock override is hard over to the left of its travel, so it cannot move over further (left). The shutter button also will not depress. When the interlock override is moved to the right the film advance can be operated until it clicks back to its far left position. With no film in the back the interlock override sits in the middle position. Back to the drawing board!!!

j_landecker · Apr 15, 2019

When my back is wound to a new exposure, the interlock lever does indeed sit to the left, and with no film it is in the middle. I assume you're doing this without the cable release connected to a lens (which needs to be cocked). If all else fails, you might need to take the top cover off the back and see what's going on inside.
ps. One more thing... the darkslide does need to be out to operate the shutter button. Even with no film in the back, the override function will let the shutter button depress if the darkslide is out.

Imagegb · Apr 15, 2019

Hi, definitely something odd going on, three backs all from different sources all behave the same. Incidentally I have tried with/without cable release, on/off the camera, shutter cocked/not cocked. Thanks again though for your suggestions.

j_landecker · Apr 15, 2019

Another point - for the override to work, the lever needs to be held to the left as you start to press the shutter button. Once the button is part way down, you can let go of the lever.

Imagegb · Apr 15, 2019

Youv’e solved the problem, brilliant. It’s the dastardly dark slide!! So you have to remove dark slide, hold the interlock switch to the left, half press the shutter button, release interlock switch, take image!!, blimey, Complex or what? Really big thank you for solving the puzzle, I don’t think I will be using it though, a simple cable release direct to the lens will suffice. Thanks again for your advice, I can stop pulling my hair out!

JPD · Apr 15, 2019

There is a hole under the film back. Is a cable release supposed to go in there to connect the shutter release on the back to the one on the lens?

Imagegb · Apr 15, 2019

Yes, the unique cable release fits there and connects to the lens. Thanks to “j.landecker” who has solved my question.

j_landecker · Apr 15, 2019

Well, with film in the back, you shouldn't need to use the override lever. You should be able to wind, cock the shutter, and then shoot using the button. Glad you figured it out though - with 3 backs doing the same there had to be a simple explanation. Because it's a modular system without connection between the pieces, it ends up being a fiddly system, and the cable release is not all that smooth.

Imagegb · Apr 15, 2019

All credit to you, thanks again.

j_landecker · Apr 15, 2019

No worries!

ruilourosa · Apr 15, 2019

mine works flawlessly

RobbieMaynard · Feb 19, 2024

Just breaking into this for a new question - I just picked up this back and I am getting it in a few days. The cable is unlike any that I have seen before so I want to know as much as I can about connecting it before it gets here. Which side goes into the film back? I assume the silver side and the screw mount will go onto the lens release but I don't really understand where it attaches inside the film back. Any advice, articles, etc would be super helpful. Thanks!

crgrove · Apr 26, 2024

Hi all! I just received my Model 3 film back. HOWEVER, I didn't realize that they didn't come with the cable release and that that was a separate purchase. So, I went online to see if I could find one but to NO AVAIL! Is there an item number for that specific cable release? Any ideas where to purchase one? I can't see one anywhere on ebay or elsewhere. Depressing! <-Not a pun.

gordrob · Apr 27, 2024

crgrove said:
Hi all! I just received my Model 3 film back. HOWEVER, I didn't realize that they didn't come with the cable release and that that was a separate purchase. So, I went online to see if I could find one but to NO AVAIL! Is there an item number for that specific cable release? Any ideas where to purchase one? I can't see one anywhere on ebay or elsewhere. Depressing! <-Not a pun.

I don't know if a part number will help you in your search for the cable release but the number I have for it is M5476-16851

Chuck1 · Apr 28, 2024

Just out of curiosity, if anyone has the cable release I'd love to see a picture(especially where it connects to the back, but not connected)
Thanks

Shutter release on a Mk3 Mamiya Universal 6x9 film back

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Shutter release on a Mk3 Mamiya Universal 6x9 film back

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