Mamiya C3 How To Use The

28.08.2019

Mamiya C3 How To Use The Heart
Mamiya C3 Lenses

The Mamiya C series is a professional-level series of TLR medium format cameras made by Mamiya, Japan. One notable distinction of the C series is the fact that they can use interchangeable lenses- a feature it shares with very few other TLR cameras, like the Contaflex TLR Mamiyaflex C (1956-58.

Mamiya C220 and C330 models

Mamiya C330 with lens and focusing hood removed

The Mamiya C series is a line of twin-lens reflexmedium-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. 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 done 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. There is no metering in the camera body, so an external light meter is necessary. Viewfinders with built-in meters were available as accessories with later models.

Models[edit]

Mamiya C33 with bellows extended

While the basic shape remained the same, the bodies increased with size over time. The C22 and C220 models were aimed at amateurs and had fewer features, but were also lighter than the C33 and C330 models. Two models were made with Mamiyaflex on the nameplate attached to the viewfinder.

Mamiyaflex C Professional (1956) — 120 film, knob winder, manual shutter cocking
Mamiya PF (1957) — police model
Mamiyaflex C2 Professional (1958) — 120 film, knob winder, manual shutter cocking
Mamiya C3 Professional (1962) — 120 film, crank winder, manual shutter cocking
Mamiya C33 Professional (1965) — 120 film, crank winder, automatic shutter cocking
Mamiya C22 Professional (1966) — 120 film, knob winder, manual shutter cocking
Mamiya C220 Professional (1968) — 120/220 film, knob winder, manual shutter cocking
Mamiya C330 Professional (1969) — 120/220 film, crank winder, automatic shutter cocking
Mamiya C330f Professional (1975) — 120/220 film, crank winder, automatic shutter cocking
Mamiya C220f Professional (1982) — 120/220 film, knob winder, manual shutter cocking
Mamiya C330s Professional (1983) — 120/220 film, crank winder, automatic shutter cocking

Lenses[edit]

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

Lenses for the Mamiya C series have been grouped by users into three different series based on the appearance and model of the shutter: 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 lens which had a Copal shutter.

Mamiya-Sekor 55mm f4.5 (black, Seiko)
Mamiya-Sekor 65mm f3.5 (chrome, Seikosha-MX
Mamiya-Sekor 65mm f3.5 (chrome, Seikosha-S)
Mamiya-Sekor 65mm f3.5 (black, Seiko)
Mamiya-Sekor 80mm f2.8 (chrome, Seikosha-MX)
Mamiya-Sekor 80mm f2.8 (chrome, Seikosha-S)
Mamiya-Sekor 80mm f2.8 (black, Copal)
Mamiya-Sekor 80mm f2.8 S (black, Copal)
Mamiya-Sekor 80mm f3.7 (chrome, Seikosha-SLV) - rare
Mamiya-Sekor 80mm f3.7 (black, Copal) - rare
Mamiya-Sekor 105mm f3.5 (chrome, Seikosha-MX)
Mamiya-Sekor 105mm f3.5 (chrome, Seikosha-S)
Mamiya-Sekor 105mm f3.5 (black, Seiko)
Mamiya-Sekor 105mm f3.5 D (black, Seiko)
Mamiya-Sekor 105mm f3.5 DS (black, Seiko)
Mamiya-Sekor 135mm f4.5 (chrome, Seikosha-MX)
Mamiya-Sekor 135mm f4.5 (chrome, Seikosha-S)
Mamiya-Sekor 135mm f4.5 (black, Seiko)
Mamiya-Sekor 180mm f4.5 (chrome, Seikosha-MX)
Mamiya-Sekor 180mm f4.5 (chrome, Seikosha-S)
Mamiya-Sekor 180mm f4.5 (black, Seiko)
Mamiya-Sekor 180mm f4.5 Super (black, Seiko)
Mamiya-Sekor 180mm f4.5 Super (black, Seiko-SLV)
Mamiya-Sekor 250mm f6.3 (black, Seiko) - manual cocking on all bodies

Accessories[edit]

CdS Porrofinder - optional eye-level viewfinder with built-in meter

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.