Landscapes with the Mamiya Universal Press

In the last blog post I shared the pictures and video from my very first outing with my new Mamiya Universal Press. I was shooting peel apart film in it right after getting it from my friend Nils in September. Since then I have tested the camera also with 120 roll film after getting my hands on a couple more adapters, film backs and lenses. You can watch the behind the scenes POV video here, if you’re interested:

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Now, let’s get back to the Mamiya Universal though: The backs I have tested so far are a 6×7 back and a 6×9, 645 and 6×6 multi-format back. Sadly I didn’t notice when I ordered the variable back that it didn’t come with the required masks, so at the moment I can only shoot 6×9 in it. If you happen to own a back like that with the masks, I would very much appreciate it if you could share the dimensions of the masks with me, since I would like to 3D print replacement masks. I would of course make the STL files available for everyone! Other than the missing masks the back works fine though and I can use it for 6×9 already. The 6×7 back also works great and the advantage of that one is that it has no red window. This means that I can actually try to shoot 35mm in it for panoramic shots too in the future! All in all I’m very impressed with this camera system so far. There are so many different options of formats and backs for this system and there is quite a good selection of lenses too! Right now I have the 100mm f/3.5 lens and the 65mm f/6.3, which I both tested in this video. The 65mm lens I actually mainly bought for 3D printed cameras since there are quite a few designs that use this lens, like the Brancopan or the Goodman Zone. Right now I don’t have opaque enough filament in the house to try and print these, but this is definitely a project I’m planning to pursue! So much for my impression of the camera so far. Now let’s get to some pictures!

Pictures taken with: Mamiya Universal Press, 100mm f/3.5, HP5+, HC-110.

© Lilly Schwartz

© Lilly Schwartz

I struggled with the first few pictures because there were so many different steps and the shutter was sort of confusing. There are two ways of releasing with the grip attached and I think I accidentally exposed this twice with the wrong shutter speed. Oops! I’d say this was a happy accident though, I kinda like it!

© Lilly Schwartz

© Lilly Schwartz

Now that’s more like it!

© Lilly Schwartz

© Lilly Schwartz

The microcontrast on this lens is great, very sharp!

© Lilly Schwartz

© Lilly Schwartz

© Lilly Schwartz

© Lilly Schwartz

© Lilly Schwartz

© Lilly Schwartz

© Lilly Schwartz

© Lilly Schwartz

This might just be my favourite, so moody!

© Lilly Schwartz

© Lilly Schwartz

From here: 65mm f/6.3 with the 6×9 back. Catlabs x 80 / Shanghai GP3, HC-110. First time I’m using this film and the roll was kindly given to me by the lovely people at Catlabs! Nice people, nice film!

© Lilly Schwartz

© Lilly Schwartz

The backing paper sort of confused me, so I got an accidental 6×6 self-portrait. New camera, new self-portrait?

© Lilly Schwartz

© Lilly Schwartz

The light was glorious golden hour. Just couldn’t resist it!

© Lilly Schwartz

© Lilly Schwartz

Very clean and sharp film, I like it a lot.

© Lilly Schwartz

© Lilly Schwartz

© Lilly Schwartz

© Lilly Schwartz

This is one of my usual spots for test photos, but these are the first that actually turned out as intended!

© Lilly Schwartz

© Lilly Schwartz

Last one. I made my way up the mountain on the steep path I usually don’t take on my way up, but I thought it was nice light for this view. I also wanted to see how this lens fares shooting against the sun and I’m quite happy with the outcome. Interesting film, great lens and the back worked out as well. What a lovely camera! Just a bit heavy to be carrying up mountains, but well, that’s what the plan was and that’s what I’m going to do!

Thanks to Catlab for providing me with a roll of Catlabs 80 to test. I’ll definitely be shooting more of this!

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