Mamiya c330 single exposure attachment and film holders

Hello,

I'm searching for a Mamiya c330 single exposure attachment. The complete units that I've found (those with film holders) are costly and according to the C330 manual, the older Mamiya C single exposure attachments (which are cheaper) do not fit.

I've found an affordable C330 back but it does not come with any film holders. Does anyone know if the C type single sheet film holders fit the C330 single exposure attachments?

Any other suggestions?

Thanks,

I have not been able to test the various sheet film backs for cross-compatibility, but as best I can determine the C330 back has registration pins, so you need the matching film holders. See Mamiya TLR sheet film. I have some pictures at Various Mamiya TLR pitures including the last sheet back.

That's a shame Mamiya redesigned the back and holders for the newer cameras. The old ones look exactly like the used ones commonly found for the Rolleiflex tlr back.
I see the newer ones are backwards compatible but unfortunately not vis-versa.

Here for your convenience – These are the instructions for the single exposure attachment for the Mamiya C3 and the Mamiya C330, the Mamiya C330f, C330s, and similar cameras. I think the second version may work on the C220 and earlier cameras as well. These documents reflect the instructions for the first and second version of the attachment respectively. There were two versions made – one for the earlier models of camera, C2 / C3, etc. and then this one. The plate/film holders are backward compatible (meaning the later ones can be used on the earlier attachment for the C3, but not the other way around) but otherwise the two are not interchangeable. I’ve included the English language instructions as well as the Japanese version in case these would be useful to you. I have not always been able to find these documents online when I needed them, so now I’m posting them in case you are in the same predicament.

grahamp said:

I have not been able to test the various sheet film backs for cross-compatibility, but as best I can determine the C330 back has registration pins, so you need the matching film holders. See Mamiya TLR sheet film. I have some pictures at Various Mamiya TLR pitures including the last sheet back.

Click to expand...

Thanks a lot Graham. I hadn't seen your pages on the Mamiya TLRs before. Sorry if I'm confused here, but does the "Mamiya C plate holder model 2" fit the "Single Exposure Back Attachment for the C330"? It looks that way from the photos in your second link.

Confused me as well. It only began to make some sense when I was able to examine an example. I only have the one pictured and it fits my C330.

The first model fits the C3, and does not overhang the base of the camera.

The second model comes in two 'flavours', which seem to be broadly identical:

a) one compatible with the C33 back hinge, with the rubber 'M' surface.
b) one compatible with the C330 back hinge, with the leatherette surface.

The second model projects below the camera base, and has the locating pins.

I infer that the Model 2 holders for the C33 are the same as those for the C330, and only differ in the surface finish. I have not compared them, or seen documentation to confirm it.

Note that if you are using film, rather than plates, the insert size is important if you are not cutting your own film. Though there are not many off-the-shelf options for small sheet film sizes left.

@grahamp Thanks Graham. I purchased a new-looking C330 single-exposure back (leatherette surface) and a Mamiya C Model 2 plate holder (also nice). I'll test this holder before ordering more. Where there are kits available with a C330 back together with film/plate holders, these holders appear to be the same as the Mamiya C Model 2.

I'll be cutting the film. I'm wanting to experiment with x-ray film, specifically.

Cheers,

The C330 back I have came with three holders (numbered 1-3) in the original box. I have no idea if there were ever higher numbers made, or the original availability of the holders individually.

There must have been a reason for doing 6x6 on small sheets or plates at one time. Probably government or large corporations, maybe portrait studios.

grahamp said:

The C330 back I have came with three holders (numbered 1-3) in the original box. I have no idea if there were ever higher numbers made, or the original availability of the holders individually.

There must have been a reason for doing 6x6 on small sheets or plates at one time. Probably government or large corporations, maybe portrait studios.

Click to expand...

Hi Graham, if you're there. My C330 single exposure back and holder (Model two/type D sheath) arrived and I did a test with X-ray film. While I was very happy with the results, I found the cutting of the film difficult with a paper guillotine (the holder is really fussy!) and lost a few sheets inside the camera when trying to return the "dark slide" to its position in the holder. The English manual mentions a special film cutter (although that may have been for the Type J sheath). Have you ever come across one of these and how do you go about cutting your film?

I'll paste my two test shots below. Film was Fujifilm UM-MA and developer was D76H:

Cheers,