User:Heritagefutures

Collection Interests (eclectic)

• Simmon-Omega/Koni-Omega family of cameras

→ Omega 120

→ Koni-Omega

→ Koni-Omegaflex

→Rapid Omega

→ Koni-Omega serial numbers

• Japanese aerial and other military cameras
• Foth & Co cameras and binoculars

→ Foth Derby

→ Foth-Flex

• Konica model I cameras (variants)
• Cameras with Gitzo Shutters and Gitzo gear (older stuff preferred)
• Konishiroku and Rokuoh-sha (not systematic)
• Mamiya Six cameras (variants)

→ Mamiya Six I

→ Mamiya Six II

→ Mamiya Six III

→ Mamiya Six IV

→ Mamiya Six Design Variations

→ Mamiya Six Accessories

Websites

www.ausphoto.net

WIP

→ Konica Single Use Cameras

Resources

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

six-pane documentation

Mamiya Six Model XXXXXX. Images by Dirk HR Spennemann. (Image rights)

DIRECTIONS WHAT"S TO BE SEEN
ADDITIONAL TEXT OR ILLUSTRATIONS GO HERE

right float image

CAPTION CAPTION CAPTION Image by Dirk HR Spennemann. (Image rights) (Image rights)

MY SANDBOX

Mamiya 50th Anniversary FN

This is a work in progress.

This is a work in progress.

PAGE ONE -- MAIN ENTRY FOR MAMIYA-SIX

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

The brain behind the development of the Mamiya Six was the inventor Seiichi Mamiya. His camera design departed from the common method of front cell focussing. In order to be able to control the camera when looking through the rangefinder while maintaining a steady 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, on ¶¶ 1940 in the United Kingdom and on 5 June 1940 in the U.S.A. The U.S. Patent (nº 2,305,301) was granted on 15 December 1942, but, because of the state of war between the USA and Japan, was vested in the Alien Property Custodian.

Evolution

Prototpye of the Mamiya Six Image in Asahi Camera (アサヒカメラ) July 1951, p. 88 Scanned by rebollo_fr. (Image rights)

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 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. 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

 
 

Dichotomous Key to aid identification of models

The Mamiya Six comes in a bewildering range of variants. The interactive, dichotomous key provided below provides an avenue at identifying the types of Mamiya Six. Once you have identified your model, click on the model name to be taken to a full description. If you are unclear about any of the criteria, either click on the criterion name or jump to this page for visual identification guides.

Use this interactive key to help identify your Mamiya Six model
How many viewfinder windows are on the front?
Two        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         v            Curved → Mamiya Six IV                         Straight → Mamiya Six K             • Surrounded by a large rectangular plate                     that encompasses the left round window as well → Mamiya Six V
Three      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

Mamiya Six I	Mamiya Six Ia	Mamiya Six II	Mamiya Six IIa
Mamiya Six III	Mamiya Six IV	Mamiya Six V	Mamiya Six IVb
Mamiya Six IVs	Mamiya Six K	Mamiya Six K2	Mamiya Six P
	Mamiya Six Automat	Mamiya Six Automat 2
The various models of the Mamiya Six Images by Dirk HR Spennemann. (Image rights)

Patent Applications

|	|
Illustrations accompanying Seiichi Mamiya's Japanese Utility Model (Patent) application for the Mamiya Six focussing system Images by rebollo_fr. (Image rights)

Illustrations accompanying Seiichi Mamiya's U.S. Patent application for the Mamiya Six focussing system Images by Dirk HR Spennemann. (Image rights)

Notes

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

TEXT TEXT TEXT

Dimensions

TEXT TEXT TEXT

Lens and shutter combinations

• Kowa Optical Works Prominar f/3.5 75mm
  • in SEIKOSHA-RAPID (B, 1-500th) shutter
• Olympus D Zuiko F.C. f/3.5 75mm
  • in SEIKOSHA-RAPID (B, 1-500th) shutter
• Olympus Zuiko F.C. f/3.5 75mm
  • in SEIKOSHA-RAPID (B, 1-500th) shutter

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. 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.

The serial numbering was restarted for the Mamiya Six K and followed through with the Mamiya Six K2. At the same time, the serial number block 2xx,xxx was not used for the Mamiya Six series.

Dimensions

TEXT TEXT TEXT

Lens and shutter combinations

• Setagaya Kōki Sekor T f/3.5 75mm (silver face)
  • in COPAL (B, 1-300th) shutter
  • in COPAL-MX (1-300th, B) shutter
• Tokyo Opt. Co Toko f/3.5 75mm (black face)
  • in TOKYO OPT CO-badged RECTUS (B, T, 1-200th) shutter

Notes

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).

Technical details

TEXT TEXT TEXT

Dimensions

TEXT TEXT TEXT

Lens and shutter combinations

• Olympus D Zuiko F.C. f/3.5 75mm
  • in SEIKOSHA-MX (B, 1-500th) shutter
• Olympus D Zuiko F.C. f/3.5 75mm (black face)
  • in SEIKOSHA-MX (B, 1-500th) shutter
  • in SEIKOSHA-RAPID (B, 1-500th) shutter

Notes

This is a work in progress.

PAGE NINE -- Mamiya Six Automat

The Mamiya Six Automat was released in December 1955. It was the first Japanese camera which automatically cocked the shutter when advancing the film. The design for the automatic shutter cocking device was applied for by Seiichi Mamiya in Japan on 23 June 1954 and in the USA on 20 June 1955 (granted 24 June 1958). On release, the camera was offered for ¥29.500.

Technical details

TEXT TEXT TEXT

Dimensions

140 x 104 x 55 mm (closed); ¶¶¶ (open); weight 850g

Lens and shutter combinations

• Olympus D Zuiko F.C. f/3.5 75mm (black face)
  • in SEIKOSHA-MX (B, 1-500th) shutter

Patent Application

Illustrations accompanying Seiichi Mamiya's Patent application for the Mamiya Six Automat Images by Dirk HR Spennemann. (Image rights)

Notes

This is a work in progress.

PAGE TEN -- Mamiya Six K2

The camera was released in March 1956 with a retail price of ¥19,500.

Technical details

The Mamiya Six K2 was a dual format model, with an internal barn-door type folding mask that allowed to switch between 6x6 and 6x4.5 format. Film advance has automatic stop after the initial frame has been set in the red window; a double exposure device is also fitted. The film pressure plate is hinged rather than a removable slide-in unit.

Dimensions

144 x 99 x 50mm (closed), ¶¶¶ open; weight: 768g.

Lens and shutter combinations

• Olympus D Zuiko F.C. f/3.5 75mm (black face)
  • in SEIKOSHA-MX (B, 1-500th) shutter
• Setagaya Kōki Sekor S f/3.5 75mm (black face)
  • in COPAL-MX (1-300th, B) shutter

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)
  • in COPAL-MXV (B, 1-300th) shutter

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
  • in COPAL (B, 1-300th) shutter
• Setagaya Kōki Sekor T f/3.5 75mm (silver face)
  • in COPAL (B, 1-300th) shutter

Notes

This is a work in progress.

PAGE THIRTEEN -- Mamiya Six Automat 2

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. It was introduced in July 1958 at a price of ¥24,000.

Technical details

TEXT TEXT TEXT

The finder now includes a brightframe.

Dimensions

140 x 104 x 54 mm (closed); ¶¶¶ (open); weight 843g.

Lens and shutter combinations

• Mamiya Sekor f/3.5 75mm
  • in SEIKOSHA-MX (B, 1-500th) shutter
• Olympus D Zuiko F.C. f/3.5 75mm (black face)
  • in SEIKOSHA-MX (B, 1-500th) shutter