Mamiya C220 and focus issues

[blockend]

but if all your lenses show the same consistant problem as the op claimed, its safe to assume the screen is the fault and shimming will cure them all equally.

That would be my conclusion. Front focus is almost always something very wide aperture lenses suffer from. The most economical solution in the current market is the one you've taken - purchase another body.

 

[sagai]

After calibrating the focus on the C220, I accidentally bought a C330. So I haven't shot the C220 since.

I am in a search of my first 6x6 TLR.
How does these compare for you?
Thanks!

 

[Kirks518]

The C330 is a bit heavier, but has a number of features that I really like, and they really justify the added weight and expense. The automatic cocking of the shutter is great on the C330, the parallax indicator is a blessing, as well as the exposure compensation indicator. The distance scale also makes more sense on the C330.

The only thing about the C330 I'm not fond of is the cold shoe. I'm still trying to figure out the best way to get a flash on there so it points forward.

The first thing I did on the C330 was change the foam on the focusing screen, but that was expected before I bought it. It was a thousand times easier to correct the focus then on the C220.

They're both really great cameras, I just like the C330 better.

My first was a YashicaMat 124G, and that's also a great 6x6 to start with.

 

[sagai]

Thanks Kirks!

 

[Ken Nadvornick]

The only thing about the C330 I'm not fond of is the cold shoe. I'm still trying to figure out the best way to get a flash on there so it points forward.

You might consider just not using the built-in shoe and substituting a nice grip with its own shoe mount. That's what I've done with my C330S, using one of those heavy-duty Suntar left-hand grips. Not only is it more ergonomic (and secure) to hold the camera, but it keeps my dirty sweaty paws off of it as well on hot afternoons.

I often mount a Sunpak 120J bare bulb flash unit w/reflector on the Suntar grip, with 'AA' batteries for casual use or the high-voltage external battery pack for extended use. Works great.

Ken

 

[Kirks518]

Well, just an update. I took the C220 out for a test roll, and the 4 shots I set up as a semi-controlled test came out sharp. I tested 2 of the 3 lenses (roll ended), and they both produced sharp images at f/4.5 (55mm and 180mm).

So the paper shims worked.