Mamiya Super 23 Digital, The Only Digital Medium format RF Camera (DIY Adapter)

Looking around I can't find anything else that resembles this project! I've seen some interesting printed cameras, film camera bodies, all sorts of things. However I haven't seen this project before. I think it's a good one.
In this video I go over my process of making a Medium Format Digital Rangefinder. The base camera is a Mamiya Super 23, the digital back I'm using is a Mamiya/Phase one mount Aptus 22.
The project is very DIY-ee. Involved 3D printing, a bit of metal forming, a lot of hope.
The end result though, its a fully functional Medium Format Digital Rangefinder, focus patch is aligned, photos can be taken! It's just a tad big.
I reference my video on my buying experience on MPB the link is below. Originally I had wanted a have a more modern Digital Back on here to assist with some quality of life stuff such as RF calibration.
• I Tried to Buy a Camer...
At any rate this specific video is NOT a guide, and I take no responsibility for any damage to anyone's equipment if there is any attempt to replicate the project.
I invite people though to ask away if interested in doing something similar! I'll help out where I can!
Chapters
0:00 - Intro
1:58 - What is the Mamiya Super 23 Digital?!
8:34 - How is it possible (1 - Mamiya M-Mount Back)
11:15 - How is it possible (2 - Digital Back Offset)
12:11 - How is it possible (3 - Collapsing Lens)
13:53 - How is it possible (4 - Designing The Digital Back Mount)
17:36 - How is it possible (5 - Frame lines and X-sync)
19:30 - How is it possible (6 - Rangefinder Calibration)
22:39 - Photo Gallery (FINALLY)
23:49 - Conclusion
This video was shot with the Sony A7 III with the 28mm F2 using the Deity D4 mini Mic and a small array of lights!

[@Arrc_Larrc]

the Standard 23 was my first medium format camera i found at a flea store. really love it a lot. I had a similar idea of modular cameras like this shooting different formats with the right adapters. Imagine having an all in one camera you can shoot all 120 sizes, polaroid, instax, and even digital. This is so cool.

[@Mr50mmish]

The Mamiya 23 is super versitile! I do love em for that. Thanks!

[@framerate3x3]

Honestly, I've thought about doing something similar with my mamiya press since I have an H4D-50. I didn't know that someone actually did it. I'll definitely be following your video as a guide. I think the H6D would be the perfect candidate for this combo, if money wasn't an issue, since it has live view.

[@Mr50mmish]

Nice! Yeah if you have any questions let me know! The most annoying part was manually cutting the steel prongs that hold the digital back to the mounting plate. Yeah live view would be pretty helpful with this projects, one day I will get a newer digital back with live view to make these projects easier!

[@seanimal_rex]

A true test of those mamiya strap lugs

[@Mr50mmish]

Haha. They haven't failed yet!

[@antontaranenko8824]

Thank you for the nice review ☺️ I had this camera with set of 250mm f5 and 100mm f2.8... But I changed it to Fujica pair GM670 and GL690, these are smaller and easier to use, plus 50mm lens is better than Mamiya press one😅 Also, I had managed to adapt the best from Mamiya press system 100mm f2.8 lens with perfectly matching rangefinder coupling... So I have now compact set with the best from both systems lenses...😊 Still problematic to have digital back on fujicas though...Also Mamiya 100mm f2.8 lost it's flash synchronization connector during the adaptation process😢

[@Mr50mmish]

Those cameras sound awesome! That sucks with the 100mm f2.8.flash sync though, any idea what part broke? Think you'll try to repair it?

[@antontaranenko8824]

@@Mr50mmish No it was the necessity to remove flash sink connector. I used old Fujinon EBC 100mm f3.5 AE for bayonet, helicoid and rangefinder link/plate, both lenses are 100mm with the same format and almost the same flange distance, so rangefinder link throw and calibration are the same... I had to machine internal helicoid barrel, increase diameter, to fit optical system, shutter and diagram of the Mamiya 100mm f2.8... it fits really well, except flash sink connector, as it is pointing out, preventing the lens slide into the helicoids barrel to reach infinity... Also I had managed to connect GL/GM 670/690 links for cranking the and shutter release to the lens, by using support bearings links, with levers soldered to them, so the lens is working exactly as native one, with thumb cranking from the camera and release by shutter button... And this flash sink was on the way of these levers as well 🤦🤦 currently I left wire for the flash sink taped to the lens barrel, maybe if one day I will take the "digital back" journey, I will try to make it somehow attached... So far I am happy with Portra 160, Provia 50 and Across ii instead of the digital and no flash... Luckily, for now 120mm film is easy to get it in Tokyo, where I live...

[@Westfalon]

Now this is an interesting project! I never knew about the Mamiya medium format backs. They're perfect for this sort of thing. Those old Mamiya Sekor lenses have such a pleasant rendering too. The 55mm and 105mm for my C3 are just gorgeous

[@Mr50mmish]

They are just about perfect! I do very much enjoy the images that come out the camera. I think the Hasselblad mount backs might be a good candidate to digitize strange cameras, if I get one I will try. Otherwise yeah the Mamiya C series TLRs are generally awesome! I am also trying to think of ways to digitize those but that is more problematic than it seems :(.

[@Westfalon]

@@Mr50mmish I've thought about fitting a polaroid back to mine and a digital one wouldnt be drastically different. The pressure plate/back isnt really that thick. There might be enough room to build the digital back directly into a film back and still have the right flange distance. Or even if it is farther back, the focusing system is ultra forgiving so it just might need a spacer on the viewfinder ground glass. Question is, _who's mad enough to hack into a digital back......._

[@Mr50mmish]

@@Westfalon the vertical space isn't a a big issue. But the horizontal distance across I do believe needs to be wiser to fit the entire back on. So it'd probably need some cutting to make sure the Digi back is in line with the film place.

[@Westfalon]

@@Mr50mmish yea, it'll take some hackery lol If I ever find a deal on one of those digi backs I'll have to give it a try

[@nicklopro]

So do you just set the digi back for a long exposure so its reading for the whole time the leaf is open?

[@Mr50mmish]

Nah, with X-Sync the Digi back will just open as long as the shutter is open! So the trigger will fire both the back and leaf shutter.

[@nicklopro]

Thanks, guess i dont really get what xsync is. Just thought it meant both things would go at the same time. Not necessarily that it would keep the signal recipient going for as long as the shutters open. Anyway you maniac. Great job very interesting!

[@Mr50mmish]

@@nicklopro haha thanks, yeah it's an flash sync, originally meant for like xenon flashes I think!

[@photofreaksk]

Nice to meet you Mr 50mm. I am Mr 210mm...

[@Mr50mmish]

Haha welcome to the party. We got Mr. 85mm on your left and Miss 35mm on your right. Behind you is Mr. 135mm

[@photofreaksk]

@@Mr50mmish OMG! Mr 35mm???

[@Mr50mmish]

@@photofreaksk he's crafty!

[@jessehavok4181]

@@Mr50mmish Mr. 24mm checking in. Watch out for Mr. 9mm. He's a loose canon

[@Mr50mmish]

@@jessehavok4181 haha Mr. 9mm is a bit scary. Can't trust em!

[@user-tb7rq6de5f]

great syatem all mamiya press 6x9 cm 2x3 inch perfect camera special 50mm lens all medium camera size only one top class 50 mm 21 century D all tecnical very good gold hand many artist up service thank you i like mamiya all press full enjoying and collection thank you korea elijah jang thank you shalom God bless all mania

[@nicklopro]

9:06 so supple! 😂

[@AndersConbere]

Curious if you have enough room to use non collapsible lenses if you go with the universal body and mount directly to the body like the polaroid adapters do.

[@Mr50mmish]

I do think it is possible. The mount is a bit more complicated but I believe a model already exists. I was exploring the idea on the 600se but before I got started on it the shutter on my lens died so I began working on the super 23 instead.

[@AndersConbere]

@@Mr50mmish I’ve been working on some projects to just use the mount from the old polaroid backs. It screws off and leaves you with a nearly perfectly flat mounting plate (with an almost 4x5 hole to work with).

[@Mr50mmish]

Oh nice that's a good idea if it leave enough space for the digital back it would be an excellent place to start.

[@Mr50mmish]

I did have a look at my back against my 600SE polaroid back. I do think it's very possible to build a digital back to perfectly match the film plane. There is enough space. It would be a bit more complicated but doable. The Universal back mount is similar to the 600se. I'm now considering buying a universal haha to see if I can do it.

[@AndersConbere]

@@Mr50mmish A bare junker body is so cheap!

[@stampydragon2739]

Could you do this with the original press

[@Mr50mmish]

It should work on the original press back as long as you still use the collapsing lenses.

[@Mr50mmish]

Since the rear film mount I think is the same mamiya back mount.

[@user-tb7rq6de5f]

3d print oh! file

[@Mr50mmish]

Do you want the file?

[@avnostlga]

Doesn't seem any worse than using a Speed Graphic off tripod.

[@Mr50mmish]

Haha that would be a bit worse.