Mamiya C

The Mamiya C series is a line of twin-lens reflex medium-format system cameras manufactured by Mamiya between 1956 and 1994. It was developed from the Mamiyaflex series of cameras built from 1949 to 1956. The Mamiya C series was initially aimed at the professional market, but some later models were intended for amateurs.

Mamiya C series
Mamiya C220 and C330 models
Overview
MakerMamiya
TypeTwin-lens reflex
Lens
Lens mountMamiya C
LensInterchangeable
Compatible lensesseven focal lengths, from 55mm to 250mm
Sensor/medium
Image sensor typeFilm
Image sensor size56 mm × 56 mm (2.2 in × 2.2 in)
Film format120 film
Film advancemanual, knob or crank
Film rewindmanual
Focusing
Focusmanual
Exposure/metering
Exposure modesmanual
Exposure meteringin optional viewfinders or external
Shutter
Shutterin lens (leaf)
Shutter speeds1–​1⁄400 or ​1⁄500 + B
Viewfinder
Viewfinderground glass, waist-level
Chronology
Production1956–1994
PredecessorMamiyaflex

Common features

Unlike most TLR cameras, the Mamiya C has interchangeable lenses. The upper and lower lenses come off as a unit, and are available in at least seven different focal lengths. The lower lens of each unit has an aperture diaphragm as well as a leaf shutter. A flash sync terminal is part of the lens unit, and the delay can be set to M or X mode. The camera has an interlocking baffle that enables lenses to be changed without exposing the film.

Focusing is performed via a bellows system on the front side of the camera. Early models had separate film advance and shutter cocking mechanisms; on later models the shutter was automatically cocked as the film was advanced. There is no metering in the camera body, so an external light meter is necessary; later models were compatible with optional accessory viewfinders that had built-in meters.

Models
Mamiyaflex C
Mamiya C3 (center) and C330 (left)
Mamiya C33 with bellows extended
Mamiya C330 with lens and focusing hood removed

While the basic shape remained the same, the bodies increased with size over time. Two of the early models were branded with "Mamiyaflex" on the nameplate attached to the viewfinder; all of the other C series cameras were branded with "Mamiya". The first in the C series, the Mamiyaflex C, was introduced in 1957 as a follow-on to the earlier Mamiyaflex line, which had included the Automat A (1949) and Automat B (1954); the primary innovation of the C was the introduction of an interchangeable lens mount. The Mamiyaflex C was accompanied with 80mm, 105mm, and 135mm lenses.[1]:26 The C2 was introduced in June 1958 and is distinguished from its predecessor with a second focusing knob on the left side of the camera. In addition, two more lenses (65mm, 180mm) joined the line.[1]:26

The "Mamiyaflex" name was dropped for "Mamiya" when the C3 was introduced in February 1962; the C3 featured updated styling, adding the name above the lens mount and switching to a gray leather body covering. At this time, the lenses used a new shutter mechanism with a faster minimum speed.[1]:26 The C3 also moved to a crank for film advance, speeding up camera operation.[2]

The line was split in the mid-1960s with the C33 (April 1965) and C22 (March 1966) models. C22 was aimed at amateurs and had fewer features, which also made it lighter than the C33, which were intended for professionals.[1]:26–27 The main distinguishing feature was the C33 had more automated operation, where winding the film also cocked the shutter automatically;[3] the C22 required two separate actions.[4] Both were the first Mamiya C TLRs that were able to use 220 film, but a different back was required.[1]:26–27

The C220 (April 1968) and C330 (October 1969) models were developed from the C22 and C33, respectively, with updated styling (the prominent nameplate now had chrome lettering on black) and a built-in switchable pressure plate to enable the use of 220 film.[1]:27 Weight was reduced as well. The final two lenses (55mm and 250mm) also were introduced at about this time.[5][6]

The later C330f, C220f, and C330S were refined versions of their respective base cameras, and carried the letter annotation on a nameplate below the lens mount.[7][8] One of the changes from the C330 to the C330f, for example, was the inclusion of a focusing track lock on the latter.[9]

Mamiya C twin-lens reflex cameras[10]
NameIntro.FilmWinderShutter cockingDimensionsRef.
120220Size (W×H×D)Weight
C[lower-alpha 1] 1956 knobmanual ? ?
PF[lower-alpha 2] 1957 ?? knob?manual? ? ?
C2[lower-alpha 1] 1958 knobmanual ? 1,250 g
44 oz
C3 1962 crankmanual 93 mm × 159 mm × 108 mm
3 21⁄32 in × 6 1⁄4 in × 4 1⁄4 in		 1,829 g; 65 oz
4 1⁄32 lb		 [2]
C33 1965 [lower-alpha 3] crankautomatic ? 1,810 g
64 oz
C22 1966 [lower-alpha 3] knob[lower-alpha 4]manual ? 1,480 g
52 oz
C220 1968 knob[lower-alpha 5]manual 118 mm × 167 mm × 113 mm
4.6 in × 6.6 in × 4.4 in		 1,150 g
41 oz		 [7]
C330 1969 crankautomatic ? 1,465 g
52 oz
C330f 1975 crankautomatic 122 mm × 168 mm × 114 mm
4.8 in × 6.6 in × 4.5 in		 1,390 g
49 oz		 [7]
C220f 1982 knobmanual 123 mm × 172 mm × 113 mm
4.8 in × 6.8 in × 4.4 in		 1,150 g
41 oz		 [8]
C330s 1983 crankautomatic 123 mm × 171 mm × 113 mm
4.8 in × 6.7 in × 4.4 in		 1,340 g
47 oz		 [8]
Notes
  1. Branded "Mamiyaflex"
  2. police model
  3. Camera can use 220 film with an optional accessory back.
  4. Optional accessory crank available.
  5. Equipped with fold-out crank.

Lenses

Lenses for the Mamiya C series have been grouped by users into three different series based on the shutter model and the color of the shutter housing: first chrome, second chrome, and black. Most lenses can be used on most bodies, but some combinations won't allow for automatic shutter cocking. The first chrome series had Seikosha-MX shutters with speeds from 1 s to ​1⁄400 s. The second chrome series had Seikosha-S shutters with speeds from 1 s to ​1⁄500 s, plus Bulb. A few chrome shutter lens had a Seikosha-SLV shutter. The black series had Seiko shutters, except for the 80 mm f/3.7 lens, which had a Copal shutter.

  • Top lens of 105 mm unit with lens retainer clip above
  • Bottom lens of 105 mm unit
  • Bottom lens of 105 mm unit with aperture and shutter speed controls
  • Mamiya C lens unit removed
Mamiya-Sekor lenses for Mamiya C TLR[1]:14–20 [11][12][13][14]
Focal lengthAperture ChromeBlack Optics[15] Filter dia. Weight
1st (Seikosha-MX)[lower-alpha 1]2nd (Seikosha-S)[lower-alpha 2]Seiko[lower-alpha 2] Comp.[lower-alpha 3]Angle[lower-alpha 4]Min. focus[lower-alpha 5]Subject coverage[lower-alpha 6]
55mm f/4.5–22 9e/7g70°30′9 1⁄2 in
24 cm		2 17⁄32 in
6.4 cm		 46mm 330 g
11.6 oz
65mm f/3.5–32 6e/5g63°10 11⁄16 in
27.1 cm		2 21⁄32 in
6.7 cm		 49mm[lower-alpha 7] 340 g
12.0 oz
80mm f/2.8–32 5e/3g50°40′1 ft 1 5⁄16 in
33.8 cm		3 25⁄64 in
8.6 cm		 40.5mm ?
[lower-alpha 8] 46mm 310 g
10.9 oz
f/3.7–32[lower-alpha 9] [lower-alpha 10][lower-alpha 11] 4e/3g 40.5mm ?
105mm f/3.5–32 4e/3g41°20′1 ft 11 in
58 cm		7 1⁄4 in
18 cm		 40.5mm ?
[lower-alpha 12] 5e/3g 46mm 336 g
11.9 oz
135mm f/4.5–45 4e/3g[lower-alpha 13]33°2 ft 11 1⁄2 in
90.2 cm		9 15⁄16 in
25.2 cm		 46mm 370 g
13.1 oz
180mm f/4.5–45 4e/3g24°30′4 ft 2 3⁄4 in
128.9 cm		10 53⁄64 in
27.5 cm		 49mm[lower-alpha 7] ?
[lower-alpha 14] 5e/4g 620 g
21.9 oz
250mm f/6.3–64 [lower-alpha 15] 6e/4g18°6 ft 8 3⁄4 in
205.1 cm		1 ft 1⁄4 in
31.1 cm		 49mm[lower-alpha 7] 630 g
22.2 oz
Notes
  1. Shutter speeds range from 1 to ​1⁄400 sec. Relatively short sales period: Dec 1956–Mar 1959. Can be mounted on C33 and later auto-cocking bodies, but will interfere with auto-cocking mechanism.[10]:14;27
  2. Shutter speeds range from 1 to ​1⁄500 sec plus "B"ulb
  3. Optical composition, Elements/Groups
  4. Measured diagonally
  5. Varies according to specific camera model. Values stated are for Mamiya C330.[11]
  6. At minimum focus, per side
  7. The lenses equipped with 49mm filter threads were originally equipped with stiffening rings to protect the threads.[16] These rings must be removed before placing a filter and are easily lost.
  8. Also available as "S" version. The viewing lens on the "S" version is different than the taking lens.
  9. Rare "budget" lens.
  10. Seikosha-SLV shutter
  11. Copal shutter with equivalent speeds.
  12. "D" and "DS" versions, as marked on the lens. "DS" version includes a diaphragm for the viewing lens to preview depth of field.
  13. Stated as 3e/3g in an early manual for the Mamiyaflex C2.[17]
  14. "Super" version with Seiko or Seiko-SLV shutter.
  15. Requires manual cocking on all bodies

Accessories
CdS Porrofinder - optional eye-level viewfinder with built-in meter
C330S with 80mm "S" lens, optional grip, and prism (eye-level) finder.

The Mamiya C series were marketed as system cameras, and over time a wide array of accessories were offered. Not all accessories are fully compatible with all camera bodies.

  • Viewfinders - Magnifying hood, CdS finder, Porrofinder, CdS Porrofinder, Prism finder
  • Viewfinder masks - for 105 mm, 136 mm, 180 mm, and 250 mm lenses
  • Focusing screens - matte, crosshair, checker, rangefinder spot, microprism
  • Pistol grips - bottom-mounted
  • Grips - side-mounted
  • Flashgun bracket
  • Flashgun Pro Deluxe II
  • Paramender - special tripod mount that helps with parallax issues
  • Single-exposure back - for cut film and plates; three different models over time
  • Lens hoods, cases, tripod quick releases, etc.
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See also

References
  1. Mamiya C Professional (PDF) (Report). Mamiya Camera Co., Ltd. November 1973. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  2. "Mamiya C3 professional" (PDF). Mamiya Camera Co., Ltd. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  3. "Mamiya C33" (PDF). Ehrenreich Photo-Optical Industries, Inc. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  4. "Mamiya C22" (PDF). Ehrenreich Photo-Optical Industries, Inc. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  5. "Mamiya C220" (PDF). Ehrenreich Photo-Optical Industries, Inc. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  6. "Mamiya C330" (PDF). Ehrenreich Photo-Optical Industries, Inc. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  7. "Mamiya C330f C220 Twin-Lens Reflex Camera System" (PDF). Mamiya Camera Co., Ltd. August 1978. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  8. "Mamiya C330S C220f Twin-Lens Reflex Camera System" (PDF). Mamiya Camera Co., Ltd. August 1988. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  9. "Mamiya C330f C220 Professional" (PDF). Bell & Howell / Mamiya Compoany. July 1975. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  10. Patterson, Graham (June 2015). "Mamiya TLR System Summary" (PDF). Graham Patterson. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  11. "Mamiya C330 Instructions" (PDF). Mamiya Leaf. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  12. "Mamiya C330 Professional S Twin Lens Reflex". a photographer's garden. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  13. Smith, Robert. "Mamiya TLR Interchangeable Lenses". medfmt.8k.com. Archived from the original on 22 August 2003.
  14. Monaghan, Robert. "Mamiya Twin Lens Reflex Interchangeable Lenses". medfmt.8k.com. Archived from the original on 20 August 2003.
  15. "Mamiya C330 Depth of Field Tables" (PDF). Mamiya Leaf. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  16. "Mamiya C330 Accessories" (PDF). Mamiya Leaf. 2 June 2020.
  17. "Mamiyaflex C2 Professional". butkus.org. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
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