Mamiya C330 Film Advance issue

[notraces]

Hi,

I bought a C330 from someone and it took me several months before I actually got to run a roll of film through it. The seller indicated that it had recently been CLA'd by Essex -- and I have no reason to doubt that - everything seems to be smooth and operational - except for one thing:

I loaded the camera with film and advanced the film. I took two exposures and everything seemed fine. I took the third exposure and then the advance winder would not move. I thought the camera was jammed, but then I remembered that my Rolleiflex will do the same thing from time to time. I gently depressed the shutter release on the side of the camera and this freed up the winder to advance the film.

I had this issue about four times with the test roll. The film would advance along with the frame counter. I haven't developed the roll yet but will do that tonight to check spacing.

Has anyone experienced this? If the spacing is correct - and everything looks fine - is there any need to send it in for repair?

Thanks much.

bob

 

[johannielscom]

I own two C330's and have not experienced this (yet).

If all seems to be working fine, I would not send it in. Although a strange little quirk, I'm pretty convinced I would get used quickly to the way it advances.

I mean, why not depress the shutter release every time you advance? You gotta hold the camera body somewhere anyway, advancing it while suspended from the neck strap isn't very comfortable...

Your solution to the mystery I'll keep in mind if one of mine ever develops anything similar.

 

[notraces]

Johan -- thanks -- I guess the proof is in the pudding -- I'll process the film tonight - if the spacing is correct and everything looks good - then I'll just keep using the work-around.

 

[mhv]

I had a similar problem with my C330: I would advance the film for a few shots, and then, all of a sudden, the film advance would not stop to the next frame, but keep on going forever. Since this is 120, I had no choice but to wind the film to the end, and re-roll it back on a spool.

Eventually I sent it for repair, and the problem is fixed. So far. Who knows what lays within the heart of mechanical beasts?

 

[naruto]

I had the same problem on my C33. A full CLA solved the problem. The tech mentioned that it was the gear train that failed to latch on to the shutter release. So, I had manually fire the shutter using the release on the lens, and then wind it forward.

 

[Allan Reade]

I've had this problem with my C3. I use a cable release a lot and I think the problem with mine is that the cable release does not always depress the shutter mechanism sufficiently for the mechanics to register that a shot has been fired. My workaround is to put on the lens cap, change the film type from 'roll film' to 'sheet film' which allows me to depress the shutter again, then reset to 'roll film'. Since I figured this out I have made sure I depress the cable release fully and on my last film, all on a tripod with cable release, I didn't have a problem.

 

[akope]

I also had the same issue, where the camera would miss a frame. It was the gear that is run off the take up spool slipping on the frame counter gear. The fix for me was adjusting the hinge catch so that the door of the camera pushed in on the lever that meshes those two gears would go in farther. After adjusting, and lubricating the pivot points of things, it hasn't missed a frame in about 3 dozen tests. I test it by putting a 120 spool, spooled with the paper backing in the camera, and running it through the frames.

I've got another issue with the lower shutter release, but I'll start a thread for it.

Andrew

 

[summar]

Seems like a common problem with the Mamiya C series. The same things happened with my C330. Because where I live there are no good technicians anymore for mechanical cameras, I bought a good replacement body (no finder, no lenses) for sbout the same price that a repair would have cost. Certainly worth it, especially if you have an outfit with different lenses, viewfinders, accessories etc.

 

[kaider]

Hi everyone! I didnt want to start a new thread just for a simple question. I just received my C330F in the mail today.
I have been fiddling with the camera without loading film into it, and i believe its operations with and without film are not the same. When I turn the multiple exposure knob to single, cock it but the shutter button doesnt seem to beable to release. I have no problems with cocking and releasing shutter in multi mode. So is the single mode not supposed to allow shutter release without film loaded?

 

[Allan Reade]

Try putting an empty take up spool in the top slot, maybe it will work then.

 

[ChrisN]

Also check the little shutter release lock button in front of the singl/multi switch.

 

[lngu81]

have you take the len out of the body while the film is loaded?
if so, you may have not "cock" the shutter correctly, when you put the len back in. Make sure that the shutter lever from the body is on top of the lever from len.

 

[kaider]

Thanks for all your help guys! As I have to take it in for a CLA, i have not tried loading film. I will get the repair guy to have a look at it. But i have a feeling its because there is no film loaded.

 

[naruto]

Thanks for all your help guys! As I have to take it in for a CLA, i have not tried loading film. I will get the repair guy to have a look at it. But i have a feeling its because there is no film loaded.

The shutter does not cock with out film in it. Default behaviour. This had me puzzled for days.

You can however cock the shutter on the lens to test out the speeds.