I think I have things pretty much figured out. So what’s been going on?  A couple of months ago I talked about the need to complete my Visions of America work and wanted to continue using a medium format camera whenever possible, especially for pictures of urban architecture and murals I’ve been making of late. I went on to say that I had  been trying out another medium format rangefinder with changeable lenses with the hope that it could become my go to for urban architecture, murals and other non-people related images. Now it’s time for the big reveal! Drum roll please… yes, it’s a Mamiya Universal! That’s right, the same camera the great Don McCullin has used for many years to do much of his striking personal work.

I had been struggling to find a medium format camera for some time that would give me the option to use more than one lens when I needed it, and to serve as a backup for my Plaubel Makina. And now for another drum roll … I’m especially happy to announce that I finally got my Plaubel back from the repair shop! And boy oh boy, I can’t wait to use it again!!!

Back to the Mamiya, after a year or so I am very comfortable and happy with the camera, but it was a bit of a journey, not without a lot of fits and starts. After seeing several wonderful videos about McCullin that featured his use of the camera, I decided to work on finding one in great shape, along with a few lenses to go with it. Easier said than done, because the cameras are old and most have seen far better days. I was lucky to find one in Japan on eBay that was barely used, if at all, and it came with the last version of the standard 100mm f/3.5 lens, 6×7 Type III roll film back , pistol grip, special cable release, metal carrying case and other goodies. Then I tracked down some other equally cherry lenes … the 75mm with its beautiful auxiliary viewfinder and a 150mm short telephoto. NOTE: When using the 6×7 film back the 100mm lens is similar to a 50mm focal length in terms of the 35mm format, the 75mm is similar to a 35mm and the 150mm is similar to a 75mm.

I immediately sent the camera, lenses and back off to my repair guy for a CLA. Once I got everything back I needed to figure out how to use it. That may sound funny, but the typical way to do that is to use the pistol grip attached to the body.  The grip has a button that engages the special cable release attached to it on one end, and to the lens’s leaf shutter at the other end, tripping shutter as is done with a view camera lens.

I didn’t like it.

Too big and bulky and too kluged.

I looked at the McCullin videos again. Just as I remembered, he was holding the camera and making exposures without the grip. It was easy to see that he was holding the camera with one hand griping one of sides of the very wide film back, the other hand was underneath the lens at the bottom of the camera body. But I couldn’t quite determine exactly how he was releasing the lens’s leaf shutter.

The Type III back that came with the outfit has a shutter release on it that connects to the lens via the same cable release that works with the pistol grip. To make a long story short, it’s sort of Rube Goldberg affair that sometimes works and sometimes not. At least that was my experience. So forget that idea.

I went back and looked at the McCullin videos, even looked at still images on the web of McCullin holding the camera. I even tried to zoom in on the pictures to see if I could figure out what he was doing. No luck. Finally it came to me that he must be tripping the shutter on the lens with his finger! I tried it out and it worked … at least after some practice!  My first few outings with the camera were not the smoothest experiences. But I soldiered on and I’m glad I did! I got the hang of it and am now pretty proficient with the procedure, despite the fact that each lens’s shutter release positioning is a little different due to lens size, etc.

The Mamiya Universal has a great rangefinder, with an easy to see focusing patch and frame lines that are adjustable for 100mm and 150mm lenses. The body can accommodate multiple backs including roll film 6×7 and 6×9.  I now have two 6×7 backs and just purchased a 6×9 back. 6 x9 provides more film real estate and approximates the dimensions of a 35mm negative. All the backs have been gone over by my repair guy. No matter how pristine a back looks when you get it you need to have it checked for light leaks. Chances are very good the foam light seals will need to be replaced!

Let me conclude about the Mamiya Universal by pointing out that it’s a screaming deal!!! Depending on condition you can pick up an entire outfit for a song. With some patience you can find everything in near mint condition for not much more.  And the lenses are great! Just ask Don McCullin!

Highly recommended!

Now that I have my beloved Plaubel Makina back I will return to the routine I have settled into over the past several years that utilizes it for a variety of applications including candid situations where I know I won’t be hurried or don’t require the fastest of response in close quarters. When the Plaubel is not the appropriate tool for the job I use my Leicas. Tri-X film with both systems.  In the last year I have exposed a lot of 120 and haven’t felt conflicted in the least over which camera/format to use. Either camera would work, but I have found what is the best combination for me at this time.

Now the Mamiya with its changeable lenses will become my go to for urban architecture, murals, the occasional landscape and other non-people related images. Interestingly, I am sorry to say that I have not used my trusty 35mm Leica SLRs, Frank and Elsa, in some time and will have to see how this plays out. But right now I feel a new sense of energy and excitement about the gear I have. Easy decisions on what to use and when to use it, without stress. The right tools for the right jobs! What could be better!

Stay well,

Michael