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I’ve had a couple C220’s and now a C3 is my only film camera. I’ve always loved these cameras. I’ve owned a similar era Yashica TLR and the more modern Mamiya 645 AFD (SLR) as well as a bunch of the Nikon F’s and a couple Canon 5D’s. Nothing compares to shooting with the old 1960’s Mamiya C series TLR’s. The results are also top notch! You can still find these beauties for around $400, and at that price and knowing how great these cameras are, I’ve never had the desire to look into owning a Hasselblad or any of the expensive European medium format cameras. The weight of the C3 allows you to hang the camera around your neck and shoot really slow exposure times without then need for carrying a tripod. Also, once you figure out your favorite film and mess around with it, you won’t even need a meter.
This video make me think about how my grandpa, who died before I was born, must have felt when being intrigued by someone like you; showing all the features that made him buy one. I still have his camera. And like him on the Mamiya C3, I'm spell bound on a modern sony. Gramps had some good taste.
Even though it’s my most clunky-looking and heavy 6x6, it has given me great results. It has only let me down once and that was during an expedition to South Sudan earlier this year, when the winder got stuck, possibly due to excessive heat and dust etc. The 80mm f2.8 Mamiya lens on mine is flawless and with Portra 160, gives me stunning results. A very underrated camera IMO.
Thanks for the video. I have the Mamiyaflex and it needs a CLA. All the handhold speeds are ok, but not below 1/30th. I hear it is a simple fix but I need to plan this out first and make sure I have the correct quality tools to do it right. I’m in Germany now so I know there are good tools to be found. Thanks again!
the filmstop on my C2 does not engage predictably, I have to watch the indicator and stop it myself, and it randomly locks the filmwind knob , when it shouldn't, as I advance the film. do i just need to disassemble clean and lubricate ?
I love TLR camera for street photography... Taking photos with people is funny because they cannot understand what I'm doing with the strange thing on my waist!
Sorry for the late reply, unsticking is easy, unscrew the rear lens element and add some drops of lighter fluid to the aperture blades, let it soak in, and then push the aperture lever, they should unstick. About half of these lenses I find have stuck aperture blades.
Great Video... and great camera! Although you said when showing the film type selector switch that 99.9% of us will shoot sheet film. Think you meant Roll film.. :)
Do you have advice for working on a stiff aperture ring on a Mamiya TLR 65mm f/3.5 lens. It seems to open and close fine, but the ring is difficult ti turn especially closer to wide ope. Thank you for the great work and service that you are providing to vintage camera lovers.
It could be that there is some oil on the aperture blades, normally the aperture should change easily. You can remove either the front or real lens elements and clean off the aperture blades with a little lighter fluid or paint thinner. I recommend you do this if you can, otherwise the pins on the aperture blades can shear off, and replacing these blades is a difficult job.
I have question about this camera. Can I modulate the viewing lens(upper lens)'s aperture? So that I can see how the photo actually look like in finder. Thank you for great video!
I think not. My Mamiyaflex came with 80mm 2.8 Mamiya-Sekor black lenses and there is no aperture blades, just wide open. I heard there were better lenses with different names on them, to long ago to remember.
@@japanvintagecamera8869 grid lines are fine. But I’m asking about actually helping you focus. Screens without a focus guide are impossible for me to use because I blind as a bat
Thanks so much. I've been looking all over the internet and you tube to find out why I couldn't get the sports finder panel to stay down. It really is a secret. The manual wasn't all that clear either. You solved the mystery for me. Good overview of this beautiful camera. I just purchased the C33.
I’ve had a couple C220’s and now a C3 is my only film camera. I’ve always loved these cameras. I’ve owned a similar era Yashica TLR and the more modern Mamiya 645 AFD (SLR) as well as a bunch of the Nikon F’s and a couple Canon 5D’s. Nothing compares to shooting with the old 1960’s Mamiya C series TLR’s. The results are also top notch! You can still find these beauties for around $400, and at that price and knowing how great these cameras are, I’ve never had the desire to look into owning a Hasselblad or any of the expensive European medium format cameras. The weight of the C3 allows you to hang the camera around your neck and shoot really slow exposure times without then need for carrying a tripod. Also, once you figure out your favorite film and mess around with it, you won’t even need a meter.
Thank you I have a C33 and learned more about the camera than all the other reviews on CZcams
This video make me think about how my grandpa, who died before I was born, must have felt when being intrigued by someone like you; showing all the features that made him buy one. I still have his camera. And like him on the Mamiya C3, I'm spell bound on a modern sony. Gramps had some good taste.
Even though it’s my most clunky-looking and heavy 6x6, it has given me great results. It has only let me down once and that was during an expedition to South Sudan earlier this year, when the winder got stuck, possibly due to excessive heat and dust etc. The 80mm f2.8 Mamiya lens on mine is flawless and with Portra 160, gives me stunning results. A very underrated camera IMO.
It is indeed a very nice camera.
how did u visit south sudan without getting shot
Mac I can still run pretty fast and had to after not stopping at an armed renegade checkpoint!
Well said. Mamiya made an exquisite medium format film camera. My favorite images were made with my c220
Really great review mate, thank you.
Fantastic review of the camera!
Very very good
Thanks for the video. I have the Mamiyaflex and it needs a CLA. All the handhold speeds are ok, but not below 1/30th. I hear it is a simple fix but I need to plan this out first and make sure I have the correct quality tools to do it right. I’m in Germany now so I know there are good tools to be found.
Thanks again!
Love your videos!
Great video. I have just purchased a C2 and I am very fond of it.
the filmstop on my C2 does not engage predictably, I have to watch the indicator and stop it myself, and it randomly locks the filmwind knob , when it shouldn't, as I advance the film. do i just need to disassemble clean and lubricate ?
@@myotherusername9224 It probably just needs adjustment and lubrication but that is just a guess. I am not really an expert on servicing old cameras.
I love TLR camera for street photography... Taking photos with people is funny because they cannot understand what I'm doing with the strange thing on my waist!
Great tip about releasing stuck aperture controls on the 65mm!
Sorry for the late reply, unsticking is easy, unscrew the rear lens element and add some drops of lighter fluid to the aperture blades, let it soak in, and then push the aperture lever, they should unstick. About half of these lenses I find have stuck aperture blades.
February, 2021 and Covid dialogue at the end already time capsules nicely.
Great video - FYI there is a 250mm lens for the C series cameras.
Great Video... and great camera! Although you said when showing the film type selector switch that 99.9% of us will shoot sheet film. Think you meant Roll film.. :)
I concur.
We have one like this in my family.i don't know if it's the same model but it is like that.
Do you have advice for working on a stiff aperture ring on a Mamiya TLR 65mm f/3.5 lens. It seems to open and close fine, but the ring is difficult ti turn especially closer to wide ope. Thank you for the great work and service that you are providing to vintage camera lovers.
It could be that there is some oil on the aperture blades, normally the aperture should change easily. You can remove either the front or real lens elements and clean off the aperture blades with a little lighter fluid or paint thinner. I recommend you do this if you can, otherwise the pins on the aperture blades can shear off, and replacing these blades is a difficult job.
I have question about this camera. Can I modulate the viewing lens(upper lens)'s aperture? So that I can see how the photo actually look like in finder. Thank you for great video!
I think not. My Mamiyaflex came with 80mm 2.8 Mamiya-Sekor black lenses and there is no aperture blades, just wide open. I heard there were better lenses with different names on them, to long ago to remember.
Mine works perfectly after being left alone for decades ,,,,,can't belive it !!!!!!
Does the focus screen have a guide or circle or is it like some other tlr where you just have to have good eyesight? 😂
That depends on the model and year of the camera, most came with grid lines, while some did not.
@@japanvintagecamera8869 grid lines are fine. But I’m asking about actually helping you focus. Screens without a focus guide are impossible for me to use because I blind as a bat
Just ordered one for 256 Euros!
I have C 3 Mamiya
Thanks so much. I've been looking all over the internet and you tube to find out why I couldn't get the sports finder panel to stay down. It really is a secret. The manual wasn't all that clear either. You solved the mystery for me. Good overview of this beautiful camera. I just purchased the C33.