Photographer Ralf Mann developed a highly versatile new pinhole camera system, the Mania MFZ, which stands for “Multiformat Zoom”.
The German manufacturer has been a photographer for 27 years and has extensive carpentry experience. The Mania MFZ combines these different skills into one versatile camera system.
Debut on KickstarterThe Mania MFZ is a pinhole camera system that promises to “expand the boundaries of pinhole camera capabilities by leaps and bounds.” With this ambitious goal in mind, the Mania MFZ is compatible with a wide range of negative film formats such as 6×6, 6×12, 6×17, 4×5 and more, and users can change the effective focal length From 35mm to 135mm and beyond in 20mm increments. “This makes it possible to change the angle of view and the perspective effect of different ‘focal lengths’ in a combination of all negative formats,” says Mann.
Along with these features, the Mania MFZ works with a variety of front panels, including a panel for horizontal or vertical transfer, Twin-Shot Panorama (TSP), and more. Apart from this, the size of the pinhole can also be changed by making changes to the front panel. The various frames and panels are held in place using magnets, enabling fast and simple swapping.
“In addition, the 4×5 inch back has the option of screwing in a screw (included in delivery) through a threaded sleeve on the side of the housing, over which several different cassettes can be attached using a rubber band (also included) Can be added, such as a Fuji Instax with Mania MFZ to take instant photos or to use old Polaroids, old, thick sheet film cassettes and Lomo Graphoc 4×5 as instant backs Cassettes in combination with old Polaroid material,” explains Mann.
There are many ways to mix and match different front panels, focal lengths, and film formats, although, as Mann notes, not all of them make sense. For example, a 6×17 photo with a 35 mm focal length and a 0.2 mm pinhole will have excessive vignetting. Additionally, all front panels are compatible with filters such as neutral density (ND) filters.
Mania MFZ kits are available in a variety of configurations and with a range of different pieces. While there are many pre-made configurations available, the system itself is flexible, and users can make changes to them as they wish. Each kit comes with a “calculation stick” that includes the required exposure values for focal lengths from 35mm to 135mm.
Full details – including various notes on different kits, focal lengths, panels and formats – Available on KickstarterThe most affordable kits start at around $530, with additional options running up to $1,300. MAN expects to ship the first Mania MFZ kits to backers in May 2025. So far, Man is a long way from his funding goal, so the usual disclaimers for crowdfunding projects apply here.
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Image Credit: ralph man
