Mamiya C330

Medium FormatTLRMount: Mamiya TLR
Introduced: 1969 Discontinued: 1994
Mamiya C330
Image: pluzz — CC BY-SA 2.0

Mamiya C330 is the only medium-format TLR with interchangeable lens pairs — in production 1969-1989 (Pro and Pro-S/F variants). Where every other 6×6 TLR (Rolleiflex, Yashica Mat) has a fixed taking + viewing lens, the C330 accepts ten different focal-length lens pairs from 55mm wide to 250mm telephoto. The body uses a bellows-focus mechanism (rather than helicoid) which permits much closer focus than other TLRs.

Key features

  • Interchangeable lens-pair mount (Mamiya TLR bayonet) — taking + viewing lens swap as a unit
  • Bellows focusing — close-focus capability much greater than helicoid TLRs
  • 6×6 cm format on 120 (12 exp) or 220 (24 exp) film
  • Compur or Seiko leaf shutter — built into each taking lens
  • Crank-wind film advance
  • No built-in meter (Pro version); accessory meters available

Practical notes

  • C330 bodies on used market: $200-400 with 80mm f/2.8 Sekor lens pair
  • The Pro-S (1971) added "Auto-Lock" multi-exposure prevention; the Pro-F (1981) was the final variant
  • The 105mm f/3.5 D and the 135mm f/4.5 are popular portrait pairs
  • Bellows can develop pinholes after decades — common service item; check with bright-light test before buying
  • Heavier than other TLRs (~1.7 kg with 80mm) — the trade-off for interchangeability

Available lens pairs

  • 55mm f/4.5 (super-wide), 65mm f/3.5 (wide), 80mm f/2.8 (normal), 105mm f/3.5 D (short tele), 135mm f/4.5 (portrait), 180mm f/4.5 Super (telephoto), 250mm f/6.3 (super-telephoto)

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