Andrew O'Neill
Moderator
The pros/cons chart is a good idea. Thanks!
I have a Zeiss Ikon in place of your Mamiya-Six, but also have a pair of C330s and a Rolleicord, and I can't say you're faced with an easy choice.
Of my 3 the Rolleicord is probably my least used, but I tend to reach for the C330 and its extended focus range unless I have a reason to skip the extra weight. If a C330 hadn't been the first TLR I got into I don't think I would put up with the weight and bulk if I picked one up after years of using and exploring a TLR as light and handy as a Rolleicord.
If I'm skipping the bulk/weight of the C330, then I'm more likely to skip all the way down to the far more compact folding rangefinder, but mine is a HEAVY chunk of material. [It also is the weird one that does 11 frames on a roll...]
Best bet on something like this if you insist on downsizing might be making a pros/con chart and try to establish a points system to rank them, but I honestly don't find they have enough of an overlap in use and images to say that any one of them fully 'replaces' the other.
I use my rangefinder far differently than I do either of the TLRs. The range finder works from eye level, the TLRs consistently work from lower down. The views I sight with them are just different. The mood I'm in while working with them are different, and they have entirely different values to me.
The Rolleicord is a lighter and more specific use TLR. My C330 with a handful of lens options is a bit more general with its greater flexibility [at the cost of a fair bit heavier bit of kit to lug around.] But they're both cameras for "I'm planning to take photos".
The rangefinder however tends to be my "I hope I get to take photos" camera, and tags along when I'm out doing other things.
You own the wrong Mamiya 6. The Mamiya Six samples are not impressive at all.
You own the wrong Mamiya 6. The Mamiya Six samples are not impressive at all.
No one could complain about this one Andy! Would a Rollei 3.5 Planar or 80mm f2.8 Mamiya on your C330 make this a better image? I think not.
Mamiya-Six. Impressive enough for you?
Or maybe it's a combination of both????Nope. This is a 3x2" picture. There's no challenging light in it. A 35mm P&S could have been used to make that. You're conflating the artistic merits (that are excellent) with technical limitations of equipment (which is not stressed here at all). Or maybe you're just bragging. The photo is superb, I would have done the same
The C330 has lots of advantages. Two of them are:
1) it makes your RB67 seem small and light; and
2) a body and two lenses fits in just about the smallest bag possible for a two lens medium format kit.
Of course, in Andrew's case, the C330 has an additional advantage: he could use it for selfies!
View attachment 367249
{Andrew photographed using my C330}
A new Mamiya 6 or 7 with 2 lenses would fit in a smaller bag ...... since you're measuring...
Considering the new Mamiya 6, It would be an interesting comparison.
My bag with the C330, 65mm and 135mm lenses is remarkably compact.
I'd bet a bag for a Fuji GF670 & GF670wide or 2 Plaubel Makinas (67 & W67) would be more compact as well....
It's hard to convince anyone that the C330 is a compact camera...
Compactness is relative. My pair of C330s and a few lens options is 'Light and compact' compared to bringing out a pair of RB67s and a few lenses for an event. Doesn't help that I also tend to lug spare magazines on the RBs... And sometimes the eye level finder...
But I've also handled a Minox subminiature one time. And that feels like it is just entirely unfair to bring up.
Andy, if you decide the M-Six folder goes away I'll buy it from you. If I have only one film camera left to my name, that would be the one.
All in all I would like a Mamiya 6 Automat with the lens of the Minolta autocord; possible?
Luckless..... i was matching negative sizes & my issue was with Matt King's statement about the C330:
"2) a body and two lenses fits in just about the smallest bag possible for a two lens medium format kit."
which is as close to baloney as possible without making a sandwich.....
Luckless..... i was matching negative sizes & my issue was with Matt King's statement about the C330:
"2) a body and two lenses fits in just about the smallest bag possible for a two lens medium format kit."
which is as close to baloney as possible without making a sandwich.....
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