Mamiya Six Design Variations

This is a work in progress.

PLEASE DO NOT LINK THIS PAGE UNTIL FINISHED--MY SANDBOX IS OVERFLOWING

This page provides a visual overview over the various design elements of the Mamiya Six series of folding cameras. The images have been provided to allow the use an accurate identification of the various models and variants. You are strongly advised to use the dichotomous key provided on the main Mamiya Six page, as this will guide you in the identification of models.

Lenses and Shutters

The Mamiya Six was manufactured in a wide range of lenses and shutters. That holds particularly true for the pre-War and War period, when prospective buyers could even bring in their own shutters and lenses to be fitted. Note that the lens and shutter combinations have been arranged alphabetically, not chronologically.

K.O.L. Anastigmat 7.5cm f/3.5 in MSU-TOKYO NEW HIT shutter	K.O.L. Special 7.5cm f/3.5 in NKS–TOKIO shutter	K.O.L. Special 7.5cm f/3.5 in TYS-II shutter	Olympus Zuiko C. f/35. 75mm in Seikosha-Rapid shutter
T.S.M. Anastigmat f/3.5 75mm in OLYMPUS-TOKYO-N KOHO shutter	Tokyo Optical Co. C. Simlar f/3.5 75mm in Seikosha-Rapid shutter	Tokyo Optical Co.. Toko f/3.5 75mm in Tokyo Opt. Co. RECTUS shutter	Tōwa Kōki Neocon f/3.5 75mm in Copal shutter
Lens and Shutter Combinations of the Mamiya Six. Images by Dirk HR Spennemann. (Image rights)

Flash Contacts

Type I None, pull-out knob only	http://XXX.jpg TEXT TEXT	http://XXX.jpg TEXT TEXT	http://XXX.jpg TEXT TEXT
Appearance of Flash Contacts of the Mamiya Six. Images by Dirk HR Spennemann. (Image rights)

Double Exposure Prevention

Type I None, pull-out knob only	Type II shutter cocked	Type II shutter released	http://XXX.jpg TEXT TEXT
Double Exposure Prevention Systems of the Mamiya Six. Images by Dirk HR Spennemann. (Image rights)

Body Shape Variations

Name Plate

Serial Number to left of flash shoe, above MAMIYA SIX 12x12mm waist view finder (Mamiya Six I)	Serial Number to left of flash shoe, above MAMIYA SIX 10x10mm waist view finder, three screw (pre-war Mamiya Six II, III)
Serial Number to left of flash shoe, above MAMIYA-6 10x10mm waist view finder, two screws (post-war Mamiya Six II, III)	Serial Number to left of flash shoe, below MAMIYA-6 curved housing, tail of '6' is pointy (Mamiya IV)
Serial Number to left of flash shoe, below MAMIYA-6 curved housing, tail of '6' is rounded (Mamiya IV)	Serial Number to left of flash shoe, below MAMIYA-6 straight housing (Mamiya K) [NOTE the flash shoe is missing]
Nameplate variations of the Mamiya Six. Images by Dirk HR Spennemann. (Image rights)

Rangefinder Windows (front)

THREE WINDOWS
	central window with serrated edge	central window with smooth edge
TWO WINDOWS	http://XXX.jpg right window on small plate wide margins top of housing stepped	http://XXX.jpg right window on small plate narrow margins top of housing sloping	http://XXX.jpg both windows on a plate top of housing sloping
Rangefinder window variations of the Mamiya Six. Images by Dirk HR Spennemann. (Image rights)

Flash Shoe

Three screws	http://XXX.jpg Two screws oblique	http://XXX.jpg Two screws vertical	http://XXX.jpg One screw
Flash-shoe variations of the Mamiya Six. Images by Dirk HR Spennemann. (Image rights)

Bottom Plate

Mamiya Six I, II, III,	http://XXX.jpg TEXT TEXT	http://XXX.jpg TEXT TEXT	http://XXX.jpg TEXT TEXT
Appearance of the bottom plate of the Mamiya Six. Images by Dirk HR Spennemann. (Image rights)

Film Counter Window

"MAMIYA-SIX" Mamiya Six I, II, III,	http://XXX.jpg "MAMIYA-6" TEXT TEXT	http://XXX.jpg TEXT TEXT	http://XXX.jpg TEXT TEXT
Details of Film Advance Counter (Red) Windows of the Mamiya Six. Images by Dirk HR Spennemann. (Image rights)

Pressure Plate Support

Full length, arrow as label Mamiya Six I, II, III,	Full length, arrow embossed Mamiya Six II, III,	http://XXX.jpg TEXT TEXT	http://XXX.jpg TEXT TEXT
Appearance of the guide rail for the removable pressure plate of the Mamiya Six. Images by Dirk HR Spennemann. (Image rights)

Front Door Variations

Mamiya Six II, III (war-time model)	http://XXX.jpg Mamiya Six III (post war model), IV, K		http://XXX.jpg
Appearance of the front door of the Mamiya Six. Images by Dirk HR Spennemann. (Image rights)

Door Catch Variations

Mamiya Six II, III (war-time model)	http://XXX.jpg Mamiya Six III (post war model), IV, K		http://XXX.jpg
Appearance of the internal door catch of the Mamiya Six. Images by Dirk HR Spennemann. (Image rights)

Pressure Plate

http://XXX.jpg	http://XXX.jpg	http://XXX.jpg	http://XXX.jpg
http://XXX.jpg TEXT TEXT	http://XXX.jpg TEXT TEXT	http://XXX.jpg TEXT TEXT	http://XXX.jpg TEXT TEXT
Appearance of the removable pressure plate of the Mamiya Six. Images by Dirk HR Spennemann. (Image rights)

Various

Eye-lets for neck strap Mamiya Six I only	http://XXX.jpg TEXT TEXT	http://XXX.jpg TEXT TEXT	http://XXX.jpg TEXT TEXT
Various Details of the Mamiya Six. Images by Dirk HR Spennemann. (Image rights)

Knobs and Struts

Film Advance Knob

Solid, knurled Knob	http://XXX.jpg Mushroom-shaped knob	http://XXX.jpg Mushroom-shaped knob with film speed	http://XXX.jpg Mushroom-shaped knob with film type
Variations of the film advance knob of the Mamiya Six. Images by Dirk HR Spennemann. (Image rights)

Front Door Release

raised button	http://XXX.jpg XXX	http://XXX.jpg XXX	http://XXX.jpg XXXX
Variations of the front door release of the Mamiya Six. Images by Dirk HR Spennemann. (Image rights)

Shutter Release

rounded top	dimpled top	http://XXX.jpg cable release thred	http://XXX.jpg XXXX
Variations of the shutter release of the Mamiya Six. Images by Dirk HR Spennemann. (Image rights)

Strut Mechanism

Three Struts ( Standard )	Two Struts ( Mamiya Six Ia & Mamiya Six IIa )	http://XXX.jpg TEXT TEXT	http://XXX.jpg TEXT TEXT
The Strut Systems of the Mamiya Six. Images by Dirk HR Spennemann. (Image rights)

Lettering and Labelling

Frame Counter

Line Arrow	Hollow triangle	Hollow broad arrow
http://XXX.jpg Filled broad arrow	http://XXX.jpg Filled triangle	Drop-shaped counter
Variations of the frame counter of the Mamiya Six. Images by Dirk HR Spennemann. (Image rights)

Depth of Field Indicator

http://XXX.jpg Demarcation 3.5, 5.6, 8 Distances in Meters Small Arrow	Demarcation 3.5, 5.6, 8 Distances in Meters Spacing: 1, 1.2 (wide)	Demarcation 3.5, 5.6, 8 Distances in Meters Spacing: 1, 1.2 (narrow)	http://XXX.jpg Demarcation 3.5, 8, 11, 22 Distances in Meters Spacing: 1.2, 1.5
Demarcation 3.5, 8, 11, 22 Distances in Feet Spacing: 3.5, 5	Demarcation 3.5, 8, 11, 22 Distances in Feet Spacing: 3.5, 4, 5	Demarcation 3.5, 8, 11, 22 Distances in Feet Spacing: 3.5, 4, 5, 7	Demarcation 3.5, 8, 11, 22 Distances in Feet Spacing: 4, 5
Demarcation 3.5, 8, 11, 22 Distances in Feet 90º turned; spacing: 3.5, 5
Variations of the Depth of Field Indicator of the Mamiya Six. Images by Dirk HR Spennemann. (Image rights)

Film Advance Lock

Line Arrows	Filled arrows	http://XXX.jpg Filled arrow, no '1' shown
Variations of the labelling of the Film Advance Lock of the Mamiya Six. Images by Dirk HR Spennemann. (Image rights)

Focus Wheel

Line Arrows	Filled arrows	Filled arrow, no '1' shown
Variations of the focus wheel of the Mamiya Six. Images by Dirk HR Spennemann. (Image rights)

Made in Japan

http://XXX.jpg " MADE IN OCCUPIED JAPAN" engraved on the bottom plate	http://XXX.jpg " MADE IN OCCUPIED JAPAN" embossed in the door latch	http://XXX.jpg TEXT TEXT
Placement of the designator "Made in Occupied Japan" Mamiya Six. Images by Dirk HR Spennemann. (Image rights)

Labels on the Inside

MAMIYA SIX 6x6 TOKYO NIPPON	http://XXX.jpg TEXT TEXT	http://XXX.jpg TEXT TEXT
Labels found in the back door of the Mamiya Six. Images by Dirk HR Spennemann. (Image rights)

Notes

This is a work in progress.

PAGE FIFTEEN -- Rangefinder Technology

Mamiya Six I sn #2854		Additional Images
Mamiya Six III war-time sn #XXXX	http://XXXX.jpg	Additional Images http://XXXX.jpg http://XXXX.jpg
Mamiya Six III post war sn #XXXX	http://XXXX.jpg	Additional Images http://XXXX.jpg http://XXXX.jpg
Mamiya Six IV sn #XXXX	http://XXXX.jpg	Additional Images http://XXXX.jpg http://XXXX.jpg
Rangefinder Technology of the Mamiya Six. Images by Dirk HR Spennemann. (Image rights)