Patrick Mayo@cefiggy hey! I see you have a Mamiya C330. Can you tell me a little about your experience with it? Is it overly heavy? How does it compare to your RB?
I’m considering the jump into medium format and I am comparing the C330 and the Bronica SQ-A.
Emma@mayo those are tough models to compare because they’re so different (from what I’ve read about the Bronica SQ-A). The Bronica requires a battery versus the Mamiya which may be hassle(blad jaja) if you want to shoot something else besides 1/500 and your battery dies. I go for non-electric because 1) I don’t wanna worry about my battery dying 2) They may have a shorter lifespan (esp in humid conditions) because the electric components sometimes cannot be replaced. (1/3)
@mayo TLR vs SLR is mostly based on preference. I sometimes like the TLR vibe so I’ll shoot in that. The quality is really good on TLRs and my Mamiya. I scan on an Espon V330 and I typically don’t scan at the DPI I should but if you (~3300 dpi for prints) do you’ll be fine. Also, a better SLR comparison for $ might be the Mamiya 645 advanced models, but if you wanna shoot 6x6, my Mamiya is really nice. I have never shot on a Bronica because of the battery issue. (2/3)
@mayo my Mamiya is very sturdy, but still does require maintenance like every camera that is decades old; but unlike electric cameras, every part of mine can be replaced. My issues was with my exposure counter lever. I love my Mamiya since I mostly shoot slow/non-moving objects and landscapes. It probably would also really be fun in the studio. I’ve seen many C330s go for around $550 give or take $75. I hope this was somewhat helpful and I’ll attach some pictures I’ve taken on it.
@mayo Finally, it seems LIGHT compared to my RB67. It probably weights around 3ish pounds while my RB67 (lens+body+grip+back+stand) weighs closer to 10lbs. I shoot landscape on both which obviously requires walking around and stamina. The strap for the C330 is easier to find/cheaper. I got my RB in Korea but here it definitely is more expensive. If you have the money, the RB is more customizable: if you want to save go for the C330. Either way you can’t go wrong!
@cefiggy thanks so much! I was actually really set on the Bronica, but my dad (who was a professional photographer for 30 years) was singing the praises of the C330 if I really want to go 6x6 (which I do).
Good to know it is not as crazy as I thought. I think TLRs are beautiful, but have scared me because of the difference in lens positions. Do you use to waist level viewfinder or a prism viewfinder?
@mayo I always wonder about the math of the TLR lense but my pictures always look like they do in my waist level viewfinder. I use waist level because it is what really draws me to medium format. I do eventually want to use an eye level viewfinder but they are typically way more expensive and for me personally take away from the experience.
If you don’t mind me asking, what has been your father’s favorite film camera?
I just asked him and he said,
“For 35mm, it was my Nikon F-3. For 2 1/4” it was the Bronica SQ-Ai. For larger format it was my Sinar P2. I loved doing food shots on the Sinar P2 4x5. But they all had different things I would use them for. It’s impossible to say which one was my favorite.
The Bronica was great but slow. The F-3 was fast, but couldn’t be blown up like a 6x6. They really were all so different.”