Oh Man! Plaubel Makina III!

Nokton48

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I've been collecting and using the Plaubel Makiflex LF SLR for thirty years. I have always wanted a nice Makina III (the film backs holders and some other accessories are interchangeable between the two cameras).

Here is what I just bought. Can anybody help me identify the actual model I have? Is it a III or IIIR? Where can I get an original instruction book? Any other tips? A folder will be cool to easily carry around, can't do that with the Makiflexes!

Here is my new to me Makina III:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/391232755405?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Thanks Guys! Can't wait to get it. Widest lens on the Makiflex is a 120mm. This open some interesting options for me.
 
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nsurit

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Looks like a III rather than IIIR. In McKeown's the IIIR is so designated on the lide of the camera where yours says III. Bill Barber
 
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Nokton48

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Thanks Guys!

It has the Compur shutter (not the Compur Rapid) so it's a III. Good deal.
I have fifty sheet film holders and twelve 6x6cm and 6x9cm film backs.
And some of the original Makina accessories around here in the studio.
Even have the Makina Flashgun.
 

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Nokton48

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From my perspective, the lenses that make the most sense to me, are the 100mm F2.9 Anticomar (which is on my camera), the 100mm f4.2 Anticomar, and the 73mm f6.8 Rapid Wide-angle Orthar.

According to the original Makina IIIR instruction book, "The 100mm F2.9 is an ideal lens for pictorial work in landscape and portrait photography. Where a graduation on subtle grey tones, a soft definition and a certain "plasticity" is required this lens is unsurpassed." "The 100mm F4.2 Anticomar is a lens yielding the highest possible definition and contrast and is is objective for the photographer of every-day tasks, news, machines, architectural details and reproductions. It is the lens of the press photographer and traveler." Perhaps I will decide I need both of these?

Has anybody here ever compared the two lenses in a side-by-side test or in everyday use?

I'd also like to hear from anybody with experience using the 73mm F6.8 How has it worked out for you?
 
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xya

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the 100mm 2.9 lens is a wonderfull lens indeed. I don't have the 4.2 lens. but I do have the 73mm lens. it's a very sharp lens indeed. with the makina III, focussing without matte screen is possible, it seems to be a bit complicated at first sight, but if you follow the procedure, it's spot-on. have a look at my page www.120folder.com/makina_iii.htm I made a 120 film folder comparison site. your camera seems to be a deal!
 
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Nokton48

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Thanks for the comments and the link! I have printed out your site for my reference.

I do think I got a deal. I hope the camera is in usuable condition. If it is not I can return it
 
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Nokton48

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If anybody here knows where I can find the 100mm F4.2 Anticomar, I would appreciate the heads-up

Thanks Guys
 
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Nokton48

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100mm F2.9 Makina III meets one of the Makiflexes (with 180mm Schneider Componon & homemade Mamiya RB67 Mag Hood).
 

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Vaughn

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I have a Makina III with a couple lenses, holders, roll back and all. Never have used it...the Rolleicord/flex are just too easy to use. I'll have to take another look at it one of these days...perhaps sell it.
 
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Nokton48

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The Swedish Medical Bag (from the local Army-Navy surplus store) holds Makina III body, 100mm lens, four 6x9cm loaded Plaubel Makina film backs, some small Makina accessories, extra rolls of film, and my Pentax spotmeter. Planning to take it out this afternoon. The rangefinder matches the groundglass focus exactly at close distances. Shooting Fuji Acros, Fuji Neopan 400, FOMA Creative Pan 200, and some old Agfa APX100. Should be interesting to see the differences in these films.

I took the viewfinder eyepiece apart, it was caked with many, many decades of dust. And took the lens groups apart and cleaned them. Both procedures were entirely successful.
 

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Nokton48

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I went out yesterday with the Makina III, finishing a roll of APX100 and also shooting a full roll of FOMA Creative 200. This morning I processed four rolls of 120 in my new JOBO Multitank 6. I used Microdol-X straight and processed the film for twenty minutes at 20C on a Unicolor Uniroller. This is working just great for me, I am really pleased.

Results are somewhat mixed but overall quite good. This is quirky equipment, but I am learning the curve and making adjustments. The APX100 is light struck, the reason for this is, the springs in the back do not hold the roll tightly upon loading (my guess is that rolls earlier in the decade were much thicker film and paper backing). So I have applied adhesive foam padding to "build up" the springs, and no more roll unwinding like a spring uncoils. The backs have a tendency to pop open, so I have applied black electrical tape to seal them, and that solves that fogging problem. Soon I will be getting eight perfect exposures on a roll, that is the goal.

The Makina III is truly a hoot to use, and requires a certain mindset for operation but overall is really quite gratifying in operation. It's odd to hold but actually it handles beautifully once you get the hang of it. I love it. Negs are drying now and will be scanned later when I have time. The JOBO works perfectly, and the good thing is I will be able to process eight rolls of 120 at a time. That is truly useful processing capacity for me.

Eyeballing the negs while they dry, they do look really cool. I like this new thing!
 

Vaughn

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I am retired as of this afternoon -- perhaps I'll get the Makina III out, put a roll in the rollback and have some fun with it. It certainly will raise some eyebrows! I suppose it was the German version of a press camera.

Glad you are enjoying your camera!
 
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Nokton48

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Makina III Test.

100mm F2.9 lens st F/4, FOMA Creative 200, processed in straight Microdol-X 20 mins at 20C, jobo Multitank on a Unicolor Uniroller. Scanned on an Epson 4490 scanner.
 

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Nokton48

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Thanks! And Congrats!

You really should at least try it.
You might get along with it
 
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Nokton48

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More New Stuff.

Plaubel Makina III F2.9 lens wide open Foma Classic 200 Microdol-X

Makina3 #9 by Nokton48, on Flickr
 
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Nokton48

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"Torturing the lens. Shooting straight into the sun.
Makina III 100mm F2.9 Anticomar, Foma Classic 100, Microdol-X (replenished)


Makina3 #10 by Nokton48, on Flickr
 
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Nokton48

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Ye Olde Mill. One of the original stones.
Plaubel Makina III 100mm F2.9 Anticomar wide-open, Foma Classic 200, Microdol-X (replenished)

Makjina3 #11 by Nokton48, on Flickr
 
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Nokton48

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Ye Old Mill. Machinery of old.
Plaubel Makina iii 100mm F2.9 Anticomar wide-open, Foma 200 Classic, Microdol-X (replenished)

Makina3 #12 by Nokton48, on Flickr
 
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