Mamiya C3 Professional TLR camera "honest" review
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- čas přidán 20. 07. 2023
- Detailed hands-on demonstration and detailed review for SLR film camera lovers in 2023.
This video is about Mamiya C3 Professional TLR Medium Format Camera.
Camera lovers be warned: this is an “HONEST” review. I hope you know what I mean. At the beginning, we have an “AI” guest with an alternative review before the HONEST, Human review starts. The AI review was generated automatically without any edits.
Mamiya C3 was introduced in 1962. It is regarded as a robust and flexible professional camera with an important feature which is unusual for Twin Lens Reflex (TLR) cameras: it has interchangeable lenses. It takes the regular 120 film which is still available today. The default negative frame size is 6 x 6 cm. The camera has no electronics of any kind. The unit being demonstrated comes with the 65mm wide angle lens. It has been borrowed from the shelves of the TechHeritage Museum. Other Mamiya camera videos are coming soon. So watch this space.
Mamiya C3 is a masterpiece of minimal and possibly crude industrial design. It gets everything done one way or another, but is not particularly refined in the modern sense of the word. However, in practice it works well and takes great pictures. It just needs the lover, care and attention that I am sure all of you camera lovers will give it in abundance.
I will review every detail of the camera, describe them clearly and give some helpful hints with the occasional slight tinge of criticism, which is expected in an Honest review.
At the TechHeritage Museum we are not tribal and have no brand loyalty. We just love these cameras like archaeological re-discoveries, that you are allowed to touch, admire and preserve. FYI, the film test was done on Kodak Portra 160. The film was processed in C41 chemicals. The film was scanned on Epson Perfection V600 Photo using SilverFast 9 software. The software Negafix setting was set for the default Kodak Portra 160.
We are keen on accuracy. So, if you have any questions, comments or corrections, it will be greatly appreciated. We have over 300 cameras from 1901 to 2015 at the TechHeritage Museum. We will produce videos like this one at the rate of at least one per week until all cameras are preserved not only in the flesh but also online.
If you are interested in preserving the technological heritage of the last 100 years or so, please give us a thumbs up, subscribe and share. TechHeritage Mission Statement TechHeritage is dedicated to the preservation of the Human Consumer Technology in the same manner as experts have been carefully preserving the heritage of ancient civilizations in museums.
Imagine if in Ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome there were people who were interested in preserving the consumer technology of that time for the future generations. Imagine if they already had "Future Museums", carefully storing and documenting the best examples of their time in perfect working condition, just for us. The technology of that time may have included pottery, jewel making, glassware, bronze and steel making, astronomy tools and various devices we cannot imagine or believe today.
Currently, we re-discover such objects by digging the ground, separating them from dirt and bones, whilst speculating on how they were made and exactly how they were used. There appears to be some negligence in the preservation of the consumer technology of the last 100 years. There are so many devices that were made barely 40 years ago (which is a blip in the historical scale) which do not work today and it is almost impossible to find a way to make them work. Just looking at them is not enough.
We have over 300 cameras from 1901 to 2015 at the TechHeritage Museum. We will produce videos at the rate of at least one per week until all cameras are preserved not only in the flesh but also online. Similarly, we have over 300 mobile phones from the time of their introduction until the release of iPhone X. We have also started to preserve late, miniature valve radios and early transistor radio/ cassette players. If you do not have any tech heritage to share, at lease share the channel link and encourage others to subscribe. This can be your contribution to the preservation of the human consumer technology of the last 100 years.
Contacts: You can email to the attention of Mr Tech Heritage at: healthpi@ozemail.com.au - Jak na to + styl
Homer, you are wrong about the lock - unlock feature. It does protect the film when changing lenses. But it does that in two ways. 1. is by covering the lens from the inside. 2. by not allowing the lens release lever to be moved if not in the locked position, keeping you from accidentally exposing the film when changing lenses. It makes sure you have the interior cover activated.
Orvis-ue1cz- I think rather than being wrong about the lock, you are pointing out that there is a second reason for the lock/unlock dial, which I did not mention. The first reason was well covered at 10:40 and 11:25. I thank you for pointing out the second reason, to lock the other lock, which releases the mouse trap wire lock for the lens assembly. A worthy addition to the collection of Homer Simpson design solutions.
Can not wait to see your explanation of the Mamiya RB67 exposure compensation scale...
I also look forward to it. But sadly at this time, we don't own RB67 to review. We are trying to fix that situation. The next Mamiya reviews will be Mamiya Six Model IV and Model K.
Just got a C3. Love this review both for the detail and the humor. So glad you added the warning about removing the focus screen.
Glad it was helpful! Enjoy your C3 and never think of selling.
It's pretty bulky setup. But if you are looking for an affordable pro grade 6x6 system, the Mamiya C is one of the best options
How can I resist the charm of Mamiya C3? You just need nerves of steel, patience of angels and a strong back. I have all three, so I am OK.
Please also check out the new video on Mamiya Press 23.
Hi dude. Cool review!!! I'm going to buy one for myself too! Thank you for making this video so awesome!!!
Thank you Dimitry- Please explore other videos on this channel and subscribe.
Greetings Homer, this is Fred from the Flintstones. My favorite new things are old things too. Great video. Mine is a Mamiya c220.
Dear Mr Flintstone,
You are in very good company. We live for the vintage consumer technology. Perhaps our next project should be the review of your Mamiya C220.
Please watch the other reviews on our channel and consider subscribing. Your comments will be highly appreciated.
Regards,
Lisa, on behalf of Homer
@@TechHeritage 😁
This is the only camera video I have ever laughed at that wasn’t made by grainydays. Amazing.
I invite you you watch our video on the Mamiya Press Super 23 here: czcams.com/video/f8d2pcB1pSw/video.html
The first camera I used as a part-time wedding photographer was a Mamiya C3. Bulletproof old beast. There are days when I wish I still had one.
Sorry to hear that you no longer have it. It would be very interesting to hear the experience of a wedding photographer using this camera.
Brilliant, probably one of the best camera reviews ive watched, looking for a mamiya C at the mo, probs a C220
Thanks for the positive comments. You might also like the review of the Mamiya Press Super 23 on this channel or through this direct link: czcams.com/video/f8d2pcB1pSw/video.html
I LOVE YOUR REVEIW , waiting for Pentax 6x7 and Zenza Bronica S2 , excellent and thank you
Unfortunately we don’t have the models you have mentioned at this time. But we have Fujica GSW690.
I like that my old folding camera has a T shutter, I wish mode cameras had it. While you do have to press it twice it works great for long exposures.
Actually most cameras, including SLR's have the T shutter setting, just after B. It is not rare. Many of them are covered in our videos. What kind of very long exposures do you use? Landscape in the moonlight?
One great use of long exposure, with small aperture and an ND filter is to take pictures of streets which are normally crazy busy. Then with the long exposure all the cars and people disappear, giving a surreal and highly unusual effect.
just got my C3 - from Japan. 105 lens. Exposure comp therefor largely irrelevant. I use a shutter release cable. Rolleiflex can't interchange lenses. And neither can the other TLR's do macro close up shots like this can. Plus it looks great and it built like a Tiger I tank. Michael Wittman would have approved. I shoot on a tripod, so weight is a non-issue. not sure what your highly critical, relentlessly sarcastic "review" was intended to achieve.
Thanks for your detailed feedback.
I am sure you will enjoy the use of your C3 for many years to come. It will probably outlast you. I thoroughly enjoy using our C3. I'm hard core, so I develop the films myself too. Over the years I have bought a lot of accessories for it, which I did not demonstrate. If you encounter any little frustrations with this camera, do what I do. laugh it off and accept it as part of the experience and the charm. We have over 300 cameras but amazingly I have never used a Rolleiflex TLR. However, we have a detailed video on the Rolleiflex SLX medium format, which is more like an electronic Hasselblad V.
My dad has a Rolleiflex TLR and a Voigtlander Vito 35mm folder. I got interested as a teenager and had a Canon AE1 and a rollei B35 and got a darkroom with a Durst enlarger. 5 years ago I had a collection of Voigtlanders - Vito, Perkeo, bessa II. Divorce... had to raise cash. Sold them. :( - just starting again. Got into digital (Nikon D5200 + Prime 1.4 50mm, + 2 kit lenses. Then I discovered this Mamiya Range. So, 50 years after my first enlarger, last week, I bought another enlarger+tank, + masking frame, tanks etc. all for £10 !, etc. Mainly to set up DSLR scanning.
Where you from?
Having grown up on 8x10 Deardorffs and 4x5 Calumets when I was a photog's assistant, my C3 was a natural progression with its basic "Flintsone" procedures. And even though I ended up using my 'Blad for much of my 6x6 work on location and in my studio, I still hung onto my C3. The advantage of working basic view cameras and basic 120 cameras is that you realize that taking pictures is a "process" and quite different than "point & shoot" culture. The "process" requires you to be "present" in a conscious way, but once you inculcate that procedure, you can build up speed and develop your skills for anticipating the shot, timing, reading light, composing, etc. The downside is that I, personally, can never quite trust automatic cameras. Oh yeah, one other thing, TLRs have the advantage of allowing you to watch your subject, scene, etc. when you actually press the shutter--good for portraits, fashion, and any subject that changes quickly. BTW, nice video that covers all the aspects of the C3 which most others overlook.
You are the real Pro. Reading your comment I felt like being there as part of the "process". In fact I think that is why I never quite enjoy digital photography.
Even using easier film cameras than C3, I like to take the time to feel the moment, remember what was happening and what choices I had. I don't just finish the "process" there. The ritual continues with developing the colour film in C41, drying, cutting and scanning with Epson Perfection, then optimizing on Adobe Darkroom. The longer it takes the better.
This was amazing. Can you review the RB67?
I would like to review RB67 as soon as I manage to buy one. I suspect the results will be quite different to the other two Mamiyas I reviewed.
I really enjoy your analysis and commentary on the design mindset, create a problem then provide a solution! Brilliant. I do not own a Mamiya TLR, and you've further validated why I've put so many back in the store case over the years. You could do a comedy series on some of the hapless designs brought to market over the years. So much material! I'm also color blind, so the entire color graph on the camera is meaningless!
Well said! You may also like the other video on the Mamiya Press Super 23: czcams.com/video/f8d2pcB1pSw/video.html
Some of the viewers think the Mamiya reviews are too harsh. But they are meant to be honest and light hearted. We shouldn't take things too seriously.
It is quite a contrast against the Nikon series that you also commented on, right?
Yeah, that sounds like a fun project. And there are sound powered phones, too. (hint hint)
Mmm.. sound powered phones! That must be the technology where you speak at one end of the device very loudly and sound comes out of another end, right? I have to look into this further.
I have one of these and it’s a great camera despite the mousetrap technology. I’m fairly certain it will outlive its competitors because of its simplicity and lack of fancy electronics.
Yes, there is hardly anything there to fail. It has considerable charm and provides a strange satisfaction when you manage to take a great picture. Its like the pleasure of home cooking from a French recipe book on a wood stove, using only the ingredients available at the back of the cupboard.
Primitive this, primitive that... A Zulu spear is primitive but it will kill you dead in short order.
The Mamiya C series are well engineered tools well suited to many applications.
One problem that won't take you out of the game is electronics failure or a dead battery. Leaf shutters are quiet and can sync flash at any speed. Lack of moving mirror also contributes to quiet operation and results in more trouble free operation than an SLR. Add to that a natural vibration free operation.
In the end one has to look at their application and choose the most appropriate tools.
After all nothing prevents one from having a TLR, an SLR, a Rangefinder, or any other number of tools for each application.
Thank you for taking the time to share your point of view in detail.
I fully appreciate the charm and importance of this camera and said so in the video. I would not sell mine for any price. In fact I recently bought all the accessories from multiple sources. I'm having difficulty getting the lenses separately.
I understand that features are not everything, otherwise we would just stick to the mirrorless digital cameras today. I am interested in the evolution of consumer technology. That is the mission of this channel.
All the steps in that evolution are important and should be preserved, even the dead-end paths. Meanwhile I don't see any harm in having a little laugh when something doesn't make perfect sense. BTW the Zulu Speer is an example of the most elegant, efficient, and minimalistic technology of the time. It can hardly be improved.
Perhaps you can also have a look at the video on the Mamiya Press Super 23 and see it in this light.
@@TechHeritage Ooo. I love press cameras. Of course I also love vacuum tube amplifiers. 😇 I hope I didn't come across as too much of a curmudgeon. I try to shoot for the Goldilocks range in that regard. 😊
LOCK means the "lens" is locked from being accidentally removed and ruining the film.
Unlock shields the film and allows the lens board clamp to be swung open to remove the lens assembly.
Yes, there are more lens focal lengths than the side of the camera shows . (the inscrutable asian mind)
And folding the view cover (your 5 operations) is done by one hand while talking to someone and simultaneously looking for my next image to shoot. It is not a burden.
The "too thin" screw heads for the ground glass are to keep the idiots out.
The exposure compensation graph on the side of the camera needs only the slightest flick of my eye for me to calculate my final exposure,
Yes, the C series of TLR is a compromise. But they are good compromises. The C 220 is a better set of compromises, as are the 330 Pro and S series. Digital idiots (those raised on smartphones) need not apply to own a TLR
Nice review BTW. My compliments.
It was a pleasure reading your comments and the loving appreciation of the pile of compromises. That sums up my own appreciation of this camera. I have used it extensively and got to love all the quirks. I would not swap it for the very best cameras on today's dumbing phones. I look forward to your insightful comments on our video on the Mamiya Press Super 23 here: czcams.com/video/f8d2pcB1pSw/video.html
I got tired of your snarkiness after 5 minutes
I love this camera. You can repair it with hammer, it has interchangable lenses, it closes up to 7 inches, it is built like a tank, at 1/3 of Hasselblad price.
I love it too. But use a wrench, a paper clip and some sticky tape for the repairs before trying the hammer.
Homer, another thing you did not mention is that the lever for the shutter release is not only for hand release, but also for using a shutter release cable. You really need to know more about a camera before reviewing it.
Orvis-ue1cz- please refer to 31:05 and let me know if my knowledge of the camera is adequate.
Wow, I can hardly wait till you review a dial telephone. It should be a hoot. Do you know you can dial a phone number using a dial phone having a jammed or broken broken circular dial by correctly tapping the hang up bar? Millennials and Gen Z should not volunteer to time travel back to my era. They will starve to death because there are no microwave ovens.
The review of 3 generations of Dial Telephones is coming. It starts with a military grade metal wall phone, then a beautiful, classical shinyblack home phone, followed by a later warm grey unit, all in mint condition. I am working with an electronics specialit to see how we can connect them to the modern telephone network and adapt the pulse dialing system to the tone dialing to make and receive calls. I want the black one to be my desk phone. That will be very cool.
Come on, These cameras were built in the 1960s. What do you expect? The worst and most patronising review I have ever seen. Have you seen the quality of the images these cameras produced and continue to produce? They were a wonderful piece of technology for the time they were made.
Consumer Technology Heritage is a rich tapestry, presenting a wide landscape. Your point of view adds to the richness. In defence of my point of view, C3 Professional was already the 3rd version of this camera with a chance to improve. It was 20 years after the TLR design by Rolleiflex, 8 years after Leica M3, 5 years after Hasselblad 500c and 3 years after Nikon F3, all acknowledged for Mechanical innovation and perfection. If C3 was a Student Project in a Mechanical design school, I would give it B+ but they gave it the badge of "Professional". As such, I give it C-. Yes, the optics are good. I mentioned and showed examples. The body, including the lens mount are crude, unrefined, frustrating and a development dead-end. It does not mean it is worthless. It is an example of many paths explored and then abandoned before they were perfected. I have 3 other TLR's from major manufacturers Voigtlander, Zeiss Ikon and Rollei Magic which represent similar dead-end paths for weird features, which may have looked promising for a nano-second. One day I will share them in a video. For now, C3 takes the price for uniqueness. So, I have painfully collected all the accessories and attachments which are on proud display in a glass museum cabinet. Do we have to take everything so seriously? Shouldn't we be able to laugh at ourselves (humans) every now and then? Either that, or everyone should be required to watch that episode of the car designed by Homer Simpson from the beginning to the end.