instantphoto.eu Mamiya Universal Instax Wide Back Finder and Body Modifications
The
finder of the Mamiya Universal sticks out at the back and is a major
obstacle to ejection via the top. Instax cameras have to eject this way
in order to have the broader margin at the bottom of the photo. The new
back can eject via the top if you modify the finder. The modification
is reversible and you can use the back with ejection via the bottom if
you want to keep the finder as is. You will lose the magnification of
the finder modifying it, so the finder picture is smaller than the
original one. But you still have the ragefinder spot and the
framelines. The finder system is open after the modification and dust
could enter. I will either put a plain piece of glass into the new
eyepiece (there is room for it) or even try some magnification later.
So here we go:
Finder eyepiece. Leather peeled off to access the 4 screws.
Outer housing taken off. There is a loose lens to be taken out.
First lens taken out. The metal housing is glued. It can be some pain to take the glue off, on this one it was easy.
2 more lenses of the same kind, separated by a metal ring (flat side is up).
All
lenses taken out. You can assemle them in the right order into the
housing and secure the package with tape for keeping them in case of.
There is room for one or two lenses or at least a piece of plain glass to shield the system from dust.
The new finder eyepiece fits the old place.
4 screws and done.
Here are some photos of the light trap on your camera body:
This is the light trap to get rid of. Some dremel work, not beautiful, you may do better...
The light trap is shading the film plane in case of very wide angle lens rays.
More room without.
I
have not experienced any flaws by taking out this light trap when returning to roll film. But please act at your own risk.
