TLR Design

“The twin lens is obsolete…Who would want one?” I strongly disagree with that statement. Let me try to convince you.

SLR cameras are certainly more useful for certain types of photography but the TLR has some important advantages that flow directly from its design. In an SLR there is a large and heavy mirror that has to move at high speed with every exposure. The mirror slows down response but more importantly it creates a strong slap that you can hear and feel, particularly in a medium format camera (this is the source of the Hasselblad “thunk.”) The slap makes noise that can be objectionable, particularly if you are shooting weddings or strangers on the street. It also creates vibration that degrades your photos, even with a tripod.

In contrast, there is no mirror slap on the TLR. The shutter is very quite, nearly silent in a large room and there is greatly reduced vibration, which makes for sharper photos, particularly when hand-held or with long exposures.

In addition to the functional advantages, the TLR design has a charm not found in SLR designs. I find that people open up to a camera that they see as a charming oddity and this gets you better pictures.

Finally the Mamiya TLRs have long built in bellows that allows it to focus much more closely than other cameras.

The model for sale is the top of the line C330. It incorporates many improvements and helpful features, such as automatic lens cocking, a second shutter release, bellows extension compensation and others.

The camera is in excellent+ condition and works great. The focus and all controls are smooth and the shutter is strong and accurate at all speeds. Our technician has replaced the light seals, a $75 value. The distance scale window on the left side is not functioning, which is common to these and does not effect operation.

This camera has an 80mm f2.8 blue dot lens. The glass is clear and scratch free with no haze or fungus.

The lens cap and take up spool are included.

SKU: 250318-3