Rob MacKillop
Edinburgh Correspondent
Certainly makes sense. Of course, I'm a crazy half-insane person, so what makes sense to me...
Where Next?
- Thread starter Rob MacKillop
- Start date
Hamish Gill
Tech Support (and Marketing)
... Must also make sense to me 
David Mitchell
Well-Known Member
Certainly makes sense. Of course, I'm a crazy half-insane person, so what makes sense to me...
In a mad world is a mad person mad, or sane?
Rob MacKillop
Edinburgh Correspondent
Exactly.
David Mitchell
Well-Known Member
What about a Pentax 67?
Pete Askew
Admin
Nice, but a decent one would be similar in price to a Mamiya 7 and a lot heavier.
Rob MacKillop
Edinburgh Correspondent
Well, I plan to save up for a Mamiya 7, but in the interim I've just bought a Mamiya C330s from Ffordes, with the 80mm lenses. I'm sure most of you will know that it is a twin-lens reflex camera. Ffordes labelled it as in Ex+ condition. The 330 is lighter than previous versions, so I am looking upon it as a portable version of my RB67. Square format, which I like for portraits. Will it arrive in time before I see my model friend on Friday? Online reviews say that it lacks the clarity of the Blad, but the softness works in its favour for portraiture. We shall see.
Rob MacKillop
Edinburgh Correspondent
Ffordes phoned saying I was incredibly quick off the mark - they only just placed it on the website this morning. I had no idea of that, of course. Anyway, they said they are putting new light seals on, giving it a once over. Should be with me Friday morning.
I'm meeting my friend the model in the afternoon, so I have half an hour after teaching to master it
Unfortunately, she has texted me saying she is bringing her kids [doh]
I'm meeting my friend the model in the afternoon, so I have half an hour after teaching to master it
Unfortunately, she has texted me saying she is bringing her kids [doh]
David Mitchell
Well-Known Member
Show the kids your awesome new camera 
Here is the manual:
Mamiya C330s instruction manual, user manual, PDF manual, free manuals
Here is the manual:
Mamiya C330s instruction manual, user manual, PDF manual, free manuals
Pete Askew
Admin
I like the Mamiya TLRs and have a C3 (well Paul has it but theoretically I own one! ). The early lenses were reputed to be sharper than the later ones because Mamiya 'softened' them to better suit the main market which was portraiture and weddings. One important thing to read up one before using if for portraits though is compensating for parallax. The C330 does have a marker on the viewing screen for this but you need to work it out to get the framing right.
http://www.mamiyaleaf.com/assets/files/documentation/C330_Instructions.pdf
). The early lenses were reputed to be sharper than the later ones because Mamiya 'softened' them to better suit the main market which was portraiture and weddings. One important thing to read up one before using if for portraits though is compensating for parallax. The C330 does have a marker on the viewing screen for this but you need to work it out to get the framing right.http://www.mamiyaleaf.com/assets/files/documentation/C330_Instructions.pdf
Rob MacKillop
Edinburgh Correspondent
Thanks guys. Already had the manual and the device on parallax, but much appreciated! It was cheap compared to many of the options discussed above, but will do until I get the money together for a Mamiya 7. Nihat skyped me to wax lyrical about his Mamiya 7, and I'm more convinced than ever that it is what I've been dreaming of.
Brian Moore
Moderator
I have the C33 with the 80mm standard lens. In looking at lenses for sale I've seen reference to "blue dot" lenses.
Pete,...does blue dot signify early/late (sharper/softer)?
Pete,...does blue dot signify early/late (sharper/softer)?
Pete Askew
Admin
I think the blue dot lenses were the later (and thus possibly 'softer') lenses. Mine are all earlier.
Davie Hudson
Well-Known Member
I'm the opposite, I have an SLR and have had for years but the idea of using it does nothing for me at all... I've had the chance to buy an xPan but the film aspect put me right off. Technology has moved on and so have I
N
Nihat Iyriboz
Guest
Sorry for the delay on this.
Mamiya 7:
I've used it since 2003 with no repairs until last month, a minor adjustment for rangefinder and film advance end. All purchased used in mint condition.
I've made images about 60% with 43mm, 30% with 65mm remaining with 80mm. I do not recommend 150mm, 210mm.
800 gr body, extremely compact and well-balanced for its film size. Optics are great.
The only 2 factors you may find limiting, is f4.0 or 4.5 aperture and 1 meter minimum focus. Yet HP5 @ 1600 is perfect for this film size, though I used only Ilford PanF+ @50 ASA on my trip to Argentina. Otherwise, it is extremely quiet. No need for 7II unless double exposure feature and brighter viewfinder are needed. I find 7 to be perfectly bright and comfortable as an eye-glass wearing photographer.
If you must go with one lens, I second Pete's recommendation of 65mm. 43mm comes with an external viewfinder that makes the process as focus on the main viewfinder and compose on the external. 43mm is about 21mm in 35 format with no distortion.
Built-in light meter is very accurate with A, AE, manual options, and 10 frame gives you the flexibility to adapt a semi zone system concept.
Do not forget to take the lens cap off as this a rangefinder camera . It gives you the ability to use 10x ND or IR72 dark filters without worrying to take the filter off to compose. That becomes handy on a windy day by the beach if you want to protect the lens, compose and shoot without filter on-off.
Mamiya 7:
I've used it since 2003 with no repairs until last month, a minor adjustment for rangefinder and film advance end. All purchased used in mint condition.
I've made images about 60% with 43mm, 30% with 65mm remaining with 80mm. I do not recommend 150mm, 210mm.
800 gr body, extremely compact and well-balanced for its film size. Optics are great.
The only 2 factors you may find limiting, is f4.0 or 4.5 aperture and 1 meter minimum focus. Yet HP5 @ 1600 is perfect for this film size, though I used only Ilford PanF+ @50 ASA on my trip to Argentina. Otherwise, it is extremely quiet. No need for 7II unless double exposure feature and brighter viewfinder are needed. I find 7 to be perfectly bright and comfortable as an eye-glass wearing photographer.
If you must go with one lens, I second Pete's recommendation of 65mm. 43mm comes with an external viewfinder that makes the process as focus on the main viewfinder and compose on the external. 43mm is about 21mm in 35 format with no distortion.
Built-in light meter is very accurate with A, AE, manual options, and 10 frame gives you the flexibility to adapt a semi zone system concept.
Do not forget to take the lens cap off as this a rangefinder camera . It gives you the ability to use 10x ND or IR72 dark filters without worrying to take the filter off to compose. That becomes handy on a windy day by the beach if you want to protect the lens, compose and shoot without filter on-off.
Last edited by a moderator:
Rob MacKillop
Edinburgh Correspondent
Thanks, Nihat. Much appreciated.
N
Nihat Iyriboz
Guest
You're welcome, Rob.
I check some Mamiya 7 on the web. Interestingly, the body prices are up and lens prices are down, both 50% range in 10 years.
This is a reputable firm in the U.S. I purchased the 65mm from them.
Mamiya 6 and 7 Fixed Focal Length Lenses - KEH.com
I check some Mamiya 7 on the web. Interestingly, the body prices are up and lens prices are down, both 50% range in 10 years.
This is a reputable firm in the U.S. I purchased the 65mm from them.
Mamiya 6 and 7 Fixed Focal Length Lenses - KEH.com
Brian Moore
Moderator
I'd second Nihat's recommendation about KEH. I bought my Mamiya C33 from them. Good experience. Their stuff comes with a 6 moth warranty, too, I do believe.
Rob MacKillop
Edinburgh Correspondent
Cheers, Brian. Not sure if I want the moths, though...
Brian Moore
Moderator
Yes, I understand, Rob. Not everyone prefers to receive moths (even up to half a dozen) in lieu of a cash reimbursement. However, times are tough and lets hand it to KEH for trying. OK?
