Mamiya C220 film crank question

[bhaning]

I bought a used Mamiya C220 and it was delivered yesterday. Seems to be in excellent condition except the film advance crank seems wobbly. Is it normal to the film advance crank to have quite a bit of play? It doesn't seem sturdy like the rest of the camera.

 

[LimeyKeith]

See this thread:

https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/mamiya-c33-question.175208/#post-2280245

I believe the crank on your camera is more or less the same setup.

 

[dabsond]

C220 has a different crank assembly and in a different location. My C220 has the same issue. I have found it easier to fold the crank in and I get better film transport when using the knob. It is easier to hold it square against the camera and turn it.

 

[bhaning]

Thanks for the replies. I think I'll return the C220 and look for another. I have a working C330 I can use. I just wanted to try a lighter body for hiking and travel photos.
Ben

 

[grat]

You might want to contact Bill Rogers in Nevada (https://billrogers.com) and ask his opinion-- it may be something simple to fix. In the case of the C33 in the above thread, it was two small bushings that needed to be replaced, and took me about 5 minutes.

 

[markjwyatt]

Consider yourself lucky. My C220f only has a knob, no crank. I wonder if this was a modification or did earlier C220s have a crank? My C2 does not have a crank either, but not sure about all the in-between models.

 

[Alan Gales]

Consider yourself lucky. My C220f only has a knob, no crank. I wonder if this was a modification or did earlier C220s have a crank? My C2 does not either.

The C220's had cranks and the C220f model eliminated it. I'm guessing to save costs.

I first had a C220 with crank and replaced it with the C220f without one because I wanted the brighter focussing screen. The crank is nice but not necessary to me.

 

[pbromaghin]

You can get the service manual for $15 on ebay. It might be worth getting even if you return this one but plan to stay with C220's

 

[flavio81]

I bought a used Mamiya C220 and it was delivered yesterday. Seems to be in excellent condition except the film advance crank seems wobbly. Is it normal to the film advance crank to have quite a bit of play? It doesn't seem sturdy like the rest of the camera.

Mine had the same problem. And the wind know was partly broken. It will still work fine.

 

[bhaning]

Well I'm still debating whether to send this C220 back. I got from KEH so I'm pretty sure they will take it back. I think I'll put a couple of rolls through it this weekend and then decide. I appreciate the advice.
Ben

 

[Luckless]

I'm only a bit younger than C220/C330 cameras, and I'm developing my own wobbles and creaks, so I try to not be too hard or judgemental on the cameras.

There are a few screws on my most used C330f that like to back out a bit, but there doesn't seem to be any useful way to secure them more than they are, so I just make a habit of going over things every now and then and snugging things up again.

 

[RMD]

Free service manual can be downloaded here :
https://www.manualslib.com/manual/999380/Mamiya-C220-Professional.html