Mamiya C330 Query

[SodaAnt]

Re: service needed for Mamiya C: Most cameras of that age will need seals replaced if they haven't been. There are also seals under the viewfinder that deteriorate. Frequently leaf shutters will become less accurate over time and especially may not be able to attain the fastest speeds. Some people would say the best thing is to live with these changed shutter speeds because trying to adjust them may cause more problems. We need to test the shutters to find out what the real speeds are, but then can work okay.

I've been researching this issue and found this site that sells replacement seals for the viewfinder. Cheap, and they appear easy to install.

Mamiya C330F Screen Frame Seals

Mamiya C330F Screen Frame Seals | Premium Quality Open Cell Foam Lasts Years | Same Japanese Foam As Original | Mamiya Film Cameras | USCamera Foam

uscamera.com

Mamiya C330 S Fresnel Frame Light Seals

USCamera Since 1998 | Premium Quality Open Cell Foam Light Seals | Kits | Foam Sheets | Pre-Cut Strips | Mamiya C330 S Fresnel Frame Light Seals | TLR

uscamera.com

 

[bluechromis]

The Mamyia C is one of the only modular, system TLRs with not only a variety of lenses but also, many accessories. Zeiss made a TLR with different lenses, but that was 35 mm. I have three different viewfinders for the C330 and use all of them for different purposes. While it doesn't have interchangeable film backs, one can affordably purchase just an extra body. That gives us some of the flexibility of film backs, to load each back with a different film. It is more tricky to use grad filters with TLRs, but I have done it.

 

[SodaAnt]

Have you considered a 4x5 field/view camera?

Your post got me to thinking... As mentioned, the lack of an enlarger would be an issue, but another consideration is developing 4x5 negs. How do people do that these days? Back in the day (1970s) I tried tray development once and said never again. I bought three rubber open-top tanks and a bunch of stainless steel sheet film hangers in 4x5 size. Filled the tanks with developer, stop, and fixer, unloaded the film holders into the hangers in the dark, and did the entire development in the dark, using "lift-and-dip" agitation. Worked well enough. Do most people use Jobo rotary processors to develop 4x5 these days?

 

[markjwyatt]

...Zeiss made a TLR with different lenses, but that was 35 mm. ...

And it was made in the 1930s in very small numbers. It is basically a very expansive collector's item (but interesting). The Contaflex TLR...

 

[chuckroast]

Your post got me to thinking... As mentioned, the lack of an enlarger would be an issue, but another consideration is developing 4x5 negs. How do people do that these days? Back in the day (1970s) I tried tray development once and said never again. I bought three rubber open-top tanks and a bunch of stainless steel sheet film hangers in 4x5 size. Filled the tanks with developer, stop, and fixer, unloaded the film holders into the hangers in the dark, and did the entire development in the dark, using "lift-and-dip" agitation. Worked well enough. Do most people use Jobo rotary processors to develop 4x5 these days?

I semistand process 4x5 in open 1/2gal Kodak rubber tanks, covering them up when I leave the darkroom during the standing period. They are suspended with minimal support Kodak pinch style hangers.

 

[250swb]

Do most people use Jobo rotary processors to develop 4x5 these days?

I used to do 4x5 at the kitchen sink using a modified Paterson Paper processing tray, it was a little bit clumsy though. I also tried the MOD45 insert for a Paterson tank but could never get the film to reliably stay is place inside the tank. The kitchen sink is still the same but now I use the much, much better processing system from Stearman Press

https://shop.stearmanpress.com/collections/photography

 

[Michel Hardy-Vallée]

I've been using a C330 for more than a decade, and the only major issue I had was related to the automatic film advance. At some point, the gears and linkages can get sloppy, and you end up wasting a frame. I ended up getting a new body rather than looking for a repair (it was easier to do during pandemic years).

I've had issues with the sliding DOF scale, but that's never been a very reliable part. Mine is working fine, but I use it rarely. Make sure you have a good pop-up finder, since those tiny springs can get lost or bent.

You may want to look for a prism finder, but it adds a lot of weight. I used to have one, but never really used it because of the weight.

Otherwise, there are four focal lengths worth checking: the 55mm, the 80mm, the 105MM, and the 180mm. Make sure you get the latest versions (black barrels).

 

[MattKing]

In my case, I downsized my formerly more extensive system to one C330 body and a 65mm and 135mm lens choice. That serves me well, and I have other cameras that offer other focal lengths.
I was less impressed by the 55mm lens - not because of its optical qualities, but rather because of its speed. That viewfinder image is less bright than I preferred when I was using the system for wedding work.

 

[chuckroast]

In my case, I downsized my formerly more extensive system to one C330 body and a 65mm and 135mm lens choice. That serves me well, and I have other cameras that offer other focal lengths.
I was less impressed by the 55mm lens - not because of its optical qualities, but rather because of its speed. That viewfinder image is less bright than I preferred when I was using the system for wedding work.

After shooting weddings with both a Hasselblad and a Mamiya Universal, I gotta say, I envy your "lightweight" event camera

 

[bluechromis]

I semistand process 4x5 in open 1/2gal Kodak rubber tanks, covering them up when I leave the darkroom during the standing period. They are suspended with minimal support Kodak pinch style hangers.

I don't do a lot of 4 x 5, but I have developed it in Patterson type plastic tanks with a 4 x 5 reel, up to six at a time. There are other kinds of cylindrical tanks as well including Jobo. If one already has a plastic tank it might be an easy way to test the waters of 4 x 5.

 

[SodaAnt]

eBay has loads of listings for C330's of various vintages, and most of the sellers are in Japan.

Do these Japanese eBay sellers tend to describe condition accurately, or do they tend to exaggerate? They tend to use terms like "Mint+++" and "Top Mint". Are these just figments of their imaginations or real? Almost all of them have 100% feedback--is that because they accurately describe their listings and thus have satisfied customers, or because they accept returns with no questions asked?

The last camera I bought on eBay was a Nikon F2 about 25 years ago. The condition was described as Mint. The camera I got had dents, rust, a delaminated focusing screen, and a missing screw. I sent it back. I don't want a repeat of that experience...

 

[bluechromis]

There is a way to develop 4 x 5 in a plastic tank without a 4 x 5 reel called the taco method. It didn't work perfectly for me, but some people do it regularly. Even if is not the ideal method for the long term, it might be a quick and dirty way to check out 4 x 5 without having to invest in specialized 4 x 5 equipment.

 

[bluechromis]

eBay has loads of listings for C330's of various vintages, and most of the sellers are in Japan.

Do these Japanese eBay sellers tend to describe condition accurately, or do they tend to exaggerate? They tend to use terms like "Mint+++" and "Top Mint". Are these just figments of their imaginations or real? Almost all of them have 100% feedback--is that because they accurately describe their listings and thus have satisfied customers, or because they accept returns with no questions asked?

The last camera I bought on eBay was a Nikon F2 about 25 years ago. The condition was described as Mint. The camera I got had dents, rust, a delaminated focusing screen, and a missing screw. I sent it back. I don't want a repeat of that experience...

Blue Moon Camera and Machine usually has some Mamiya TLR kit. Blue Moon is a real retail camera store with staff you can talk to. They only do analog. Their prices are not the lowest, but they frequently offer a warranty. If anyone has a problem with a purchased item, I have never heard of them not making it right. https://bluemooncamera.com/shop/product/AAA0423|D18152/mamiya-c330-camera-with-mamiya-80mm-f2.8-lens.

 

[chuckroast]

eBay has loads of listings for C330's of various vintages, and most of the sellers are in Japan.

Do these Japanese eBay sellers tend to describe condition accurately, or do they tend to exaggerate? They tend to use terms like "Mint+++" and "Top Mint". Are these just figments of their imaginations or real? Almost all of them have 100% feedback--is that because they accurately describe their listings and thus have satisfied customers, or because they accept returns with no questions asked?

The last camera I bought on eBay was a Nikon F2 about 25 years ago. The condition was described as Mint. The camera I got had dents, rust, a delaminated focusing screen, and a missing screw. I sent it back. I don't want a repeat of that experience...

After several very dodgy purchases from Japan, I don't buy there anymore. The dealers are reputable - at least the ones I dealt with - and gave me full refunds, but their scoring system is ridiculously overstated.

 

[SodaAnt]

Is there any way to tell when a C330 was manufactured from the serial number?

 

[chuckroast]

Is there any way to tell when a C330 was manufactured from the serial number?

Mamiya Production Date Codes – Mamiya Repair

mamiyarepair.com

 

[markjwyatt]

Is there any way to tell when a C330 was manufactured from the serial number?

You should be able to access the information from Graham Patterson's site and his downloads. See his System Summary.

Mamiya TLR System Summary

 

[Tel]

I've been researching this issue and found this site that sells replacement seals for the viewfinder. Cheap, and they appear easy to install.

Mamiya C330F Screen Frame Seals

Mamiya C330F Screen Frame Seals | Premium Quality Open Cell Foam Lasts Years | Same Japanese Foam As Original | Mamiya Film Cameras | USCamera Foam

uscamera.com

Mamiya C330 S Fresnel Frame Light Seals

USCamera Since 1998 | Premium Quality Open Cell Foam Light Seals | Kits | Foam Sheets | Pre-Cut Strips | Mamiya C330 S Fresnel Frame Light Seals | TLR

uscamera.com

I've used their light seal kits and been happy with them. Worth noting that they also sell larger pieces of light seal foam very cheaply if you want to cut your own. If you haven't done light seal installation, I recommend The "Fix Old Cameras" technique from youtube. He uses isopropyl alcohol as a release agent to prevent the adhesive on the foam strips from sticking to the sides of the baffle channel during insertion. As the alcohol evaporates, the adhesive sticks but (hopefully) not until you have the strip correctly placed.

 

[250swb]

He uses isopropyl alcohol as a release agent to prevent the adhesive on the foam strips from sticking to the sides of the baffle channel during insertion. As the alcohol evaporates, the adhesive sticks but (hopefully) not until you have the strip correctly placed.

I don't know how he does that, ISP evaporates very, very quickly and faster than you can lay down a strip of foam. Use what the NASCAR teams do when laying down their advertising/colour scheme vinyl wraps, water and mild detergent. In their case they spray it on, with a camera you can use an artists watercolour brush to apply it.

 

[SodaAnt]

I don't know how he does that, ISP evaporates very, very quickly and faster than you can lay down a strip of foam. Use what the NASCAR teams do when laying down their advertising/colour scheme vinyl wraps, water and mild detergent. In their case they spray it on, with a camera you can use an artists watercolour brush to apply it.

The instructions I read say to use isopropyl alcohol at no more than 50% concentration.

 

[Tel]

I have a small dish that I used to use for watercolors. I pour some isopropyl in it and drag the strip of foam through it immediately prior to positioning it on the camera, so the foam is saturated. I usually have about 20-30 seconds to make adjustments, then I leave it alone for a few minutes and test for even adhesion. Done it this way for several years on 20+ cameras and it worked every time.

 

[grahamp]

You should be able to access the information from Graham Patterson's site and his downloads. See his System Summary.

Mamiya TLR System Summary

Actually the previous-ish post about the A-J cycle very 10 years (follow the Mamiya Repair link) was very illuminating. It explains why the pattern did not fit the specific model ages. Always helps to have the official documentation and not have to reverse engineer it!

I see a re-write in my future.

 

[markjwyatt]

Actually the previous-ish post about the A-J cycle very 10 years (follow the Mamiya Repair link) was very illuminating. It explains why the pattern did not fit the specific model ages. Always helps to have the official documentation and not have to reverse engineer it!

I see a re-write in my future.

A synthesis of both may hold the key.

 

[chuckroast]

The instructions I read say to use isopropyl alcohol at no more than 50% concentration.

Purell hand cleaner does the job nicely.

 

[250swb]

The instructions I read say to use isopropyl alcohol at no more than 50% concentration.

Ah, so it's diluted with water which won't evaporate too quickly and the IPA is to break the surface tension, I was thinking 99% IPA.