Mamiya C

Last updated
Mamiya C series
Mamiya C TLR 0960.jpg
Mamiya C3 and C33 models
Overview
Maker Mamiya
Type Twin-lens reflex
Production1956–1994
Lens
Lens mount Mamiya C
Lens Interchangeable
Compatible lensesseven focal lengths, from 55mm to 250mm
Sensor/medium
Sensor typeFilm
Sensor size 56 mm × 56 mm (2.2 in × 2.2 in)
Film format 120 film
Film advancemanual, knob or crank
Film rewindmanual
Focusing
Focusmanual
Exposure/metering
Exposure modesmanual
Exposure metering in optional viewfinders or external
Shutter
Shutter in lens (leaf)
Shutter speeds 1–1400 or 1500 + B
Viewfinder
Viewfinder ground glass, waist-level
Chronology
PredecessorMamiyaflex

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.

Contents

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

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 had fewer features, which also made it lighter than the C33. [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

Mamiya C220 Mamiya C220 120 film TLR camera.jpg
Mamiya C220

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] 1956Yes check.svgDark Red x.svgknobmanual114 mm x 164 mm x 103 mm1,540 g
PF [lower-alpha 2] 1957 ? ?knob?manual? ? ?
C2 [lower-alpha 1] 1958Yes check.svgDark Red x.svgknobmanual ?1,250 g
44 oz
C31962Yes check.svgDark Red x.svgcrankmanual93 mm × 159 mm × 108 mm
3+2132 in × 6+14 in × 4+14 in
1,829 g; 65 oz
4+132 lb
[2]
C331965Yes check.svgDark Red x.svg [lower-alpha 3] crankautomatic ?1,810 g
64 oz
C221966Yes check.svgDark Red x.svg [lower-alpha 3] knob [lower-alpha 4] manual ?1,480 g
52 oz
C220 1968Yes check.svgYes check.svgknob [lower-alpha 5] manual118 mm × 167 mm × 113 mm
4.6 in × 6.6 in × 4.4 in
1,150 g
41 oz
[7]
C330 1969Yes check.svgYes check.svgcrankautomatic ?1,465 g
52 oz
C330f1975Yes check.svgYes check.svgcrankautomatic122 mm × 168 mm × 114 mm
4.8 in × 6.6 in × 4.5 in
1,390 g
49 oz
[7]
C220f1982Yes check.svgYes check.svgknobmanual123 mm × 172 mm × 113 mm
4.8 in × 6.8 in × 4.4 in
1,150 g
41 oz
[8]
C330s1983Yes check.svgYes check.svgcrankautomatic123 mm × 171 mm × 113 mm
4.8 in × 6.7 in × 4.4 in
1,340 g
47 oz
[8]
Notes
  1. 1 2 Branded "Mamiyaflex"
  2. police model
  3. 1 2 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 1400 s. The second chrome series had Seikosha-S shutters with speeds from 1 s to 1500 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.

Mamiya-Sekor lenses for Mamiya C TLR [1] :14–20  [11] [12] [13] [14]
Focal length Aperture ChromeBlackOptics [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]
55mmf/4.5–22Dark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgYes check.svg9e/7g70°30′9+12 in
24 cm
2+1732 in
6.4 cm
46mm330 g
11.6 oz
65mmf/3.5–32Yes check.svgYes check.svgYes check.svg6e/5g63°10+1116 in
27.1 cm
2+2132 in
6.7 cm
49mm [lower-alpha 7] 340 g
12.0 oz
80mmf/2.8–32Yes check.svgYes check.svgDark Red x.svg5e/3g50°40′1 ft 1+516 in
33.8 cm
3+2564 in
8.6 cm
40.5mm ?
Dark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgYes check.svg [lower-alpha 8] 46mm310 g
10.9 oz
f/3.7–32 [lower-alpha 9] Dark Red x.svgYes check.svg [lower-alpha 10] Yes check.svg [lower-alpha 11] 4e/3g40.5mm ?
105mmf/3.5–32Yes check.svgYes check.svgYes check.svg4e/3g41°20′1 ft 11 in
58 cm
7+14 in
18 cm
40.5mm ?
Dark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgYes check.svg [lower-alpha 12] 5e/3g46mm336 g
11.9 oz
135mmf/4.5–45Yes check.svgYes check.svgYes check.svg4e/3g [lower-alpha 13] 33°2 ft 11+12 in
90.2 cm
9+1516 in
25.2 cm
46mm370 g
13.1 oz
180mmf/4.5–45Yes check.svgYes check.svgYes check.svg4e/3g24°30′4 ft 2+34 in
128.9 cm
10+5364 in
27.5 cm
49mm [lower-alpha 7]  ?
Dark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgYes check.svg [lower-alpha 14] 5e/4g620 g
21.9 oz
250mmf/6.3–64Dark Red x.svgDark Red x.svgYes check.svg [lower-alpha 15] 6e/4g18°6 ft 8+34 in
205.1 cm
1 ft 14 in
31.1 cm
49mm [lower-alpha 7] 630 g
22.2 oz
Notes
  1. Shutter speeds range from 1 to 1400 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. 1 2 Shutter speeds range from 1 to 1500 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. 1 2 3 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

C330CdsPorrofinder.jpg
CdS Porrofinder - optional eye-level viewfinder with built-in meter
Mamiya C330 Professional S (2139895985).jpg
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.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Single-lens reflex camera</span> Camera that typically uses a mirror and prism system

A single-lens reflex camera (SLR) is a camera that typically uses a mirror and prism system that permits the photographer to view through the lens and see exactly what will be captured. With twin lens reflex and rangefinder cameras, the viewed image could be significantly different from the final image. When the shutter button is pressed on most SLRs, the mirror flips out of the light path, allowing light to pass through to the light receptor and the image to be captured.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Twin-lens reflex camera</span> Type of camera

A twin-lens reflex camera (TLR) is a type of camera with two objective lenses of the same focal length. One of the lenses is the photographic objective or "taking lens", while the other is used for the viewfinder system, which is usually viewed from above at waist level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mamiya</span> Japanese imaging company

Mamiya Digital Imaging Co., Ltd. is a Japanese company that manufactures high-end cameras and other related photographic and optical equipment. With headquarters in Tokyo, it has two manufacturing plants and a workforce of over 200 people. The company was founded in May 1940 by camera designer Seiichi Mamiya and financial backer Tsunejiro Sugawara.

Omega is the brand name of several medium-format cameras that were initially developed and sold by Simmon Brothers starting from 1954, then licensed to and manufactured by Konica and then Mamiya from 1964 until 1981, when the line was discontinued.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rollei</span> German optical equipment manufacturer

Rollei was a German manufacturer of optical instruments founded in 1920 by Paul Franke and Reinhold Heidecke in Braunschweig, Lower Saxony, and maker of the Rolleiflex and Rolleicord series of cameras. Later products included specialty and nostalgic type films for the photo hobbyist market.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rolleiflex</span> Line of twin-lens and single-lens reflex cameras by Rollei

Rolleiflex is the name of a long-running and diverse line of high-end cameras originally made by the German company Franke & Heidecke, and later Rollei-Werke.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Argus C3</span> 35mm film camera

The Argus C3 was a low-priced rangefinder camera mass-produced from 1939 to 1966 by Argus in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States. The camera sold over 2.2 million units, making it one of the most popular American cameras in history. Due to its shape, size, and weight, it is commonly referred to as "The Brick" by photographers. The most famous 20th-century photographer who used it was Tony Vaccaro, who employed this model during World War II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rollei 35</span> Camera made by Rollei

The Rollei 35 is a 35mm miniature viewfinder camera built by Rollei. The original Rollei 35, when introduced at photokina in 1966, was the smallest existing 135 film camera. The Rollei 35 series remains one of the smallest 35 mm cameras after the Minox 35 and Minolta TC-1. In 30 years, about 2 million Rollei 35 series cameras were manufactured. The Rollei 35 was manufactured by DHW Fototechnik up to 2015, the successor of Franke & Heidecke as small-batch production. The last version is the Rollei 35 Classic, an updated Rollei 35 SE.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mamiya C330</span>

The Mamiya C330 Professional is a traditional film twin-lens reflex camera introduced in the 1970s for the professional and advanced amateur photography markets. This model was 340 grams lighter than the previous model C33, which weighed 2040 grams. The later C330f is an improvement on the C330 and was succeeded by the C330S with further improvements.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mamiya C220</span>

The Mamiya C220 is a lightweight twin-lens reflex camera made in the early 1970s by the Japanese camera manufacturer Mamiya. The camera has interchangeable lenses ranging from 55 mm wide-angle to 250 mm telephoto and accepts 120 and 220 rollfilms. The rack and pinion focusing system with a bellows makes it possible for close-up photography without attachments. The straight film path has no sharp turns for absolute flatness of the film.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nikkorex</span>

The Nikkorex nameplate was used for a series of 35 mm film, single-lens reflex cameras sold by Japanese optical manufacturer Nippon Kogaku K.K., as well as a series movie cameras and movie projectors. The models, made by other companies, were designed and marketed as low-cost, feature-reduced equipment for the consumer market.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mamiya RZ67</span> Medium format film camera

The Mamiya RZ67 is a professional medium format single-lens reflex camera manufactured by Mamiya. There are three successive models: the RZ67 Professional, RZ67 Professional II and RZ67 Professional IID. It is primarily designed for studio use, but can also be used in the field.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Contaflex SLR</span> Family of 35mm SLR cameras

The Contaflex series is a family of 35mm Single-lens reflex cameras (SLR) equipped with a leaf shutter, produced by Zeiss Ikon in the 1950s and 1960s. The name was first used by Zeiss Ikon in 1935 for a 35mm Twin-lens reflex camera, the Contaflex TLR; for the earlier TLR, the -flex suffix referred to the integral reflex mirror for the viewfinder. The first SLR models, the Contaflex I and II have fixed lenses, while the later models have interchangeable lenses; eventually the Contaflexes became a camera system with a wide variety of accessories.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Konica Autoreflex</span>

The Auto-Reflex and Autoreflex is a series of 35mm SLR cameras made by Konica from 1965 to 1988. All these models have the Konica AR bayonet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Contarex</span> Line of cameras made by Zeiss Ikon

Contarex is a line of 35mm single lens reflex cameras (SLRs) made by Zeiss Ikon. It was first presented at Photokina in 1958 and initially scheduled for delivery in the spring of 1959, but it was not made generally available in the United States until March 1960. The first model is popularly known as the Contarex I, the Bullseye, or the Cyclops, after the prominent light meter window above the lens, in front of the pentaprism. The camera was aimed at the high-end and professional markets; in 1961, the retail price was $499.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mamiya Press</span> Line of press cameras manufactured by Mamiya

The Mamiya Press is a line of medium-format rangefinder system press cameras manufactured by Mamiya. The first model was introduced in 1960, and the final model was discontinued in the 1970s. It was targeted at the professional press photography market, and a wide array of accessories was offered.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mamiya 645</span> Series of film and digital cameras and lenses

The Mamiya 645 camera systems are a series of medium format film and digital cameras and lenses manufactured by Mamiya and its successors. They are called "645" because they use the nominal 6 cm x 4.5 cm film size from 120 roll film. They came in three major generations: first-generation manual-focus film cameras, second-generation manual-focus film cameras, and autofocus film/digital cameras.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mamiya RB67</span> Medium format single-lens reflex camera

The Mamiya RB67 is a professional medium format single-lens reflex system camera manufactured by Mamiya. There are three successive models: the RB67 Professional, RB67 Pro-S and RB67 Pro-SD. It is primarily designed for studio use, but can also be used in the field.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Voigtländer Vito</span> 35mm rangefinder camera

The Vito and Vitomatic, Vitoret, and Vito Automatic were several related lines of 35 mm compact viewfinder and rangefinder cameras made by Voigtländer from the 1940s through the early 1970s, equipped with leaf shutters, similar in concept to and marketed against the competing Kodak Retina cameras manufactured by Kodak. All of these cameras were fixed-lens models; the models in the Vito line identified with Roman numerals were equipped with folding mechanisms and collapsible lenses for portability, while the others were rigid, non-folding cameras.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Mamiya C Professional (PDF). Pacific Rim Camera, Reference Library (Report). Mamiya Camera Co., Ltd. November 1973. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  2. 1 2 "Mamiya C3 professional" (PDF). Pacific Rim Camera, Reference Library. Mamiya Camera Co., Ltd. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  3. "Mamiya C33" (PDF). Pacific Rim Camera, Reference Library. Ehrenreich Photo-Optical Industries, Inc. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  4. "Mamiya C22" (PDF). Pacific Rim Camera, Reference Library. Ehrenreich Photo-Optical Industries, Inc. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  5. "Mamiya C220" (PDF). Pacific Rim Camera, Reference Library. Ehrenreich Photo-Optical Industries, Inc. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  6. "Mamiya C330" (PDF). Pacific Rim Camera, Reference Library. Ehrenreich Photo-Optical Industries, Inc. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  7. 1 2 3 "Mamiya C330f C220 Twin-Lens Reflex Camera System" (PDF). Pacific Rim Camera, Reference Library. Mamiya Camera Co., Ltd. August 1978. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  8. 1 2 3 "Mamiya C330S C220f Twin-Lens Reflex Camera System" (PDF). Pacific Rim Camera, Reference Library. Mamiya Camera Co., Ltd. August 1988. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  9. "Mamiya C330f C220 Professional" (PDF). Pacific Rim Camera, Reference Library. Bell & Howell / Mamiya Company. July 1975. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  10. 1 2 Patterson, Graham (June 2015). "Mamiya TLR System Summary" (PDF). Graham Patterson. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  11. 1 2 "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.