Mamiya C330 TLR... HELP!

Step-One-Seven

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Just received my "new" Mamiya 330f with 135 mm lens. Everything appears mechanically functional, but the lens assembly seems "wiggly" when mounted. The spring clamp, etc. is properly seated and everything else seems tight.

Is this normal?

Thx!
Brady
 

Michel Hardy-Vallée

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Did you turn the Lock-Unlock button on the left hand side to the "Lock" position?
 
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Step-One-Seven

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yeah... the lens seems to be mounted fine, it's just wiggly from left to right...
 

kraker

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Step-One-Seven said:
yeah... the lens seems to be mounted fine, it's just wiggly from left to right...
Click to expand...

Wiggly like 1 or 2 mm wiggly? Or wiggly like really, really wiggly?

With my C3 and assorted lenses, a slight movement (the 1 or 2 mm I mentioned) of the lenses from left to right is possible. If that's all, I shouldn't really worry about it.

If it's more, or if the lens is very easy to move (by means of gravity for example), then... I wouldn't know what's the matter.
 

Michel Hardy-Vallée

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FilmIs4Ever

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As long as it's not wiggling a sixteenth of an inch when the picture's being taken, it's OK

I don't own a 330, but I use a C220 as my backup camera, and a slight bit of play with the lens, WHEN YOU ARE PLAYING WITH IT, is normal, but you shouldn't have it rattling around while you're using the camera.

I doubt this will really impact your photos (shoot a test roll of 120, 120's cheap, right?) but you may want to send the camera in for servicing if you suspect that the meetal grasps that hold the lens in place are getting loose.
 
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Step-One-Seven

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I've got the manual (original came with)... The lenses are tight in the assembly mount, it's the assembly that wiggles. Further diagnosis shows that the "looseness" is actually at the top of the assembly, where the bend in the wire clamp SHOULD contact the lens assembly. The lens assembly is rocking vertically, pivoting around the attachment point at the bottom. I'm thinking I can use some foam or something on the top part of the lens assembly to shim under the wire clamp. Doesn't seem like it ought to move this much. The top will pivot "out" a good 3 mm or so...
 

2F/2F

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If the top wire clamp is not contacting the lensboard, that is your problem. Bend the clamp back to where it should be and you will be fine. The bottom of the clamp should hit the lensboard first, on the bottom, then the top of the clamp follows, on the top of the lensboard, with some additional pressure. Then you clip it. Then you turn the knob back to lock.
 
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Step-One-Seven

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should've thought to take a digital snap of the issue. Did some "attitude adjustment" on the spring clamp and she's locking up nice and tight now. Finishing first roll off tomorrow morning, then into the tank to see if that fixed it...
 
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