Classic TLR - Mamiyaflex Automatic B

I have used a number of Twin Lens Reflex cameras over the past 25 years, and that includes Rollei, Yashica, Ciroflex, Argoflex, Kodak, Minolta, Ricoh, Meopta Flexaret, and Mamiya C-series.  Until now, I’ve never held a Mamiyaflex - a series of TLRs that do not have interchangeable lenses like those found on the Mamiya C TLRs. Thanks to my friend Kim, I was recently gifted a Mamiyaflex Automatic (Automat) B.  Looking much like a Rolleicord, the Mamiyaflex Automatic B was produced in Japan between 1954 and 1956.  It takes 120 film, of course, with 12 6x6 negatives on a roll.  

It’s been hard to find much on the Automat B, but the specs are as follows:

• Taking lens is a Setagaya Koki Sekor, 75mm f/3.5
• Viewing lens is a Sekor 75mm f/3.5
• Shutter speeds B, 1- 1/500 sec in a Seikosha Rapid Shutter
• Apertures f/3.5 - f/22
• PC flash connector
• accessory shoe on side
• double exposure prevention
• shutter release lock
• knob-wind film advance
• screw-in cable release socket
• focus knob with depth of field scale and ASA indicator

The other features - pop-up lens hood, magnifier, sports finder option, bottom locking door cover with tripod socket are pretty standard.  But one other thing that is quite useful is a small window on the back that has a yellow dot showing when film is loaded in the camera.  That definitely saves one from accidentally opening the back while the film has been loaded. The “automatic” part of the name refers to the shutter being cocked as you advance the film, rather than pushing an arm on the shutter to manually set the shutter as you would on say, a Ciroflex.

In my opinion, this is a well-made camera that does not show up often.  I have seen many Yashicamats of all sorts, Ricohflexes, and the occasional Minolta Automat, but this Mamiyaflex is a first for me.  I can’t compare it to the Mamiya C series, as those cameras are definitely on the “pro level” and after having owned a C330 Pro F for almost a decade, comparing that camera against a much simpler TLR would not be a fair comparison. I can more easily compare it to using a Rolleicord III or IV. I think it weighs more than a Rolleicord, but operationally, it’s not too different.

My only complaint with this Mamiyaflex is the dim viewfinder, especially when compared to my YashicaMat 124.  I haven’t taken it apart yet to see if the reflex mirror is the culprit, or if it is the non-Fresnel frosted glass screen.  However, after shooting a roll of film with it, I am quite happy with the results.  In use, I find the controls easy to adjust, though not as easily as a Yashicamat 124 or a Rolleiflex Automat, with those thumbwheels that provide aperture and shutter speed control and a window right at the top of the front to see what they are.  In that sense, the Mamiyaflex is more similar to a contemporary Rolleicord.  However, the shutter speed and aperture markings are easy to read on the front of the Mamiyaflex.

I loaded a roll of expired Fuji Acros 100 into the Mamiyaflex, and shot the roll on 1/31/25 while at the NC Botanical Gardens near Asheville.  Developed the film in FPP D-96 for 10.5 minutes, and scanned the negatives on my Epson V700 scanner.  I’m pretty happy with the results from this camera.  

TLRs are pretty straightforward to use, and I think that they remain one of the best ways to enter into medium-format photography.  Mamiyaflex Automats go for around $150 on eBay, with most sellers from Japan.  That’s a pretty inexpensive entry into using 120 film.  Similar TLRs such as a Rolleicord IV, sell for nearly twice as much.  A previous post on TLRs is here.

Whatever TLR you decide on, shoot with it as much as possible. Embracing the square format and the perspective from a waist-level viewfinder is something quite different from 35mm.