Good things
June 30th, 2011
I’m currently on a pretty intense shopping ban, but I recently did a trade with Julia for this bag (she was kind enough to include a pouch!) and got reimbursed for something I bought for work that I forgot about (they seriously take ages sometimes) that I decided to treat myself to a camera with. The bag is ah-may-zing, exactly what I’ve been looking for forever, and the camera terrifies me (it’s SO HEAVY!). A Mamiya 23 Press with a 6×7 back* – does anyone else have one? It didn’t come with a darkslide but the ebay seller assures me it works without it, which seems crazy to me. I’m going to give it a try anyway. I’ll share the results, if any, ha…
*the lens cap says leica, but it is certainly not a leica lens! that would be magical.
June 30th, 2011 at 10:32 am
Is it the mini château duffle bag in dinosaur taupe nubuck leather? It’s so beautiful!!
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June 30th, 2011 at 10:32 am
urggg I love that bag! been seeing it all over the internet and I love it more and more (and more!).
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June 30th, 2011 at 10:45 am
everything julia does makes me want to swoon. gorgeous choice. and have fun with that mammoth of a camera!
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June 30th, 2011 at 12:01 pm
wow. how do you know how to work it? looks fun. :)
xx
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June 30th, 2011 at 1:38 pm
oh that bag, man oh man, so very nice!
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June 30th, 2011 at 4:48 pm
That bag is gorg. Love everything in her new collection.
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June 30th, 2011 at 5:04 pm
Can NOT wait to see what you come up with using that behemoth camera. I follow a fellow Portlander on Flickr who sometimes uses a Mamiya Universal Press and his results are amazing – http://www.flickr.com/photos/parkerfitzgerald/5881780171/in/photostream
Guh. I’m currently on a CAMERA shopping ban and this post isn’t helping, hah. :)
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June 30th, 2011 at 5:16 pm
Gah–that bag is really, really gorgeous.
Does the camera use film holders? They would incorporate a dark slide. I’ve a Crown Graphic 4×5 press camera, and it uses standard 4×5 film holders. I’m sure you should be able to find out more info about your fab new camera with a web search. So many camera manuals have been scanned and posted on people’s sites; that’s how I found one for my Polaroid ProPack camera. Good luck, and please keep us updated on your adventures with your great Mamiya!
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June 30th, 2011 at 8:37 pm
i have a rennes bag made from that same leather and let me tell you it only gets better with wear!!
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June 30th, 2011 at 10:26 pm
you dont really need a darkslide, but its worth investing in one just as a safety guard. a few times something has happened and ive saved wasting film from having my darkslide in. you should be able to pick one up pretty easily, i assume all 6×7 darkslides would be universal?
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July 1st, 2011 at 4:23 am
I have a Mamiya 23, though I never use it since I also have a Mamiya Universal Press that I like much better (same sorta camera, but can also use a Polaroid back). That family of camera is one of my favorites, though. Some of my favorite shots that I’ve ever taken as come from mine and they look so stinkin impressive when you’re working with them. It’s so “un-camera-like” to most people’s eyes that it can’t help but draw attention.
And btw, it DEFINITELY works without a darkslide. Those Mamiya Press cameras are about as un-idoiotproofed as they come, which means no fancy-pants trigger lock or anything like what a Hasselblad might have worked in with its darkslide. Just make sure you don’t accidentally pop the back off with film in it or pull the trigger when you don’t mean to and you’ll be a-okay! ^_^
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July 1st, 2011 at 4:26 am
One last thing:
As to what Brody said about universal 6×7 darkslides, I’m almost positive that you’ll have to find a darkslide specific to Mamiya M-backs. They made quite a number of them, though, so finding an extra probably on ebay or keh.com probably won’t be that big of a deal ^_^
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July 1st, 2011 at 7:29 am
Wow, thank you for all the info, Parker! I can’t wait to try it out. Kim’s link to your flickr made my jaw drop – amazing work, you’ll be in Friday Bits today for sure!
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July 1st, 2011 at 7:34 am
can’t help you with the darklingslider but DUDE, the bag is TO DIE FOR.
to. die. for.
and can’t wait to see the images once you get that hulk of a camera figured out! happy july, lady!
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July 1st, 2011 at 8:15 am
Wow that really is the loveliest bag I’ve ever seen! Looks soft and the color, absolutely dreamy. Good luck with the camera! Excited to see how the photographs turn out!
C
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July 2nd, 2011 at 3:30 pm
Lucky you! A Rennes bag is on my wishlist!!
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July 3rd, 2011 at 6:21 pm
wow, what a camera! i have a mamiya 645 1000s that has become my go to camera for my own work. i have not seen the mamiya 23 press before or what it can do. i’m looking forward to seeing what you get with it.
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