Mamiya C33 TLR shutter jam issue - Is this normal??...

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>I looked around the web including here at Photo.net and I only ever found passing comments about this "issue" so I wanted to ask to see if what I'm experiencing is just a quirk of the camera or something that needs to be serviced (or at least it's serviceable).</p>

<p>I recently got a nice Mamiya C33 TLR for a good price. No damage to the bellows. No light leaks. Clean clear lenses. Everything (other than the wear and tear of a 40+ year old camera) looked really good. But while shooting a test roll, I ran into the shutter jam and it took me 2 rolls to figure out just what's going on and how to get around it...and in the process probably jacked up the 2 rolls....</p>

<p>It seems once the shutter is cocked and the winder is back into the original position, even if I press down on the shutter release until I hear the "snickt" of the shutter, I need to keep pressing the lever all the way down or else it won't unlock the film winder that will automatically cock the shutter for me again. By habit, at least 5 times over 2 rolls of film, I let go of the shutter release as soon as I heard the camera take a photo and quickly realized I couldn't rotate the film winder again.</p>

<p>I didn't realize until much later at home that I could re-cock the shutter myself by hand, sacrifice that frame by shooting another shot, and then, after making sure I pushed the shutter all the way down, wind the film to the next frame. Out in the field, I stupidly opened the back juuuust enough to reset the film counter and unlock the film advance but hopefully not enough to let light in...but I'm pretty sure the 2 rolls are goners...</p>

<p>Anyway, so...is this normal? Is this a known "quirk"? Or do I need to get this looked at before I cry losing another roll...</p>

<p>Any help would be appreciated! Thank you!!</p>

 

<p>Tim, have a look at <a href="../medium-format-photography-forum/00VzWm">this recent thread</a>, where another guy describes the same problem with a C3. In order to release the interlock which enables you to wind the crank, you need to press the shutter release down all the way. If you don't push it down far enough, the whole camera may lock up, and need to be coaxed back to life.</p>

<p>Incidentally, if you have to trip the shutter a second time to reset the interlock, you may not have to sacrifice a frame. Set it to 'multi-exposure' and trip the shutter with the lens cap on, or use a dark bag or a black jacket.</p>

<p>I have a C330s and from your description it sounds like standard behavior for the C series equipped with lever wind. There is a complete description of the C33 model on Graham Patterson's excellent Mamiya TLR website:<br>

<a href="http://www.btinternet.com/~g.a.patterson/mfaq/m_faq-1.html#Heading21">http://www.btinternet.com/~g.a.patterson/mfaq/m_faq-1.html#Heading21</a><br>

Section 1.0.3 explains the multiple-exposure function, which you'll find handy even if you aren't going to make double exposures. There is also a good Mamiya TLR forum:<br>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/mamiyatwinlens/discuss/">http://www.flickr.com/groups/mamiyatwinlens/discuss/</a><br>

The Mamiya C series are tricky to learn (not like a Rollei or Yashica). I had troubles similar to yours when I first got fine, but once you get used to the camera you'll find it a pleasure to use. The lens interchangeability allows you to build up an excellent medium-format system.</p>

<p>Ah. I see the thread with the C3 and it's exactly the same as my issue. Thank you! Not sure how I missed it...I think I was just searching for C33... And lens cap!! ACK!! ...it's such a simple thing...I should have thought of that...</p>

<p>I appreciate the help from both of you. Having never shot a TLR before it was a bit of a change from the usual but I was used to the waist level finder from my Bronica ETR so it didn't take too long to get used to it. I think this is going to be a new favorite! Even if it weighs a ton!</p>

<p>I've had this happen with my C3 when I was trying to shoot and wind on too fast. I'm a big fan of the Mamiya TLRs and even my old C3 (40-45 years old ?) delivers very sharp pictures.</p>

<p>If it continues to give you trouble, hop it over to Pro Cam on Broadview Rd. in Parma. The guy there knows them well. Agree, it's a fabulous camera, so easy to work with; I love the crank for its fetish value alone. Recently got a 55mm wide-angle lens for it, which is quite startling in square format. Good luck, and post some results for us to see!</p>