Which Square Camera Should I Keep, Mamiya-Six, or Rolleicord, C330?

Prest_400 · Apr 3, 2024

Tough choices, can't watch the video right now due to being on a trip so I will +1 to someone who wrote postponing the video for an unbiased opinion

I would go to Keep the Mamiya Six for compactness, together with switching/upgrading the same camera model. I read there was red window advance but perhaps a latter series model should have automatic film advance. My 6x6 is a Super Ikonta IV, which has a coupled RF, Tessar lens and automatic film advance as well as being light and compact. My main camera is a Fuji 6x9.

Steven Lee said:
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

It's an interesting point as the first (scan) results I had from the Super Ikonta's Tessar were a bit disappointing, but that was coming from the modern Fujinon of a much newer camera. Later on I came to terms with it stopping down and 10" wide prints look great.

GregY said:
A new Mamiya 6 or 7 with 2 lenses would fit in a smaller bag ...... since you're measuring...

But how many Cameras and film does the ongoing price for the M6 cover? OP can buy maybe 3 more of the current cameras, and have 6 for the Mamiya (pun).
The Mamiyas are fantastic cameras but are very expensive nowadays. GF670 would be also a great choice in that line; if afforded.

Rolleiflexible said:
How many people in this thread find the need to change focal lengths when shooting 6x6? I got a Hasselblad ages ago thinking this would be a great draw. But I never took the 80 off the camera.

Or exactly getting used to fixed focal lengths. I came to terms with it when in Medium format and even film in general.

lecarp said:
Seems like this jumbo jet is landing in Cuba instead of Miami.

Just a little bit highjacked.

But I bet quite some interesting pictures to take in Havana, Cuba!
There is something special with Medium format and the "period correct" match of a classic 6x6 with the "frozen in time" Caribbean nation.

abruzzi · Apr 3, 2024

I never go out with less than 3 lenses, though I could probably get by with 2 since using my wides are pretty uncommon for me. My SQ-A usually has the 150 on it with the 100 and 50 in the bag. I mount the 100 a lot, the 50 a lot less. I've found the 80 is wider than I like.

Its like the people who ask, do you really need changable backs, do you actually every switch films mid roll? My answer is--all the time. I've migrated from Pentax 67 to Bronica GS-1 because the Pentax can switch films mid roll.

RalphLambrecht · Apr 3, 2024

Rolleiflexible said:
FWIW I never understood the attraction of the C330. It's more versatile in theory. In practice, I wonder how often people actually change the lenses. If having a variety of lenses were important, then I would get a Hasselblad. The chief appeal of TLRs to me is their form. The C330's size defeats that. Of course YMMV.

Hasselblad, if you can afford it. That's a no-brainer.

GregY · Apr 3, 2024

Prest_400 said:
Tough choices, can't watch the video right now due to being on a trip so I will +1 to someone who wrote postponing the video for an unbiased opinion

I would go to Keep the Mamiya Six for compactness, together with switching/upgrading the same camera model. I read there was red window advance but perhaps a latter series model should have automatic film advance. My 6x6 is a Super Ikonta IV, which has a coupled RF, Tessar lens and automatic film advance as well as being light and compact. My main camera is a Fuji 6x9.

It's an interesting point as the first (scan) results I had from the Super Ikonta's Tessar were a bit disappointing, but that was coming from the modern Fujinon of a much newer camera. Later on I came to terms with it stopping down and 10" wide prints look great.

But how many Cameras and film does the ongoing price for the M6 cover? OP can buy maybe 3 more of the current cameras, and have 6 for the Mamiya (pun).
The Mamiyas are fantastic cameras but are very expensive nowadays. GF670 would be also a great choice in that line; if afforded.

Or exactly getting used to fixed focal lengths. I came to terms with it when in Medium format and even film in general.

But I bet quite some interesting pictures to take in Havana, Cuba!
There is something special with Medium format and the "period correct" match of a classic 6x6 with the "frozen in time" Caribbean nation.

Prest, I simply mentioned the new Mamiya 6MF when the claim was made that the C330 was a compact kit.....not to compare price.

Melvin J Bramley · Apr 3, 2024

grahamp said:
Just for comparison, I weighed some of the cameras I had access to, because I was curious about the weight breakdown some years ago.

Yashicamat (rough equivalent to the Rolleicord?) 1105 g (fixed lens, obviously)

New Mamiya 6 with 50, 75, 150mm 1955 g

C330 with 55, 80, 180mm Super 2830 g

My Zeiss Ikonta is around 500g (estimate).

The Mamiya C330 body is heavy, but the lenses are generally as light or lighter than comparable medium format SLR lenses, because they tend to be slower.

The Mamiya 6 folder is probably the hardest to repair. There will probably be Rolleicord repairs available for quite a while, if only because of the stature of the marque. The C330 does separate the body and lens, so some sort of parts swap is possible as a repair alternative.

Too many cameras and they do not get used. Too few, and you may be without your camera for quite a while due to limited repairers. It is nice to have the luxury of having this conundrum, though.

Why ...The Mamiya 6 folder is probably the hardest to repair?
It's a simple camera..
That said i'm experiencing difficulties having my Automat repaired.

GregY · Apr 3, 2024

abruzzi said:
I never go out with less than 3 lenses, though I could probably get by with 2 since using my wides are pretty uncommon for me. My SQ-A usually has the 150 on it with the 100 and 50 in the bag. I mount the 100 a lot, the 50 a lot less. I've found the 80 is wider than I like.

Its like the people who ask, do you really need changable backs, do you actually every switch films mid roll? My answer is--all the time. I've migrated from Pentax 67 to Bronica GS-1 because the Pentax can switch films mid roll.

? Really?

Melvin J Bramley · Apr 3, 2024

The conversation started with the choice between three 1950-60 cameras now we are discussing a 1989 camera!
We may as well start discussing film vs digital!
Get with the programme folks!

GregY · Apr 3, 2024

Melvin J Bramley said:
The conversation started with the choice between three 1950-60 cameras now we are discussing a 1989 camera!
We may as well start discussing film vs digital!
Get with the programme folks!

You had to be there Melvin. There have been several interesting sidelines. I'll take the blame for this one....
I think the C330 is a beast & this line caught my attention (about the C330) :

"2) a body and two lenses fits in just about the smallest bag possible for a two lens medium format kit."

You had to be there... it's been an interesting ride. Lot's of good stuff especially re Hasselblad & Rolleiflex TLR

"

John Wiegerink · Apr 3, 2024

GregY said:
? Really?

Me thinks this was a slight typo?

Maris · Apr 3, 2024

I shoot a lot of wide angle landscapes on infrared film. A TLR camera is ideal for the task because I don't have to remove the IR filter between shooting and framing/focussing the next picture. The only high quality alternatives are a Rolleiwide and a C330 with the 55mmf4.5 lens. Price difference says choose the Mamiya C330. And I get to shoot the 80mm f2.8 and the Super 180mm f4.5 lenses as well.

pbromaghin · Apr 3, 2024

So just what does retirement have to do with how many cameras you own? Nonsense. Keep them all.

MattKing · Apr 3, 2024

pbromaghin said:
So just what does retirement have to do with how many cameras you own? Nonsense. Keep them all.

Retirement often coincides with a need to down-size.

Dan Daniel · Apr 4, 2024

MattKing said:
Retirement often coincides with a need to down-size.

Then that eliminates keeping the C330, yes?

I'll let myself out.....

JPD · Apr 4, 2024

MattKing said:
Retirement often coincides with a need to down-size.

Minox 8x11 cameras are fun to collect and use.

Dustin McAmera · Apr 4, 2024

If the purpose is downsizing, then the elephant in the room is the 8x10, surely?

I have a few dozen cameras, but few of them are really big. If I had to, I could go and live in a narrowboat or a tiny flat, and not have to get rid of any of them (the damp in a narrowboat would destroy half of them in a year or two).

I could edit them down to a dozen without much pain (and probably give most of the non-keepers to the Oxfam shop rather than faff about selling them - I have always been a bit of a cheapskate so they're not worth much).

Besk · Apr 4, 2024

If 120 6x6 is not your main format and not used often, I would keep the Mamiya i(being smallest) and move on.
The second choice would be the Rolleicord.

Dustin McAmera · Apr 4, 2024

Answering the question actually asked, my instinct is to keep the Mamiya Six, but it's already coming third in an imaginary pros-and-cons table in my head. In particular, I guess it has an uncoated lens, while the rolleicord has a somewhat-coated lens, and the C330 has ~~a better-coated lens~~ no - a selection of better-coated lenses.

The folder that fits in a coat or rucksack pocket would still win for me on many days... so my recommendation is that you keep the C330, give the Rolleicord to one of your students as a prize, and give the Mamiya Six to me.

Rolleiflexible · Apr 4, 2024

Maris said:
I shoot a lot of wide angle landscapes on infrared film. A TLR camera is ideal for the task because I don't have to remove the IR filter between shooting and framing/focussing the next picture. The only high quality alternatives are a Rolleiwide and a C330 with the 55mmf4.5 lens. Price difference says choose the Mamiya C330. And I get to shoot the 80mm f2.8 and the Super 180mm f4.5 lenses as well.

This makes sense to me. I have a Mutar wide attachment for the Rolleiflex, that drops the effective focal length down to about 55mm. Although I shoot a lot of landscapes, the Mutar sits mostly unused — in most cases I can get to the same result by stepping back a few paces with the bare camera. I think, in the end (as is true for all the responses here) it boils down to individual bias and presumption and habit.

Ian Grant · Apr 4, 2024

Personally I would ditch the Rolleicord. I've used TLRs for 50+ years. I had a Mamiya C33 and C3 for a few years, until they were stolen, with the 55mm & 80mm lenses, I replaced them with MAmiya 645 cameras.

If 120 was my main format I might start using a C33/300 again, however I'm happy using my 2 Rolleiflex cameras. I've often thought about an early Mamiya 6 but like Andrew I've found the Ilford backing paper numbers difficult to use in practice. Foma films have easier to read numbers.

Ian

John Wiegerink · Apr 4, 2024

MattKing said:
Retirement often coincides with a need to down-size.

It also coincides with the wife harping at you to get rid of that "junk". As you can tell, the only camera she has is her iPhone.

campy51 · Apr 4, 2024

I think you would be very happy with a Rolleiflex E or F. I prefer the Xenotar lens over the Planar but that's whole separate thread.

GregY · Apr 4, 2024

MattKing said:
Retirement often coincides with a need to down-size.

Or simply noticing that all the while you were working, you acquired a bunch of stuff you neither use nor need.......

reddesert · Apr 4, 2024

Dustin McAmera said:
Answering the question actually asked, my instinct is to keep the Mamiya Six, but it's already coming third in an imaginary pros-and-cons table in my head. In particular, I guess it has an uncoated lens, while the rolleicord has a somewhat-coated lens, and the C330 has ~~a better-coated lens~~ no - a selection of better-coated lenses.

The folder that fits in a coat or rucksack pocket would still win for me on many days... so my recommendation is that you keep the C330, give the Rolleicord to one of your students as a prize, and give the Mamiya Six to me.

The Mamiya Six is a postwar camera with a single coated lens (meaning "a single layer coating, not multi-layer coated as introduced in the mid-1970s"). Postwar Rolleicords and early (or most) Mamiya TLR lenses are also single coated. The Mamiya Six coatings might be a little more primitive, but with all cameras of this age, I'm more concerned with whether the lens has a little haze than the difference between single-coating of 1951 and single-coating of 1968.

Unsurprisingly, what this thread reveals is that the answer about which to keep depends on the intended use. Do you want to be able to put it in a pocket, do you mostly shoot from a tripod, do you make heavy use of IR filters ... these all have different implications for size, weight, viewing system, etc.

Dustin McAmera · Apr 4, 2024

Do you have a coated one? Camera-wiki says 'all Mamiya Six lenses are uncoated'. (For full disclosure, I write a bit for CW, but I didn't write that, so I hoped there was some chance it was true).

Mamiya Six - Camera-wiki.org - The free camera encyclopedia

camera-wiki.org

..and yet I find photos of a mixture of coated ('D Zuiko F.C. 1:3,5 f=7,5cm') and uncoated in our pool at Flickr, and a statement on another page that customers could send their own lens to be mounted, which means all bets are off. I'll delete that statement..

(went and did that)
It was a clumsy edit, where someone had written 'all lenses on models I, Ia, ... and III are uncoated' (which may well be true) and someone else had simplified that to 'all Mamiya Six lenses', which we know isn't.

Melvin J Bramley · Apr 4, 2024

I have two Olympus 6 folders.
The newer late model Automat has an Olympus lens that has NO coated marking.
The older camera has an Olympus coated lens!, go figure.

Which Square Camera Should I Keep, Mamiya-Six, or Rolleicord, C330?

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