Mamiya 6 Folder Camera
Photo thanks to Bob Jay
[email protected]
The Mamiya 6 folder dates from the post-WWII period of 1946-early 1950s. The camera uses
120 rollfilm to take 12 6x6cm images. An optional 16 vertical exposures of 4.5x6cm was
available on some camera variants (out of a run of perhaps a dozen models, according to
McKeown's Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras 1992-3). This camera features an
early Zuiko (cf Olympus camera) lens and a unique focusing mechanism (cf Contax AX).
When you focus, the lens doesn't move, making it easier to keep rigidly in place. Instead,
the film plane is made to move a small distance, thereby focusing the camera! Early models
(NKS shutter) fetch higher prices from collectors, while users are often attracted to the
cheaper and later models with Zuiko lens and Copal or Seikosha shutters ($150 up).
Note that there is also a (and Mamiya 6MF for multi-format)
rangefinder camera, which is often confused with this earlier Mamiya 6 with coupled rangefinder
folder camera in ads. See notes below for more on models and history and related tips and notes...
Photo notes:
Later model w/Zuiko 1:3.5 75mm lens which is clear and in a Konan-Rapid shutter. Viewfinder is clear. Some paint missing around body edges. Small knobs on bottom plate do not match (repair?). Camera needs a general cleaning. Body covering on lens door is loose around edges. Camera has an unusual RF device which moves the film plane back and forth to achieve focus. There seems to be no indication of focus via the viewfinder, but given the ususual design, I'm not sure there should be (?).
Date: Wed, 13 May 1998
To: "Matthew L. Phillips" [email protected]
Cc: Robert Monaghan [email protected]
Subject: 13 models of mamiya 6 -
Re: [Rollei] Off-topic: classic Japanesefolders
check out the mamiya 6 folder photo/page at:
http://www.smu.edu/~rmonagha/mf/mamiya6f.html
these are reportedly good optically and decent mechanically , I find
easily confused with $2000 rangefinder model mamiya 6 ;-)
from mamiya history site in UK, we see:
June 1940
Mamiya 6-i & (iA)
June 1940
Mamiya 6-i & (iA)
World's first and innovative back focusing rangefinder camera
linked with distance measuring. Auto filmwinding stop device.
January 1942
Mamiya 6-iii
Double exposure warning mark in viewfinder. Flash contact.
1943
Mamiya 6-ii
Version of Mamiya 6-iii without flash contact.
1947
Mamiya 6-iV
improved rangefinder. Seiko-Rapid Shutter.
November 1953
Mamiya 6-V
Dual format (6x4.5cm and 6x6cm) with automatic film winding
adjustment. Maximum shutter speed improved to 1/500 sec.
August 1954
Mamiya 6-K
Popular version of Mamiya 6-V without automatic film winding stop.
May 1955
Mamiya 6-iV B
Camera body size and weight were reduced to increase
compactness.
December 1955
Mamiya 6-Automat
Japan's first automatic shutter cocking by film advancing.
March 1956
Mamiya 6-K ii
Advanced model to type K with built-in format conversion.
(6x6 to 6x4.5cm)
October 1957
Mamiya 6-iV S
Further reduced size and weight from type iV B with addition of
built-in self-timer.
December 1957
Mamiya 6-P
Economy priced version of 6-iV S.
1958
Mamiya 6 Automat 2
Most highly featured Mamiya 6 camera with Sekor lens, bright
Albada finder and other advanced features. Last model of the
original folding Mamiya 6 series cameras.
so I hope this helps your search; see about us at mamiya UK site at:
http://www.mamiya.co.uk/index.html for camera thumbnail photos ;-)
good luck bobm
Date: Mon, 25 May 1998
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Beginning 6x9 Folder?
Haven't seen any mention of one of the best: The Mamiya 6 folder. It
came with a variety of lenses, the Zuiko Olympus 75mm f3.5 being a
really good one. I can't speak for the others. The Olympus is apparently
a Tessar knock-off, and mine's in a seikosha 1 - 500 shutter. I bought
mine at an auction for $18, but that was a steal. I doubt you'd normally
get a good one for less than $100, but compare it with the Super Ikonta
and you'll see it's an excellent one to consider. I think the sharpness
is attained largely by virtue of the fact that the film is held very
flat via a slide-in pressure plate. That arrangement was necessary
because focusing is done by moving the film plane rather than the lens
elements. I believe this also makes for a more rigid front standard --
the old Mamiyas seem to be very rigid. Try it, you'll love it.
From: Peter Caplow [email protected]
Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format
Subject: Re: Mamiya 6 Folder
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000
I have one and it's a pretty decent camera except for the back latch which
is really cheap. Mine would occasionally pop open exposing the film. The
latch proved to virtually unrepairable, so now I tape the back shut with
black duct tape if I want to use the camera. I saw one at a camera show
with the same problem and another on Ebay also, so it might be a fairly
common fault. I don't find myself using it much because I have other
medium format cameras that I like better and some of them, like the
Rolleiflex, really aren't that much bulkier. I hardly ever walk around
with a camera during the colder months when I would be wearing a coat with
pockets large enough to hold the Mamiya so I end up carrying it in a small
camera bag with a light meter and a flash, and the Rollei will fit in the
bag just as well. My 6 doesn't have strap lugs and I don't have a case
for it which makes the use of a bag mandatory. I've tested it twice for
focusing accuracy using a ground glass taped to the film opening and the
rangefinder appears to be accurate. However, when I tested focus accuracy
with film, it didn't do very well. There may be a film flatness issue due
to the way that focusing pulls and pushes the film in and out. From the
limited trial I given it, I would describe the lens as adequate but not
really outstanding.
Peter Caplow
primary colors wrote:
> Need help deciding if I should buy a Original Mamiya 6 Folder Camera > c/w Olympus Zuiko. 1:3.5 75mm lens... Id buy it for a carry around > user. Is anyone out there using one? Does anyone have a favorite > reasonably price folder 6x6, 6x7, or 6x9 that they would suggest for a > user? > cheers > jim
From: [email protected] (KFritch) Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format Date: 15 May 2002 Subject: Re: Looking for Mamiya Six info That's a pretty neat idea - sort of mail a lense and shutter to Mamiya over there in Occupied Japan and they cusomize it to a camera for you, but I don't really think it plays. It is, howver known that Mamiya did use whatever existing stocks of lenses were available from various Japanese manufacturers to get cameras on the market after the war and, while production was low or curtailed in many areas due to the war damage, they procured lenses from a number of manufacturers. Most of the non Japanese customizations I have seen would have been considered upgrades of Japanese shutters by using Kodak or compur shutters and lens upgrades using Xenar and Xenotar. (I imagine there are probably some Tessar and maybe even Ektar equipped Mamiya sixes out there. The purpose of the modification would have been the grand old art of upgrading one's equipment by modification or lens hacking. Certaininly, the upgrades I've mentioned would have been an improvement over some of the glass and shutters being used on the earlier Mamiya 6 cameras, though not the later ones.
From: "Shinichi Hayakawa" [email protected] Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format Subject: Re: Looking for Mamiya Six info Date: Thu, 16 May 2002 "KFritch" [email protected] wrote... > That's a pretty neat idea - sort of mail a lense and shutter to Mamiya over > there in Occupied Japan and they cusomize it to a camera for you, but I don't > really think it plays. Hard to imagine now, but Mamiya actually did that--although not in Occupied Japan, but in Empire of Japan. I have read an article on the chronology of Mamiya cameras in a Japanese camera book written by a Mr. Suzuki who was with Mamiya from 1953 to 1995. According to Mr. Suzuki, Mamiya custom-fitted lenses and shutters supplied by customers on request during WW2. (I have posted a message somewhere in this thread saying this service was done in " post-WW2 era," but I was mistaken. Sorry.) That was possible because 1)labor was dirt cheap then, and 2)Mamiya Six rangefinder mechanism was very easy to modify for nonstandard focal-length lenses. Shinichi
From: [email protected] (KFritch) Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format Date: 16 May 2002 Subject: Re: Looking for Mamiya Six info Shinichi, that's an interesting note. Is that one of the reasons a version of this camera produced during the war has an access plate for rangefinder adjustment? My WWII version has the access plate and a rangefinder adjusting tool. Was it simply a matter of mounting, for example, a 75mm Xenar in compur and then calibrating rangefinder against ground glass mounted at film plane? That sounds way too easy but occasionally someone surprises me by making life simple.
From: [email protected] (KFritch) Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format Date: 13 May 2002 Subject: Re: Replace Stolen Camera The old Mamiya 6 folder is an excellent camera and should do as well, if not better than your old Yashica. As with any other old folder, you need to make sure that the bellows are in good shape and the front standards are rigid and holding the lens parallel to the film plane. Also, with the Mamiya 6, make sure the pressure plate is there, too. It uses a unique pressure plate to hold the film absolutely flat. The camera focusses by moving the film plane. The Mamiya 6 is not self cocking unless you get one of the "Automatic" models. You can use a Polarizer if you fit a slip-on adapter ring on the lens and then use a series VI. You must, however, remember to remove the adapter ring before trying to fold up the camera. It's a good camera and I'm pleased with the results from it. Like other folders, however, it is a little fussy to use - you need to do more to take a picture than you do with most standard cameras. Add to your usual routine, opening the camera, making sure it is properly opened, fitting whatever accessory you want on the lense, cocking the shutter - you know the drill. If you're patient, it, like many other folders can be a very rewarding camera. If you're not, it's gonna sit in a drawer. With me, the issue tends to be coupled range finder. The Mamiya has one and I use the camera. Ones without a coupled rangfinder tend to sit in my drawer or get sold.
From: "Shinichi Hayakawa" [email protected] Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.medium-format Subject: Re: Looking for Mamiya Six info Date: Fri, 10 May 2002 Hi, Rick! Like you said, all the Mamiya Six models made in and after 1947 have only two windows. Followings are pre-1947 models with three windows: Model I(1940): Original model. Lacks flash sync and double-exposure warning. Model III(Dec. 1942): Flash synchronization by means of add-on mechanism on top of shutter unit. This mechanism is encased in a squarish chrome cover. Double-exposure-warning red plastic tab in the viewfinder. Earlier model's red tab appears in the viewfinder when the shutter release is pressed. Later model's tab appears when the release returns to original position. Model II(Mar. 1943): Same as model III, but lacks flash synchronization. Models IA and IIA(Mar. 1943): Basically same as models I and II except these are equipped with #0 shutter unit--all the other models are equipped with #00 unit--and design of folding arms are a little different, because larger #0 unit will not fit between original arms when folded. Older Mamiya Six's came with wide variety of lenses and shutter units. In post WWII era when Mamiya couldn't buy enough number of lenses and shutters, they even custom-made cameras with lenses and shutters that buyers supplied. Hope this helps. Shinichi ...