Mamiya C-series toughness

Alexander Ivashkin · Nov 10, 2017

Hi there everyone,

I have heard the C-series Mamiya being called "a tank". It certainly weighs like that! I've read somewhere that a C was the only camera able to withstand the rigors and abuse of a scientific expedition in an ocean. Sounds good.

However, now that I have it in my hand (a C33 specifically), I have some doubts about that claim. I would be loath to put it even in a drizzle, fearing for the bellows! Is it really ready to withstand such use and abuse? My Nikon FE feels tougher than Mamiya…

saman13 · Nov 10, 2017

I think it depends on the condition of the bellows. They’re supposed to be water shedding, but I can see how a set that hasn’t been taken care of could be susceptible to water damage. My mamiyaflex seems pretty solid.

I think it’s also the lack of electronics: nothing to short out even if it does get wet.

Sirius Glass · Nov 10, 2017

I traded my Mamiya C330 with three lenses and every option for it known to man and woman for my Hasselblads. I like the Hasselblads better. That was a personal choice and I have confidence in the reliability and robustness of the Mamiya Cxxx system. The only problem that I had with that camera is that a repair man did not reconnect a part when doing the CLA. That is a workmanship problem of the repair man and does not reflect on the camera. If you are happy with your camera take it on the voyage.

Old_Dick · Nov 10, 2017

I've taken my C33 winter camping and all kinds weather. Like a Timex watch, "takes a licking and keeps on ticking". Having said that, I did take it of it. Would not take it out in the rain. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine. This will give you an idea of the lenses available. Dead Link Removed

choiliefan · Nov 10, 2017

My mom bought me a used C33 when I was in HS in the early 70's. The camera took a lot of abuse but never failed. Only problems were related to the tiny screws which secured the ground glass frame loosening and the larger screw fitment which held the waist-level finder in place. That snapped off but somehow the camera soldiered on and on and is still functional today..

Sirius Glass · Nov 10, 2017

Invest in a large plastic bag and cut a hole to the two lenses. That should help keep water off the camera in rough seas, wind and rain.

xtolsniffer · Nov 10, 2017

Shower caps. Steal them from hotel rooms, they are the perfect size to fit over a C series TLR, then take off at the last minute for the photo.

btaylor · Nov 10, 2017

I don't get it-- bellows don't absorb water...

You just may not be used to using gear that has something as seemingly delicate as a bellows? Certainly helicoid focusing cameras may look tougher. I never hear of bellows problems with them. Your Mamiya C33 is a simple, tough machine. They were reliably beaten around by pros for decades. Not an elegant machine like a Hasselblad but built to take it. I loved the optics on the C330 I had for years as well.

adelorenzo · Nov 10, 2017

My C330 has been lots of places including a multi-day ski tour. I find it to be quite reliable although, having not been used for many years before I got it, I did need to get the shutter serviced on my lens.

Alan Gales · Nov 10, 2017

I've heard of wedding photographers buying C series Mamiyas and using them their whole career without any problems. I'd like to see someone try that with digital.

Wayne · Nov 10, 2017

I have one of if not the very last of the line, a C330s. Unfortunately they put cheap plastic knobs on them, one of which broke not long after I got it. Other than the cheap plastic parts its pretty durable. I certainly don't ever worry about the bellows

marcmarc · Nov 11, 2017

I've recently started using a Mamiya C220 F. It seems like a sturdy camera, certainly more lightweight then my RZ67. One issue I have is that my lens hood for the 55mm lens covers the the bottom portion of the viewing lens and thus the bottom third or so of the focusing screen is obscured. Maybe this is the price one pays to have interchangeable lenses, who knows. I also read that the 55mm lens needs some kind of mask or something that fits onto the focusing hood. Maybe something to do with parallax? I want to get the 180 lens too and that lens hood will probably cover part of the viewing lens as well. I also have both a later black finish 80mm lens and an older chrome version of the same. Hoods are pretty rare for these but I did find one for the chrome but I had to drop off the lens for repair because it seems the cocking lever would intermittently not work. I hope it gets fixed because I'd rather use the chrome over the black lens. Otherwise, I'm really enjoying using it. I also picked up an older C220 and a C330 but the latter also needs work so I'll get that repaired if and when my two C220's can no longer be repaired.

darkroommike · Nov 11, 2017

Cows are also covered in leather and do fine in the rain. I don't expose my cameras to weather but I would just carefully dry off the bellows if one got wet. As far as the "tank like" qualities early on I dropped a C-220 off a 12 ft step ladder, bent the WLF but the camera was fine.

Sirius Glass · Nov 11, 2017

marcmarc said:
I've recently started using a Mamiya C220 F. It seems like a sturdy camera, certainly more lightweight then my RZ67. One issue I have is that my lens hood for the 55mm lens covers the the bottom portion of the viewing lens and thus the bottom third or so of the focusing screen is obscured. Maybe this is the price one pays to have interchangeable lenses, who knows. I also read that the 55mm lens needs some kind of mask or something that fits onto the focusing hood. Maybe something to do with parallax? I want to get the 180 lens too and that lens hood will probably cover part of the viewing lens as well. I also have both a later black finish 80mm lens and an older chrome version of the same. Hoods are pretty rare for these but I did find one for the chrome but I had to drop off the lens for repair because it seems the cocking lever would intermittently not work. I hope it gets fixed because I'd rather use the chrome over the black lens. Otherwise, I'm really enjoying using it. I also picked up an older C220 and a C330 but the latter also needs work so I'll get that repaired if and when my two C220's can no longer be repaired.

Skip the 150mm lens because it is too close to the 80mm lens. Go for the 250mm lens.

miha · Nov 11, 2017

Sirius Glass said:
Skip the 150mm lens because it is too close to the 80mm lens. Go for the 250mm lens.

There is no 150mm lens for this system available, but the 180mm SUPER lens is trully superb, unlike the 250mm.

MattKing · Nov 11, 2017

marcmarc said:
I've recently started using a Mamiya C220 F. It seems like a sturdy camera, certainly more lightweight then my RZ67. One issue I have is that my lens hood for the 55mm lens covers the the bottom portion of the viewing lens and thus the bottom third or so of the focusing screen is obscured. Maybe this is the price one pays to have interchangeable lenses, who knows. I also read that the 55mm lens needs some kind of mask or something that fits onto the focusing hood. Maybe something to do with parallax? I want to get the 180 lens too and that lens hood will probably cover part of the viewing lens as well. I also have both a later black finish 80mm lens and an older chrome version of the same. Hoods are pretty rare for these but I did find one for the chrome but I had to drop off the lens for repair because it seems the cocking lever would intermittently not work. I hope it gets fixed because I'd rather use the chrome over the black lens. Otherwise, I'm really enjoying using it. I also picked up an older C220 and a C330 but the latter also needs work so I'll get that repaired if and when my two C220's can no longer be repaired.

The lens hood for the 55mm should have a movable flap on the top, to aid with this challenge.
The corresponding insert for the finder is simply a set of correction markings for the engraved indicators on the screen which indicate the necessary parallax and bellows extension related exposure corrections required for close focus work.
If you haven't seen it, Graham Patterson's excellent Mamiya TLR System Summary is a must have: http://gapatterson.org/mfaq.html

Sirius Glass · Nov 11, 2017

Sirius Glass said:
Skip the 150mm lens because it is too close to the 80mm lens. Go for the 250mm lens.

miha said:
There is no 150mm lens for this system available, but the 180mm SUPER lens is trully superb, unlike the 250mm.

My comment still applies because the 180mm lens is too close to the 80mm lens, instead get the 250mm lens.

miha · Nov 11, 2017

Sirius Glass said:
My comment still applies because the 180mm lens is too close to the 80mm lens, instead get the 250mm lens.

Interesting perception. To me these two FL are far apart, I use them both.

Sirius Glass · Nov 11, 2017

I do not take portraits so I do not use my 150mm lens and I would not buy a 180mm lens. What I did not like about the C330 250mm lens was that it had to be manually cocked.

pbromaghin · Nov 11, 2017

I find the 135 to be different enough from the 80 that is has become my current favorite.

MattKing · Nov 12, 2017

My 65mm and 135mm two lens kit works really well for me.
And the entire kit - body, prism and waist-level finders, left hand grip, two lenses, meter, a few filters, some film, at least one lens shade and a few other accessories all fit nicely in a very compact camera bag.

Nokton48 · Nov 12, 2017

At one time I had about ten Mamiya C bodies, along with all the lenses, and all the accessories. I used them for weddings and I NEVER disappointed with the results. I had from the C2 to the C330 last model. My favorite bodies to use (for my own use), were the C2, and the C33. All the lenses and accessories were useful. I traded it all in and went to Hasselblad, a decision I have also never regretted. But sometimes I do miss the Mamiyas. I still have the Hasselblads.

marcmarc · Nov 14, 2017

I actually just acquired a 250 lens for my C220 yesterday...free! The reason why I mentioned the 180 was because when I asked a long time user of this system which lens was best for portraits he suggested the 180. When I found out that there is two versions of the 180, I just presumed the 180 Super to be optically superior because it has more elements and groups then the standard 180. Is there any truth to this assumption by the way? Anyway, I'll still keep an eye out for one. In the meantime I had to drop off my 80mm chrome lens because the cocking lever wouldn't push down every several shots and the tech said he needed to replace a spring but he said it's ready to pick up. I also acquired a 2nd 80mm chrome lens so but that needs some work to. Hopefully one of these lenses will serve me eventually.

Alan Gales · Nov 15, 2017

marcmarc said:
I actually just acquired a 250 lens for my C220 yesterday...free! The reason why I mentioned the 180 was because when I asked a long time user of this system which lens was best for portraits he suggested the 180. When I found out that there is two versions of the 180, I just presumed the 180 Super to be optically superior because it has more elements and groups then the standard 180. Is there any truth to this assumption by the way? Anyway, I'll still keep an eye out for one. In the meantime I had to drop off my 80mm chrome lens because the cocking lever wouldn't push down every several shots and the tech said he needed to replace a spring but he said it's ready to pick up. I also acquired a 2nd 80mm chrome lens so but that needs some work to. Hopefully one of these lenses will serve me eventually.

The 180mm Super is said to be the sharpest lens of all the lenses made for the C-series cameras. The 135mm was really popular with wedding photographers. Some don't like the 135mm because it isn't razor sharp but wedding photographers preferred it because of this. Of course this is all personal preference.

As cheap as most of the lenses are, it wouldn't hurt to try any you think you may like. You can always sell a lens you don't like and won't get hurt much money wise.

MattKing · Nov 15, 2017

Alan Gales said:
Some don't like the 135mm because it isn't razor sharp but wedding photographers preferred it because of this.

???
My 135mm lens is a high resolution lens with medium contrast. Excellent for portraits, and excellent for just about everything else as well!

Mamiya C-series toughness

Alexander Ivashkin

saman13

Sirius Glass

Old_Dick

choiliefan

Sirius Glass

xtolsniffer

btaylor

adelorenzo

Alan Gales

Wayne

marcmarc

darkroommike

Sirius Glass

miha

MattKing

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Sirius Glass

miha

Sirius Glass

pbromaghin

MattKing

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Nokton48

marcmarc

Alan Gales

MattKing

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Mamiya C-series toughness

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