The Mamiya Press is a line of
medium-format
Medium format has traditionally referred to a film format in photography and the related cameras and equipment that use film. Nowadays, the term applies to film and digital cameras that record images on media larger than the used in 35&nbs ...
rangefinder
A rangefinder (also rangefinding telemeter, depending on the context) is a device used to measure distances to remote objects. Originally optical devices used in surveying, they soon found applications in other fields, such as photography an ...
system camera manufactured by
Mamiya
is a Japanese company that manufactures high-end cameras and other related photographic and optical equipment. With headquarters in Tokyo, it has two manufacturing plants and a workforce of over 200 people. The company was founded in May 1940 b ...
. The first model was introduced in 1960, and the final model was discontinued in the 1970s. It was targeted at the professional press photography market, and a wide array of accessories was offered. The maximum image size that can be captured is 6 cm × 9 cm, but images can be taken in a number of different formats, and using several types of film. All of the lenses have
leaf shutter
In photography, a shutter is a device that allows light to pass for a determined period, exposing photographic film or a photosensitive digital sensor to light in order to capture a permanent image of a scene. A shutter can also be used to allow ...
s, which are released on the lens itself, not through the body as is typical with most cameras. The shutter is typically triggered from one of several models of removable grips, all of which have a built-in release cable. The lenses also have flash sync terminals. The camera lacks an internal dark slide, so one has to be inserted into the film holder before changing the lens.
Models
Mamiya Press
The original Mamiya Press was introduced in 1960 with the M-type back attachment system. It came with a 90 mm lens and has a bellows mechanism on the back that allows up to 15 degrees of tilt and 31 mm of extension.
Mamiya Press G
The Press G, introduced in 1963, is identical to the original except for the G-type back attachment system, which is compatible with
Graflex
Graflex was a manufacturer that gave its brand name to several models of camera.
The company was founded as the ''Folmer and Schwing Manufacturing Company'' in New York City in 1887 by William F. Folmer and William E. Schwing as a metal working ...
Speed Graphic
The Speed Graphic was a press camera produced by Graflex in Rochester, Monroe County, New York, Rochester, New York. Although the first Speed Graphic cameras were produced in 1912, production of later versions continued until 1973; with the most ...
cameras.
Mamiya Press S
The Press S is a simplified version of the original camera, introduced in 1964. It features a fixed 105 mm lens and does not have a rear bellows.
Mamiya 23 Standard
The 23 Standard was a version of the original without the rear bellows introduced in 1965. The name was changed to reflect the camera's ability to use 2×3 film (with the right film holder).
Mamiya Super 23
Introduced in 1967, the Super 23 was the first major revision in the series. The body was redesigned, but still retains the rear bellows system. The much larger viewfinder includes selectable bright lines for the 100 mm, 150 mm, and 250 mm lenses for the first time. The 100 mm lens became standard. M-Back adapter integrated like in the other earlier versions. Super 23 G-version available.
Mamiya Universal
The final model was introduced in 1969 and lacks the rear bellows. Instead, Polaroid backs can be mounted directly on the camera, and M-type and G-type backs with the appropriate adapter.
Lenses
* 50mm f/6.3 — requires external viewfinder
* 65mm f/6.3 — requires external viewfinder
* 75mm f/5.6 — requires external viewfinder,
image circle
The image circle is the cross section of the cone of light transmitted by a lens or series of lenses onto the image plane. When this light strikes a perpendicular target such as photographic film or a digital camera sensor, it forms a circle of ...
covers Polaroid Type 100 and Fuji FP-100C
Instant film
Instant film is a type of photographic film that was introduced by Polaroid Corporation to produce a visible image within minutes or seconds of the photograph's exposure. The film contains the chemicals needed for developing and fixing the photogr ...
* 90mm f/3.5
* 100mm f/3.5
* 100mm f/2.8
* 127mm f/4.7 —
image circle
The image circle is the cross section of the cone of light transmitted by a lens or series of lenses onto the image plane. When this light strikes a perpendicular target such as photographic film or a digital camera sensor, it forms a circle of ...
covers Polaroid Type 100 and Fuji FP-100C
Instant film
Instant film is a type of photographic film that was introduced by Polaroid Corporation to produce a visible image within minutes or seconds of the photograph's exposure. The film contains the chemicals needed for developing and fixing the photogr ...
* 150mm f/5.6
* 250mm f/8.0 (not rangefinder coupled)
* 250mm f/5.0
See also
*
List of Mamiya products
This is a list of products made by Mamiya, including cameras and lenses. Models made by Mamiya but marketed under other labels are shown in parentheses.
Cameras
16 mm format
* Mamiya 16 (1949)
* Mamiya Super 16 (1953)
* Mamiya Super 16 II (1 ...
References
6×6 and 6×9 cameras from the Mamiya Historical MuseumMamiya Universal camera and accessoriesMamiya Universal lenses and depth-of-field charts{Dead link, date=June 2016
External links
Mamiya Press pageat Camera-wiki.org
Press
Press may refer to:
Media
* Print media or news media, commonly called "the press"
* Printing press, commonly called "the press"
* Press (newspaper), a list of newspapers
* Press TV, an Iranian television network
People
* Press (surname), a fam ...
120 film cameras