Mamiya C220 - what a great camera!

[thomas_k.]

<p>Just wanted to share my recent experiences going back to shooting MF film with a Mamiya C220 TLR. For my recent one week vacation in north-eastern New Mexico I decided to take this newly acquired camera. I did not want to take my DSLRs with regular assortment of lenses, flashes etc which I use for work - it would not be fun. So, I got myself a C220 with a 80mm lens. I cleaned the body and changed light seals myself and got lens and shutter CLA'd by a professional. I packed camera with just one lens, minolta lightmeter and 20 rolls of Ilford Delta 400 and was very happy how light and compact it was. The experience of using the Mamiya was great: its reliable, easy to use and the results on film - most satisfying.<img src="../photo/13251880" alt="" /> <br>

You can view images taken with this camera in my photo.net galleries.</p><div></div>

[craigd]

<p>I spent a few days in Yosemite earlier this month with a Mamiyaflex C2. Wonderful camera, but I would have appreciated an anti-double-exposure interlock between the shutter and the film advance, which I think your C220 has.</p>

[chris_waller]

<p>It is indeed a great camera and my favourite of my three Mamiya TLRs, the other two being a C3 and a C330. To give you an example of the lens quality, take a look at this shot:-</p><div></div>

[chris_waller]

<p>... and this is an enlargement of the organ console from the same neg. There is in fact more detail but I scanned from a slightly textured paper and thus there is a slight loss of sharpness. Had I printed on gloss paper it would show even more detail.</p><div></div>

[gabor_szabo3]

<p>Great shooting, Thomas !<br>

The Mamiya C220 and its cousins are tough beasts. While they might not be the first choice for backpackers and outdoors MF enthusiasts, I can vouch for the ruggedness and simplicity.<br>

I lugged a C220 all over Alaska 16 years ago, the Big Bend area , and the woodlands of Wisconsin. Mostly HP5 was my emulsion of choice, along with Agfa APX. These TLRs sure can take a beating, too. <br>

Happy Dogs is my favorite shot from your NM series .</p>

<p> </p>

[thomas_k.]

<p>Craig: Yes, C220 has a single/multi exposure dial, it prevents unintentional duble exposure - easy to happen when one is on a non-photography specific, vacation trip and might have had a couple of beers for a breakfast!<br>

Also I have to add that I found square format of a negative quite fascinating. Also composing my photographs on square ground glass is very different from rectangular formats.</p>

[chris_waller]

<p>Thomas,<br>

I looked at your pictures of New Mexico - love them. How did you rate and develop the film?</p>

[thomas_k.]

<p>Thanks Chris, I shoot Ilford Delta 400 at it's nominal speed. Also having little experience developing film myself I just followed Ilfords development chart. 8 minuts in Ilfotec DDX, 20 sec stop bath followed by 5 min in Ilford Rapid fixer. The negs were scanned on Epson 4990 flatbed scanner with manual exposure adjustments and further PS tweeks to light levels and contrast.</p>

[ivette_ocampo]

<p>I'm selling a rolleiflex....anyone interested in buying one?<br>

<a href="../gc/view-one?classified_ad_id=1301411">http://www.photo.net/gc/view-one?classified_ad_id=1301411</a></p>