Mamiya C3

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C3
image by Dave Dockerill (Image rights)

The C3 was the third development of the C released in 1962 as part of the Mamiya C series of interchangeable lens medium format TLR cameras. The C3 was a major update to the system. It was the version that became popular with amateur and professional photographers and was the foundation for the success of the following models. It improves upon the Mamiyaflex C2 by having a winding crank instead of the knob design. It was replaced with the Mamiya C33 in 1965.

Upon release of the camera a new series of chrome lenses was introduced. These are different from the previous versions as the shutter has been changed to the Seikosha-S type. It now supports a maximum shutter speed of 1/500 of a sec. with modern speed stops of 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, and 1/500.

Compared to the previous C2, the lens lock is now located on the left hand side of the body. The lock hinge is now on the right side. The cable release socked is relocated from the center to the top of the release slider. The film counter now has a dedicated window on the right hand side of the body.