I just got a cool old

[Jon]

Mamiya C3 (6x6 120) with the "chrome series" 80mm f/2.8, hot shoe attachment, and what I assume is the "standard" waist-level finder.

It looks to be in perfect mechanical condition, I don't *see* any holes in the bellows, but it's pretty dirty.

I'm really looking forward to having some fun with this unit, anyone have any experiece, good or bad, or perhaps fond memories with this camera that they'd like to share?

In the future, I might be interested in getting another viewing/taking lens/shutter plate (this is my first TLR so not 100% on all of the nomenclature yet), any input is appreciated as to where one might find items for this model (KEH, eBay and etc are standard search zones for older equipment, of course).

[cyclohexane]

Yay!

[Mr. Pickles]

Don't know if LatinBob on here knows about this particular model, but he knows about this whole bellows thing, as well as 120 film and 6x6 negatives. Shoot some and take it over to his kitchen and he'll develop it for ya.

Drop him a note or wait for him to see this....

[Jon]

Yah, I might shoot him a PM shortly.

I figure I'll go straight into the fire with it and shoot some Ektachrome first thing and see what happens

[Latinbob]

The Mamiyas are built like tanks and as long as the bellows are good, you should be good to go. Here's a link to the Mamiya manual: http://www.kyphoto.com/classics/instructionmanuals.html It's free but you have to use the supplied credentials to get to it.

I'd keep an eye on KEH first for lenses and accessories, and also eBay.

Get you some film and go try that dude out! Keep in mind the image is reversed! That's the hardest thing to get used to with a TLR.

[sjprg]

I just picked up an imaculate 330 with a 55mm lens to go with my C22 with a 105 Lens. Im looking forward to taking it to Big Sur for some sea scapes.

[kgphoto]

Jon,

Go into a darkened room and open the bellows all the way with the lenses removed and put a flash light in side in bare bulb mode. A Mini MagLight is a good model. That will show you any holes. You can also put you eye up close to the opening and fire a flash on the outside and see if you see points of light when it goes off.

[Mr. Pickles]

Originally Posted by kgphoto

Jon,

Go into a darkened room and open the bellows all the way with the lenses removed and put a flash light in side in bare bulb mode. A Mini MagLight is a good model. That will show you any holes. You can also put you eye up close to the opening and fire a flash on the outside and see if you see points of light when it goes off.

That is a good tip.

Much better idea than filling it all up with water and seeing where the leaks are

[student]

I had a Mamiya C3 with 80mm, a 180mm, and a 55mm lenses. These are great cameras, and even the chrome lenses are fantastic. I especially liked the 80mm. If memory serves, I made this image with that camera:

[kgphoto]

I still use my C330 every Forth of July to take fireworks pictures. This year I will try my Canon 5 D.

While the C330 is a fine camera and you will make good pictures with it, I did find that the Hasselblad was superior, both in image quality and functionality. The ability to see what you are shoot, lens hoods and vignettes, Polaroid backs and availability of rental lenses, shifted me in that direction.