Mamiya TLR Giving Me GAS

[photogdave]

Greetings!
I have a chance to buy one of my dream cameras at a really good deal:
Mamiya C330 Professional w/ 55mm, 80mm, and 180mm.
Body looks really good but the lenses haven't been taken care of. They have obviously been taken apart for cleaning in the past but probably ended up the worse for it with fingerprints and dust inside.
There is also what looks like fungus but not the kind I've ever seen. Instead of the usual cobwebs, it looks more like little glittery speckles.
How bad is is this from a user point of view? I don't care about resale value because I USE my cameras.
Are the lenses unuseable? Should I just forget about it? Thanks in advance for any advice.
🙂

 

[JohnL]

I'd resist the urge. Even MF SLRs can be found in great condition at very good prices these days. Very few people actually want them any more, who don't already have them.

 

[oftheherd]

I'd resist the urge. Even MF SLRs can be found in great condition at very good prices these days. Very few people actually want them any more, who don't already have them.

I don't know what the "good price" is, but I am inclined to agree with JohnL. It sounds like whatever the price is, you will in fact have to add CLAs for all three lenses to the "good price." For three lenses, that won't be cheap. Then the good price may not be so good after all. If the lenses haven't been taken care of, how about the camera? It may also need a CLA.

I understand your desire to get your dream camera. We all suffer from GAS on this forum. I would just worry that this camera and lenses isn't really your dream camera after all. 🙁

 

[pshinkaw]

Glittery speckles could be tiny bits of metal from the poor cleaning job. It could also be a sign of future problems in the shutters.

I bought a "bargain" 65mm for my C330 a few years ago. It wasn't much of a bargain when I found out how badly the lens elements were separating. Shop around until you find something with fewer compromises. Used Mamiya TLR's a re quite common.

-Paul

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Pay attention to one detail: if the lenses are framed by a chrome structure, they are older models and more difficult to repair. So called "black lenses" are better built and, more important, easier to repair.

The problem with most of the Mamiya TLR glass is that they don't only are glass but also contain the leaf shutters, and they can be delicate. However, they're not too difficult to find. In this case... see if you can get the camera body for a decent price (decent, of course, depends on your budget, but shape dictates a lot. A really good one may run into the $300s, whereas really trashy ones, go for $150).

Good luck! 🙂

 

[photogdave]

Thanks for the advice everyone!
It's just that kind of sober, objective opinion that people need sometimes. Even though all the lenses are the "black" ones, I agree that adding CLAs to all three would definitely lessen the attractiveness of the deal. I had just never seen one with a complete set of lenses before!
Oh well, back to my Rollei and it's close focus limitations for now.
Thanks again! 😀

 

[Byuphoto]

I think you are right to pass but if you ever use one of these beasts you will not be happy with anything less

 

[RJBender]

Greetings!
I have a chance to buy one of my dream cameras at a really good deal:
Mamiya C330 Professional w/ 55mm, 80mm, and 180mm.
Body looks really good but the lenses haven't been taken care of. They have obviously been taken apart for cleaning in the past but probably ended up the worse for it with fingerprints and dust inside.
There is also what looks like fungus but not the kind I've ever seen. Instead of the usual cobwebs, it looks more like little glittery speckles.
How bad is is this from a user point of view? I don't care about resale value because I USE my cameras.
Are the lenses unuseable? Should I just forget about it? Thanks in advance for any advice.
🙂

Dave, is it a standard C330, C330F or C330S? Is the 180 a Super? The glass just screws into the front and back of the Seiko shutter. How much are they asking for the outfit?

R.J.

 

[photogdave]

I'm not exactly sure but I can look at it again tomorrow. The asking price hasn't been set yet, but most likely $550-600 CDN for everything.