...Mamiya C 220 versions

[Neil Grant]

..any preference over the different versions? I'm familair with the C 330 but it may be unecassarily heavy for my purposes.

 

[cramej]

The C series doesn't vary much in weight with the exception of the Mamiyaflex C and C2. If you want auto cocking, get a 3 series body, if it's not important, get a 2 series. I have a C2, C3 an C33 and don't find them to be significantly different in weight.

 

[Dennis-B]

This web site document details the differences in all the "C" models.

http://www.gapatterson.org/

 

[MattKing]

I believe you will see an improvement in the brightness of the viewing screen in the last version - the C220f.

 

[mrosenlof]

I have the 220f, and no other version. It is a nice camera. I love the feel of the film wind compared to the 330f. Nice and smooth without the shitter auto-cock mechanism. The fresnel ridges on the ground glass face up, and have trapped some foam goo on my copy. That is the only negative I have.

 

[grahamp]

C220/C220f

Lighter than equivalent C330 series cameras. Manual shutter cocking. No parallax indicator. Screen not intended for user exchange. Focus scales may not match the 105D/DS lenses. Does not have the 'chin' shutter release.

 

[wjlapier]

FWIW...

Re: screens not intended for user exchange. My C220 now has a Rick Oleson split image screen I installed myself. A huge improvement over the original. I think Rick said the 220f screen can't be exchanged.

 

[pbromaghin]

The C series doesn't vary much in weight with the exception of the Mamiyaflex C and C2. If you want auto cocking, get a 3 series body, if it's not important, get a 2 series. I have a C2, C3 an C33 and don't find them to be significantly different in weight.

Right. I have had 2 C33's and a C220 and don't find them significantly different in any important aspect. They are all enjoyable and surprisingly flexible to use. The first C33 came with the auto-cocking mechanism already removed, and so I thought there was something jamming the 2nd one, which still had it. After figuring out what was going on, I removed it. It was more bother than it was worth.

 

[Alan Gales]

I believe you will see an improvement in the brightness of the viewing screen in the last version - the C220f.

I first bought a C220 and then replaced it with the C220f. The f has the brighter screen of the C330s. I find it a little easier to focus indoors. The downside is you lose the fold out winding crank and just get a knob instead. Also the C220f has a bit more plastic than the C220. The f is newer and cost a bit more. I found it worth it for the brighter focussing screen. Others may not.