Mamiya C330

The Mamiya C330f or C330s is a delightful camera to use when working slowly and thoughtfully. Sparkling results from modern day films and recent blue dot lenses. I use the 80mm lens the most and it yields beautiful results in colour and black and white. Always gets a good reception from the sitter! Sometimes it is better to use it on a tripod.

Good quality standard 80mm lens with quiet Seiko shutter system. Well built and quirky. Available at good prices but need to have a look at it first. Has a lot of accessories to make the camera more versatile for different types of photography. Cheaper then a twin lens Rollie.

Not for sports and fast work. Parallax on lens due to the 5cm distance between taking lens and viewing lens. Light tight lining on the rear lid deteriorates but is relatively easy to renew. Lenses can suffer from mould and other types of decay.

None.

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This is going to be different from the other reviews. I started out in medium format with an old Rolleiflex C I gont in '73. The reuslts so amazied me that I used it in tandem with 35mm. A tele Rolleflex came next then a wide mutar on the C for wider shots. Landscapes, weddings, portraits, this was a good outfit (55, 80 and 135) to cover most assignments and the Rolleis NEVER faltered or failed. Eventually I wanted greater versatility and sold the lot and tried the Mamiya C. Bigger, heavier and far more complex than the fixed lensed Rollei, one paid a price for lens interchangability. It took good photos, the 180 super being the sharpest lens Mamiya made, but if truth be told, they were no where near a Zeiss or Schneider optic on a Rollei. C lenses were good stopped down, most usuers were very happy with 11x14s. I had 20x24s done of landscapes and there is where the Mamiya could not compete. I had a complete outfit (55, 80, 180 super, 250) I just sold on ebay This was a pain to carry around in the field along with a tripod. While the 2-Rollei +mutar combinaton was no light weight as compared to a 35 outfit, it was lighter than a C-330 and 3-4 lens outfit. I am now trying to re-acquire the same Rollie outfit I once and and foolishly sold almost 20 years ago. The Mamiya C is good, but for me, I learned the hard way the wisdom of why Rollei did NOT make interchangeable lenses.....let the SLRs do that. The TLR was ment to be light, hand-holdable and take the SHARPEST photos possible.

-Interchangeable lenses, all leaf shuttered: great for flash
-Less expensive than Rolleiflex or any other MF SLR
-Good flexability
-Lenses yield good quality

-Large and heavy compared to a fixed lensed TLR
-Safeties and interlocks makes for a complicated TLR compard to others
-Use of a bellows cleaver way to keep lenses fairly small, but over time can tear if treated roughly
-Lenses good, but cannot compare to Zeiss or Schneider optics when blown up to and past 16x20... and lets face it, to be able to do so is the reason for MF, otherwise a good 35 will give excellent 11x14s

Rolleiflex C, T, tele-Rolleiflex, Bronica S2a (4 lenses) Bronica ertsi,(5 lenses)
A host of different 35mm systems.

never used

I wrote an earlier review of the camera. After writing that one, I missed my Mamiya's, so went to EBay and bought a mint in box C220f, the last model made, and a C330s mint in box--along with a few lenses. I've discovered these later models, particularly the 220, are indeed lighter than the earlier ones I owned, much lighter than the C2 I still have. Though most of my amateur shooting is still 35 Nikon/Leica, I've rediscovered the joys of shooting MF. I still like the 6 x 6 format because I have a slide projector in this size and the slides just leap out from the screen. I'm surprised that an earlier reviewer forgot that the Rolleiflex was THE pro camera for a couple of decades. I like the transparent simplicity of the Mamiya cameras; if a lens set starts acting up you can just send that one in and keep going! I particularly enjoy the easy changeover from 120 to 220 on these cameras and like having the film reminder on the back. Compared to my older Mamiya's, they finally got modern folding hoods instead of the old two handed fold-down type. I've found the screens in these last models much brighter than my older ones, and haven't replaced them. One other thing: with the ability to change lens sets comes the incursion of dust into the body; I blow them out regularly, particularly the mirror chamber. One advantage over my Rollei cameras is the cold shoe that the Japanese put on the side. It's perfect for a very small e-flash for the occasional need, and the synch location on the viewing lens keeps the connection cord from crossing the taking lens. I enjoy these cameras more with the shorter focal length lenses. I have the 135 and it's an excellent lens, but the bellows draw is 'way out on this set making it really tough to hand-hold. I suppose parallax is a problem for some and I've just used TLR's most of my life so I automatically compensate. If I were to choose between the 220 and 330 I'd probably take the 220 for its simpler use (manual cocking, film wind knob) because speed isn't an issue with what I do. I've found the little pointer in the finder distracting on the 330 and it doesn't help me much at all. Even with my bad back, the use of modern straps such as Optech has enabled me to tromp around with one of these. For me, the experience of using the twin-lens is unique. I've never had an SLR in MF so I can't compare that. I wouldn't spend the money required for something like a Hasselblad--I'd rather spend it on film! Buy one of these, though, and you'll have a camera that'll last you as long as we're still using film.

VERY solid, though lighter in weight than older C models. Ability to change lens sets (the main strength). Large, easy to adjust controls--not fiddly. Ability to change from 120 to 220 almost instantly. Straight film patch aids flatness. Brighter screen than older C models. Ability to purchase Paramender easily for parallax correction, combined with bellows for macro-type work. One-handed hood, improvement from older models. Durability unquestioned, designed and built for professional use. Much less expensive than SLR's in this format. TLR method forces the tyro to slow down and consider technique rather than just firing away. Easily obtainable film in many emulsions. Slide quality fantastic, especially when projected as compared to 35mm. Easy servicing of individual components.

Still a relatively heavy camera, especially compared to today's plastic digitals and 35's. No auto functions--though this can be a strength also. No built-in meter, same. Can't buy film at every corner drugstore, or get it developed there, either. Only 12 exposures per 120 roll, if a heavy shooter. No film back interchangeability if that's an issue. Not necessarily bulky, but a quite different shape than SLR's or RF's.

Multiple Rollei models, both 'flex and 'cord. Prior C models. Multiple Yashica models. Meopta Flexaret. Red Chinese Seagull--the worst! Several MF folders over the past 30 years.

Never needed any mechanical servicing except a CLA locally for one of the lens sets.

The Mamiya C330 is a fine pro. camera even in the digital age. For the quality image you get compaired to the price you pay, you cannot beat it. It is easy to use, the lenses are very good,I have a "Bright Screen" view finder on mine so it is easy to focus even in a dim Church. I have use all seven of the lenses that were made for this camera. I think the 65mm is as good as Rollei lenses.

Very good build, very good low price, plenty in the used market, a lot of shops repair them but I have not needed any repairs.

It is a little heavy, but not a problem for a bug guy like me.

Rollei 2.8, 3.5, Autocords, yashica Mats

Very good but ecpensive if you use Mamiya.All good at Morgantown Camera and vedio, much better prices than the factory

I have a c33 which is the older version. I love the camera, It is Much Much lighter than my Rb67 if you want to complain about weight lug that around. The c33 is durable, rock solid and very reliable. I have yet to have it foul up on me when I needed it the most. I have taken awsome pictures of night shots w/long exposures and they enlarge beautifully.

Not very expensive, solid and reliable. it isn't that heavy and a joy to carry around. Plus the strange looks you get with it are a novelty

6x6 format has to be cropped. I like 6x7 although many people especially hasselblad users love 6x6. not alot of lens selections or accessories and Watch out for parralax

nothing except a mf slr

I got it used, I doubt it's still under warranty :)