This is the Mamiya C3 Professional, a hefty TLR (at just over 4 lbs.) manufactured by Mamiya Camera Company Ltd between 1962 and 1965. The build quality is excellent as is the hand feel for such a large camera and the ability to change lenses is a bit uncommon. For a period of time Mamiya was into unusual design features, perhaps most evident in the Mamiya Magazine 35.
Everything on this particular example works well, and it is straightforward to use, though I tend to have issues framing shots with TLRs the finder on this camera is excellent. There are lots of touches that make the C3 “Professional” including a dial that allows to choose between sheet or roll film, or select multi-exposure. On the right is a depth of field distance scale for both 65mm and 80mm lenses.
The camera covering being embossed with tiny “M”s is a great touch, one that I had not noticed until examining the camera closely.
The manual can be found here.
| Make | Mamiya |
|---|---|
| Model | C3 Professional |
| Year | c1962 |
| Format | 120 |
| Shutter | Seikosha-S |
| Speed | B, 1, 2, 4, 8, 15, 30, 60, 125, 250, 500 |
| Lens | Mamiya-Sekor |
| f2.8 80mm (both taking and viewing) | |
| Focus | 3.5ft – ∞ |
| Aperture | f2.8 – 16 |
| Light Meter | No |
| Rangefinder | TLR |
Sample images taken on Ilford Delta 100, stand developed HC110, 30 min. There were some dust issues while the film was drying.
