Mamiya Press Super 23
Users Guide

Roll Film Holder

Roll Film Holder

There are two types of roll film holders available – one for a 6×9 cm format and the other for a 6×7 cm format. Both roll film holders will accept 120 as well as 220 roll film.

Type of holder and number of exposures

Roll Film Holder
Type of holderType of roll film
No. 120No. 220
6×9 cm8 exp.16 exp.
6×7 cm10 exp.20 exp.

R 1. Film Advance Lever
R 2. Film Counter Window
R 3. Film Sensitivity Reminder Dial
R 4. Counter Change-Over Knob
R 5. Film Indicator Window
R 6. Dark Slide
R 7. Film Wind-Stop Release Lever
R 8. Film Chamber
R 9. Back Cover Latch
R10. Spool Change Knob
R11. Start Mark
R12. Take-Up Spool Chamber
R13. Plate Catch (Left)
R14. Pressure Plate
R15. Plate Catch (Right)

Before Loading Roll Film

Before Loading Roll Film
  1. First, set the automatic film wind stop device, depending on the film used (120 or 220).
    Turn the counter-change over knob (R4) either to the right or left until the figure appearing in the film indicator window (R5) corresponds to that of the film to be used (120 or 220).
  2. Pull down the back cover latch (R9) and open the back cover of the holder.
  3. Make sure the correct pressure plate corresponds to the film used.
    One side of the pressure plate (R14) is for No. 120 roll film, and the back of the plate is for No. 220. The figure "120" or "220" is indicated on the window of the pressure plate (R14).
  4. Turn pressure plate inside out if it does not match the film.
    Remove the plate by pushing its right side to the left, pulling it out from the plate catch (R15).
    Reattaching the plate; while aligning the upper and lower edges of the plate with the flange, insert the groove into the plate catch (R13) on the left, then hook the plate catch (R15) on the right while pushing it slightly to the left. Always ascertain that the correct side of the pressure plate corresponds to the film used.
  5. Use the convenient film sensitivity reminder dial (R3) as a reminder of film speed in the camera, turning the dial corresponding to the inserted film number to the red mark.

Loading Roll Film

Loading Roll Film
  1. Pull out the spool change knob (R10) and place an empty spool into the spool chamber (R12).
  2. Pull out the other spool change knob (R10) and place a roll film into the film chamber (R8).
    After pulling out the spool change knob, by turning it either to the right or left, the knob will remain projected. By turning back the knob, the knob will snap back to its original retracted position.
  3. Draw out the end of the leader paper of the film, inserting the tip into the slit of the take-up spool.
    If the spool is not in the proper position or the leader paper of the film is not correctly inserted into the take-up spool slit, film winding will not operate properly or smoothly.
  4. Gradually wind the film advance lever (R1) until the start mark on the leader paper aligns with the start marks (R11) on the roll film holder.
  5. Close the back cover. When the back cover is closed, the start marks will be slightly separated.
  6. As the film advance lever is carefully wound, the figure "1" appears in the film counter window (R2) and the lever stops winding. The first film frame is now ready to be exposed.
    Even before the figure "1" appears in the film counter window, a heavy drag may be felt; however, continue winding until the lever actually stops.

Photographing

Photographing
  1. Attach the loaded roll film holder to the camera body.
  2. Pull out the dark slide (R6), and then take a photograph.
  3. After each exposure, move the film wind stop release lever (R7) in the direction of the arrow; then the film can be advanced by turning the film advance lever.
    The film will not advance far enough with only one stroke of the film advance lever. Turn the lever until it stops at the second stroke. Winding may be accomplished by moving the lever with several short, definite strokes until the lever stops.
    Do not wind the lever too fast.
  4. After all frames have been exposed, move the wind-stop release lever (R7) once, then continue turning the film advance lever until you feel tension on the advance lever lessen as the leader end of the film slips off the spool, and finally turn it freely in the take-up chamber. Now open the back cover and remove the film.
  5. Fully insert a dark slide (R6) when the roll film holder is detached, or the lens is interchanged before completing a roll of film.
    Without a film loaded, turning the film advance lever does not advance the film counter, and it remains at the "S" (start) mark. When some other mark is seen in the film counter window, it is assurance that film is loaded.