Mamiya Universal Polaroid Help

[Becoming]

Hello there, a quick question.

I've got a Mamiya Universal Press with 100mm/f3.5 lens on the way and I'm going to get a 6x9 back for it.

The thing is I would like to get the RB67 polaroid film back for it too. Will the 100mm lens provide the right coverage for this back/film? Or will I have to get the 127mm?

Thanks a lot.

PS: If anyone's selling any backs or lenses for the Mamiya Press PM me please

[Dwig]

Only the 75mm and 127mm lenses will completely cover the larger Polariod format. There will be some vignetting with the 100mm.

When looking for film holders, be sure to get ones that fit your particular "adapter". The Universal has a removable "adapter" to allow it to accept film holders other than its special Polaroid holder. The Polaroid holder is the only film holder that mounts directly onto the camera.

To mount Mamyia style roll film holders, such as the K holders, you need the "M Adapter". To mount Graflock holders (e.g. RB67 holders, the special Graflock style sheet film holders, ...) you need the "G Adapter". The Universal was universal in that it accepted these adapters, along with the Polaroid back. Earlier models came with one or the other style fitting as a permanent fitting.

The Mamyia style back are much nicer to use when using the camera as a hand held camera. The thick RB67 holders, and other Graflock roll film holders, make getting your eye to the eyepiece rather difficult and somewhat uncomfortable. Mamyia did offer an accessory eyepiece extension that helped a bit.

Check out this Camerapedia page. There is a link near the bottom to the full instruction manual.

http://www.camerapedia.org/wiki/Mamiya_Press

[Becoming]

Thanks a lot for your detailed reply Dwig, it's of much help.

I think I'll hold out for the 127mm lens before I get the polaroid back. I hear this is an excellent lens in it's own right. From what I've seen from Flickr the RB67 back with 127mm makes for a venerable instant film system.

My Universal Press is coming with an M adaptor and I'm buying one of the later version Mamiya backs with the lever advance. It's been tricky to find an example with the darkslide, mind.

Thanks again.

[sevo]

You might want to consider purchasing the Polaroid version of the Universal, the 600SE. In my experience you can get hold of a complete 600SE for less than a instant back and 127mm lens for the Universal (the inverse is true as well, too - film lenses in 600SE mount are scarce and expensive).

[oftheherd]

Originally Posted by sevo

You might want to consider purchasing the Polaroid version of the Universal, the 600SE. In my experience you can get hold of a complete 600SE for less than a instant back and 127mm lens for the Universal (the inverse is true as well, too - film lenses in 600SE mount are scarce and expensive).

Do they all take the same film? I don't know. I know little about the Universal except where it and the Super Press 23 share attributes, such and the accessories they use.

I do have the Super Press 23. The Universal/Super Press are indeed system cameras. You may well get addicted and go for some of the other lenses, backs, and other accesories. I have the 50mm, 150mm, 250 f/5, and a currently non-working 65mm, as well as the 100mm f/3.5. I also have the ground glass back, the cut film holder ground glass back with holders, and the extension tube set. It is a bit heavy compared to a 35mm kit, but not that bad if you are in good health. The 6x7 or 6x9 size negatives, and the versatility, make this a fun camera to use.

Speaking of weight, the 250mm f/5 is indeed a monster, but worth it. there is a 250mm f/8 that is much smaller, but it doesn't couple to the rangefinder.

Enjoy that camera, and I know you will.

[sevo]

Originally Posted by oftheherd

Do they all take the same film? I don't know. I know little about the Universal except where it and the Super Press 23 share attributes, such and the accessories they use.

The Polaroid 600 SE indeed is a Universal with a modified back so that it needs its own set of Pola backs and G/M adapters, and a modified lens mount so that it cannot use Mamiya branded lenses (and vice versa).

There were film back adapters and supposedly even a few of the narrower coverage Press system lenses for it, but the latter in particular must have been scarce indeed - I've only ever seen one M adapter, and never even read anyone who had seen any 600SE lens other than the 75 and 127 in person. For practical purposes, that makes it a Polaroid instant only camera. On the other hand, I've seen the Polaroid back for the Universal, the Press 75mm and 127mm each go for more than a entire 600SE - while the Universal can do the Polaroid, you won't necessarily save anything that way. And if you already have a Super (whose only disadvantage over the Universal is that it will not fit a Polaroid back), getting a extra 600SE seems considerably smarter than ditching the superior Super with its bellows for a Universal with Pola back.

Sevo

[oftheherd]

Originally Posted by sevo

...

And if you already have a Super (whose only disadvantage over the Universal is that it will not fit a Polaroid back), getting a extra 600SE seems considerably smarter than ditching the superior Super with its bellows for a Universal with Pola back.

Sevo

That sounds true. I used to get a little gas about the 600SE, but luckily the cost always put me off. I am very happy with my Super Press and never really had any reason for Polaroid use for MF. For those that did, good for them it came along.