Mamiya's 6x9 press rangefinder — the Super 23, interchangeable backs, rear movements, leaf shutter, 1967.
The Mamiya Super 23 is a medium-format press-style rangefinder from Mamiya's Press system, released in 1967. It belongs to the professional press line of interchangeable-lens rangefinders and adds a movable rear standard with bellows for limited camera movements, aimed at studio and location professionals.
This is an interchangeable-lens medium-format rangefinder using the Mamiya Press mount, shooting the 6x9 frame on roll-film backs. Each lens carries its own leaf shutter in the lens, and focusing is by coupled rangefinder. The body's rear standard tilts on a bellows to allow perspective and focus adjustments, and it accepts interchangeable roll-film backs of different formats.
It suits portrait, landscape and commercial work where the large 6x9 negative and the rear movements are useful for controlling perspective and plane of focus. It is a heavy, deliberate system camera rather than a carry-everywhere rangefinder, rewarding methodical use with a big negative and view-camera-style control in a hand-holdable body.
For a used purchase, check the interchangeable back's dark slide, light seals and film-advance, and confirm rangefinder patch alignment. Test each lens's leaf shutter for accuracy across its speeds and inspect lenses for haze and fungus. Examine the rear-standard bellows for pinholes and the tilt mechanism for smooth, locking movement, since these movements are central to the model.