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Old 24th July 2016, 09:48 PM
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Steve Smith Steve Smith is offline
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Default Mamiya Universal

Today I acquired a Mamiya Universal Press camera with 127mm lens, 6x9 and 6x7 roll film backs, a Polaroid back and a ground glass viewer/cut film holder. I thought the added bonus was the Billingham bag it came in, but hiding in the bag was the real bonus - a Pentax spot meter!

It all looks in great condition. It looks as if it hasn't ever been used.

It has spent the last forty years in my mum's, neighbour's loft. He was storing it for a friend but has now sold the house and needs to clear it. He hasn't seen this friend since 1979 and doesn't even know if he is still alive, but with this in mind, I have the camera on long term loan - just in case he turns up and wants it back!

The big surprise was the shutter. I was expecting the worst but it works perfectly. I have no idea how.

Now to try it with film...




Steve.
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Old 24th July 2016, 09:59 PM
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Excellent!
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Old 24th July 2016, 10:07 PM
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I have one of these too but the seals need to be replaced on the roll film holders. It's a weighty camera, so if nothing else it will give you a good workout!
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Old 24th July 2016, 10:07 PM
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They're great cameras, Steve. I got some of my best ever negs from a 1960s Mamiya Press using HP5 and dilute Perceptol. I only got rid of it when I switched to digital. The only drawback was the weight. Of course, after getting fed up of digital and going back to film, I now haul a Rollei SL66 outfit around that weighs more than the Mamiya. I sometimes wish I'd kept the 6x9.


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Old 24th July 2016, 10:14 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MartyNL View Post
It's a weighty camera, so if nothing else it will give you a good workout!
I'm used to that. I once had an RB67!


Steve.
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Old 24th July 2016, 10:32 PM
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well done Steve you have a nice piece of kit there isn't it funny that going backwards technology wise is more fun than going forwards ,and as for the spot meter I have a sekonic l-508 zoom master and I am allways spot metering something or the other ..hope it all works well for you and good luck




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Old 24th July 2016, 10:42 PM
Keith Cocker Keith Cocker is offline
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It looks in great shape. I got one a few years ago and while the body was Ok the magazines were a bit grubby (rusty in parts) and I wasn't impressed with the lenses - but they might have seen a bit of life as well. John Davies used one for some of his early work but when I used one it didn't take pictures as good as his! Wonder why?
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Old 24th July 2016, 11:22 PM
Mike O'Pray Mike O'Pray is offline
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Wow! 1979 is nearly 40 years ago and with no contact. I think you can assume that the kit is yours and quite a kit it is, especially the spot meter thrown in.

Maybe that's why they call the Isle of Wight the "Lucky Island"

OK I just invented the above sentence but it would seem to apply in your case

In my own case I am hoping that a certain Mark Carney will loan me his bank once he goes back to Canada and of course, only until he can locate his old(well, very old) mate John D Rockefeller of course

Mike
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Old 25th July 2016, 04:27 AM
RichardWarom RichardWarom is offline
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What a great gift Steve I had a Mamyia 7ii until recently sold and always wanted a Press to be able to shoot 6x9 with a good lens I do have a couple of old folders that are 6x9 but the lenses aren't Mamiya. Have fun with your new toy and the bonus.
Richard
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Old 25th July 2016, 08:36 PM
EdmundH EdmundH is offline
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Very envious, I've frequently bookmarked these on ebay but decided I couldn't afford a nice one..
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