Photography for Profit or Fun

Night Vision Requires Training. Night Vision Photography Does Too.

This post was inspired by the guy who said I called him a terrorist. Of course I did no such thing. I didn't evenrefuse to give his money back. He went balistic when I asked him to try certian prodcdures before requesting a return to the factory. His stange beaviour requoire by law that I, as a gen 2 Night vision dealer,add his name to a list rquired by the Homeland security. Not my law.

"He protesteth too much." Shaespere. Well he said it. Is he?

 

 I have sold a lot of Military Optics Product around the world. Most recenetly, the technology has become so advanced that filing proper documents with the State Department Commerce, and Homeland Security and even some local jusrisdictions--that I have pretty much stopped selling to anyone but Military or LEW Entities--who are already familiar with how the gear works. TV and the movies have so skewed the reality of what consumers expect that I don't actively seek this clientel as I once did.

A few years ago I would have a live video chat line and two telephones going at once--one "no" in Ukrainian, another "yes" in broken Arab-English ("yes" out of fear) and beginning a State Department Inquiry regarding the same, checking the Commerce Department UKblack-list , "Jahn Brown."

While, engaging a Cajun minnow farmer in my best unintended Cajun agreement. This discussion was regarding a MIL-DOT self compensating bullet drop scope--in order to reduce the the Egret population feeding on his minnows. He was legal, with a farm permit, but the scope was all wrong. Finally, I realized he was really wnating a government ride hunting wild ferral hogs.

It was exciting. But no more. Self-educated consumers mostly cops and ex-military--or Mercs,  have cut the margins to where all I could justify was selling over EBay, at very low margins.

This is typical:

Thank you for sending the package but i will have to return it for multiple reasons. You already know that is (1)missing a few parts that you said you were shipping to me and also (2)The way you advertised it made me think the device would come with a nikon mount but it doesn't. (3)I don't see what you described as a 450 watt beam light..(3-A) Is it the small device that looks like a small flashlight and is missing the battery? I was able to connect the adapter to a small camera and (4)all i could see were grains and black things that looked like dust and (5)hair paticles. I was able to focus and see a clear picture with the camera but the (6)image does not cover the sensor. The result is (6-A)like looking thru a keyhole.. I am sure you understand what i am trying to describe. I will file a Paypal dispute so i can get your confirmed Paypal return address. Please respond to the dispute by picking the option to provide refund once item has been returned to you as you shipped.

Thanks for understanding.

I would like to answer your concerns as straight-forwardly as possible. AND I would like for you to reassess your decision to return it—based on this new data—as it is evident that you have an incorrect g to a safe list, andunderstanding of the operation and functions of this system.

Then, if you determine, after having the facts—you may decide to keep this gear for your original application—or, once your needs are better defined—I may help you choose the right equipment for your application.

Based on the answers that I am providing, your issues appear rendered moot.  I do not take casually, any assertion that I, or ATN, misrepresented the capabilities, content, or the workmanship of these military quality products. ATN is the foremost suppliers of state-of the-art night vision products in the world. ATN is proud to help equip the US Forces in

Iraq

.

Within my post/listing on eBay for this product, I provided Two (2) Formational links and encouraged prospective buyers to go to them and thoroughly research

Your Issues as State Above.

1)       One Goggle head-set comes with the PS-14, configured as you ordered it. However, I included a Second head-set, that had not made it through the rigors of testing. As I explained, there are similar parts that interchange with the good head-set, which I felt you may or may not be able to use at some time—at no additional cost. These are the “parts” that I, after the fact, thought to send to you. They are not required, and since you seem not to need them, and since they have not gone out yet—I’ll just keep them to save any confusion.

2)        2) The way you advertised it made me think the device would come with a nikon mount but it doesn't.

Yes, I would hope I did advertise this item this way, although I’m not sure that I did. I’ll take your word for it. The PS-14 uses the standard mount adapter that comes with the package. Although many other after-markets adapters are available for virtually any mainstream camera, this one is s standard NIKON mount. This would account for the ease of fit to the Nikon Macro lenas that I provided with the outfit. I have found this lens—on the Nikon FE-2 to provide the best results.

You may know that one of the big seling points of Nikon cameras and lenses over the years has been that they have always tried to accommodate backward compatibility with their older lenses. This is not to say that all Nikon lenses can be used on all newer cameras, in every regard. It does mean that all standard Nikon lenses can adapt to all standard bodies new or old vice vesra.

Not being there, I can only speculate, but are you sure you unscrewed the thread cover of the mount and/or used the correct side to mount to the correct part. The uncovered Thread mounts on the Nikon coupling, fits perfectly inside the threads of the Macro lens. Of course, the protective skylight filter on the out-side of the Nikon Macro lens first must be removed of course.

Regarding your statement that the PS-14 package I sent to you “did not” include a Nikon mount—I must simply disagree. You are/were mistaken on this point.

3)       (3)I don't see what you described as a 450 watt beam light. It is there! ..(3-A) Is it the small device that looks like a small flashlight and is missing the battery? Yes. You have it.

Although, the ATN web-site is abundant with information regarding the role of the IR 450 Supplemental Light. Let me encapsulate the most salient points in a sentence or two; The PS-14 Gen 2 Intensifier Tube has the remarkable technology to enable it to greatly multiply the available light present outside in the darkness. Unless you are in a cave, tent, building, beneath other obstructions—there is always SOME light available for the PS-14 to Intensify.

However, there are conditions such as those above, when there is no light or such little light, that even the PS14 can not intensify it enough to make a difference to see at night. For example, earth ligh thrown back against cloud cover, a distant city, a clear star-lit night and certainly a moon-lit night—easily provides enough light for the PS-14 Intensifier Tube to multiply to where, although green and given to the peculiarities of Night Vision—the outdoors scene while viewed through the NV tube—makes for a pleasant, and quite usable nighttime view.

On those occasions when the ambient nighttime light is too low for useful intensification, the PS14 configured as it was sent to you-offers two supplemental sources of light. First, the PS 14 monocular body has a small Ir illuminator built into it. It can be turned on and off and the level of brightness can be varied with a on/off switch and intensifier. This is useful for reading maps, looking at files in covert operations without being seen, or loading ammunition and making weapons adjustments.

(3-A) Is it the small device that looks like a small flashlight and is missing the battery?

Yes, that’s it. Am I detecting some confusion or disdain regarding its small sie—or lack of battery? There may be nothing intended, but I am trying to make sense of why the sentence was included—and the IR 450 should be clearly labeled???

The IR 450 is remarkable for its small size and high IR out-put. To provide perspective—if the IR light beam that came from a IR-450—was enlarged to the size of a regular Mag-light, and the output kept proportionate—the invisible light would severly burn our skiin and put your eyes out.

The intent is for the IR 450 to be small, and yet powerful. When view through the PS-14 NV monocular—it provides approximately the same illumination to your eye using the monocular as would a high-beam motorcycle light. This results in a Visibility range of about 250 yards—or an identification range of 200 yards—again depending upon the available light already there.

So it is always essential to avoid looking directly at the low ruby glow of either of these IR “flashlights”. If you DI so, you should go to an opthamologist immediately to be treated for IR burn.

This leads to the second part of your question. I typically do not send batteries with NV devices. 1) If you go off half-cocked without reading precautions, you can ruin the PS-14 Intensifier Tube and burn it out, by taking the Rubber lens cover filter off to look through it while still in the daylight.

OR you may burn your eyes out if you gaze at the dark ruby beam of the IR 450—especially.

AND the batteries are all widely available at such stores as Walgreen’s or WalMart. If some of them look unfamiliar like the short stubby 2/3 length battery—trust me—it is a common and inexpensive battery. Although some ATN dealers ship with batteries, I remove them as a safety precaustion.

4) All i could see were grains and black things that looked like dust and . . .This is the most frequent “complaint “ of using NV. That’s why I always ask for the user to read the books and the links provided. Please read the following quick note from the ATN web site.

The following out-set was clipped directly from the Night Vision PS-14 Primer, that I had

linked from the item description I had posted on eBay. Within that description I recommended that any possible bidders read and absorb. This one characteristic accounts for most new-user questions. Here it is addressed again.

BLACK SPOTS ON THE SCREEN

There’s a picture that shows this phenomenon on the website.

As you look through a night vision device you may notice black spots on the screen. A NVD is similar to a television screen and attracts dust and dirt. Typically these spots can be cleaned. However, this may also be a spot in the tube itself. This is normal. Most tubes will have some spots in them. These black spots will not affect the performance or reliability of the night vision device.

(5)hair paticles : Although this may be more of the last bullet above, I want to treat it separately, as it may be evidence of another new-user phenomenon I have sometimes observed. Although a neophyte may be surprised by this notion—a whole science is built around proper viewing through the eyepiece. Too close to the opening, wand your eyelashes, eyelid, or face obscures your view and you sometimes get a reflection of your own enlarged eyelashes, off the lens coating reflection. Or you don’t get an exact right-angle view into the eye-piece, and don’t see anything—or see it occasionally as you bove positions over it.

Two far back and you get light pollution and or reflection (or deflection), as you look into the eyepiece. This can cause a fuzzy outer perimeter, incomplete image, poor image with which to focus, or nothing—unless you are able to obtain a right-angle view into the eyepiece. NOTE:

Sniper

Schools

and SEAL training and such (the Navy SEAL training facility is a few miles from me—by design) used to spend a full three days intitially training this skill in day and night exercises—18 hours per day. The fourth day is a test. Those who do not pass—hit the road. So don’t take this part lightly.

The eyepiece of the SP-14 is soft yet springy. With the longer side pointed inward along the lay of the eyebrow, ourter eye-socket, and facethe cup can be rotaed and snugged into the fleshy portion of your eye and face to create a light-tight (or nearly) natural feeling fit. It should not be uncomfortable.  If you are not succeeding at this last maneuver—it is hard to succeed at any other NV skill.

INFRA-RED ILUMINATORS All Starlight scopes need some light to amplify. This means that if you were in complete darkness you could not see. Due to this we have a built in infra-red illuminator (IRI) on all of our scopes. Basically what an IRI does is throw out a beam of infra-red light that is near invisible to the naked eye but your NVD can see it. This allows you to use your scope even in total darkness. The IRI works like a flashlight and the distance you can see with it will be limited. We do use the most powerful eye-safe illuminator on the market. This allows our IRI to extend out to 100 yards However, because of the power at a short distance the IRI may cover only 40-60% of the viewing area. HOW FAR CAN YOU SEE There are many different variables that can effect the distance that you can see with a Night Vision device. First, what are you trying to see? Are you looking for another boat on the water or are you looking for a rabbit in the woods? The larger the object the easier it is too see. Plus, are you trying to see details (what we call recognition range) or are you just trying to see if something is there or maybe you will just see movement but won't be able to 100% determine who or what it is. This is called detection range. Second. Another variable is lighting conditions. The more ambient light you have (starlight, moonlight, infrared light) the better and further you will be able to see You can always see further on a night where the moon and stars are out then if it is cloudy and overcast. We typically state that you can tell the difference between a male and a female or a dog and a deer at about 75 to 100 yards. However, if you were looking across an open field and there was a half moon out you could see a barn or a house 500 yards away. Remember, that the purpose of an NVD is to see in the dark not necessarily a long ways like a binocular. BLACK SPOTS ON THE SCREEN As you look through a night vision device you may notice black spots on the screen. A NVD is similar to a television screen and attracts dust and dirt. Typically these spots can be cleaned. However, this may also be a spot in the tube itself. This is normal. Most tubes will have some spots in them. These black spots will not affect the performance or reliability of the night vision device. Featured Retailers: Night Vision
The Multi-use Night Vision monocular is a high performance modular, hand-held Night Vision monocular. It utilizes a single, Gen.2 intensifier tube to provide crisp, clear images under the darkest conditions. The PS-14 can be hand held or installed in a head-mount. The integrated IR illuminator enhances the ability of the user to read maps, and operate in confined spaces. Rugged and a top-notch performer the PS-14 is an exceptional choice for hands free usage. The PS-14 is available with a wide range of image intensifier options to meet a wide array of specification requirements. The PS-14 Night Vision monocular is a complex opticoelectronic system for individual use. The device consists of the objective lens assembly, eyepiece and the body. The body contains a image intensifier tube assembly with an integrated high voltage power source and the battery housing. Objective lens protective cover is intended to protect the objective lens from dust and scratches. It also will act as a daylight filter, allowing you to test the scope in daylight or other bright light situations. The pinhole in the center of the protective cover allows the user to check the operation ability of the device in daylight conditions. Here are the basic packages for the PS14. Standard Accessories Monocular, Neck Cord, Soft Carry case Goggle kit 1: ATN Head Mount assembly (optional) Goggle kit 2: PVS-7 style headset mount (optional) 4x Bi-ocular kit : Bi-ocular eyepiece, Afocal telescopic F/1.2, IR-450 6x Bi-ocular kit : Bi-ocular eyepiece, F112 lens F/1.5, IR-450 Advanced package 1: Camera adapter, 3x lens, Hard Shipping/storage case, Head Mount assembly, Brow Pads (2), Lens Cleaning Kit, Shoulder Strap, Sacrificial window, Demist shield Advanced package 2: Picatinny Weapon Mount Adapter, Camera adapter, 3x lens, Hard Shipping/storage case, Head Mount assembly, Brow Pads (2), Lens Cleaning Kit, Shoulder Strap, Sacrificial window, Demist shield Select Package 1: Head Mount assembly, Head mount adapter, Brow Pads (2), Lens Cleaning Kit, Shoulder Strap, Sacrificial window, Demist shield Select Package 2: Picatinny Weapon Mount Adapter, Head Mount assembly, Head mount adapter, Brow Pads (2), Lens Cleaning Kit, Shoulder Strap, Sacrificial window, Demist shield Optional Accessories: Camera/camcorder adapter, IR-450, Dual Bridge assembly, Magnetic Compass, Hard Shipping/storage case, IR Spot / flood lens

List of Optional Accessories
(check to add to cart)

 Advanced package 1
 Advanced package 2
 Binocular Kit 4X (ir-450)
 Binocular Kit 6X (ir-450)
 Camera Adapter
 Front Lens 3X
 Front Lens 5X
 IR450
 Select Package 1
 Select Package 2
 Weapon Mount Adapter

This product is guaranteed to be free from manufacturing defects in material and workmanship under normal use for a period of 1, 2 or 3 (one, two or three) years from the date of purchase. In the event a defect that is covered by the foregoing warranty occurs during the applicable period stated above, ATN, at its option, will either repair or replace the product, and such action on the part of ATN shall be the full extent of ATN's liability, and the Customer's sole and exclusive remedy. This warranty does not cover a product (a) used in other than its normal and customary manner; (b) subjected to misuse; (c) subjected to alterations, modifications or repairs by the Customer of by any party other than ATN without prior written consent of ATN; (d) special order or "close-out" merchandise or merchandise sold "as-is" by either ATN or the ATN dealer; or (e) merchandise that has been discontinued by the manufacturer and either parts or replacement units are not available due to reasons beyond the control of ATN. ATN shall not be responsible for any defects or damage that in ATN's opinion is a result from the mishandling, abuse, misuse, improper storage or improper operation, including use in conjunction with equipment which is electrically or mechanically incompatible with or of inferior quality to the product, as well as failure to maintain the environmental conditions specified by the manufacturer.CUSTOMER IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT OPERATION OF THE EQUIPMENT DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS OR UNDER ANY EXCESSIVE LIGHT CONDITIONS MAY PERMANENTLY DAMAGE THE INTERNAL COMPONENTS OF THE UNIT AND SAID DAMAGE WILL NOT BE COVERED UNDER THIS WARRANTY. This warranty is extended only to the original purchaser. Any breach of this warranty shall be waived unless the customer notifies ATN at the address noted below within the applicable warranty period. The customer understands and agrees that except for the foregoing warranty, no other warranties written or oral, statutory, expressed or implied, including any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose, shall apply to the product. All such implied warranties are hereby and expressly disclaimed.

PRODUCT WARRANTY REGISTRATION In order to validate the warranty on your product, ATN must receive a completed Product Warranty Registration Card for each unit or each unit must be registered online at http://www.atncorp.com/ATNWarrantyInformation. Online is preferred method of registration. Please complete the form above and/or mail registration card immediately to our Service Center : ATN Corporation, 1341 San Mateo Ave. , South San Francisco CA 94080 . Products qualifying for warranty repair will be either repaired or replaced within 10 business days of receipt of merchandise unless the customer is notified otherwise. OBTAINING WARRANTY SERVICE To obtain warranty service on your unit, take or send the product, postage paid, with a copy of your sales receipt to our service center, ATN Corporation at the address noted above. All merchandise must be fully insured with the correct postage; ATN will not be responsible for improper postage or, missing or damaged merchandise during shipment. End-user must notify ATN service department by calling 800-910-2862 or 650-875-0130 or via e-mail service@atncorp.com. When sending product back, please indicate your Name, Returned Address, and Reason for service return, Contact information such as valid telephone numbers and/or e-mail address and proof of purchases that will help as to establish the valid start date of the warranty. ATN will be responsible for returning postage only if product is cover by aforementioned warranty. *  denotes required field. *  First Name: *  Last Name: *  Address Line 1: Address Line 2: *  City: *  State: Not USAAlaskaAlabamaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutWashington(DC)DelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIowaIdahoIllinoisIndianaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMassachettsMarylandMaineMichiganMinnesotaMissouriMississippiMontanaNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaNebraskaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNevadaNew YorkOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVirginiaVermontWashingtonWisconsinWest VirginiaWyoming *  ZIP/Postal Code: *  Country: AfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAmerican SamoaAndorraAngolaAnguillaAntarcticaAntiqua And BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaArubaUnited States Minow Outlying IslandsAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBoliviaBosnia and HerzegowinaBotswanaBouvet IslandBrazilBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryBrunei DarussalamBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaCape VerdeCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChadChileChinaChristmas IslandCocos (Keeling) IslandsColombiaComorosCongoCook IslandsCosta RicaCote d'IvoireCroatiaCubaCyprusCzech RepublicDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEast TimorEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEnglandEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEthiopiaFalkland IslandsFaroe IslandsFijiFinlandFranceFrench GuianaFrench PolinesiaGabonGambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGibraltarGreeceGreenlandGrenadaGuadeloupeGuamGuatemalaGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHondurasHong KongHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJohnston AtollJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKorea (North)Korea (South)KuwaitKyrgyzstanLao People's Democratic RepublicLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxemburgMacauMacedoniaMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMan, Isle ofMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritaniaMauritiusMexicoMicronesia, Federated States ofMidway IslandsMoldovaMonacoMongoliaMontserratMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNetherlands AntillesNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNiueNorfolk IslandNorthern IrelandNorthern Mariana IslandsNorwayOmanPakistanPalauPanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPitcairnPolandPortugalPuerto RicoQatarReunionRomaniaRussian FederationRwandaSaint HelenaSaint Kitts and NevisSaint LuciaSaint Pierre and MiquelonSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSamoa (Independent)San MarinoSao Tome and PrincipeSaudi ArabiaScotlandSenegalSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSpainSri LankaSudanSurinameSvalbard and Jan Mayen IslandsSwazilandSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTaiwanTajikistanTanzaniaThailandTogoTokelauTongaTrinidad and TobagoTunisiaTurkeyTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited KingdomUnited States Of AmericaUruguayUzbekistanVanuatuVatican City State (Holy See)VenezuelaViet NamVirgin Islands (British)Virgin Islands (U.S.)Wake IslandWalesWallis and Futuna IslandsWestern SaharaYemenYugoslaviaZambiaZimbabwe *  Phone Number:   E-mail: *  Unit purchased: *  Date of purchase: *  Purchased from what store: TOLL FREE 800-910-2862 info@atncorp.com FAX 650-875-0129 1341 San Mateo Ave., S. San Francisco, CA 94080 © 2000 - 2009 Corporation

Upon prviding this honest and sincere help in resolving the guys problem, he turned nasty--I suppose realizing that he had no basis for returning the gear. I haven't decided yet if I am going to publish our entire email dialog--as it is very inflamatory--even obscene--but I may.

This guy gave me my only negative feedback. The case is still pending review by eBay.

You say Tomato, I say Tomato; You say Mamiya, I say Mamiya.

Back in the say, the late sixties and early seventies, there was a crisis of pronunciation, when it came to the names of foreign Manufacturers. Japanese company names were particularly mis-said. I am especially reminded of two incidents that pointed to this problem.

Xerox was king of the plain paper compier for decades. Interestingly the patented process the so zealously guarded with a huge staff off corporate lawyers, had been demonstrated to all of the logical companie to deal with type on paper during the era. I am told tha they included AB Dick, Gestetner, Ditto, AM, etc.

A Japanee company circumvented Xerox patented process by using a liquid toner rather than dry. First with Ricohs technology, then with many others including Mita, Minolta, and many others. The problem was that the general public did not know how to pronounce the vowels, particularly the long or the short of the "I's." An ad campaign took place in Little Rock Arkansas that made Mita, a household word. However, the i was wrongly pronounces as a long i.

I feel sure that the power of this ad campaign was such that there are people in the Little Rock listening area, who would argue you to the wall in defense of the long "i" pronunciation of Mita. I guess it's a good thing Mita was bought out by Kyocera. I woder how they pronounce that one.

The same thing happened with camera manufacturers: Ricoh, Mamiya, Yashica. Many of the people I have discussions with about Mamiya cameras still use a long i sound, and consider you stupid if you say otherwise. This is pretty funny. And all the more so, unnecessay.

As those who study language realize, the conventions of international phonetics govern the US English pronunciation of these company names. The a sounds like saw, the e sounds like prey, the i sounds like yield, o sounds like so, u sounds like cup; this guide will get you through most proper names. Consenonts are pretty much the same. However r is usually a soft d sound. You hear this almost universally in the pronunciation of English words, by those speaking English as a scond language.

I hope this helps. Sorry it is about fifty years late.

Kowa 6 Medium Format Camera

"the Kowa Six 6×6cm SLR, which would meet some success as the poor man's Hasselblad. It was upgraded in 1974 as the Kowa Super 66, which was Kowa's last camera in the century."

 from http://www.camerapedia.org/wiki/Kowa

 Note the enamel paint worn off the Kowa trigger-release han  dle above, is on  the bracket only. this is not an accurate indication of the wear on the camera, as the bracket did not come with it originally. It can  be eaily repainted for looks.

My Kowa Six Experience 

For a time, near the end of the sixties, it was the only alternative we had to Hasselblad. Dubbed the Japanese Hasselblad by some, the Kowa 6 beckoned from the pages of the vintage photography magazines, as alluring as Homer's Sirens. Well maybe not, but still it did beckon. Hasselblads were great, but they were way expensive. The Kowa looked cool enough, although the backs did not interchange; it was sound enough if not mis-handled, and much less expensive. I have enjoyed my first model Kowa 6. The optics are every bit as good as Carl Zeiss, in my opinion. They do have slightly different characteristics but are today still much sought by working photographers.

The advantages of lenses sporting leaf shutters can't be over-emphasized. It means that an electronic flash will wyynchronize at any shutter speed. This is very desirable when shooting in low light-levels with a strobe, as ambient light will make multiple exposures or ghost images on your frames at typically low sync speeds.

Leaf shutters were once the norm with all fine German cameras including 35's, but they are expensice to make and hard to tear down for repairs. Even when reliably built, they have a lot of parts and tend to make for bulky lenses. The German cameras yeilded to the less-expensive competitive focal plane designs over time. There was one exception, and it was actually a Japanese camera company--Kowa. Kowa was known for their 35 mm leaf shutter cameras.

And Kowa was no shlock outfit. They were a company that began in Japan in the nineteeth century and had a long and vernerable reputaion. They had been in the optics and camera business for more than twenty years too, when they came forth with the Kowa Six. With considerable leaf shutter experience, they were the likely candidate to offer a medium format SLR, and this was it--the first besides Hasselblad in 1968. Eight years oday. later they brought out an updated version with mirror lcok-up and interchangeable backs. All of these medium format cameras were excellent cameras--still very usable today.

Kowas have some idiosyncrosies. Sometimes people toss them becasue they think they are broken. This is because the Kowa Six must have film in it to work right. Nothing shoujld ever be forced on a fine mechanical instrument, let alone a fine camera such as a Kowa Six. Roughly handling of the film transport can damage the gears. Tere is simplhy no need to  break one, however, with normal use. My best advice if you get a Kowa Six is to first download and read the owners manual anda few posts such as those linked at the bottom of this post. Learn how they are different, and you'll make no mistakes. BTW, thiks is doubly true of the smaller 127 film Komaflex-S.

Upon my first wawareness of the Kowa Six, I wanted one. No one  I knew actually had one. As some kids lay awake and dream of girls and cars and motorcycles, I interlaced cameras in between those usual topics. I had a brief experience with a Kamoflex-S 127 Single Lens Reflex Camera, which itself has become a rare collectiable. It was made by Kowa. It was not made for long and it had its design issues, but when the Kowa 6 DID come out, it was designed and looked very much like a large Kamoflex-S.

 

http://shutterbug.com/equipmentreviews/classic_historical/0104sb_classic/

http://stores.ebay.com/Military-Optics-Vintage-Camera-Sale

http://www.kilfitt.org/Cameras/Kowa.htm

http://www.mediajoy.com/en/cla_came/mid.html

Ricohmatic 4x4 127 Film Camera, A different Approach

  

I never owned one of these back inthe day. The closest I came was to see them in a GSA school contract pictured. They had somehow obtained a presence their---if I didn't just dream tha. It is possible that I never saw one. There were less than 14,000 of these made, the best I can calculate. These were made during the year of 1959, and may well have taken a few years to be completely sell.

 

When you are reading about the history of various 127 cameras, different perceptions and opinions are expressed about the time-frame during which 127 film cameras enjoyed teir greatest popularity. The 127 4x4 Baby Rolleifley camera camer out first substantially prior to WWII. I can find little referece to using it to make so-called Super-Slides when these early 4x4 TLR's are cited.

 

This idea probably came about as driven by marking departments after field photographers collectively discovered that the 127 film (1-5/8 x 1-5/8 inches) format used by these TLR's incidentally would make the same size transparency, and fit within the portal for the 35 mm film slide projectors. With a new square mount, the resulting image area projected from these new mounts was much larger and more impressive. Thereby the Super-Slide was born.

I am guessing, based on all the infromation that I can find, as well as recollections of my own dad's activities with these cameras, as pertaining to slides. Now, I do recall hanging around and watching Dad develope full-sized 120 color transparencies. Talk about super slides. He had a special 120 capable projector to fit them. Ofteh, Dad would meticulously plce finish transparencies betwwen two thin piece of clear greenish glass. The he'd use medical tape to tape the sides carefully until a slide was finished. 

This had to have been around 1955 or 1956. Dad had Rolleicords, Rolleiflexes and a host of accessories. I beleive that he also had one Baby Rollei. I don't recall then or now seeing any 127 super- slides from that period. Going thrugh the family pictures that I have access to, the first 127 super-slides came about during 1956 until about 1963. This is my perspective. Others say that the super-slide phenomenon occrred much earlier in the fifties or late forties.

Here's my theory. WE know that 127 film became available during the first decade ore so of the 20th Century--by one account for the Kodak vest-pocket camera. Quite a lot of thes cameras were made over the years leading up to the advent of the Baby Rollei and other 4x4 TLR's. It would be silly to assume that quite a number of users became aware of this larger slide idea and used them with homemade mounts until some enterprising manufacturer offered the mounts commercially.

Kodak was much the MicroSoft of last Century. When a new idea came out that they liked, they bought it or jusrt stole it and it became one of their products. My money is on them having been active in makin gthe mounts early and pushing this idea of super-slides trough advertisements. At least until they decided to come out with their 126 Instamatic cassette which became their proprietary baby.

The fact that so many companies seemed to try to get on the super-slide bandwagon during the last few years of the fifties sixties and the first few years of the sixties, indicates a perception that a boom was happening with 127 Super-Slide cameras. Sawyer's, the View Master people took on their sold camera of their existence during this time. It was a Topcon 127 TLR camera called the Primo Junior under the Topcon Label, and simply Sawyer's 55--under the former.

Minolta is said tohave had one. I have never had a MInolta. Komaflex-S was an SLR devoted to 127 during the same period. Yashica, Topcon, Rollei, also had theri 44 TLR's. AND RICOHEVER PRESN T IN THE PHOTOGRAPHY MARKET OF THOSE DAYS HAD A FEW ATTEMPTS IN THIS FORMAT FOR BOTH UPPER AND LOWER END MARKETS. The culmination seemd to be about the turn of the r year from 1959-1960. Some of these TLR 127 cameras were both announce and discontinued the same year of straddling the years 1859-1960.

One of the most interesting 127 TLR offering actually came from Ricoh during 1959. It was the Ricoh high-end Ricohmatic 44. I have one now and am very imressed with the design. Although, the overall concept was very simkilar to other TLR's of the period--the styling and design departed in two important ways. First, the style was after the very popular early 60's squares, lines, and streamlining that eventually took over almost everything of th eera. 

Replacing the leather case with a plasic hinged cover, and the elatheretter body covering with a quality metal finished in a intrument-like greay, light tan, or blue finish, certianly broke the mold for that vintage. Controls were well-thought out, nothing startlingly new but mostly borrowed or rearranged to make controls seem different. For example, the two side thub-index finger levers were obviously inspired mby the Minolta Autocord (or Meopta or early Mamiya)--but it was exactly the same. The thumb wheels that controlled the the shutter speed and aperature, where called ASA and light respectively.

The selenium passive lightmeter (requiring no battery), was coupled to the controls so that by aligning the light meter with the meter needle, you were actually setting the controls--linked qas they were. This feature was most like the Rollei Magic. The instruction manual, however, did fully explain how to use the sttintg manually as well.

The lens was a Riken lens, 3.5 as were most other cameras of this configuration. The viewfinder was bright, and the flip up finder used an old Voigtlander inovation for tricking one eye into folloowing the action through it when it was down and superimposing the outline of the from ot the finder over the scene being followed by the other eye. It kind of like what used to happen when men would wear only one eyeglass--or monocle. It made them think they were seeing clearly out of both eyes. This kind of optical illusion approach has been used for many different applications over the yearsw. It is used quite cleverly here.

The viewfinder focusing magnifier flips up with a finger. They tend to be very hard to get up until you think you are going to break it. This may be adjustable. But if not, it is inconvenient. The front cover will not come down without the lens hood being up, but the entire cover can be removed easily enough. If I were using it in the field, the cover would have to go.

The back film access latch takes th eform of a twist key which is unique too. The cable release socket is recellsed into the left side near the shutter release. The shutter is cocked automatically upon d.

Cameras Yashica D and 6x6 120 Yashica Family

http://mattdentonphoto.com/cameras/yashica_d.html see this link for more

"I very nearly got a used Rolleicord instead--and I would have been good with that. The Rolleicord is better constructed and one of the greatly underestimated cameras today."

I own a lot of Yashica's. All of them make up a respectable collection by themselves. They were all spawned by my good experiences with that first Yashica 44 LM from my youth in the sixties. It led me to buy new my first Yashica D 6x6 camera. I would have preferred a Rolleiflex, but I couldn't afford even a used one then. I very nearly got a Rolleicord instead--and I would have been good with that. Honestly the Yashica D didn't impress me as the revered workhorse it seems to have a reputation for now. But It was an acceptable camera. This was during the late sixties.

This link is for the Yashica D Operators Manual in downloadable PDF http://www.butkus.org/chinon/yashica/yashica_d/yashica_d.htm

One of the biggest contributions the Yashica D camera had to my photographic skill came when a friend challenged me, or I him, to use the camera exclusively for a period of time. It seems it was for six month--which is a long time when you are an active freelance newspaper and school class photographer. You see the Yasihica D is very manual--right down to the film-transport knob and the shutter cock. No rapid-wind crank here. Even my Yashica 44 LM had had a rapid wind crank and an on-board light meter.

This early challenge provided a valuable learning curve that has served me ever since. I learned old-school. I became a manual photographer. I sold the Yashica D camera to my friend eventually, and replaced it with a Minolta Autocord TLR 120 as I recall. But another Yashica D was destined to play a vital role in my career a few years later.

Link Comparing the Yashica D with the Minolta Autocord (not really apples to apples): http://photo.net/medium-format-photography-forum/003U0A

I guess a person could collect just about anything. When I traveled all over the place on my business, I brought complimentary matchbook advertisements home and gave them to my oldest daughter, who was then just a kid. I was always looking for little shared ways in which I could have something special to cement bonds with each of our four children. I was gone a lot---and these little things helped me share a bond with each.

Eventually we filled up a large clear plastic container. It was displayed where it got a lot of attention and certainly was a conversation piece. I told Yaya that it might one day become a rare and valuable collection, if it was cared for. Truly it might have.

This is a good link for all Yashica 6x6's including the D http://www.williamsphotographic.com/yashica.html

Yaya went out West to college; our family had always enjoyed wood heat to augment our less comfortable heat-pump. Wood was plentiful in those parts just by driving out and cutting dead wood left at construction sites and in the wake of storms and what not. Those who live in areas where wood is not so plentiful, may presume to be good ecologists, but they are mostly just more protesters  seeking attention to offset the things they are rightfully guilty about. Trees, unman aged, are like any other resource. They get out of balance and the trees become under-nourished and scraggly.

I am not saying that we couldn't all be better stewards over our environment, but I believe Sheryl Crow would be best to confine her save-the-world antics to great ballads. A few years ago, the singer made an intended environmentally knowledgeable statement about how everyone should ration themselves to one section of toilet tissue per occasion. I suppose this news tid-bit achieved its purpose. Publicity. Perhaps even greater awareness. But I doubt that it caused anyone to reduce their tree consumption--or humus production.

Sheryl Crow can write pleasant tunes and thoughtful lyrics (she can likely spell too). I suppose by world standards the gal is successful. By her own account, she suffers major depression. She has never been too successful regarding relationships, except as a fairly obvious groupie. She seems to have maximized living. I really can't blame her for any of that. Nor, do I necessarily need her to tell me how to wipe. Everyone's plumbing is probably slightly different. It actually sounds as if she might be suffering from some sort of gallbladder disorder, if she can actually achieve what she calls for.

Although I still tend to regard Sheryl Crow as a new phenomenon, she's not that new. If fact, Her original album, which I have a copy of somewhere if not lifted by one of my progeny. If I am careful with it and the other old albums made for various media of antiquity, the collection will one day be worth some bucks. I like Sheryl Crow, not for her statesmanship, but her retrograde old-hippyishness. She's a solid and comfortable old gal. much like the Yashica D, She is predictable. Presidential material she is not.

As for the matchbook collection it apparently became convenient for family members to raid it whenever any sort of flame was required, especially for the fireplace. The carefully collected match book collection has long since been dismantled and left as scraps or ashes. It is if only to me, kind of sad. But you know hat is said of the best laid plans.

"...the 635 is a D with 35mm capability. I never had a problem with the results. The Rokkor lens [found in the Minolta Autocord] is very sharp, edge to edge, at almost all apertures. If that's what you need, then look for an Autocord. They have a focus lever that is uncomfortable for me...below the lens and the knob tends to break. That's why I like Rolleicords and Yashica D style cameras...focus knob on the right side. If you want to sell the D, let me know. A really good Autocord will cost about $200.

"http://photo.net/medium-format-photography-forum/003U0A

Fortunately, my cameras did not go the way of the matchbooks. Many of them were preserved, and others were replaced by similar models I have owned and used over the years. Just when I seem to have focused my preference upon one manufacturer or the other, or style or at least broad category of cameras, I always seem to rediscover something else that made me reach a different conclusion way back when--during my journey through camera-land.

"The Yashica D was made in a variety of configurations. The later ones used the better Yashinon 4 element lenses."

I have owned many Yashica brand cameras. I have owned an excessive number of Yashica 120 6x6 TLR's. I have owned exactly three Yashica D cameras. Only one was a disappointment, and it was not the camera's fault but some half-baked eBay merchant, who failed to disclose its true condition.

Buying on eBay can be a remarkable experience.

I have long sold Military Optics over eBay. A British Colombian resident who ripped me off for a $600 rifle scope a couple of years back thought he was smart; ir mazes me how few people truly believe the Law of Compensation as expressed in Ralph Waldo Emerson's Essays on Compensation.  The princliples ar not unique to Emerson--every major philosophy or religion expresses the same some way. The Bible succinctly sums it up in the parable of the sewer. You DO reap what you sew. Even Australlian aborigines know that wrong actions can behave like their boom-a-rangs and come back and smack you in the head when least expected.

I teach some preparedness classes, along with a lot of personal and family defense--life-saving things that I have been in a position to learn over a fifty or so years. What I teach is not a  is not a sport. It is neither sporting, nor well-choreographed--although I have long counted Master Lee of ATA fame as a friend, although I have not seen him in a few decades. This may also account for one reason I am a week in recovery from a day long surgery to try to repair my cervical spine. I am now old and rickety, and I hurt a lot.

But if I were to give one bit of advice above all other regarding self-defense--armed or unarmed--it might surprise you that it would be something akin to The Golden Rule. Or more simply put--to respect everyone.This past week one apparent good family man, came out of a little Italian restaurant we sometimes enjoy, and either correctly or incorrectly misperceived his wife and another customer fussing over a parking place. Apparently the woman was shoved or fell down.

The intervening husband shot and killed her real or imagined assailant (The area where this tragedy happened is considered among the safest living areas in the world.). This kind of thing should not happen over parking places. But it does--and less. Men's hearts fail them. WE SHOULD NOT BE PUSHING THE ENVELOPE WHEN IT COMES TO MESSING WITH PEOPLE. .

Respecting our neighbors is essential to living well--or even at all. There are too many residual crazies out here among us to smartly do otherwise. And although I have used distance and seclusion to good avail to foster those things that may still be going around from coming around--the most remote style in Canada is no guarantee that an eBay offense insulated by North Canadian ranges, wide rivers, and international borders is simply not always enough to become smug.

"The insignificant grocery clerk you dis' this morning may become your executioner tonight."

Thus the Golden Rule becomes more pragmatic than mere pleasant ideals.

When buying a cameraa over eBay, if the description says, "I have no real expertise about cameras. Although I think it works, I have no waying of know--therefore this camera is sold as is", this is code for "this camera does not work, or at least I don't think it does, but maybe you can get a deal if you buy it anyway." Lazze Farre (sp). And I won't take it back!

If you plan to fix such a camera, then maybe you can get a deal. I have fixed quite a few such cameras. At this point in life, my time is at apremium, I don't mind paying a fair price, but don't lie to me or withhold all the truth. That's the same as a lie. So the third Yashica D that I have, I got off of eBay and it doesn't work.  I may sell it for parts or if I really get the chance while hospitalized or something--I may fix it. But this Yashica D is just another petty aggravation.

I don't send stuff back. It is not worth the effort. But just because I don't go for blood and negative feedback and a whole cluster of other things that I could do to get even--doesn't mean that the law of compensation won't get even for me. So throw that boom-a-rang and let it hit you in the head. It is a true principle and it will. The smug Canadian who stole my rifle scope--may or may not know it, but I have already severed my pound of flesh from him. You never want to leave your calling card regarding such stuff.

I know an eBayer who routinely gets even for people who cheat him on eBay. He is a buyer. If he gets ripped off, he lets them know that he is unhappy and gives them the opportunity to make amends, but he will not send an item back, nor will he pay for the postage. He leaves it up to the seller. If the sell or doesn't do what my friend feels is right--he looks and orders a few more inconsequential items. then, in short, he cleverly demolishes their feedback reputation, using some of these items as auspices. I'm not like that, but he swears by it.

"I got a nice Yashica Mat EM for $62. That said, you still need to stop it down for best performance. Not too long ago I took a picture of a building, using the exact same set-up, but with one exposure at 1/60 s around f/10 and one at 1/30 s around f/15. The difference in the sharpness of the lettering on the building was quite apparent, even on a 5x5" proof. Even the Yashinon lenses are at their peak somewhere around f/13-f/16." http://photo.net/medium-format-photography-forum/003U0A

The second of the three Yashica D's that I owned, was one I bought at a pawn shop. I was a young husband and father, and had sold most of my private belongings for family needs. I traded my banjo for a washing machine. I recall selling my 2.8 Rolleiflex TLR for a little of nothing in order to buy some family items that we needed. I rightly viewed the condition necessary and temporary. We do what we have to.

The Yashica D would have to do as I finished my degree, worked a full-time job, and started a photography business on the side. The camera was not in such good shape, but it worked and was able to make good pictures with it. I got the Natural Home Portraits business going and it worked out way better than even I could anticipate. I tell an inspiring is an inspiring story about how I acquired a new Mamiya C330 within hours of my Yashica D cratering. Inpiration is not the pint of this post--so I'll tell this story elsewhere.

As far as optics and making good pictures is concerned--as is the case with many cameras, you''ll want to choose the f/stop appropriately. There were D's made with 3 ems groups and those made with 5 (or is it four). The latter Yashinon are very good lenses. The Yashikor, are not that bad.  When I say "the appropriate f/stop, this means in order to deliver the kind of depth, sharpness, and background blur you want (to be hip you must call this bokeh.) If you are looking for Sharp images it is best to use a meddle of the high road f/stop such as f/8 or higher. If you want a pleasant focus fall-off with the outer edges for pleasing portraits--you be better to go with a larger hole (smaller number f/stop).

A few other thoughts are to back up from the subject or crop less closely, for greater depth of field. The larger negative than the standard 35 neg or equivalent ccd on a digital camera, allow for some of this. Tele, wide, and close-up attachment can also render an array of creative optical tools. Use a tripod and shoot a slower shutter speed when possible. Use a faster (ISO) film. There are better cameras made but if you learn all the physics available to you and the capabilities as well as the limitations of the Yashica D--it will not be evident to anyone, whether you used a Yashica or a Rollei, or a Hasselblad or a Mamiya, or a Minolta Autocord. Don't get too caught up in the lens tests say. they only tell a small part of the story, and are largely for photography magazines and scientists. 

The point I suppose to make here is that two out of three of the Yashica D TLR's that I have owned broke--in ways unacceptable to me. My experience tells me that their film transport system sucks. But that just me. Others love them I suppose. The do have great optics for the money. They are simple, and they can often be fixed but breakage is never convenient. All in all, the 40 bucks I spent for my Natural Home Portraitscamera, paid for itself many times over--so why complain. The cameras can be had for a little of nothing. On the other hand, my money is on Yashica or Yashicamat 124--or the 124 G model, which has more reliable electrical contacts.

Read this for portent TLR info: http://notesandnods.typepad.com/photography_for_profit_or/2008/12/rollei-6x6-twin-lens-reflex-cameras.html

http://notesandnods.typepad.com/photography_for_profit_or/2008/01/how-to-jump-sta.html

The Mamiya C-Series Reviewed

John Reno had been an announcer at the AM radio station adjoining the photography studio where I worked. But John had a number of creative talents and he had gone on to other prusuits. He certainly had the voice of an announcer. John was also a fine marketing guru and photographer and a gazzilion other things--all cool. He was Bill's age and they were friends. I guess they were in their early thirties--maybe younger. John would come by the studio and shoot the breeze or talk shop with Bill--and sometimes me. I was an insecure flunky kid, John made me feel important.

Chance Brought My First Mamiya C Series Camera

One time John had a Mamiya C220 Twin Lens Reflex camera in a nice black leather upright soft case, and three (maybe four) lenses to fit it. He was upgrading to a new camera, which turned out to be the then brand new Rollie 66 as I recall. He was leaving the kit for Bill to decide whether he wanted to buy it, or at least for Bill to show it around for him. Every would-be photographer in the town and beyound came by the studio at one time or another. Actually, as I recall, John may have bought the Mamiya from Bill in the first place.

They must have had me targeted. I was a sucker for medium format cameras. I had seen the Mamiya C-series advertised, but for some reason been put-off by them. I don't recall why; the new cameras were probalby out of my league price-wise. I know that I had often wanted lens interchangeability without giving up big negatives. I was comfortable with TLR's. Hassleblad was out of the question. I had thought about the Bronica Z, Kowa Six, and the Mamiya Press 23--but they too were too pricey.

The Kowa Six had special appeal to me, mostly because I fell in love with a stupid little Kamoflex-S, which was broken, that Bill had had temporarily for some reason. He had let me take the little 4x4 SLR camera home to mess with. He said it was either broken, or we didn't know how to work it. He let me take it home one weekend to mess with. Bill was always good that way. If the Kamoflex-S was not broken when I got it, it surely was when I got finished with it. We had no manual, and there was no quick way to snag a download off the Internet back then.

Of course the Internet didn't even exist then. As it runs out, the Kamoflex had a notorious design flaw. They were easily broken by not following a peculiar sequence in advancing and cocking the shutter when nno film was loaded. In fact, every Komaflex I have ever seen or even noted on Ebay, was broken--except the little jewel that I now own. I still like the stupid little thing.

I don't know how it transpired exactly, but I think I paid John half his price and took delivery and then paid him the rest later. It wasn't the last camera I ever bought from John. I will refer to John again when we get to the oddball little Rollie 26--one of a kind SLR ill-formatted for the Kodak 126 Instamatic cassete. Who would know that the widely used 126 Instamatic cartridges would ever be discontinued? Not Rollie.

http://notesandnods.typepad.com/photography_for_profit_or/2009/02/the-mamiya-cseries-reviewed.html

The Late Early Great Mamiya 6 120 Folding Rangefinder Film Camera

"There are the Mamiya 6 and the Mamiya 6, both Rangefinder Cameras, both are extraordinary."

 

The Mamiya 6 and 7  Rangefinder Cameras are not to be confused with Mamiya's original folder, although each has a distinct place in history.

 

Some make the distinction between Mamiya Six (spelled out) for the company’s early 120 folding models, versus Mamiya 6 for the modern plastic ones. But in fact, the later 1950s folders are actually engraved MAMIYA-6 (note the hyphen).

from http://silverbased.org/mamiya6-folder/

There are the Mamiya 6 and the Mamiya 6, both rangefinder Cameras, both are extraordinary. Considered one of the best rangefinder cameras for many applicatiosn today including landscapes, the Late Mamiya 6, followed by upgraded Models 7, 7 II; these cameras boast razor sharp optics from center to edge. To buy one with only one lens, will easily set you back a grand and upward at this time on the used market.

The Mamiya Six I, II and IIIwere wartime and immediate postwar models, and had both eye-level and waist-level finders. The coupled rangefinder was combined with the eye-level finder. As a result, there were three windows at the front of the top housing. The Mamiya Six III added an exposure counter with double exposure prevention.

http://www.camerapedia.org/wiki/Mamiya_Six

In great demand by serious photographers, these modern 6 and 7 Mamiya rangefinder cameras, have  assumed cult-like status for prestige among wannabe photographers who have too-much money on their hands. If someone has a modern Mamiya 6, or 7, with more than three lenses, there is at least a fair chance that this person really is a serious photographer. It is a great camera. I wish I had one. But I am getting rid of my collection rather than adding cameras. Still I may not long resist the allure to own and use one of these. I guess it really depends on how long I live.

                

However, the Early Great Mamiya 6 Camera of which I now write in earnest, is the first camera ever produced by the Late Great Original Mamiya Camera company. In 1940 a couple of talented men took formed a camera company. One was a designer the other a businessman with savvy for marketing. For sure these gentlemen were not the first of such tandem companies formed to make cameras during this time. But their product was different from all of the others.

"Instead of the lens extending to focus, the film plane, within the back of the internal camera body box, moves farther back or forward."

I once associated with a man in business whom I admired for many reasons. He was tenacious, energetic, intelligent, had a good business head, was a great marketer, and he was short. Yes, short. I certainly didn't think of this friend as particularly short. I don't even recall his exact height, maybe 5 feet 2 inches, maybe shorter. I am a fairly average six feet tall. I seldom even notice whether I have to look up to a person's eyes, or if I have to look down. But I am pretty comfortable in my skin. And I guess, all said, I am not short either.

 

Before I disclose my point in telling this story, let me further differ to another mentor of mine early in life. His last name was Maroney. Both of these men were mentors in some ways to me, and perhaps, I to them. But Maroney was one of my first post service bosses in the business world. We worked for a competitor of Xerox at the time. Maroney had been a very successful salesman for Xerox. During the day, Xerox was considered something akin to eaven, among business companies to work for people.

I am not being irreverent at all. Xerox and IBM truly did enjoy a legendary exalted status in the business world. If you worked for either at this time, you were considered to have arrived. Maroney is the only person I ever new during these golden days to have quit his job at Xerox. Persona circumstances had caused Maroney to "flip-out", as it were, and join the circus (literally) and go on the road with the carnies (I kinow it sound absurd, but he really did. Broken hearts can really do such things) for a few years until he finally licked his wounds sufficiently to emerge and rejoin the real world.

My short friend said, "I find that it is better to zig while others choose to zag."

 

Maroney was by this time a very wise man, I think. He seemed so to me, a young upstart full of all the things you are full of when you are young and full of it. Maroney and I were establishing a branch of a company and we spent a lot of time together. He was a deep thinker. He was religious in his own way. He had come from a proud Irish-Catholic family. His brother was a padre. I was an exestentialist of sorts at he time, although I don't know if I knew what that was.

"Great people, I mean really great people, are always driven by some kind of warp!" 

One day, Maroney and I had had a few afternoon beers, and with our minds and tongues sufficiently lubricated, we were having one of our mind-stretching (or squelching) discussions, when he remarked something that I to this day consider to be a profound and mostly correct observation.

"Great people, I mean really great people, are always driven by some kind of warp!"

 

I don't recall all of the banter that took place that day, but I do remember "getting this" idea, and pondering Maroney's own greatness for having captured it as a tangible truism. Often something is different in the lives of average people that cause them to become much more than average.And as often as not, this ingredient would just as well be described as a "warp".

The warp that drove my short friend beyond his status quo average level of being--was that he was short. It did not matter that I didn't consider him short. apparently the condition had caused ample cause for him to consider himself short. His stature had defined him. some people call this a Napoleonic Complex.

The trait was evident when Mamiya designs uniquely Incorporated bellows when bellows were becoming out-model.

I admire Napoleon''s greatness too, and perhaps Napoleon's shortness had defined and driven him too. I personally suspect hta it was because he was an Italian from the Island of Corsica more than his stature that had warped and driven Napoleon, but no matter, I think it is fair to say that in some ways he was indeed warped into being driven to his own kind of greatness--for by all accounts, Napoleon was a very average boy, student mathematician, armaments officer, and person--until such time that his greatness erupted seemingly full blown.

My short friend, my mentor in some ways, once taught me another helpful strategy of life. I don't recall if this was a thought he claimed as original, because he was very well-read and well taught--mostly by tall people for whom he had much contempt.

 

My short friend said, "I find that it is better to zig while others choose to zag."

Although a long way getting to this point, my point is that for whatever reasons, the founding partners of Mamiya began their company by zigging rather than zagging, and this trait always seemed to have defined their modus operanda. The trait was evident when Mamiya designs uniquely Incorporated bellows when bellows were becoming out-model. It was apparently observed when they brought forth rangefinder cameras late in the Twentieth Century for their Mamiya 6 and 7 camera models. 

The camera evolved, adding flash synchronization and other features over a number of years.

But this trait of zigging while others were zagging, was never so evident as when in 1940--the first Mamiya camera was born--the first Mamiya 6 rangefindercamera was born. It was unique in many ways at a time when most companies, especially Japanese ones, were clamoring to copy Leicas, and Rolleis, and other tried and prov-en designs. Mamiya 6 was introduced in 1940 best I can discover. Folding medium format cameras were not so unusual at this time. But not like this one.

It became very popular among post-war Japanese camera users. The camera evolved, adding flash synchronization and other features over a number of years. Each model designation that we observe today were not those originally used with the camera design.

This rangefinder uses 120 film and exposes a 6x6 piece of film. It is a folding camera, with an excellent lens. But the lens distance was kept in close profile to the camera body in a very special way. Instead of the lens extending to focus, the film plane, within the back of the internal camera body box, moves farther back or forward. As far as I know this is the only camera, certainly the only one up until this one, ever designed suing this in-genius feature. The concept was certainly utilized by Mamiya on other models as the progressed.

As with the Rollei designers, I am awed by the unique ideas that Mamiya brought out in rapid succession. Mamiya actually introduced more unique camera designs than any other company, I am fairly sure. Certainly more than Rollei--and that's a lot.

"The camera became a highly sought acquisition by the American GI's stationed there."

The original Mamiya 6 could not be manufactured fast enough. As a part of MacArthur's reconstruction of Japan, some odd statues enacted to incent greater competition to reach certain production and export thresholds, prohibited the immediate Japanese population from purchasing from buying the first Mamiya 6's. The camera became a highly sought acquisition by the American GI's stationed there.

Consequently the great Mamiya 6 folding rangefinder camera became well-know and respected in the West, especially in the United States. It went on to become one of Mamiyas most successful designs. As you look at my pride of a collection, my Mamiya 6 shows by its still-excellent condition its amazing and ingenious design. Probably because the camera never really reached the same respect within Japan as it did in the United States (maybe it did)--but for whatever reason, this camera design is not the most expensive one in any collection. they are not plentiful by any means.

In my opinion--and as a relic of full commemoration of the great Mamiya camera company, and of these two particular founding partners--this camera should occupy a high place indeed in the annals of camera commendations. And may I also dedicate this post to my two old mentor friends--one short and the other warped.

I know that I say this often, about a lot of different cameras, and I feel this way for sure--but it is with a heavy heart that I part with this near perfect example of the Early Great Mamiya 6 Camera.

http://silverbased.org/mamiya6-folder/

A Brief Mamiya History  from http://herron.50megs.com/history.htm

Mamiya Camera Company, still a strong player in the medium-format professional film and digital camera market, was founded May 10,1940 by businessman Tsunejiro Sugawara (pronounced su-ga-WAR-a) and engineer Seichi Mamiya (pronounced ma-MEE-yah), as Mamiya Koki Seisakusho.

The stylized symbol (above), seen on early Mamiya cameras, was designed in July 1940 by students of Japan Fine Arts School (the predecessor to the Japan Art College), and stands for the initials of the two founders (and not Mamiya/Sekor, as some have reported).

Their first product (which they can be seen holding in the picture above) was the medium-format (120 film) folder Mamiya-6(below). A fascinating feature of this vintage folder is the way it focuses. The lens and bellows do not move while focusing - the film plane does! Well made and highly successful, it was the predecessor of Mamiya's first 35mm camera, the Mamiya 35-I, which debuted in 1949.

http://notesandnods.typepad.com/photography_for_profit_or/2009/02/the-mamiya-cseries-reviewed.html