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

[Andrew O'Neill]

 

[GregY]

The Rolleicord. I've got a Rolleiflex T and a Perkeo ii for square cameras....I've owned & used the C-330 and although it has great lenses and flexibility (if you need a system camera), it's just too bulky for the kind of photography i do.

 

[Dan Daniel]

If you can deal with the size and weight, the C330 seems best. BUT- size and weight are often important. In both directions. Sometimes a more cumbersome camera adds a little needed 'gravitas' to the process of taking photos.

 

[MattKing]

The C330 - but I'm biased .

 

[Roger Thoms]

Definitely the C330, and I’m not biased. I’m just basing it on your results and the fact that’s it’s the most versatile of the three cameras.

Roger

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

I do love the C330. Versatility aside, there is the sentimental value attached to it. My intro to serious photography was with this camera. I have two other lenses for it, but I keep forgetting to pick them up from my wife's uncle. The 55 and the 250.

 

[John Wiegerink]

Andy,
I've owned all three cameras at one time or another, and they are all very good when it comes to taking photographs. Of the three, the Mamiya C330 gets my pick if it were the only one of the three I could keep. Truthfully, of those three, I would keep the Rolleicord. Why? Because it would be the first one of the three I would pick up as I was rushing out the door. Yup, I'd look at all three and say to myself, which one do I really want to carry when I get out of the car or whatever. The C330 is out of the class when it comes to light and handy. It's more versatile, for sure, but just not as handy as the other two. The Mamiya folder is nice, but more prone to problems and bellows issues, plus it's not lightweight. If your Rolleicord's lens is up to snuff, and it's focusing and shutter are working fine, it's hard to beat. I wanted to give my thoughts before I watched the video so it would influence my thoughts. Also, I know you have other cameras. If you had no other cameras but the three in the video, I would certainly be pushing that Mamiya C330 to the front row of seats. Just my thoughts of course. Now I'm going to set back and enjoy the video.

 

[Steven Lee]

As an owner of 3 Rolleiflexes I would pick the C330. I have never seen a medium format camera that's easier to focus than a Mamiya. I am not sure why other manufacturers haven't figured out the focusing screen tech they used. Additionally, having the ability to swap 55mm and 80mm is pretty handy, or the 65mm and 135mm pair. In terms of portability, the Rollei and the C330 occupy the same shoulder bag so they are equal to me. Yes, the Mamiya is heavier, but that's a benefit for 95% Photrio visitors: you're losing muscle mass after 45 so it's critical to have as much exercise in your daily lives as possible.

 

[Rolleiflexible]

The C330 is out of the class when it comes to light and handy. It's more versatile, for sure, but just not as handy as the other two.

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.

 

[Rolleiflexible]

Yes, the Mamiya is heavier, but that's a benefit for 95% Photrio visitors: you're losing muscle mass after 45 so it's critical to have as much exercise in your daily lives as possible.

Sad but true.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

I walk a lot, and do these silly stretching exercises with my wife... having strong core muscles makes a big difference!

 

[grahamp]

I'm making these comments before viewing the video, so I do not get swayed by your preference

How invested are you in the C330? If you have more than one body and lens then it might be a good choice to keep. Good close-up ability, and it does not weigh as much as the RB! Although I have a good few years experience with the C330, I only keep mine because it is the only 'system' camera I own.

I used a Rolleicord in college, and have used a Yashicamat more recently. There is a lot to be said for a basic TLR - it does the job, and there is no debate about what to carry. If I could only have one camera (oh, my) I'd take something in the basic TLR group.

The old Mamiya 6 folder is compact, which makes it a good travel option. I have a similar Zeiss Ikonta that is used for times when I want something compact.

Now I'll go watch the video and see how much we differ!

 

[grahamp]

Red window advance can be a pain. I often have to take the camera off the tripod to get better light on the window to make sure I stop in the right place. The Rolleicord has the common issue with 'L' shaped film path cameras - you cannot change film on the tripod.

I doubt the medium format stuff is taking up as much space as the large format kit, so if that is the driving force, I think you started at the wrong end...

 

[GregY]

Red window advance can be a pain. I often have to take the camera off the tripod to get better light on the window to make sure I stop in the right place. The Rolleicord has the common issue with 'L' shaped film path cameras - you cannot change film on the tripod.

I doubt the medium format stuff is taking up as much space as the large format kit, so if that is the driving force, I think you started at the wrong end...

I'm not sure i get the importance of being able to change film while the camera is on the tripod....at best it's awkward. I can't gas up my car while i'm driving either.....

 

[Steven Lee]

I'm not sure i get the importance of being able to change film while the camera is on the tripod...

What's not to get? When you're shooting on a tripod why would you want to take the camera off just to change film? When I'm on location I keep the camera mounted the entire time even when walking around trying different angles. It's even more handy during a portrait session. Although to be fair a Hasselblad or any other system with film backs would be a better choice for those situations than a TLR.

 

[Vaidotas]

It looks you already have Mamiya RB.
Is there any significant performance difference comparing to C330. Probably not.

If RB is gone, then my choice would be C330.
If not…

You didn’t mentioned which lens is on your Rolleicord - Triotar, Tessar or Xenar.

To my experience there are two unique performing normal FL lens on Rollei TLR - Planar and … Triotar (leaving alone discussion abot tessar capabilities for another thread).

So, my choice would be Rolleicord with Triotar.
They are cheap and plenty.
Try one.

 

[Rick A]

Having owned and used all three extensively, my preference lies with the Mamiya Six folder. It's a perfect size and weight, fits into a cargo pocket of your shorts/pants, quality optics. I have been a huge fan of TLR's since high school in the 60's using Yashica's on the year book staff, Rollei's premium optics blow me away. Of course, the C-220/330's have interchangeable lenses making them more versatile, but makes the kit large and more junk to pack around. I really miss my Mamiya Six folder that was stolen, I haven't found one as good since, all the ones I've purchased were returned with issues to the sellers. If you have a good example of it there's no need for anything else.
FWIW, I'm a couple of rolls of 120 away from selling my RB kit. Health issues have made it extremely difficult to drag heavy gear around.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

I have two C330's. A couple of 80mm lenses, as well as the two other FL's mentioned above. I guess you could say that I am invested in it... at least I was in my early days, until I bought an RB67 (but it's not square).
I do like the Mamiya-Six, but not the film counter window. In dim lighting, it's really challenging. I've wound past numbers with almost every roll.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

It looks you already have Mamiya RB.
Is there any significant performance difference comparing to C330. Probably not.

If RB is gone, then my choice would be C330.
If not…

You didn’t mentioned which lens is on your Rolleicord - Triotar, Tessar or Xenar.

To my experience there are two unique performing normal FL lens on Rollei TLR - Planar and … Triotar (leaving alone discussion abot tessar capabilities for another thread).

So, my choice would be Rolleicord with Triotar.
They are cheap and plenty.
Try one.

Yup. The RB isn't square. I have several square cameras, and I'm just rethinking if I need so many... The Rolleicord lens is a Xenar.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Having owned and used all three extensively, my preference lies with the Mamiya Six folder. It's a perfect size and weight, fits into a cargo pocket of your shorts/pants, quality optics. I have been a huge fan of TLR's since high school in the 60's using Yashica's on the year book staff, Rollei's premium optics blow me away. Of course, the C-220/330's have interchangeable lenses making them more versatile, but makes the kit large and more junk to pack around. I really miss my Mamiya Six folder that was stolen, I haven't found one as good since, all the ones I've purchased were returned with issues to the sellers. If you have a good example of it there's no need for anything else.
FWIW, I'm a couple of rolls of 120 away from selling my RB kit. Health issues have made it extremely difficult to drag heavy gear around.

I've been quite happy with my Mamiya-Six. It performed quite well over in Japan last Summer, with Rollei IR and IR filter taped on

 

[GregY]

What's not to get? When you're shooting on a tripod why would you want to take the camera off just to change film? When I'm on location I keep the camera mounted the entire time even when walking around trying different angles. It's even more handy during a portrait session. Although to be fair a Hasselblad or any other system with film backs would be a better choice for those situations than a TLR.

It's only an issue if you make it one. There are lots of quick release plates. I'm guessing Avedon sometimes used his Rolleiflex on a tripod? I certainly would not make loading film while on a tripod a priority issue in selecting a camera....(for the work i do...& yes i sometimes use one)
In Andrew's question, i'd still choose the Rolleicord over the Mamiya 6 folder or the C-330. In the end, it's academic; none of the cameras take up a lot of space, nor will bring big $$ on resale. We can make up all the issues we want....in the end they're only opinions, and not particularly meaningful to Andrew.
I might be asking "Should I keep the C-330 outfit or the RB67 kit?"
I'll extrapolate from Sanders Mc's view....... versatility does not always depend on how many different lenses a camera takes.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

...and at the same time, I really do appreciate everyone's input.

 

[Luckless]

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.

 

[xya]

Another one for the C330. I do own all 3, but the others will have to go sooner or later. There is no better one for me than than the C330. And yes, I do understand the arguments against it, but....

 

[campy51]

You own the wrong Mamiya 6. The Mamiya Six samples are not impressive at all.