Mamiya C3 camera
Mamiya
Category
Photographic technology
Date
1962 - 1998
Materials
Metal, Glass, Plastic
Measurements
165 x 130 x 110 mm
Place of origin
Tokyo
Collection
Fox Talbot Museum, Wiltshire
NT 1525525.1
Summary
Mamiya C3 camera. Twin lens reflex using 120 film The C3 was the third development of the C released in 1962 as part of the Mamiya C series of interchangeable lens medium format TLR cameras. The C3 was a major update to the system. It was the version that became popular with amateur and professional photographers and was the foundation for the success of the following models. It improves upon the Mamiyaflex C2 by having a winding crank instead of the knob design. Upon release of the camera a new series of chrome lenses was introduced. These are different from the previous versions as the shutter has been changed to the Seikosha-S type. It now supports a maximum shutter speed of 1/500 of a sec. with modern speed stops of B, 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, and 1/500. The lens lock is located on the left hand side of the body. Within the lens lock is a reminder window to select ASA speed from 10 - 1000. The lock hinge is on the right side. The cable release socket is located onthe top of the release slider. The film counter has a dedicated window on the right hand side of the body. Multi-exposure is a new feature that can be controlled with a knob located by the advance crank. The right side has depth of field distance scales for 65mm and 80mm lenses. The left side has additional distance scales as well as an exposure correction scale. It is covered using a proprietary Mamiya covering with a tiny raised letter 'M' design. The top of the camera contains the folding shields for the viewfinder. The back opens with a small knurled knob wich slides to the right to release. The back incorporates a small red window to see the numbers on the back of the film carrier this is covered bya sprung metal plate marked Japan. Focus is conrolled by a pair of large black plastic knurled knobs (one each side) which moves the standard forward revealing the bellows action. The standard has a metal frame around marked Mamiya C3 on the top within the frame are the two lenses and the release slider. The top lens is marked " Mamiya -Sekor 1:2.8 f = 80mm No 47625" beside the upper lens is the flashcable socket. The lower lens is marked" Mamiya -Sekor 1:2.8 f = 80mm No 47698" and is surrounded by a collar which contains controls to set the shutter release speed and the aperture. Below the lens is marked Seikosha-s. There is a metal lens cap which covers both lenses. It is covered with Mamiya covering and marked Mamiya and a logo which resembles a horizontal concave lens marked S and M with a covex lens vertically behind Below the standard is a plate which reads “ Professional Mamiya Camera Co Ltd”. On the base of the camera is a tripod mount.
Provenance
Donated on 22.09.2017 to the Fox Talbot Museum by Tim Summerton
Makers and roles
Mamiya , manufacturer