Mamiya Universal and Super 23 Camera Review

[@ghw7192]

When i was doing newspaper photography durining the 60s, 35mm was still referred to as "miniature" cameras and film. I had a Mamiya Universal as well as my Nikon F. I still have both😊

[@johnrflinn]

These are wonderful and affordable medium format cameras. I like the 100mm F 2.8 for astrophotography..

[@keithammleter3824]

I bought a Mamiya Universal 45 years ago. I still have it, and it still works perfectly. Best camera for weddings ever - high quality images and it lets you catch those fleeting special moments. I used the wire frame viewfinder for weddings, and the ground glass screen back for magazine illustrations. Print magazines are still very popular here in Australia, but editors for some years now only accept digital images emailed to them - they no longer take negs or prints.

[@pawog04youtube3]

How easy is focusing on this camera?

[@keithammleter3824]

@@pawog04youtube3 With the ground glass screen back, dead easy - but of course as this involves changing over between screen and film back, this method is not suitable for action shots. Use the wire frame viewfinder for action shots, but you then must use the rangefinder to check focus, and acquire the knack of very quickly moving your eye from the rangefinder to wire frame, or be able to guestimate the focus setting required. The lenses are of course marked for distance. For reasonable distances with a normal focal length lens, using the rangefinder for both view and focus is as easy as anything, but of course is no good for telephoto or wide angle closeups. The rangefinder is calibrated by separate markings for various film backs (ie 6x7, 6x9, 4.5x6, 70mm) - you have to remember which back you have on, or headless people may result. The Mamiya Universal and Mamiya Press being rangefinder cameras, getting both focus and view right is never going to be as straightforward in all circumstances as an SLR camera or a digital back camera with an electronic viewfinder. You can with an adapter fit the digital backs meant for the Hasselblad 6x7 or Mamiya RB67 cameras but these backs are way overpriced.

[@andyvan5692]

that is a real shame, not to accept the 'real thing', and to dump the old way entirely, but I guess that is why so many of these are seen in camera stores, as the photographers, who used them were forced into the digital world, or were selling up their old studios.

[@larrymccormick3226]

Can't believe you forgot my favorite 65mm lens ! Love this camera !

[@yeah493]

swing (like tilt) is used to change the focal plane rather than change perspective. Rise/fall and shift are used for perspective.

[@IslandPink]

Agreed. The Super 23 is more versatile than the Universal, for this reason, good for close-ups and some landscape work, seashore studies. Love the system !

[@williamshaffer9216]

I very much enjoyed your Video. I just bought a Mamiya Universal and your video was very helpful to me.

[@forrestgreene1139]

I love this channel.

[@ivaneberle3972]

At ~01:25 he states that as 35mm film became more available, newspapers moved away from 4x5" and larger sheet film. Not quite the reason. Offset photo- lithographic printing meant printing press plates were no longer as reliant on 1:1 contacts. Before, it was another labor intensive chore to enlarge a photo print to printing plate dimensions. As well, sheet film held on for magazines as they moved to color because the 1:1 contacting was how color seps and contrast masking was done; the thick base kept sheets dimensionally flat. Keeping several graphic arts film sheets in registration was simplified by having more selvidge area at the margins for pin registration

[@pierreselim9126]

Superbe appareil avec lequel on pouvait absolument tout faire. De l'identité, du reportage, du portait, de l'industrie, de la photo aérienne, tout... Le 23 était absolument universel. La qualité de la chambre comme des optiques (du 50 au 250 mm) valait en tout point celle des marques les plus prestigieuse.

[@hmorhm1]

I put mine away for awhile and was disappointed to discover the shutter won't open on the 50mm wide angle lens. This is a beautiful symmetrical lens, not retro focus like the later slr Mamiyas. Gotta get it fixed!

[@mamiyapress]

Take both lens elements off the shutter and place a couple of drops of Lighter fuel on the aperture blades, then fire the shutter several times, works for me.

[@randallstewart175]

Today, we tend to forget that the quality of color film in the 1950s & 60s was much inferior to the films available today. Also, editors wanted to quickly sort and judge images for their use, and 35mm images were (are) too small to edit conveniently.. Most magazines refused to accept submissions on 35mm in those days, outside of sports. I personally never was interested in the various Mamiya Press models like whose here. I went with the Koni Omega system. A friend bought into the Mamiya Press system, so we were able to compare the two systems over time. Each system has its advantages. I preferred the quicker operation and more compact body of the KO.

[@japanvintagecamera8869]

Here in Japan magazines and books remain popular, and bookstores are busy places. I was watching a photo shoot at a cafe a few weeks ago, and was surprised to see the photographer and his assistant pull two old and very brassy Mamiya Universal cameras out of their camera case. At first I thought these would be used as decorations or props, but they began setting them up to shoot. 50 years ago still going strong.

[@edinburghtumuran916]

Hi, so nice video. I just got my Mamiya Super 23 and I am so excited to shoot it this weekend and thereafter do a VLOG about it too! See ya around!

[@markfewtrell7454]

so i guess the the 75mm lens could be used with 6x7 or 6x9 if a mask was placed on the viewfinder?

[@japanvintagecamera8869]

There are marks inside the 75mm finder for 6x7 and 6x9 film backs, so a mask isn't necessary.

[@markfewtrell7454]

@@japanvintagecamera8869 thanks very much very useful.

[@xander1052]

When I start wanting to prepare for large format, this will be the camera for me. For now it's probably too much camera for me though.

[@fotolookconde]

Japan Vintage Camera this is the best review of the Mamiyas Press here on KZbin. I have 2 super 23, a few lenses and 1 back 6x7 and 1 back 4.5x6-6x6-6x9. However I can only shoot 6x9 as I don't have the inserts. As you say they are extremely difficult to find for sale. I am trying to find the inserts....

[@h539279549]

3d print can definitely help you out.

[@fotolookconde]

@@h539279549 I managed to find the insert masks!

[@JHurrenPhotography]

Hello! Are masks not necessarily if all you're using is a 6x9 back?

[@fotolookconde]

@@JHurrenPhotography I can now shoot 4.5x6 and 6x6 as I bought the inserts. And 6x9 and 6x7as well!

[@JHurrenPhotography]

@@fotolookconde oh nice! You're all set. I'm specifically only going to be shooting 6x9 tho. Can you confirm that I don't need to worry about masks for this format? Is the viewfinder natively 6x9? I just noticed this camera and got really excited

[@stampydragon2739]

Could you cover how to change the pasture

[@douglaspboyd]

You forgot to mention another cool feature of these cameras. There is a graflok back adapter that enables you to use baby speed graflex accessories such as 6x9 film packs and 6x9 film holders as well as other graflex accessories. Of course 6x9 film packs and cut film are not available these days, but you can use Graflex film backs.

[@douglaspboyd]

Just realized that Ilford still sells 2.25x3.25 cutfilm in HP4 and HP5 and this is available at Midwest Photo and Freestyle Photo. If this cut film is loaded into a 2.25x3.25 Grafmatic film holder, it is very competitive with roll film for rapid sequence shooting. I prefer the cutfilm to roll film becuase the backing is so much thicker that the film always lays flat.

[@khanscombe619]

I've wanted 1 of these. Coming from a Graflex Pacemaker 23. I like the ergonomica of the Super 23 w/ LH handle & shutter. How reasonable is the rangefinder in closer range? Good on 645 w/ mask?

[@norbertstepien9185]

Excellent review. thank you.

[@khanscombe619]

Will or can any of the original M back model accept Graflok 23 back adapted or is the back switchable if we get the UK version bellows back?

[@jackyleecs]

Interesting. I am looking at a Fuji GM670. Then I started seeing Mamiya Press cameras which is much cheaper. I do not know how to go about choosing.

[@johnrflinn]

I recently bought the 250mm F5.6 lens used for $250 when the original price was probably 4 times as much. Heavy, all metal and well constructed. This is a sample of the great deals you can get with Mamiya Press lenses.

[@ANolsen]

I just bought a Mamyia Universal and it seems to be working perfectly fine. I have the 100mm f/3.5 and the 150mm f/5.6 lenses. When I use the 100mm the range finder responds to me turning the lens fine but the 150mm doesn't seem to work with the range finder. Nobody else seems to have the problem, can you help me in some way?

[@jacovanlith5082]

In the mid Fifties the Rolleiflex and later the Hasselblad were popular brands. In the mid sixties SLR's and rangefinder with 135-36 film got popular. Photoos for ID were also shot with the SINAR and Cambo. Is the prism finder made of glass or is it a mirror? The Mamiya Universal looks like Cambo XL.

[@fotolookconde]

Prism is a mirror

[@jacovanlith5082]

So it is a light weight porrofinder.

[@troyphillips1077]

Great information thank you very much. Just subscribed

[@mikethomas1073]

Thanks again for an informative video. Looking to medium format, having a difficult time deciding which camera to make the leap. I looked at the Kiev 6C because of price, but these seem to be going for around the same price. Is this one of those cameras that has the ability to add a back to it for shooting the Fuji instant film ? Ok, I did see you answered my question later on. Thanks

[@fotolookconde]

These are really reliable cameras compared with the Kiev! And much more versatile. Good for landscape, architecture and even street photography.

[@MichaelTrumpetPlayer]

How do I contact you directly? I have a Super 23 which I want to have serviced. Do you service or repair these cameras? One of my film backs doesn't stop for each exposure

[@cronos_78none47]

hello there i got 2 questions. for what is the white window in the middle ? and how good is the rangefinder to use if you have glases ?

[@khanscombe619]

Ok I got a Universal Press w/ 100/2.8 & MK3 back. Missing cable of course. I need a flash handle & cable . What is the newest or better flash handle version for it? Do the tilt lock or my older Press 23 Deluxe? Is there an optional right handle or knob for balance?

[@japanvintagecamera8869]

This camera used the Mamiya Flashgun Pro Deluxe, which used flash bulbs. The best realistic flash which Press users liked was the Metz 45 CT-1. I often come across Mamiya Press cameras fitted with this flash.

[@leeo.alexander2324]

Great review. I have two of these cameras and I have not put any film through them yet. The Press is the grey model and I the Super 23. Between these two cameras, I have 3 lenses (100mm 3.5; 90mm 3.5; and 150mm 5.6). The two backs I have are the 120/220 that you showed. The other back is the multi-select that has three slides - 6x4.5; 6x6, and 6x9. This is a great feature. Should there be a template for each one of these formats that have to be placed in front of the film plane first? You would not be able to change this on the fly. The only format that would be default would be the 6x9 since this is the largest film coverage area. I am assuming that the other two would require their respective templates for the slide to work as indicated.

[@japanvintagecamera8869]

The K (multi-format) back is supposed to have inserts which fit in front of the dark slide, as well as a mask for the viewfinder. You can change the masks without exposing the film. You can sometimes find the templates on eBay, but they are fairly rare.

[@leeo.alexander2324]

@@japanvintagecamera8869 - I have looked for the templates and it seems they are not where to be found here. I can 3d design the mask and templates and print them on my 3d printer to see if that will work. The three(3) lenses I have are working properly. All I need to do is load the film, shot, and develop the film. Thank you for your insights.

[@japanvintagecamera8869]

@@leeo.alexander2324 The templates are thin sheet metal. You could probably more easily buy a piece of sheet copper or aluminum and cut them with a box knife.

[@leeo.alexander2324]

@@japanvintagecamera8869 - Thank you. I have a piece of copper that is very thin. I may be able to make them and paint them black.

[@monsieurgolem3392]

Did they make a mask for using the 645 and 6x7 backs?

[@japanvintagecamera8869]

Yes, they did, you can get a K type back with masks. You need the complete kit which has the film back and viewfinder masks.

[@markfewtrell7454]

what size is the mask in the viewer window!

[@daniellewis5302]

Is there any way that right angle focusing chimney can be used with the ground glass for the Polaroid 600se? I have the spacer set and ground glass for the 600se but would like to make it easier to use (right side up image and no hood or T-shirt required). I was thinking of 3D printing an adapter for it but was wondering if the right angle chimney being slightly further away from the ground glass (because of the adapter) would affect things. Does the small lens in the eyepiece of the right angle chimney have any magnification?

[@japanvintagecamera8869]

People make lots of adapters for these cameras, usually modifying the M adapter from the Universal. So long as the ground glass itself is in the proper place, the location of the eyepiece is not critical. The eyepiece lens is magnified.

[@daniellewis5302]

@@japanvintagecamera8869 ok I was thinking the same thing, I am trying out the MP-4 reflex viewer and will let you know the outcome

[@daniellewis5302]

I 3D printed an adapter for the MP-4 viewer and its fantastic! It's a bit heavy but the magnifier makes it much easier to see what is in-focus on the ground glass even in bright light. Now, to find more FP-100C!

[@johnrflinn]

There was also a 65mm F6.3. Very small and tack sharp.

[@johnrflinn]

There is a lighter version of the 250mm lens which has an aperture of F8 but you need the ground glass or a rangefinder to focus. The heavier version has its focus synced to the optical viewfinder.

[@nik79001]

hello. do you still have Mamiya press Universal?

[@tyrellmcbride7184]

I have a question, I have a mamiya press coming to me, it looks very similar to the one on your left at the beginning of the video, it has the “6x7 and “6x9” writing just under the viewfinder, one thing I’m worried about is that the viewfinder looks considerably smaller than the other systems, I was wondering how is the viewfinder and what is the difference between the two cameras themselves? Thanks a lot

[@japanvintagecamera8869]

The camera you bought probably has a clip-on finder mask for the 127mm lens. You can remove the mask if you are using a 100mm lens. If the camera has a 127mm lens, the mask will help you frame your photos more accurately.

[@tyrellmcbride7184]

@@japanvintagecamera8869 ah okay that’s great, and how would I go about removing that? And the viewfinder looks exactly the same as your one on the left.

[@ae4102]

hello. I have a question. At minute 8:40 of this video you attach a "sheet veiw finder" to the back of the camera and open it revealing a frosted glass to view your shot. Can you please explain how that works when the viewing screen is directly behind the film you are supposed to use? i have a TLR and i understand that because it reflects the light up. but wouldnt this "sheet viewer" expose every shot since it is directly behind the film itself? I enjoy your videos btw, they are awesome. thanks

[@japanvintagecamera8869]

The sheet film holder has a ground glass like a large format camera, it sits against the film plane and allows you to focus so as to see exactly what the film sees. The sheet film holder is thin rectangular box which holds one or two sheets of film, depending on the design. The film is protected by a slide or slides. To use the holder, you focus using the ground glass, then you slide the holder through a slot on one side of the ground glass back, the glass moves back as the film holder is inserted. Once in place, you set the shutter speed and aperture, charge the shutter, then remove the slide from the sheet film holder, then take your photo. Then the slide must be reinserted into the film back. You can then pull out the back, turn the back over, and take a second shot on the second sheet (if you are using a two-sheet holder). You have to load the sheet film holders yourself, in a darkroom, or some other place where there is no light.

[@ae4102]

@@japanvintagecamera8869 Ah I see. Thank you for explaining it. Are there any cameras that were able to mechanize this like standard 35mm slr's or Medium formats etc? By that i mean keep the frosted viewing glass directly behind the film as this does but instead be able to load a roll of film instead of just 2 shots? And if by some chance that could be made into a folding camera like a perkeo then that would be a very compact and portable camera with all the things we love about viewing screens and old TLR's.

[@Adrian-wd4rn]

I have a question. I just bought a super 23. How can I attach existing polarizers and graduated neutral density filters to them? Or is that not a possibility with these cameras

[@japanvintagecamera8869]

You can use screw-on polarizers and filters, the 127mm and 100mm lenses use a 55mm filter or polarizers which are very easy to find.

[@Adrian-wd4rn]

@@japanvintagecamera8869 Really? I read tgat they were 40.5 for the 100mm.

[@romulogon856]

I have a MUP and love it. I still find it dificult to clean my foggy viewfinder. I cant find a way to access it. I wish ther was a detailed manual.

[@idontwannamakethishandle]

This channel has an excellent walkthrough on this cleaning process now.

[@rumblerodz13]

I have a super 23 coming to me in a few days..the 100mm 3.5 kens with it has some issues..but I've considered the 127mm 4.7, do you have to use thebfeont viewfinder mask specifically for the 127mm? The one I'm getting has the mask on it already..any info would be great 👍 thank you!!🙏🏼

[@japanvintagecamera8869]

You can use the camera without the mask, but if you use the mask you will be able to frame your shots a little more accurately.

[@rumblerodz13]

@@japanvintagecamera8869 Thanks for the reply..even with all my typos haha 😄 . Thinking I might go ahead and get the 127mm ,like you said it was a favorite for portraits..

[@filmniyom]

Wow!!!👍

[@JerryMilton]

Funny you don't even mention the Polaroid 600SE version, or if you did, I skipped over it. I have 3 6x9 backs for my 600SE along with a CB-72 back and all 3 lenses.

[@japanvintagecamera8869]

Thanks for your comment. I didn't have a Polaroid 600E on hand when I made the video, though I do have one now. The 600E had a simplified design, with two selectable frame lines instead of three, and an simpler bayonet lens mount which did not require a lock ring. However the lens selection was more limited, you could not get the 50mm f/6.3 or the 250mm f/5.6 lenses in the Polaroid mount. Also, the grip on the 600E was not detachable. The 600E tends to sell for about one-third more than a Universal, many due to their rarity, as far fewer were made.

[@KAUSTUBH447]

I am interested in purchasing one of these cameras.

[@japanvintagecamera8869]

Please check out my Etsy or eBay stores, I have a few of these cameras for sale.

[@CJ007UP]

Hello please can you tell me if you can shoot photo with Mamiya Super 23 with Cinestill 800T?

[@robertjones1886]

If you have 120 roll film then it can shoot it.

[@colejensen6397]

If anyone finds one with a working prism finder lmk

[@japanvintagecamera8869]

I have a couple prisms for these cameras if you are interested. Please contact me through my links in the video description.

[@kevinfitzmaurice-brown1683]

5x4

[@staswlad]

дякую!!!

[@WHA-DANG장준환]

top press all set full enjoying my many set same ha ha best of best all seting many up service

[@jiving0078]

I recently got ahold of a universal with a 127mm lens but it seems to look like my shutter blades won’t open when shooting. Are the blades really quick? When I drop the aperture below 30 I can hear and only see it slightly open