Inexpensive, rugged, with enough attachments to make it pretty versatile (including a cut-film back, different focusing aids). Lenses are plenty sharp enough (sharper than my enlarger, anyway). Lense elements can be unscrewed and all surfaces blown clean, and as long as you keep track of the shims and replace them correctly, focus will stay accurate. And bellows allows real close focus, if you remember to compensate for parallax. If flash fails, shutter can be cocked manually without cranking, so no film is lost. I've used mine to shoot headshots and little else for 25 years (135-mm lens), so all my comments are based on studio use.

Almost must be tripod-mounted because of weight and awkward balance of camera and lense and because three hands are required - one each for crank, focus, and camera . support, as well as shutter release. There are some little interlocks, format settings, and parallax reminders that may trip you up, but once set they're okay.

Although I covet a medium-format SLR, cost considerations and fact that the 330 just keeps plugging along keep me using it year after year.

Customer Service

Some service shops won't accept Mamiya twin-lens system because parts aren't available. I'm not sure the "factory" will either, if there is such a repair resource.

Similar Products Used:

Rolleiflex, Yashica-Mat

This camera is an all-time classic that's indeed built like a tank. I have 55, 80, 180 super & 250mm lenses & shots taken with this system are easily able to be enlarged to 16x20 or more with excellent retention of detail. The 180 is a superb lens, & along with the 250 allows true telephoto shots from medium format at very reasonable cost. Inbuilt spot meters in waist-level finder & Cds Porrofinder are v. accurate too.

The system is quite heavy, but not outrageously so for medium format; it's a bit clumsy to use c/f SLRs; using hyperfocal distance for focussing requires looking up printed DoF tables; using filters is a bit tricky eg. graduated ND, polarizer etc.; 55mm is prone to exhibit excessive flare unless you are v. careful.

Excellent bullet-proof low-cost way to take toop quality medium format images, but a bit on the heavy/clumsy side overall.

Customer Service

Good, but as no longer manufactured, must rely on 2nd-hand parts; v. easy to adjust yourself if you get the right guide books.

Similar Products Used:

Yashicamat, Mamiya C220

-Inexpensive way to start into Medium Format
-Interchangeable lenses (I have 80 mm and 135mm)
-Solid construction

-Heavy
-Sometimes erratic film advance (possible user error, though)

A very good camera. Although the 6x6 image is nice for scenics, the weight of the camera makes me think twice about taking it on a hike. Very good for portraits and even some street photography (but a 35mm SLR or rangefinder is more comfortable to carry). Hard to find a less expensive way to get started in Medium Format.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

None

ok lenses

crappy flash sync mounts(weak) crappy shutter release cable mounts Again 2 tiny screws holding on the bracket) Strange film advance scenarios (ie partial double exposures).

scary reliability. dont use at a wedding unless your READY!!!!

Similar Products Used:

hassey 501.

A firm camera and not a delicate fairy. Camera is intuitive to use and I bought mine with three lenses new. It came with the 55mm, 105mm and 180 super, All are adequate performers.

None really if you want a speed camera use a 35mm. But I have never had any trouble using it at all. One reviewer stated it was not so good for children. I strongly disagee with this and in my opinion I would PREFER it for shooting children.

About a week or so ago I had an urge to update my camera and maybe buy a Bronica or something. I decided to sell the Mamiyaflex and all the now accumulated gear and got it out to give it a clean and a polish. After handling it again I put it back in its case and scrapped the idea of getting anything else. They can bury me with this thing. I just can't bring myself to part with it

Customer Service

The winder once busted and I had it fixed, no hassles since no trouble getting it fixed.

Similar Products Used:

I started photography back in the 40's with a Fothflex. A focal plane twin lens camera that had brass bearings in

Built like a tank. I've used a C330 with 55, 80, and 150 MM lenses since 1970 shooting newspaper photos, PR, advertising, weddings, sports and outdoor portraits. I've used it both with a prisim finder and with the waist level finder.

Lack of interchangeable backs and the lenses could be sharper. Inherent paralax problems of a twin lens system.

I was a photographer in the Army and have made my living partially with a camera for the last 30 years as a newspaper editor, ad agency account executive, public relations director, marketing manager and doing various commercial photography assignments. This camera is a workhorse. I will continue to use it despite the fact that I anticipate acquiring a newer SLR medium format system.

Customer Service

Had to send it off about 20 years ago to have the timing adjusted on the film advance. Was getting only 11 shots on a 120 roll. I believe I sent it to an independent repair service.

Similar Products Used:

Hasselblad, Rollie

Inexpensive! You can reasonably own a body with all the lenses and a prism finder, making it a versatile photographic tool. Don't miss out on the 55mm lens- very sharp. Lots of good info on this system on the web, including Mamiya's own site. The viewfinder brightness can be improved with a Beattie screen. I find the camera easy to hand hold. If you want to see images made with this camera, email me for a link to my website, which has several.

Lack of interchangable film backs, system no longer made.

Great way to take pictures!

Customer Service

Mamiya America is very good- check their site.

Similar Products Used:

Hasselblads, Rollei TLR

Affordable work horse.

Dark viewfinder unless set on f2 or so, and very heavy.

While I believe that this would be a good camera for portrait work that allows use of a tripod, it is too big, heavy and awkward to do hand-held work. Don't buy it to shoot photos of say, young children, who will not sit still.

Customer Service

n/a

Similar Products Used:

n/a

(We had one of these for several years in the mid-60s to mid-70s, between an original Mamiyaflex [C] and an RB67.)

Built like a TANK, so tough it's virtually indestructable. Lenses VERY, VERY sharp, with long-throw bellows focusing allowing for very close work (but watch out for parallax!) Unique (for a twin-lens camera) interchangeable lenses are mostly of amazing quality. Flash sync at all speeds with leaf-shutter lenses. A solid tool for pros.

HEAVY and a bit ungainly compared to fixed-lens TLRs like Rolleiflexes and YashicaMats, and very difficult to hand-hold, even for limited periods with a wide neck strap.

A classic camera capable of producing utterly spectacular images on its "big" 6x6cm negs - the lenses are scarifyingly sharp and punchy. One of these babies and a couple of additional lenses is probably the most cost-effective way of getting into a comprehensive medium-format system that's particulary well-suited to studio work like portraits and product shots. Resulting images will seriously rival those produced with virtually ANY new medium-format system.

Just be aware of the crippling weight of these cameras... I know that many folks have used them hand-held with neck straps for weddings, but I wouldn't dream of using one without a tripod!

Customer Service

No clue.

Similar Products Used:

Original Mamiyaflex (C), YashicaMat LM, assorted other TLRs.

Superb Lenses that are not matched by anything I've tried to date. I used the 55, 80, and 135mm all black lenses and the results were incredible. I shot everythign hand-held with a Vivitar 285 HV flash in auto mode and shots were sharp, and contrasty almost everytime. Most affordable way to get into medium format, yet the results are better than any of the newer equipment I tried.

Earlier chrome lenses are said to be not so good. It took some time to get used to the parallax error, but it wasn't too bad.

If you want to get 6x6 negs and want to hand hold your shots, this is the only camera I would consider. The lenses compare to the finest lenses today, and the price is very reasonable if you find a good used one for sale.

Customer Service

didn't need it, but the mamiya.com website was helpful for many tips and ideas.

Similar Products Used:

Kiev 88.....it sucked in comparison to C330.
Bronica ETRSi w/ 150mm and ttl flash system...I liked the C330 results much better, but this was a nice camera.
Mamiya 645 1000s....C330 much better.
Yashica MAT 124g....nothing compared to C330.