Mamiya TLR prism finder question

kingbuzzie · Jul 11, 2016

Hi All,

I'm looking to buy my first TLR, probably like a yashica 124 or mamiya c series. I'm looking online here and there, but I've never used one. If a camera has a prism finder attached, is the waist finder still on the camera or is that something that is removed and I must replace separately?

Thanks for the help.

grahamp · Jul 11, 2016

The mamiya finders detach. There is a captive clamp screw on the photographer's side of the camera, and a pair or lugs slots at the front. The screen stays on the camera.

The Mamiyas have the option of a traditional glass pentaprism (heavy, bright) and the Porrofinder which is all mirrors (lighter, bigger, not as bright). There are also some aftermarket modifications to take Kiev or 'Blad finders.

Some people love eye level, right way around finders on TLRs, others go with the WLF.

Sirius Glass · Jul 11, 2016

The prism gets rid of the left-right reversal problem so that it is easier to track a subject [sports, small children, pets, ...].

BAC1967 · Jul 11, 2016

I have both the prism finder and the waist level finder for my C3. Grahamp is correct, the prism finder is heavy. Unless the camera is on a tripod I find the prism finder awkward to use. The C3 by itself is a heavy camera so it is best suited for use on a tripod but either way I prefer the waist level finder. I think the later Mamiya TLR's like the C330 are lighter, more plastic in the construction.

kingbuzzie · Jul 11, 2016

Well at the moment I am having a problem finding something in my budget. I was hoping some of the c220s might be cheap, but not so much.

grahamp · Jul 12, 2016

For the Mamiyas, look at the C33, C330, C330f. The C330s is the newest, but may not be worth the premium some place on it.

Manual cocking bodies C22, C220, C220f. Apart from the lack of automatic lens cocking on wind-on, and active parallax indication in the finder, the manuals are pretty decent.

One thing to watch out for with C22 and C33 is that they used a different back for 220 film - it was a customization and not all have the feature - which will mess up using 120 film.

On the YashicaMat side, a clean YashicaMat (pre 124) with a Yashinon lens is just as good as the later models. One thing about the YashicaMats and similar Rollei copies is that they tend to be no bigger than they have to be, and there is a limit to the accessories you might be tempted to but!

kingbuzzie · Jul 12, 2016

I've given up on the mamiya and am now looking for a yashica or ricohflex.

grahamp said:
For the Mamiyas, look at the C33, C330, C330f. The C330s is the newest, but may not be worth the premium some place on it.

Manual cocking bodies C22, C220, C220f. Apart from the lack of automatic lens cocking on wind-on, and active parallax indication in the finder, the manuals are pretty decent.

One thing to watch out for with C22 and C33 is that they used a different back for 220 film - it was a customization and not all have the feature - which will mess up using 120 film.

On the YashicaMat side, a clean YashicaMat (pre 124) with a Yashinon lens is just as good as the later models. One thing about the YashicaMats and similar Rollei copies is that they tend to be no bigger than they have to be, and there is a limit to the accessories you might be tempted to but!

benjiboy · Jul 30, 2016

The prism is heavy and is best used in my experience with the Mamiya L grip with trigger release which enables you to hold the camera with you're left hand and fire the shutter with your'e left index finger, enabling you to focus and wind the film with your'e right hand.

BAC1967 · Jul 30, 2016

benjiboy said:
The prism is heavy and is best used in my experience with the Mamiya L grip with trigger release which enables you to hold the camera with you're left hand and fire the shutter with your'e left index finger, enabling you to focus and wind the film with your'e right hand.

I have the grip you're talking about, for me it's awkward to shoot that way because I have to hold my wrist in an awkward position to bring the prism finder to my eye. I can use it that way it just feels awkward. If the grip was bent at an angle towards the back of the camera it would work better.

Gerald C Koch · Jul 30, 2016

It is important to distinguish between a porro prism and a true prism. A porro prism uses mirrors and is much lighter. With the C series when you attach either the focusing screen remains in place but the hood assembly is removed. From my personal experience I seldom use the prism.

The C series are fine cameras and the lenses are excellent. However they are large and heavier than you run-of-the-mill TLRs. You pay a price for lens interchangeability.

Consider the grip a necessity!

Alan Gales · Jul 30, 2016

kingbuzzie said:
Well at the moment I am having a problem finding something in my budget. I was hoping some of the c220s might be cheap, but not so much.

You can pick up a C220 with 80mm lens for $200 off eBay. I don't know what your budget is but that is pretty inexpensive for an interchangeable lens medium format camera.

kingbuzzie · Jul 30, 2016

Alan Gales said:
You can pick up a C220 with 80mm lens for $200 off eBay. I don't know what your budget is but that is pretty inexpensive for an interchangeable lens medium format camera.

I already picked up a yashica mat 12 and it is being serviced by Mark Hama. I really debated about this a long time, as I know the mat 124g has better light baffles in it (I ended up buying some flocking material to stick inside). Even 124g in awful shape commanded a lot of money, and even the ones that looked nice on fleabay probably haven't been serviced in 20+ years. I thought buying a cheap estate find and having Mr. Hama overhaul it the most prudent choice since I have no experience with these cameras. It is hard to tell when something isn't working well when you've never used one that is spot on!

Alan Gales · Jul 30, 2016

kingbuzzie said:
I already picked up a yashica mat 12 and it is being serviced by Mark Hama. I really debated about this a long time, as I know the mat 124g has better light baffles in it (I ended up buying some flocking material to stick inside). Even 124g in awful shape commanded a lot of money, and even the ones that looked nice on fleabay probably haven't been serviced in 20+ years. I thought buying a cheap estate find and having Mr. Hama overhaul it the most prudent choice since I have no experience with these cameras. It is hard to tell when something isn't working well when you've never used one that is spot on!

The Yashica with being overhauled should provide many years of trouble free service.

I went the C220 f route myself. It's a bit heavier and probably cost more than your Yashica but I needed the ability to use interchangeable lenses for portraiture. Both are fine cameras.

benjiboy · Aug 3, 2016

BAC1967 said:
I have the grip you're talking about, for me it's awkward to shoot that way because I have to hold my wrist in an awkward position to bring the prism finder to my eye. I can use it that way it just feels awkward. If the grip was bent at an angle towards the back of the camera it would work better.

They also made a multi- angle grip http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mamiya-Mult...875150?hash=item21137ced8e:g:-5kAAOSw4hdXID6p, but I'm happy with the one I have.

Mamiya TLR prism finder question

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