Film cameras
Mamiya Universal - Black User manual
User manual for Mamiya Universal - Black. 59 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
59 pagesEnglish8.3 MB PDF
Loading your manual…Open PDF directly
Document details
- Brand
- Mamiya
- Model / document
- Mamiya Universal - Black
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 59
- File size
- 8.3 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
Search available document text
Find a term, then jump to its page in the original PDF. Image-only pages may not be searchable; check the PDF for exact wording and diagrams.
Page 4 · Read text
The 100 mm f/3.5 lens is a retracting type. When the lens I When taking photographswith the verticalformat camera
has been retracted, focusing cannot be effected although ll position,on a tripod,use a tripod adapteron the hand grip
the two images on the rangefinder coincide. fr socketfor verticalformatphotography.
Page 7 Page 40
Be sure to cock the shutter before keeping the'shutter When taking photographs with the Polaroid@Land pack filmn
t open with the pressfocus lever.Disengagethe lever lock holder, on a tripod, use tripod adapter type P.
E r buttonand turnthe leverin the same directionas the shutter page 40
cock:thenthe shutterwill remainopen.
By pushingthe leverback to its originalposition,the shutter
will close'
Page 16
When framing a 6x9 or 6x7 composition with the finderb ll When using the roll film holder for Mamiya RB or the various
brilliant frame, compose it within the inner edges of the n film holders and adapters for the 2/. x 3 % Graflok@ back,
frame width for short distances; use the outer edges as a Ur made by GRAFLEX@, Inc., use the G adapter instead of the
guide for long distances. M adapter.
Page 1 2 Page 10View original page 4Page 5 · Read text
Main Features
The Mamiya Universal, the same unique breed as the Mamiya Press used by professional
. photographers both at home and abroad, is a large 6 x9 film format camera with the functional
features listed below. lt offers the distinct advantage of its large film size not only for general
photography, but also for news photography, commercial work, and scientific application.
'* Large film size presents sharp, fine rendition of every detail.
* Variety of interchangeable lenses ranging from 50 mm wide angle to 250 mm telephoto.
* Quick interchangeabilityof lenses with bayonet ring mounting.
* Accurate focusing through coupled rangefinder (except 250 mm f/8 lens)
*. Finder with bright, easy-to-see brilliant frame, featuring automatic parallax compensation
l-. (except 250 mm f/8 lens).
* Further accurate focusing through ground glass focusing screen possible.
,r Quick photography with roll film holder (lever winding system).
Available in 6 x 9 and 6 x 7 format for both 120 and 220 films.
. , t R o l l f i l m h o l d e r K e n a b l e s p h o t o g r a p h yi n 6 x 9 , 6 x 6 , o r 6 x 4 . 5 f o r m a t .
* Also accepts dry plates and cut films, providing for single shots with these films.
* Film pack adapter makes possible successive photography with film packs.
,r Extreme close-up photography through using spacer set and/or extension rings.
* Use of Polaroid Land pack film holder offers instant photographic prints in3lnx4/.inchlor-
mat.
* The G adapter enables using the roll film holder and various film holders for Mamiya RB, in
www.butkus.us
-,@View original page 5Page 8 · Read text
20. M-X selector
21. Shutter speed dial
22. Synchroflashterminal
23. Shutter release lever
24. Aperture control lever
25. Cable release socket
26. Press focus lever
26i Press focus lever lock button
27. Indicatorwindow for viewfinder
field frame
28. Slide button for viewfinder field
frame selection
29. Eyecup
30. Eyepiece
3 1 .Tripod socket
32. M adapter
33. Locking knob
34. G adapter
35. Locking slide
6View original page 8Page 10 · Read text
20. M-X selector
21 . Shutter speed dial
22. Synchroflashterminal
23. Shutter release lever
24. Aperture control lever
25. Cable release socket
26. Press focus lever
26'. Press focus lever lock button
27. Indicatorwindow for viewfinder
field frame
28. Slide button for viewfinder field
frame selection
29. Eyecup
30. Eyepiece
31 . Tripod socket
32. M adapter
33. Locking knob
34. G adapter
35. Locking slideView original page 10Page 11 · Read text
Assembling
Attaching the Lens Pulling Out the Lens from its RetractedPosition
By rotating the bayonet ring counter clockwise until it stops, the red When using the 100mm f/3.5 standard lens, the lens-shutterassembly
dot of the lens coupling mark on the bayonet ring comes to the top, and must be pulled out from its retracted position before taking general
the dust cap on the front of the camera body can be removed. At this photographs. Grip the lens-shutter assembly firmly, turn it slighily coun-
position of the bayonet ring, insert the lens, matching the red mark on terclockwise, and pull it out; then, turn it clockwise(in the arrow direction)
the lens to the red mark on the bayonet ring. Then turn the bayonet ring and secure it in place.
Iclockwise,locking the lens in place. lf the lens-shutter assembly is left in its retracted position, the
Detaching the lens is done in a reverse order to that described coupled rangefinderwill not function even when the two images coin-
above. cide and form a single image. I
Although the lens is not used for normal photography with the lens- PRECAUTION! shutter assembly in its retracted position, the lens is designed to allow
Do not touch the pin (9)on the camera body used to couple the lens its lens-shutterassembly to remain retracted so that it can be used evento the rangefinder. when extension rings are used.
lf the lens is changed while a loaded film holder is attached to the Also lens retraction is necessary, when using this lens with another
camera, be sure to insert a dark slide into the holder. camera whose back mount can be extended, when taking a picture with www.butkus.us
the back mount tilted.
7View original page 11Page 12 · Read text
Attachingthe Hand Grip Stabilizing Plate
To attach the hand grip, insert the hand grip into the grip socket (8) Pull out the stabilizing plate (7) on the bottom of the camera body
of the camera body, and firmly turn the hand grip lock ring (12). when resting the camera on a desk, table, or other surface.
Screw the end of the cable release (15)extending from the hand grip
into the release socket (25) of the lens-shutterassembly.
While dismounting a lens, hang the cable release on the cable
release holder (11).
8View original page 12Page 13 · Read text
Assembling
Attaching to Back M Adapter
Before attaching the back, confirm that both side locking slides (5) When installing the M adapter on the camera back, the roll film
are kept at their lowest position. lf not, push down the locking slide holder for Mamiya Press,focusing screen holder, and so on can be
while pushing in the lock button (5'). u s e d .
Align the red point on the M adapter, G adapter, or Polaroid Land To attach the above-mentioned accessories to the adapter, keep the
camera back (PolaroidLand pack film holder and focusing hood model flattened edges of the two locking knobs of the M adapter parallel with
P) with the red point on the camera body, inserting both sides of the the bottom line of the picture format, insert the top of the holder in the
protruded portions to the indented portions on the camera body. upper groove, and push in the bottom; then rotate the two knobs 90
Securely push up the locking slide on both sides. While pushing degrees either to the right or left.
up the slide, the lock button will spring out automatically.The lock button
functions to prevent the back from being detached unexpectedly from
the camera body.
Secure both sides of the back by using the locking slides (5). Do
not raise the camera by holding the back in a condition that only one
side is secured.
To remove the back, depress both side locking slides (5) whilewww.butkus.usthe
lock buttons (5') are pushed in.
IView original page 13Page 14 · Read text
G Adapter Polaroid @ Land Camera Back
When the G adapter is attached instead Remove the camera back adapter and fective picture size of 2k x37ninch,73mm x
of the M adapter, the roll film holder for attach the Polaroid Land camera back direct- 95mm) becomes possible. On the ground
Mamiya RB and film pack adapter can be ly to the camera body. The Polaroid Land gfass focusing screen ate 6 x 9 and 6
used. Furthermore. the roll film holder and pack film holder and the focusing hood x7 format indicatinglines.
the focusing panel made by GRAFLEX, Inc., model P are available.
and accessories for the GRAFLOK back can With the Polaroid Land pack film holder,
be employed. use a Polaroid8-exposure,3 %x4 %inch Land
film pack. For color photography, use NOTE:
Polaroid Polacoloro film type 108; for black- The back attaching system used on this
and-white photography, use Polaroid 3000 camera is exclusive with Mamiya; thus, do not
speed film, type 107. attempt to use other Polaroid Land camera
By attaching the focusing hood model P, backs.
direct focusing through the ground glass
focusing screen of 3/.x4% inch format (ef -View original page 14Page 16 · Read text
Areas of ViewfinderField to be Composed
When using Roll Film Holder 6 xg 6x7
When composing the 6 x9 or 6 x7 format with For close range For close range
the viewfinder frame, employ inside edges of the
frame for subjects at close distance; use the
outer edges of the frame for subjects further
away.
Distance Range Gomposed by Brilliant
Frame
For close ranges, For distances further
Focal length use inside away, use outside
of lens edges of trame edges of frame
roo" fj!! 3.Sft(1m)to approx.6ft(2m) approx.6ft.(2m)to infinity
to approx.9ft. approx.9ft. 6ft. to inlinity For distances further away For distances further away 150mm f/5.6 (3m) (3m) (2m)
approx.l 2ft . to infinity
250mm f/5 (4m)
The 250mm f/5 lens interlockswith the range-
finder from distances of 12 ft (4m) to oo (infinity)'
The 250mm f/8 lens does not interlock with the
rangefinder.
When photographing with the 6 x 6 format or
6 x 4.5 format by employing the roll film holder
model K, use the attached finder mask. See page
23 tor details.
12View original page 16Page 19 · Read text
Depth of Field Scale and Infrared photography
Depth of Field Scale
standard f-stop marks, indicating the depth of field for the aperture
used, are located on both sides of the triangle mark (r)on the depth of
field ring. This indicates that subjects within a definite area wiil be in
sharp focus on the photograph. For example, when focusing on a subject
15 feet (5 meters) away with a 100 mm standard lens at t/22, everythin!
between 8 feet (2.5 meters) and infinity is in focus.
Infrared Photography
when photographing with infrared film, the distance scale obtained
by focusing with the rangefinder must be shifted by rotating the focusing
ring slightly until the focused point on the distance scale is changed to
align with the small red "R" on the depth of field ring.
Use a red filter when photographing with infrared film.
www.butkus.us
1 5View original page 19Page 20 · Read text
ShutterOperation
Press Focus Operation
'a :-\.***:"''::''
Cock the shutter by moving the shutter When focusing through the ground glass, By pushingthe pressfocus lever back
cocking lever (19). keep the shutter open by the following to its original position,the shutter will
Screw the end of the cable release which method. close. There is no need to reset the
extends from the hand grip into the cable 1. Cock the shutter, regardless of the shutter shutter.
release socket (25). speed setting. PRECAUTION:
To release the shutter, press the shutter Be sure to operatethe press focus lever
release trigger of the hand grip with the left AFTERcockingthe shutter.Whilethe shutter
forefinger. Also, the shutter can be released is kept opened, the shutter cannot be re-
by tripping the shutter release lever (23). leasedwith the shutterreleasebutton.
2. Disengagethe lock button by thoroughly Applyingan excessiveforceto the release
pushingit to the camera body side and buttonmay causeshutterdamage.
turn the press focus lever in the shutter When the press focus lever is not used,
cock direction;thenthe shutterwillremain be sureto engagethe lock buttonto prevent
open. inadvertentlymovingthe lever.
1 6View original page 20Page 27 · Read text
Focusing Hood
Attach the holder to the camera body, pull
out the dark slide, and start to photograph.
After each exposure, open the back
window, and turn the film advance knob until
the next figure appears in the window.
When removing the holder f rom the
camera or changing the lens while the film is
loaded, be sure to insert the dark slide.
t"tq rrrTE
Viewfinder Field for Photographing in 6 x For accurate focusing or for confirming
6 or 6 x 4.5 Format. the depth of field, use the focusing hood. A
Attach a finder mask for 100mm lens to Fresnel lbns is used with this focusing hood
the viewfinder window of the camera body to make the whole image brighter and easier
(thib mask is for 6 x 6 format). For photo- to f ocus.
graphing in 6 x 4.5 format, insert the mask
for 6 x4.5 format into the back of the 6 x 6
format mask.
To attach the mask to the camera body,
raise the flat spring attached in front of the
mask by holding it with the thumb and forefin-
ger, and apply the mask to the top cover
front frame and releasing the raised flat
sp n ng.
To correct parallax, select the brilliant
frame for 250 mm lens, moving the eye
around while looking into the viewfinder untilthe brilliant frame is centered in the entire www.butkus.us
viewfinderfield.
taView original page 27Page 28 · Read text
Polaroid' Land Pack Film Holder
"Short Course" on photography
Install a holder containing film pack 1
on the camera and take a picture after Pull out the white tab, then a yellow I
I pullingout the dark slide. tab pops out. 2
With a Polaroid Land film pack, you can
obtain a color print in 60 seconds, and a black- Pull the yellow tab straight out of the After the recommended development
and-whiteprint in 15 seconds. holder and at a constant speed. De- tim e, strip off the white paper (the
For color pictures, use Polaroid Polacolor velopment starts from this operation. print).The photo will be completed.f i l m , T y p e 1 0 8 . 3 4
For black and white pictures, use Polaroid
3000 speed film, Type 107.
Both color and black-and-white films are
eight-exposuref ilm packs.
Actual picture size is 2v" x 3% inches (73x
95mm). Installthis holder directly on the camera
body after removing the M adaPter.
Further detailed explanationis provided with the purchased holder.
24View original page 28Page 31 · Read text
Right-angleand Magnifying Focusing Backs
Right-angle focusing back
This device enables ob-
Eyecup serving the image on the
ground glass from the right-
ckins button angle direction against the
optical axis. The right-angle Right-angle
magnifier magnifier can be very
simply turned upward or
sideward, facilitatingfocus-
Focusing screen ing from any camera angle.
releaselever
Attaching and Detaching the Right-angle Magnifier
Magnifying focusing back
This back is provided The right-angle magnifier can be removed by swinging it around the
with an eye-level, totally bottom of the housing while depressing the button of the right-angle
enclosed box instead of the magnifier.
right-angle magnifier of the To attach the right-angle magnifier, match the projections at the
right-angle f oc using back. bottom of the magnifier to the holes of the holder, and press in the
Precisefocusing is possible upper part. When attaching the magnifier,the button does not need to
by directly observing the be pressed.
im age on the ground glass The right-angle magnifier can be attached for up, down, right, and
focusing screen throughthe left directions.Merely attach it in the direction necessaryfor the camera
ey epiece magnifier. angle employed.
When looking from above or below, the image assumes the correct
right-side-up position, but the right and left will be reversed. When
looking from the side, right and left are correct but the image will be
upside down. Since a Fresnel lens is used on both focusing backs, the entire
ground glass is very bright, and focusing can be easily accomplished
because extraneous light is blocked out. The ground glass has light
lines which indicate a 6 x 7 format. After focusing, insert a cut film/plate holder or film pack adapterwww.butkus.usas
well as the focusing screen holder for photographing.
27View original page 31Page 32 · Read text
composing the picture by Ground GrassFocusing screen for
Film Pack or Cut Fllm
When dry platesor 2kxgyzinch1O.Sr.S"rnycut films are used, the f
actualpictureformat is exactly the same as seen. on the focusing-.,1 screen.
When "one-quartersize" cut film,2,/.x3Xinch cut,ilm, or filmpacks I
u ate used, since the actualpicturesize of these films is a litfle smalrer
than the groundgrassfocusingscreen,composethe picturewithinthe
frame of the brokenlinesas shownin the drawtngs.
For "one-quarter size" cut film taken from 4/x 6 %inch
(12 x 16.5cm) cut film, or for a film pack; For 2% x 3%inch cut film;View original page 32Page 33 · Read text
Cut Film lPlate Holder (Type J)
When Using a Dry Plate 2%x3% When Using a Gut Film 2%x3% When Using a Cut Film Taken by
inch (6.5 x 9cm) : inch (6.5 x 9cm): Cutting a 4/,x67 inch Cut Film
into Four One-quarter Sizes:
Fingergrip
Memoplate
Back lid catch
Dark slide
Open the Back Lid: Remove the film sheath from Remove the film sheath from Insert the cut film in the film
the holder, insert the dry plate the holder, place the cut film with sheath with its emulsion side up, By pulling out the back lid
with the emulsion side facing the its emulsion side facing the dark placing the sheath in the holder.catch, the back lid can be swung
dark slide, close the back lid, and slide, then place the film sheath When a color film is cut,open by applying finger pressure
push it back to its originalposition. with the fllm catch side up, and sometimes the f ilm is not de-to the finger grip.
In this case, the film sheath is not close the back lid. Instead of the veloped at a developing labora-
Memo plate: u s e d . f ilm sheath, a discarded dry plate tory. For color photography,
may be used. therefore, use factory-cut2 %x3 k
Use the memo plate for inch (6.5 x 9 cm) color film.
recording on the holder your f ile
number,the film type, and so on.
Correct recorded letters or
figures by rubbing the plate with
a f inger tip, soft cloth, or tissue.
www.butkus.us
29View original page 33Page 34 · Read text
Cut Film lPlate Holder (Type A) Film Pack Adapter
When Using a Dry Plate 2%x3/, When Using a Cut Film 2% x 3 %
inch (6.5 x 9cm): inch:
Remove the film sheath from Use the cut film/plate holder B o t h 2 % x 3 % i n c h ( 6 . 5 x 9 c m ) ing up the back lid. Load the tab
the holder, insert the dry plate (type A). Insert a film in the film or 2% x3%inch film packs are a- end first in the film pack adapter,
with the emulsion side facing the sheath, place it in the holder, and vailable. and by pressing the tab side to
dark slide, close the back lid, and close the back lid. This film sheath Open the back lid of the film the spring, push in the entire film
push it back to its original po- is exclusive for type A; do not use pack adapter by pressing the two pack. Close the back lid, keeping
sition.In this case, the f ilm sheath it with a type J holder. catch buttons simultaneously,lift- the paper tab protruding.
is not used.
30View original page 34Page 35 · Read text
Cut Film lPlate Holder (Type A) Film Pack Adapter
When Using a Dry Plate 2%x3% When Using a Cut Film 2%x3%
inch (6.5 x 9cm): inch:
t
ig
Remove the film sheath from Use the cut film/plate holder B o t h 2 % x 3 % i n c h ( 6 . 5 x 9 c m ) ing up the back lid. Load the tab
the holder, insert the dry plate (type A). Insert a film in the film or 2% x3%inch film packs area- end first in the film pack adapter,
with the emulsion side facing the sheath, place it in the holder, and vailable. and by pressing the tab side to
dark slide, close the back lid, and close the back lid. This film sheath Open the back lid of the film the spring, push in the entire film
push it back to its original po- is exclusive for type A; do not use pack adapter by pressing the two pack. Close the back lid, keeping
sition. In this case, the f ilm sheath it with a type J holder. catch buttons simultaneously,lift- the paper tab protruding.
is not used.
www.butkus.us
30View original page 35Page 43 · Read text
Flashgun
Flash Synchronizing Table
Screw in the flashgun adapter to the Shutterspeed
flashgun socket (4) on the camera body. Terminal Flash bulb
Plug the cord into the flash terminal (22) ot
the shutter. M -class
The f lashgun has two extension cord
sockets; thus, when desired, supplementary Electronic flash
ffash equipment can be synchronized simul- F-class
taneously f or additional coverage or f or
special lighting effects. M -c lass
When a single flashgun is used, connect
the cord to the socket marked SHUTTER.
Shaded area of the above table indicates
the synchronizingshutter speed.
Move the MX-selector lever to obtain the
right terminal.
When the MX-selector is set to M, M-class
bulbs synchronizeto all shutter speeds.
When the MX-selector is set to X, elec-
tronic flash synchronizesto all shutterspeeds.
www.butkus.us
Flashgun
38View original page 43Page 44 · Read text
Grip and TripodAdapter
RotatingGrip Rotating Adapter
This is a unique grip whose angle is freely ad- This is a convenient universal head
justed according to the photographing posture. which can be freely changed over from
This grip rotates approximately 180", centering a vertical photographing position to a
the installationpoint to the camera; however, when horizontal photographing position (or
grasping the center belt of the grip, the grip is vice 'versa) by revolving the camera
secured at an optional angle. installed on the tripod, centering the
camera optical axis.
39View original page 44From the M. Butkus archive. Original publisher and archive notices are retained.
Check the model and edition against your equipment.
PDF verified 2026-10-10.