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2023
40 posts from 2023.
Nikon AI Lens Conversions: A Bit of History
This post is about Nikon AI lens conversions: Many years ago before I specialized in Mamiya cameras, I serviced many of the popular Japanese brands and of…
Mamiya 7: Replacing a Broken Wind Lever Return Spring
This Mamiya 7 came into the shop with a wind lever that would not return. Not an uncommon issue and is usually caused by a broken wind lever return spring…
Mamiya 7II: Fabricating a Dichroic Frame Finder Window
Another Mamiya 7II with broken glass. Usually the viewfinder glass is broken but in this case, the frame finder glass was impacted. Since the frame finder…
Mamiya 645 Super: Shutter Removal and a Damaged Curtain
A little technical info on the Mamiya 645 Super. Photo one shows how the shutter unit is removed from the back of the body. This particular shutter had…
RB67 Lenses on RZ67: Cocking Torque of C vs K/L Lenses
Mamiya made it so that the RB lenses would work (in full mechanical mode) on the RZ bodies. However, there is a caveat: Mamiya recommended that RB lenses…
RB67 37mm Fish Eye: Replacing a Butchered Locking Ring
This Mamiya RB67 37mm Fish Eye lens gets my vote for "Most Butchered Repair of the Week". My client purchased this lens knowing that the locking ring had…
Mamiya 7 65mm Lens: Testing for a Broken Flex Cable
This post is another one about the Mamiya 7 65mm lens. I see a lot of these lenses in the shop with the issue of a broken flex cable. If you are purchasing…
Mamiya 7II: Broken Self Timer Button and Loose Keeper
This Mamiya 7II has an issue that I see quite often: a broken self timer button. While this might not seem like a big problem if you don't use the self…
Mamiya 6: Checking the Light Meter for Auto Exposure Errors
A Mamiya 6 came into the shop with a complaint of incorrect exposure on the A setting. The first photo shows the pieces necessary for checking the light…
Mamiya TLR Lenses: Slow and Sticking Shutter Release
The Mamiya TLR and Press lenses often have an issue of slow/sticking shutter release. This is caused by several parts that need to be removed and cleaned…
RB67 C Lens: PC Flash Terminal Plastic Liner Problems
I'm doing a replacement of a PC terminal today on a Mamiya RB67 C lens and thought that I would pass along some little known info. Initially, Mamiya added…
Mamiya 6/7 and RZ67: Why There Are No In-Between Shutter Speeds
I've been asked why some cameras will not produce an in-between shutter speed on the shutter dial. While mechanically controlled shutters have their own…
RZ67: Shutter Not Releasing Due to a Cracked Wind Lever
This Mamiya RZ67 came in with a complaint of shutter unable to release on mechanical or electronic setting. This is often caused by the camera not being…
RB67: Aftermarket Bellows Blocking Infinity Focus, 127mm K/L Haze
This Mamiya RB67 arrived with a complaint of focus error. While I did not see a focus error, I did notice that the bellows had been replaced and while the…
Mamiya 7 New in Box: Rangefinder Calibration Before Sale
This Mamiya 7 is a bit unusual in that it came in with the original box and packing. My client told me that he bought it new in Japan and used it very…
RB67 Lenses: Overexposure from Slow Closing Shutter Blades
I constantly see RB67 lenses with this complaint: overexposure in bright light. In almost every case, this is caused by the shutter blades not closing down…
RZ67: Shutter Not Releasing from Blown Diode and Capacitor
This RZ67 came into the shop with the complaint that it would not release the mirror/shutter. First thing to do is check if it is operational on the…
Mamiya 7II: Dropped Camera, Stuck Rangefinder and Flange Check
This Mamiya 7II outfit came in for examination after being dropped. The immediate symptom was that the rangefinder would not move. And the 80mm lens was…
RB67 90mm Lens: Replacing a Missing Index Stop
This Mamiya RB67 90mm came into the shop with a complaint that it would not lock on the body. A quick inspection showed that the rear lens index stop was…
Mamiya 7 65mm Lens: Recalibrating the Rangefinder Unit
This Mamiya 7 65mm lens needed some servicing to the shutter mechanism that required the shutter to be removed from the lens. This means removing the…
Mamiya 6: Stuck Counter and Problems with Used Replacement Parts
This Mamiya 6 came into the shop with a stuck counter and wind lever and damaged top cover. Since the counter frame window was missing, it is obvious that…
Mamiya ES Lenses for the Auto XTL and Auto X 1000
Servicing a trio of Mamiya ES lenses. These are probably my favorite Mamiya 35mm lenses and they typically don't get a lot of interest. But I feel that…
Mamiya 7II Battery Cover: Metal vs Plastic Top Versions
This post is about a bit of minutiae regarding the Mamiya 7II that I have not seen addressed before. From the beginning of production in April 1999 until…
Mamiya 6 50mm Lens: Full Open Shutter Modification
This Mamiya 6 50mm lens is in the shop for modification to full open shutter. I have clients who need this mod to be able to use the lenses (Mamiya 6/7) on…