Difference between revisions of "User:Heritagefutures"

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||[http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/XXX/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://XXX.jpg]<br/>Demarcation 3.5, 5.6, 8<br>Distances in Meters<br>Small Arrow
 
||[http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/XXX/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://XXX.jpg]<br/>Demarcation 3.5, 5.6, 8<br>Distances in Meters<br>Small Arrow
 
||[http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/5150206071/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/5150206071_0c158d1602_m.jpg]<br/>Demarcation 3.5, 5.6, 8<br>Distances in Meters<br>&nbsp;
 
||[http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/5150206071/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/5150206071_0c158d1602_m.jpg]<br/>Demarcation 3.5, 5.6, 8<br>Distances in Meters<br>&nbsp;
||[http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/XXX/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://XXX.jpg]<br/>Demarcation 3.5, 8, 11, 22<br>Distances in Feet<br>starting with 3.5 feet
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||[http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/5257178512/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5207/5257178512_23c370580e_m.jpg]<br/>Demarcation 3.5, 8, 11, 22<br>Distances in Feet<br>starting with 3.5 feet
 
||[http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/XXX/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://XXX.jpg]<br/>Demarcation 3.5, 8, 11, 22<br>Distances in Feet<br>starting with 4 feet
 
||[http://www.flickr.com/photos/heritagefutures/XXX/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://XXX.jpg]<br/>Demarcation 3.5, 8, 11, 22<br>Distances in Feet<br>starting with 4 feet
 
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Revision as of 12:27, 13 December 2010

Contents

Collection Interests (eclectic)

Websites

www.ausphoto.net


MY SANDBOX

 
This is a work in progress.

PAGE ONE -- MAIN ENTRY FOR MAMIYA-SIX

Japanese Six (6×6)
Prewar and wartime models (edit)
folding
Adler Six | Bonny Six | Clover-Six | Condor Six | First Six | Gelto Six | Gotex | Green | Lyra Six | Super Makinet Six | Mamiya Six | Miyako Six | Mulber Six | Mulix | National Six | Neure Six | Oko Six | Olympus Six | Pilot Six | Romax | Ugein | Vester-Six | Victor Six | Weha Six
collapsible
Ehira Chrome Six | Minolta Six | Shinko Super | Weha Chrome Six
unknown
Freude Six | Heart Camera | Konter Six | Tsubasa Six
Postwar models (edit)
folding
Aires Viceroy | Angel Six | Aram Six | Astoria Super Six | Atom Six | Balm Six | Baron | Beauty Six (1950) | Beauty Six (1953) | Calm Six | Carl Six | Centre Six | Crown | Crystar Six | Daido Six | Dorima Six | Doris Six | Ehira Six | Elbow Six | First Six | Flora Six | Fodor Six | Frank Six | Fujica Six | Super Fujica Six | Futami Six | Gotex | Grace Six | Kohken Chrome Six | Kyowa Six | Liner Six | Lyra Six | Mamiya Six | Middl Six | Mihama Six | Mine Six | Minon Six | Mizuho Six | Motoka Six | Mount Six | Muse Six | Super Naiku | Ofuna Six | Olympus Six | Olympus Chrome Six | Orion Six | Oscar Six | Pigeon Six | Planet | Please Six | Pluto Six | Poppy Six | Press Van | Press Van-120 | Proud Chrome Six | Proud Super Six | Renown Six | Ricoh Six | Ruvikon | Ruvinal | Sanon Six | Silver Six | Sisley 1 | Sisley 2 & 3 | Sister Six | Tenar Six | Toho Six | Tomic | Toyoca Six | Ugein Six | Wagen Six | Walcon 6 | Welmy Six | Wester | Windsor Six
rigid or collapsible
Dia Six | Ehira Chrome Six | Enon Six | Flora | Flashline | Fujipet | Harmony | Mikono-6 | Orion | Ponix | Rich-Ray-6 | Shumy | Weha Chrome Six
Japanese SLR, TLR, pseudo TLR and stereo models ->
Japanese 3×4 and 4×4, 4×5 and 4×6.5, 4.5×6 and older 6×9 ->

This article is about the spring-folder camera made by Mamiya in the 1940s and 50s. For the 1990s camera, see Mamiya 6.

The Mamiya Six is a series of 6×6 folders with a coupled rangefinder, made by Mamiya from 1940 to the 1950s. All of them are focused by moving the film plane, rather than the more common front-cell focussing of other folders of the time.

History

Seiichi Mamiya's camera design departed from the common method of front cell focussing. In order to be able to control the camera while maintaining a firm hold, he designed a method that allowed the film plane to move in relation to the lens. He filed his invention on 1 July 1939 in Japan and on 5 June 1940. The US Patent (nº 2,305,301) was granted on 15 December 1942 and, because of the state of war between the USA and Japan, was vested in the Alien Property Custodian.[1]

Evolution

The first model (Mamiya Six I) was advertised in September 1940 and first went on sale in December 1940. Until the end of the World War II, the Mamiya Six was significantly modified at least three times: first in early 1941 (model Ia) with two additional improved models introduced in the next two years. Erratically, model III was released in 1942[2] before model II appeared in 1943. All pre-war and war-time models have a twin set of range finder windows as well as a small, seperate Brillant-type waist-level viewfinder, resulting in three windows at the front. All units have a single red film frame counter window counter on the back with a horizontal slider opening to the left. The Mamiya Six III added an exposure counter with double exposure prevention. The pre-war and war-time models were all 6x6 format cameras.

Production of the Mamiya Six was restarted after World War II. The first cameras to be sold were Mamiya Six III. It is not clear to what extent these units were assembled from existing spare parts, or whether all are totally new construction. The official Mamiya history states that ¶¶¶ These post-War Mamiya Six III were fitted with which was introduced in Takatiho Tokio Zuiko f/3.5 75mm lenses, which debuted in 1946.[3] The first new model to appear was the Mamiya Six IV, introduced in 1947, which dispensed with the waist-level finder. It remained the sole model until 1953. The Mamiya Six V added the dual 6×6 and 4.5×6 format capability, with an exposure counter functioning with both formats. The Mamiya Six K was a simpler model, with film advance via red windows.

In 1955, the Mamiya Six IVb introduced a squarer body design, easily recognized by the square rangefinder window. Its features were similar to the model IV. The Mamiya Six K2 was similar to the model K with the new body. The body design was slightly modified again for the Mamiya Six IVs and simpler Mamiya Six P.

From 1955, the Mamiya Six Automat and the later Automat 2 added a coupling between the shutter cocking and the film advance.

Chronology of Models

Given the quite erratic nature of model numbering that occurred over the years, the chronology of the thirteen major Mamiya Six models is set out in Table 1. The characteristcs of the individual models, as well as the variants within these models, are described further below. If in doubt about some of the features mentioned in the type descriptions, please refer to the visual documentation of the critical elements which provides a dichotomous key as well as a series of illustrations showing the model-specific details.


Table 1 Chronology of Mamiya Six Cameras

Release Date     Model/Variant
pre-War Production 1940, September    Mamiya Six I
1941, January
 
   Mamiya Six Ia
 
War Production 1942, January    Mamiya Six III
1943    Mamiya Six II
1943?    Mamiya Six IIa
1945
 
   Production Ceased
 
post-War Production   1946, November    Mamiya Six III
1947    Mamiya Six IV
1953, November    Mamiya Six V
1954, August    Mamiya Six K
1955, May    Mamiya Six IVb
1955, December    Mamiya Six Automat
1956, March    Mamiya Six K2
1957, October    Mamiya Six IVs
1957, December    Mamiya Six P
1958    Mamiya Six Automat 2
 
 



TEMPLATE CHART

Mamiya Six Chronology (edit)
pre-War World War II post-War MIOJ
1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959
Six I  
Six II  
Six III ? Six III  
Six IV  

MIOJ—Made in Occupied Japan


Dichotomous Key to aid identification of models

The Mamiya Six comes in a bewildering range of variants. The following dichotomous key provided below provides an avenue at identifying the types of Mamiya Six. Given the confusing similarity of models and variants, it is recommended that you follow the steps, rather than scanning for criteria. Once you have identified your model, click on the model name to be taken to a full description. If you are unclear about one of the criteria, either click on the name or scroll down to the bottom of the page for visual identification guides.

START : How many viewfinder windows are on the front?
TWO Windows
Is there a horizontal bar underneath the lens?
Yes
The right hand, square viewfinder window is:
Flush with the casing→Mamiya Six Automat
Surrounded by a small back rim → Mamiya Six Automat 2
No
The right hand, square viewfinder window is:
Flush with the casing
Film Advance knob is
Solid with film speed on top→Mamiya Six P
Mushroom shaped
Depth of Field Indicator is
in a small raised ring → Mamiya Six IVb
flush with top housing → Mamiya Six K2
Surrounded by a small black rim → Mamiya Six IVs
Surrounded by small rectangular plate
Viewfinder housing to the left of the shutter release is
Curved→ Mamiya Six IV
Straight → Mamiya Six K
Surrounded by a rectangular plate that encompasses the left round window as well → Mamiya Six V
THREE Windows
Does the body have triangular neckstrap lugs?
Yes
How many Struts ?
Two → Mamiya Six Ia
Three → Mamiya Six I
No
Is there a Flash Contact?
Yes
The cold shoe for the flash is fastened with
two screws, set diagonal → Mamiya Six III post-War production
front door release is
single raised button → Variant A
twin set of buttons → Variant B
three screws → Mamiya Six III war-time production
No
How many Struts ?
Two → Mamiya Six IIa
Three → Mamiya Six II

Patent Application

Notes

  1. Focussing Device for Portable Photographic Cameras. Patent application by Seiichi Mamiya, Ohita, Takata-Gun, Japan. Filed 5 June 1940, granted 15 December 1952. U.S. Patent nº 2,305,301.
  2. According to the official Mamiya history website | History of Mamiya Six (Mamiya history website)
  3. See the lens chronology on the Zukio page.


This is a work in progress.

PAGE TWO -- Mamiya Six I

The camera was first advertised in Asahi Camera in September 1940[1] and released in December 1940 at a price of ¥248[2]

Technical details

Full metal body construction. Body, back door and front door are made from painted sheet metal, while tip and bottom plate are made from ¶¶¶. The struts supporting the front door are chromed and shows the Mamiya logo. All units are covered with black-brown leatherette with exposed chrome top housing and bottom-plate. The Mamiya logo is embossed in the leatherette of the front door, while 'Mamiya-Six' is embossed on the back door, underneath the red window, which has a horizontal slider opening to the left. The camera has a twin set of range finder windows as well as a small, seperate Brillant-type waist-level viewfinder, resulting in three windows at the front.
      The first model of the camera has a slightly larger waist level viewfinder (12 x 12 mm) than the subsequent models. The round viewfinder window on the front has a serrated edge to it, while it is smooth on the later models. Model I is the only Mamiya Six design with small eyelets for a neck strap. Other characteristics are: a solid knurled film winding knob, a raised button (on the top plate) to release the front door; indicator arrow next to the film counter is a pointed arrow with a thin tail; the shutter release button has a rounded top; the cold shoe for the flash is affixed with three screws; the depth of field indicator at the right corner of the top housing ranges from 3.5 to 8; a bottom plate with a strengthened, raised tripod mount held by three screws and flanked by two knobs for the release of the film spools.
      The back door is hinged at the right. The camera takes 120 roll film and gives 6x6 negatives. The supply chamber is on the right and the take up spool on the left. To ensure that the film remains flat even though the film plane moves in and out with the back focussing mechanism, the Mamiya Six I has a removable pressure plate that slides in from the right. The guide rail for the removable pressure plate runs for the length of the film gate and lacks an embossed directional arrow.
      Some units of the Mamiya Six I have a double exposure warning system,[3] comprised of a small transparent, square, red coloured half-pane that appears in the rangefinder window when the shutter button on the top plate has been pressed[4]

Dimensions

140 x 103 x 51mm (closed), weight 780g.

Lens and shutter combinations

Interestingly, Mamiya offered purchasers to bring their own lenses, which would be installed in the '0' shutters. This resulted in a range of known shutter combinations:
  • K.O.L. Anastigmat 75mm f/3.5
    • in MSU-TOKYO NEW HIT shutter[5]
    • in RAPID K.O.L. (B, 1-500th) shutter[6]
  • K.O.L. Special f/3.5 75mm
    • in MAMIYA-SIX (B, T, 1-200th) shutter[7]
    • in NKS (B, T, 1-200th) shutter[8]
    • in NKS-TOKIO (B, T, 1-200th) shutter[9]
    • in YAMATO-RAPID (B, 1-500th) shutter[10]
  • K.O.L. Trio f/3.5 75mm
    • in ??OD. P. II (T, B, 1-300th) shutter[11]
  • Kolex Anastigmat f/3.5 75mm
    • in DABIT-SUPER (B, 1-500th) shutter[12]


Mamiya Six Ia

The next iteration, publicised in January 1941[13] saw the use of a larger '00' shutter, which required the redesign of the strut system. Instead of the three-part struts, the camera has a simple, two-part strut mechanism. [14] The camera sold for ¥298.

Technical details

All units are covered with leatherette. The camera has a slightly larger waist level viewfinder (12 x 12 mm) than the subsequent models. The film respool knob is a solid knurled knob. The indicator arrow next to the film counter is a pointed arrow with a thin tail

Dimensions

140 x 103 x 51mm (closed), weight 780g.

Lens and shutter combinations

  • K.O.L. Special 75mm f3.5
    • in ¶¶¶ '0' shutter with T, B, 1-1/200 sec (standard)

=Manual, Brochures and Advertisements

Notes

  1. Asahi Camera September 1940 | Neco's Mamiya page
  2. | Mamiya Six I (Mamiya history website).—See also advertisement in Asahi Camera (アサヒカメラ) April 1941 (Rebollo_fr flickr)
  3. At least from sn#28xx onwards
  4. It is coupled with the shutter button on the top plate; thus releasing the shutter at the shutter face will not trigger the mechanism.— For appearance in viewfinder see [| here] (Flickr Image); sn #2854 Photographica Collection Dirk HR Spennemann
  5. sn# 2854.—Photographica Collection Dirk HR Spennemann (Flickr image)
  6. [[ http://neco.aki.gs/neco99/neco30/00/mamiya/01/010042.html |Neco's Mamiya Site]]
  7. [[ http://neco.aki.gs/neco99/neco30/00/mamiya/01/010030.html |Neco's Mamiya Site]]
  8. [[ http://neco.aki.gs/neco99/neco30/00/mamiya/01/010020.html |Neco's Mamiya Site]]
  9. [[ http://neco.aki.gs/neco99/neco30/00/mamiya/01/010010.html |Neco's Mamiya Site]]
  10. [[ http://neco.aki.gs/neco99/neco30/00/mamiya/03/031111.html |Neco's Mamiya Site]]
  11. Advertisement in Asahi Camera (アサヒカメラ) April 1941 Rebollo_fr flickr
  12. [[ http://www.market4free.com/classifieds/ads/for-sale/photo-video/5918012%7CSales advertisement, seen December 2010]]
  13. Asahi Camera January 1941, February 1941 | Neco's Mamiya page
  14. | Mamiya Six Ia (Mamiya history website)
This is a work in progress.

PAGE THREE -- Mamiya Six II

The camera was introduced in ¶¶ 1943.[1] Even though numbered Mamiya II, this is in fact the third model to have been introduced. Like the Mamiya Six Ia, this model has a red double exposure warning pane in the rangefinder window. The Mamiya Six II is essentially a Mamiya Six III design without the flash contacts. At least some of the units seen also lack the red double-exposure warning pane in the rangefinder. Thus, in common it also has the slightly smaller waist level viewfinder (10 x 10 mm) and a smooth rim to the central viewfinder window.

Technical details

Like the Mamiya Six III from which this model is derived, the Six II has a smaller waist level finder (10 x10 mm) and the dimpled shutter release button. The guide rail for the removable pressure plate runs for the length of the film gate and now exhibits an embossed directional arrow.


Dimensions

TEXT TEXT TEXT

Lens and shutter combinations

  • K.O.L. Special 75mm f3.5
    • in NKS–TOKIO '0' shutter with T, B, 1-1/200 sec (standard)[2]
  • K.O.L. Special f/3.5 75mm
    • in GINREI KOHKI VESTER-3 (B, 1-200th) shutter[3]


Mamiya Six IIa

As with the Mamiya Ia, this version of the Mamiya II allowed to use the larger (58mm) shutters, which required to use a simplified two-strut mechanism for the front door. This version was designed for photographers who wished to have faster (and thus usually larger diameter) shutters or have their own shutter and lens combinations installed.[4]

Dimensions

TEXT TEXT TEXT

Lens and shutter combinations

  • T.S.M. Anastigmat f/3.5 75mm
    • in OLYMPUS-TOKYO-N KOHO shutter (B, T, 1-200th)[5]
  • T.S.M. Anastigmat f/3.5 75mm
    • in NKS-TOKIO (B, T, 1-200th) shutter[6]
  • Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar f/2.8 7.5cm


Brochures and Manuals

Notes

  1. Asahi Camera ¶¶¶¶¶ | Neco's Mamiya site
  2. sn# 9518.—Photographica Collection Dirk HR Spennemann | (Flickr image)
  3. sn#19513—Photographica Collection Dirk HR Spennemann
  4. Mamiya History Pages, | Mamiya Six IIa
  5. sn#22344—Photographica Collection Dirk HR Spennemann
  6. [[ http://www.flickr.com/photos/everybodyinnewwestminster/3783637985/%7CFlickr image]]
  7. | Neco's Mamiya Site


This is a work in progress.

PAGE FOUR -- Mamiya Six III

War-time version

The camera was introduced in ¶¶ 1942[1] The Production was halted in ¶¶¶ Like the Mamiya I, the camera was fitted with a double exposure warning system, comprised of a small transparent, red coloured half-pane that would appear in the rangefinder window. At least the post war version has a shutter release lock that prevented accidental double exposure.[2] Double exposure warning mark in viewfinder. Flash contact.


Technical details

Pre-War Versions of the Mamiya Six III are built-identical with the Mamiya Six I, but have a slightly smaller waist level finder (10 x10 mm) window on the top late, while the round viewfinder window on the front has a smooth edge. The shutter release button now has a slight depression (dimple) in the top and the frame counter is encased in the shape of a droplet. The guide rail for the removable pressure plate runs for the length of the film gate and now exhibits an embossed directional arrow. The eyelets for a neck strap, which had been part of the Mamiya Six I design, have been omitted.

Dimensions

TEXT TEXT TEXT

Lens and shutter combinations

  • K.O.L. Sola Special Anastigmat f/3.5 75mm
    • in COMPUR-RAPID (B, 1-500th) shutter[3]
    • in NKS-TOKIO (B, T, 1-200th) shutter[4]
  • K.O.L. Special f/3.5 75mm
    • in DABIT-SUPER (B, 1-500th) shutter[5]
    • in GINREI KOHKI VESTER-3 (B, 1-200th) shutter[6]
    • in NKS-TOKIO (B, T, 1-200th) shutter[7]
    • in Orient A shutter[8]
    • in TYS -II (B, T, 1-200th) shutter[9]
  • Schneider Xenar f/3.5 75mm
    • in F. DECKEL MÜNCHEN COMPUR RAPID (T, B, 1-300th) shutter[10]
 
 

Post war versions

When production restarted after the war, some examples of the Mamiya Six III may well have assembled from spare parts. Soon after, however, new bodies were machined, which have slight design variations compared with the pre-War and War-time bodies (→ technical details). These post-war versions can most readily be distinguished by the use of Takatiho Tokio Zuiko f/3.5 75mm lenses; these lenses, which were later replaced with Olympus Zuiko badged versions, were designed in post-World War II and first released in 1946.[11]. An English language manual for the Mamiya Six with a printing date of November 1946 depicts a Mamiya Six III.[12]

Technical details

Post War versions have a cold shoe for the flash which is affixed by two screws set diagonally; and a depth of field indicator ranging from 3.5 to 22. The encased, more elaborate droplet shaped frame counter of the war-time versions is replaced by a simple broad arrow.[13] The film winding knob is now mush-room-shaped. The early post-War versions lack the "Made in Occupied Japan" engraving on the bottom plate that is common with the the early Mamiya Six IV models.

Variant A

single raised button to release the front door catch

Variant B

twin buttons to release the front door catch

Dimensions

TEXT TEXT TEXT

Lens and shutter combinations

  • Nippon Kogaku Nikkor f/3.5 75mm
    • in F. DECKEL MÜNCHEN COMPUR RAPID (T, B, 1-300th) shutter[14]
  • Takatiho Tokio Zuiko f/3.5 75mm
  • Towa Koki Neocon f/3.5 75mm
  • T.S.M. Anastigmat f/3.5 75mm


Brochures and Manuals


Advertisements




Notes

  1. Asahi Camera ¶¶¶¶¶ | Neco's Mamiya page
  2. Intentional double exposure was possible by pushing the film advance lock to the left, but not advancing the film
  3. [[ http://neco.aki.gs/neco99/neco30/00/mamiya/03/0300500.html |Neco's Mamiya Site]]
  4. [[ http://page4.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/d110780810 November 2010)|Yahoo Auction, seen December 2010]]
  5. [[ http://neco.aki.gs/neco99/neco30/00/mamiya/03/031112.html |Neco's Mamiya Site]]
  6. [[ http://neco.aki.gs/neco99/neco30/00/mamiya/03/03111c.html |Neco's Mamiya Site]]
  7. [[ http://neco.aki.gs/neco99/neco30/00/mamiya/03/031114.html |Neco's Mamiya Site]]
  8. [[ http://neco.mediacat-blog.jp/c2702_2.html |Neco's Mamiya Site]]
  9. sn#17170—Photographica Collection Dirk HR Spennemann
  10. [[ http://www.flickr.com/photos/garww/2092718840/in/pool-998914@N24/%7CFlickr image]]
  11. See the lens chronology on the Zukio page.
  12. Photographica Collection Dirk HR Spennemann
  13. In essence the design goes back to that of the Mamiya I.
  14. [[ http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/3625576602/in/pool-46195334@N00/%7CFlickr image]]
  15. [[ http://picasaweb.google.com/kheims/CraigslistAndEbay#5356646212296282242%7CWeb page]]
  16. sn#24763—Photographica Collection Dirk HR Spennemann
  17. [[ http://neco.aki.gs/neco99/neco30/00/mamiya/03/03111g.html |Neco's Mamiya Site]]
  18. [[ http://neco.aki.gs/neco99/neco30/00/mamiya/03/03111b.html |Neco's Mamiya Site]]
  19. sn#25585—Photographica Collection Dirk HR Spennemann
  20. [[ http://nelsonfoto.com/SMF/index.php?action=printpage;topic=12471.0%7CWeb page]]
  21. [[ http://neco.aki.gs/neco99/neco30/00/mamiya/03/03111a.html |Neco's Mamiya Site]]
  22. [[ http://www.auctiondeals.ca/detail_product/150470493227/mamiya_six/%7CSales advertisement, seen December 2010]]
  23. [[ http://senior.nikkosen.net/cameralist.html |Web page]]


This is a work in progress.

PAGE FIVE -- Mamiya Six IV

The camera was introduced in ¶¶ 1947.[1] The design dispensed with the waist-level viewfinder.

The camera was sold for ¥ ¶¶¶ in Japan.[2] A certain black-market trade (by servicemen stationed in Japan) seems to have existed in countries where formal imports did not occur until later.[3] It is listed in Australia for £24 10s in 1952[4] and the USA for $99.95 in 1954[5]

Technical details

TEXT TEXT TEXT


Variant A

The inscription "Made in Occupied Japan" is engraved on the bottom plate.

Variant B

The inscription "Made in Occupied Japan" is embossed into the leatherette of the door closing mechanism..

Variant C

The camera no longer exhibits any reference to "Made in Occupied Japan".

CAMEX Six

In 19¶¶ Mamiya signed a major export order with the Indian distributor Patel. A large number of custom-badged Mamiya Six IV were produced,[6] carrying on the top housing the engraving "CAMEX SIX PATEL INDIA LTD" instead of the standard 'MAMIYA-6.' In every other aspect these Indian export models are build-identical with standard Six IV models.[7]

Dimensions

TEXT TEXT TEXT

Lens and shutter combinations

Variant A

Variant B

Variant C

CAMEX Six


Advertisements

Notes

  1. Asahi Camera ¶¶¶¶¶ Neco's Mamiya page
  2. ¶¶¶
  3. Mamiya IV (or III?) were sold on the private market in Australia, probably as bring-back items by servicemen stationed in post-World War II Japan. In 1948, the going price seems to have been £50 in both Sydney and Melbourne: Advertising 'Wanted to sell’ The Sydney Morning Herald 13 March 1948 p 13 (private advertisement) with Zeiss Tessar in Compur Shutter £50.—Advertising 'Wanted to sell’ The Argus (Melbourne) 11 February 1948 p 11 col. 2 (private advertisement) £50.
  4. Classified Advertising ‘Goodman Bros, Sydney’ The Sydney Morning Herald 10 May 1952 p 14 £24/10/
  5. Sales price in the USA in 1954: Mamiya IV with Olympus D Zuiko F.C. f/3.5 (black face) $99.95; Auto-up $18.95; Flash $19.95 (The Complete Photo Equipment Guide. U.S. Camera November 1954, p. 89 file
  6. The total number of Mamiya Six IV badged as 'CAMEX' is unclear at the time of writing. Preliminary searches have so far identified the following serial numbers: 41520, 43015, 43043, 43076 and 43122. Because standard versions of the Mamiya Six IV exist with serial numbers in the 42xxx range, it is possible that Mamiya filled at least two orders to India.
  7. See images in Sylvian Halgand's site
  8. [[ http://www.pbase.com/nickdemarco/image/122732832%7CWeb page]]
  9. [[ http://page5.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/e105826102%7CYahoo Auction, seen December 2010]]
  10. [[ http://www.pbase.com/jypsee/oldcameras%7CWeb page]]
  11. sn#49068—Photographica Collection Dirk HR Spennemann
  12. [[ http://www.flickr.com/photos/yefeihe/4909210453/%7CFlickr image]]
  13. [[ http://photo.net/medium-format-photography-forum/00H92u%7CWeb page]]
  14. sn#71295—Photographica Collection Dirk HR Spennemann
  15. [[ http://ota-euphony.sakura.ne.jp/?page_id=78%7CWeb page]]
  16. [[ http://page9.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/k135303419%7CYahoo Auction, seen December 2010]]
  17. [[ http://www.flickr.com/photos/rebollo_fr/2448145013/in/pool-camerapedia/%7CFlickr image]]
  18. sn#36632—Photographica Collection Dirk HR Spennemann
This is a work in progress.

PAGE SIX -- Mamiya Six V

November 1953 Mamiya 6-V Dual format (6x4.5cm and 6x6cm) with automatic film winding adjustment. Maximum shutter speed improved to 1/500 sec.

Technical details

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Dimensions

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Lens and shutter combinations

Notes

This is a work in progress.

PAGE SEVEN -- Mamiya Six K

The Mamiya Six-K was introduced in August 1954 as a popular, lower priced version of Mamiya 6-V. It lacks not only the automatic film winding stop but also lacks the red double exposure warning pane in the viewfinder, which had been a characteristic of the earlier models.

Technical details

The front range finder windows of the Mamiya Six-K resemble those of the Mamiya IV (a round window at the left and a rectangular window on the right, surrounded by a small screwed-on frame). the margins of the frame of the Mamiya Six K are narrower than those of the Mamiya IV.[1] The name tag of the camera is ¶¶¶ The catch for the film door opens upwards, rather than downwards as was the case with the earlier Mamiya Six models.

Dimensions

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Lens and shutter combinations

  • Setagaya Kōki Sekor T f/3.5 75mm (silver face)
  • Tokyo Opt. Co. Toko f/3.5 75mm (black face)
    • in TOKYO OPT CO RECTUS (B, T, 1-200th) shutter[4]

Notes

  1. The design has been taken from the Mamiya IV as the Mamiya V has a long a long plate supporting BOTH the circular and the rectangular window.
  2. [[ http://neco.aki.gs/neco99/neco30/00/mamiya/031223.html |Neco's Mamiya Site]]
  3. [[ http://neco.aki.gs/neco99/neco30/00/mamiya/031224.html |Neco's Mamiya Site]]
  4. sn#9616—Photographica Collection Dirk HR Spennemann.—The low serial number is rather odd and totally out of sequence. It is quite probbaly that this is a human manufacturing error (based on the serial number data compiled so far, a number like 39616 is more plausible).
This is a work in progress.

PAGE EIGHT -- Mamiya Six IVb

May 1955 Mamiya 6-iV B Camera body size and weight were reduced to increase compactness.

??? new rangefinder in this model??

The design by Seiichi Mamiya was applied in Japan on 23 June 1954 and in the USA on 20 June 1955 (granted 24 June 1958).[1]

Technical details


TEXT TEXT TEXT

Dimensions

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Lens and shutter combinations

Notes

  1. Camera rangefinder. Patent application by Seiichi Mamiya, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo-to, Japan. Filed 12 May 1955, granted 8 October 1957. U.S. Patent nº 2,808,770.
  2. [[ http://www.flickr.com/photos/elmoalves/4315236143%7CFlickr image]]
  3. [[ http://www.flickr.com/photos/blackfacesheep/5092156263/%7CFlickr image]]
  4. [[ http://page2.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/b117574345%7CYahoo Auction, seen December 2010]]
This is a work in progress.

PAGE NINE -- Mamiya Six Automat

December 1955 Mamiya 6-Automat Japan's first automatic shutter cocking by film advancing.

The design by Seiichi Mamiya was applied in Japan on 23 June 1954 and in the USA on 20 June 1955 (granted 24 June 1958).[1]

Technical details

TEXT TEXT TEXT

Dimensions

TEXT TEXT TEXT

Lens and shutter combinations

Patent Application


Notes

  1. Mechanism for setting shutter by film-winding operation in rollfilm camera. Patent application by Seiichi Mamiya, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo-to, Japan. Filed 20 June 1955, granted 24 June 1958 1952. U.S. Patent nº 2,839,976.
  2. [[ http://www.g-root.jp/basement/camera/mamiya6automat.html |Web page]]
This is a work in progress.

PAGE TEN -- Mamiya Six K2

March 1956 Mamiya 6-K ii Advanced model to type K with built-in format conversion. (6x6 to 6x4.5cm)

Technical details

TEXT TEXT TEXT

Dimensions

TEXT TEXT TEXT

Lens and shutter combinations

  • Olympus D Zuiko F.C. f/3.5 75mm (black face)
  • Setagaya Kōki Sekor S f/3.5 75mm (black face)

Notes

This is a work in progress.

PAGE ELEVEN -- Mamiya Six IVs

October 1957 Mamiya 6-iV S Further reduced size and weight from type iV B with addition of built-in self-timer.

Technical details

TEXT TEXT TEXT

Dimensions

TEXT TEXT TEXT

Lens and shutter combinations

  • Setagaya Kōki Sekor S f/3.5 75mm (black face)


Notes

{{WIP}

This is a work in progress.

PAGE TWELVE -- Mamiya Six P

December 1957 Mamiya 6-P Economy priced version of 6-iV S.

Technical details

TEXT TEXT TEXT

Dimensions

TEXT TEXT TEXT

Lens and shutter combinations

  • Mamiya Kominar f/3.5 75mm
  • Setagaya Kōki Sekor T f/3.5 75mm (silver face)

Notes

This is a work in progress.

PAGE THIRTEEN -- Mamiya Six Automat 2

1958 Mamiya 6 Automat 2 was the last iteration of the camera design. It was the most highly featured Mamiya 6 camera with Sekor lens, bright Albada finder and other advanced features. Last model of the original folding Mamiya 6 series cameras.

Technical details

TEXT TEXT TEXT

Dimensions

TEXT TEXT TEXT

Lens and shutter combinations

  • Mamiya Sekor f/3.5 75mm
  • Olympus D Zuiko F.C. f/3.5 75mm (black face)

Notes

This is a work in progress.

PAGE FOURTEEN -- Mamiya Six Design Variations

This page provides a visual overview over those design elements of the Mamiya Six cameras that permit an accurate identification of the various models and variants.

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.

Flash Contacts

Double Exposure Prevention

Body Shape Variations

Name Plate

Rangefinder Windows (front)

Flash Shoe

Bottom Plate

Film Counter Window

Pressure Plate Support

Pressure Plate

Various

Knobs and Struts

Film Advance Knob

Front Door Release

Shutter Release

Strut Mechanism

Lettering and Labelling

Frame Counter

Depth of Field Indicator

Film Advance Lock


Focus Wheel

Made in Japan


Labels on the Inside