Mamiya TLR System Summary - Chapter 0

Mamiya TLR System Summary

Compiled by Graham Patterson (G_A_Patterson at yahoo.com)

This release dated: February 2024

This compilation is Copyright G.A.Patterson 1997-2024. Cited inclusions are the copyright of the authors and are used with permission. The copyright and content of sites linked from this compilation is the responsibility of the maintainer of that site. Distribution for profit is expressly forbidden. Quotations from this site are subject to ‘fair use’ restrictions, and must be attributed. The use of quoted material or links to this site do not constitute an endorsement by the compiler of this document or its contributors.

There are copies of this document, in whole or in part, around the internet. Any such copies are not supported by the author, and may be out of date or modified.

Problems?

For a collection of notes about common problems, see Section 16.

Recent history:

July 2023 Switching the master document from Word to Markdown to make it more suitable for use with static web site generators. Word and PDF versions can be generated from this source as well. Going from Word to Markdown can be problematic with large tables and inclusions. The current work flow is: Markdown original to chapters for the web (Hugo) using an AWK script, Markdown to HTML single file using Pandoc, HTML to DOCX (Word, Libreoffice, etc.) using Pandoc, and DOCX to PDF using scripted LibreOffice.

This has been done as part of a migration of the site from Webgen to a more widely used static site generator, Hugo.

Cleaning up some broken links. Some referenced sites have gone away, though it might be possible to find them via the Wayback Machine. Unfortunately the web is ephemeral.

Added a Troubleshooting item on working out if there is film in the camera.

Old history moved to the end of the document - it is not especially relevant.

Future plans

This document is currently located at http://dotinthelandscape.org/mfaq/ (alternate URL http://grahamp.dotinthelandscape.org/mfaq/. Comments concerning this site may be addressed to the author, at [G_A_Patterson@removethis.yahoo.com]. (this address should be edited to remove the anti-spam component). Please include a relevant subject line, as I am inclined to delete any mail that may be malicious before reading it.

I am considering adding more illustrations, primarily of items and features that can cause confusion between models. If you feel that there is some aspect that would benefit from an illustration, please let me know. The web site has some photographic pages specific to the Mamiya C TLRs.

Purpose

This summary is intended to provide a single reference concerning the various models of the Mamiya Twin Lens Reflex cameras. It isn’t a ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ (FAQ) in the usual format, but it is hoped that the content will be as useful. In pursuing details of the Mamiya C-series with a view to my own purchases, I found the small variations between models confusing. This document represents my attempt to organise what I’ve learned to date.

Since it’s inception, this document has been almost universally well received. I’d like to thank those who have contributed information, however minor, and those who have sent messages of appreciation. A little encouragement helps when I have to do battle with this monster I’ve spawned! There have also been a number of favourable citations in Web sites and discussion forums. Again, I would like to acknowledge all these kind words.

As more information comes to light, I would expect the content, and possibly the format, to be revised. Please note that some of this information is tabulated, and will require a table-aware browser for correct formatting. The original for this web release is a Markdown format document of a total of around 23,000 words. The HTML output is done using the Hugo static site generator, while the Word and PDF versions are converted from The Markdown using Pandoc.

The first release of this document was in June 1996. Revised releases are normally posted for the 1st of the month, if new information is available. Since much of the system has been covered, I expect future changes to be minor and irregular. The growth of digital imaging in 2005 and 2006 has had a significant impact on film photography. It seems unlikely that there will be new medium format cameras using film in the future, though the predicted total demise of film has not happened. I am sure that the Mamiya TLR cameras will soldier on of many years yet.

Caveats

While the information contained in this document is provided in good faith, neither the compiler nor contributors can be responsible for the accuracy of content, nor the use that may be made of this information. If you intend purchasing equipment, you are advised to verify details with the vendor prior to purchase. This document is subject to continuing research and revision. Where possible information has been obtained from examples of the equipment, or from the primary sources cited.

References are made to commercial sources for parts and references within this document. I do not necessarily have personal experience of these organisations, and their inclusion does not constitute an endorsement.

Portions of this document may use terms that are either registered trademarks, or claimed as such. The use of such is not intended to support nor disparage any trademark claim. On request any reference to a specific trademark and its owner will be withdrawn. Readers are advised that manufacturer’s names, products, and model numbers normally fall in this category.

Quotations from this site are subject to ‘fair use’ restrictions, and must be attributed. The use of quoted material or links to this site do not constitute an endorsement by the compiler of this document or its contributors. From time to time this document, or parts of it, are cited as a reference for items in on-line auctions. Where I am neither the buyer nor the seller I am not responsible for any inaccuracies in description or suitability of the equipment. You must verify purchases with the seller yourself.

Contributions

Additions and corrections are welcomed. Please indicate whether the information comes from a published source, direct examination of the item, or recollection. Contributors will be cited with their express permission only.