The Mamiyaflex C2 was my second Twin Lens Reflex (TLR) from the Mamiya C series. I found this one in an antique store in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.
The camera was made between 1958 to 1962 and was the successor to the Mamiyaflex C. Aimed at the professional market it had various features to aid the photographer, the main one with all C series TLR’s are the interchangeable lenses, very few TLR cameras had this option and with Mamiya only the model ‘C’s had this option.
The focusing is controlled by two knobs using rack and pinion rails on the right and left hand side. On the right had side four distance charts are found for five different lenses: 65mm, 80mm, 105mm, 135mm and 180mm with a scale of distance using feet. On the left hand side is a bellow extension exposure scale. Depending on how much the lens is extended you will have to add time for a proper exposure. This scale shows you how much time you need to add for a proper exposure for the five lenses listed the same as the distance scale.
The frame counter is found on the winding knob and can only be advanced once a small lever under it is pressed. With this camera care must be taken as there is no multiple exposure prevention or warning, you can take as many exposures on a single frame as you’d like as the shutter is built into the lens and must be manually cocked.
Review:
Compared to other TLR cameras I find that although the Mamiya C series cameras out classes others (from the ones I currently have in the collection) by the ways of having interchangeable lenses and also have the possible feature of having single exposures taken. The main issue I’ve had is that it is very heavy and bulky compared to a traditional TLR such as a Rollie. At nearly double the size of a Rollieflex Original the camera I find is best suited for the studio and not in the hands of a street photographer as most TLR’s are used for their compact size and discreetness for candid photography.
If you’re the type of person who wants to get into TLR cameras and enjoys studio work or want the flexibility of interchangeable lenses the Mamiyaflex C series cameras are a great starting point. since they use bellows you are able to focus much closer to the subject compared to many other TLR cameras however you need to watch out for the Parallax as the viewing lens is offset from the picture taking lens. To avoid the Parallax issue their are two ways one is to follow the guidance of the manual for the camera which is much more precise. Or, what I do is use a tripod with a centre column and after focusing raise the centre column by two inches, the distance between the centre of the viewing and picture taking lens.
The Specs:
Produced: 1958-1962
Type of camera: Twin Lens Reflex
Film/picture format: 120 film producing a 6x6cm frame
Lens Mount: Mamiya TLR
Lens(es): Interchangeable with Mamiya TLR Lenses
Shutter: lens dependent
Exposure metering: Only with optional viewfinder
Viewfinder: Interchangeable with six options
Focusing screen: Interchangeable with five screens
Reflex mirror: Fixed taking in light from upper lens
Depth-of-field preview: Not available
Frame counter: Additive
Film advance: Manual knob
Power source: None
Camera Back: Interchangeable with single exposure plate or sheet film.
Camera Finish: Black