Mamiya C330 - worth it to fix up? I have a C330 with a couple lenses, prism finder and a few other accessories, that I've had for some time (45 years?) and thinking of selling it

jgudpns Loc: Pensacola, FL

I have a C330 with a couple lenses, prism finder and a few other accessories, that I've had for some time (45 years?) and thinking of selling it - but needs a little work. Trying to decide if the work involved would be worth the increase in sale value. Good condition ones are going on eBay for $350 - $500, rough ones less...

I'm never going to go back to film at this point in my life at 72, and would rather fund towards a new 100-400mm Z lens for my Z6 ii. The C330 needs a new outer bellows which I can pick up a replacement around $75 and the leather is dirty and possibly needs to be replaced. Anyone here ever done that yourself, or can make recommendations?

Bayou

Is the viewing screen still nice and bright? Sometimes they fade to be pretty dark.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

Personally if your going to trade it I would trade it in as is, not likely to get back your time and $$ for fixing, IMHO.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

jgudpns wrote:

I have a C330 with a couple lenses, prism finder a... (show quote)

I would not put any money in this camera - sell for parts - and sell the finder and lenses separately .....Yes, I have used a 330 in my wedding days ....

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Btw, there are two bellows (one inside the other). The outside one is for the view lens and the inside one for the exposure lens, so if only the outside one is ripped, it shouldn’t affect the exposure. I sold mine, also with a ripped bellows, but in good condition otherwise, for ~$100

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Sell or trade as-is. Someone will buy it. Film has a small but almost cult-like community of enthusiasts.

jgudpns Loc: Pensacola, FL

Thanks for your replies! I know I'll end up spending 4-5 hours at least messing with it (plus parts).

You all pointed in my direction of thought...

Thanks!

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

In 1958, I had one of the very first Mamiya C TLRs that came off the production line. At that time it was quite the newfangled camer- A TLR with interchangeable lenses! It had built-in bellows and focused down to 7 inches with an 80mm lens. It had a strange gadget to correct for parallax. The earliest modes did nothave a flat platform athe base so there wew 2 small legs to breve the came from falling over forward when a longer les was in place.

It turned out to be quite the workhorse. I had many of the later models over the years and loved my RB and RZ.

If you deced to fix it up, the good news is that many small repair services can probably restore it to good workg order. Check out this is linkhttps://mamiyarepair.com/-

User ID

bobmcculloch wrote:

Personally if your going to trade it I would trade it in as is, not likely to get back your time and $$ for fixing, IMHO.

Amen. Not worth much even without any problems. Repairs are lipstick on a pig but its very pricey lipstick.

If you hafta pay the shipping for a trade-in you might break even on the shipping. Dont know your distance.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

jgudpns wrote:

I have a C330 with a couple lenses, prism finder a... (show quote)

NO

rjriggins11 Loc: Colorado Springs, CO

jgudpns wrote:

I have a C330 with a couple lenses, prism finder a... (show quote)

Hi. My name is Rick. I’m the owner and lead technician at Discount Camera Repair and a member in good standing here at the UHH. I’ve been doing repairs for other members here at greatly discounted rates and would be glad to help.

I'd be more than happy to repair the camera for you and keep the cost as low as possible. If you’re interested, please respond by private message.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

jgudpns wrote:

I have a C330 with a couple lenses, prism finder and a few other accessories…

I’m not skilled at repairing cameras. Maybe I could tighten a screw or something like that.

But a few cameras that I had purchased over the years, I placed in acrylic museum quality boxes as is. Placed on a shelf they are great to look at!

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

burkphoto wrote:

Sell or trade as-is. Someone will buy it. Film has a small but almost cult-like community of enthusiasts.

Hey! I resemble that remark…..

Besides, Film isn’t dead, it just smells funny!

gwilliams6

rjriggins11 wrote:

Hi. My name is Rick. I’m the owner and lead technician at Discount Camera Repair and a member in good standing here at the UHH. I’ve been doing repairs for other members here at greatly discounted rates and would be glad to help.

I'd be more than happy to repair the camera for you and keep the cost as low as possible. If you’re interested, please respond by private message.

Good guy

I owned a C330 with a few twin lenses back when I was a photography major at R.I.T. in the seventies. A great medium format camera. Sorry I sold it.

Cheers and best to you.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

rjriggins11 wrote:

Hi. My name is Rick. I’m the owner and lead technician at Discount Camera Repair and a member in good standing here at the UHH. I’ve been doing repairs for other members here at greatly discounted rates and would be glad to help.

I'd be more than happy to repair the camera for you and keep the cost as low as possible. If you’re interested, please respond by private message.

Finally, A optimistic post! The Mamiya TLRs are mechanical cameras and an experienced technician can tune them up and make essential repairs.

120 Film is still being produced in a variety of emulsions. There is an enthusiastic niche market for good film cameras and lenses. The Mamyia-Sekor lenses are excellent. The prism finder makes the "C" cameras much more practical for hand-held faster shooting.

Personally speaking, I would not discard or "mothball" a good workg camera.