Thinking about which MF to get -- looking for additional discussion!

[Hassasin]

“Everything but a Hasselblad is a waste of money” … probably the most misguided advice anyone could give.

I have also seen “Hasselblad is the only real camera”.

Both belong in an out-of-context on x.com

 

[RalphLambrecht]

+1 on the ETR/ETRS serie. Is reasonably priced and really well build. Glass is amazin.

I think image quality may depend more on other factors, like film/developer that the size. Quite portable and a pleasure to use.


Also use the Horseman 980 both on tripod and handheld. Really nice camera and images.

For 6x7, GS1 or RB67 are hard to beat. I use the RB67 and it can be cumbersome, although I use it hadheld from time to time. Mamiya glass is amazing. You can throw in Mamiya Press for something unusual.


Best regards.

+1 on MAMIYA glass I have the trio for the Mamiya 6 (50, 75, and 150) all are excellent and a great MF travel camera, by the way

 

[RalphLambrecht]

“Everything but a Hasselblad is a waste of money” … probably the most misguided advice anyone could give.

I have also seen “Hasselblad is the only real camera”.

Both belong in an out-of-context on x.com

Anyone owning and using it will disagree with you. There is a reason that Hasselblad is so popular!

 

[MARTIE]

Well, after all that, I decided to go in on a Mamiya Press Super 23 with a 6x7 back, for $219. Definitely an underdog pick from what I've read here, but I like the idea of having a weird camera, the condition seems good with easy returns to Japan, very cheap compared to these others, and I've liked everything I saw about the camera online. Easier purchase than a lot of these other more expensive cameras!

I have the Universal.

If nothing else, it will be a great work-out!

 

[Paul Howell]

Well, after all that, I decided to go in on a Mamiya Press Super 23 with a 6x7 back, for $219. Definitely an underdog pick from what I've read here, but I like the idea of having a weird camera, the condition seems good with easy returns to Japan, very cheap compared to these others, and I've liked everything I saw about the camera online. Easier purchase than a lot of these other more expensive cameras!

Should come with the 90mm rather than the 100 as 90 is normal for 6X7. Next I would think about a lenes, the 65 or 55, if you do decide on a wide make you get one with the correct viewfinder.

 

[Rolleiflexible]

anything but a Hasselblad is a waste of money.

Ralph, Ralph, Ralph: You hail from the land of Braunschweig! Herr Franke und Herr Heidecke spin in their graves.

 

[Marcelo Paniagua]

“Everything but a Hasselblad is a waste of money” … probably the most misguided advice anyone could give.

I have also seen “Hasselblad is the only real camera”.

Both belong in an out-of-context on x.com

I don't think they are bad cameras (they are really good) but I guess it boil down to horses for courses.

I had a Hasselblad 501c kit some years ago with the 80mm and 2 film magazines. I did get some fun with it but decided to sell it.

With what I got from the Hassy back then, I got 2 serviced Kiev 88 with 30mm, 45mm and 80mm. Also, a full kit of ETRS. I had used those cameras more than I used the Hassy.


If Hassy suit you, great. Just keep in mind that they are not panacea. If you have the budget for it go ahead.

 

[Marcelo Paniagua]

Well, after all that, I decided to go in on a Mamiya Press Super 23 with a 6x7 back, for $219. Definitely an underdog pick from what I've read here, but I like the idea of having a weird camera, the condition seems good with easy returns to Japan, very cheap compared to these others, and I've liked everything I saw about the camera online. Easier purchase than a lot of these other more expensive cameras!

Hope you build some muscle

Although bulky, I don't think they are the heaviest of the cameras, If you ever feel like testing how large format work, you can get a bit of the experience buying the hooded viewfinder for the back.

Wish you luck and I can recommend the 65mm. Very good lens for landscape. Havent used the 50mm but probably will get it for Christmas.

Best regards and good luck.

 

[-persimmon-tree-]

I have the Universal.

If nothing else, it will be a great work-out!

The one I got is with the 6x9 back! I plan on getting a 6x7 back as well. Do you know if there's any difference in backs for the Mamiya Universal vs. the Mamiya Press Super 23? Or are they the same? I am excited for it!

 

[-persimmon-tree-]

Hope you build some muscle

Although bulky, I don't think they are the heaviest of the cameras, If you ever feel like testing how large format work, you can get a bit of the experience buying the hooded viewfinder for the back.

Wish you luck and I can recommend the 65mm. Very good lens for landscape. Havent used the 50mm but probably will get it for Christmas.

Best regards and good luck.

From what I have seen it seems to be about as heavy as the Pentax 67. For my usage, I don't think the bulkiness will be an issue, and I actually want something bulky to help me slow down a bit! I got it with the 100mm lens and will start looking at others once I get some rolls through.

 

[Marcelo Paniagua]

I think there is a G adapter for Universal, you can use Graflex backs. Can anyone correct me? I already have some cameras for Graflex back so never looked into this.

 

[Don_ih]

When I got my Mamiya Press, I had to cut a cardboard mask for the viewfinder, since it didn't match up with the image on the film plane. You should check that when you get it.

And if your lens is collapsible, make sure you pull it out!

 

[Paul Howell]

Some Universal and Press came with a back that took Graphic backs, easy to find, others with the Mamiya back. I have 6X7, 6X9, and 6X9 sheet film Mamiya backs. I tend to use the 6X9 back as the Universal 100 finder frame has frames for both 6X7 and 6X9, the 6X9 gives me a fudge factor in terms of cropping, so I compose in the 6X7 bight line but have that little extra room on either side I can play with when printing.

 

[-persimmon-tree-]

For reference this is the kit I got, and the back I'm looking at. It seems like there is no difference between the backs for the Universal or the Super 23, but I'm actually not sure, because only the Universal can take Polaroid backs, so I wonder if there's some difference.

 

[Marcelo Paniagua]

I got the same back and also the one for 6x9. I guess main difference between Super 23 and Universal is Universal lack the back bellows and that Universal can fit a G adapter so you can mount Graflex backs if needed.

 

[Paul Howell]

I just doubled check my Press, it will not take a G adaptor so the only option is a Mamiya back. I have my Press set up with ground glass back for sheet film.

 

[Marcelo Paniagua]

By the way, is that a viewfinder mask the cameras has? Mine looks different

 

[OAPOli]

@Marcelo Paniagua it's a 6x6 mask plate with the additional 6x4.5 mask clipped on. For the multiformat film holders. Those require masks for the film gate and would be advanced via the red window.

 

[Marcelo Paniagua]

@Marcelo Paniagua it's a 6x6 mask plate with the additional 6x4.5 mask clipped on. For the multiformat film holders. Those require masks for the film gate and would be advanced via the red window.

Thanks

 

[-persimmon-tree-]

@Marcelo Paniagua it's a 6x6 mask plate with the additional 6x4.5 mask clipped on. For the multiformat film holders. Those require masks for the film gate and would be advanced via the red window.

I didn't even notice the different viewfinder. I haven't received the camera yet. Is it just something that I snap off and then have parallax lines for 6x9 and 6x7?

 

[Marcelo Paniagua]

Yeah seem it can be detached:

Mamiya Press Mask

 

[Paul Howell]

It snaps off, with luck you got the multiback, rare and expensive. Allows for 6X9, 6X6 and 645 fornates with the same back, the masks are needed to frame in the viewfinder.

 

[-persimmon-tree-]

Yeah seem it can be detached:

Mamiya Press Mask

Wow, awesome. Thank you!

 

[-persimmon-tree-]

It snaps off, with luck you got the multiback, rare and expensive. Allows for 6X9, 6X6 and 645 fornates with the same back, the masks are needed to frame in the viewfinder.

From what I saw, I got the 6x9 back, but I'll have to confirm when it arrives.

 

[Marcelo Paniagua]

From what I saw, I got the 6x9 back, but I'll have to confirm when it arrives.

Image show 6x7 back so you should confirm: