This isn’t an exhaustive list. Various flash brackets have been ignored, for example. See Section 9 for third party (commercial) accessories and personal modifications.
Basically this just a device to shift the lens axes by 50mm to correct for parallax error. Similar to a cranked tripod column, but effective with tripod heads at any angle. A probable prototype for the Paramender that would fit the Mamiyaflex has been seen. The difference is in the smaller camera platform and what appears to be a removable/convertible tripod bush. At least one home built paramender project has been done. Rollei had a Parajuster for the Rolleiflex that worked like a scissor jack. The lens separation on the Rollei/Yashicamat/Autocord is slightly smaller at 45mm. At least one Paramender has been seen with a paint mark on the column at 45mm.
Knob-driven rack and pinion mechanism, with locking screw. There is no provision for damped return of the camera to the lower position. The Paramender Type 1 is illustrated in the C3 manual. The knob rotates 225 degrees. There are two variants of this model. The earlier version just has the rack knob and the locking screw, while the later version also has a latch to secure the device in the raised position.
A lever replaces the knob of the Paramender Type 1. A 225 degree action raises the camera, which latches at the top of the travel. A friction knob provides for intermediate positioning. Lowering the camera is not damped. There are variants with both black and grey levers.
Two-axis pan / tilt head with adjustable platform height and damped camera return. This is listed in a C330 and C330f manual, but has disappeared in the later C330s manual which only refers to the Model 2. Although rare, it does exist.
Some Mamiya RB series grips will fit 330 bodies as they share the same base locating holes and shutter release position. At least one grip intended for an M645 Super will fit, though the electronic shutter release will not operate! It is recommended that such non-standard combinations be verified by experiment.
Basic left-hand grip fastening to the base of camera, with duplicate (1/4”) tripod socket. It has an angled cold flash shoe and strap for the back of the hand. Most have plastic grips and strap, though wooden ones (with leather strap) are known to have been available with the original Mamiyaflex C. This grip holder has a plastic handle, and shows some wear on the bracket. The angled shoe seems to be simply to move the flash gun away from ones head when using a waist level finder!
Variant of the Grip Holder with a mechanical linkage allowing the trigger to operate the chin shutter release on the C330 models. A cold flash shoe is fitted. It will fit non-330 bodies, but the shutter release has nothing to operate, and there is no provision for a cable release.
A more elaborate version of the Grip Holder with Trigger which may be adjusted for grip angle and includes a pan/tilt cold flash shoe and shutter lock. Multi-angle Grip.
Some Mamiya RB series grips will fit 330 bodies as they share the same base locating holes and shutter release position. It is recommended that this be verified by experiment with specific equipment.
Generic pistol grip with trigger action via cable. This is the only type usable by models up to and including the C33, and for the C220 and C220f.
For C330, C330f, and C330s only. Trigger has a mechanical linkage to the chin shutter release.
Similar to the type 1, this is a compatible grip from the RB67 system. The base plate can be configured to accept brackets for Mamiya, Heiland, or Graflex flashguns, or a sub-grip.
Coverage Measurements of the screen apertures on a C330 and C220 give a value of 51mm (to the nearest millimetre), while the image area is 56mm. 51/56 gives a finder coverage of 91%. This is partly to allow for the fractional variations in the positioning of the lenses when they are changed.
Since the finders are interchangeable amongst the bodies, it is not unknown for older bodies to have the (better) later fitments. There are indications that there are more than two models of finder - possibly two each for the ‘2’ and ‘3’ series cameras. The ‘2’ series finders do not appear to have had the second push down frame for the 65mm lens, just the 80mm aperture, and the C220F model does not have any aperture at all. More information is required about this topic.
The finders fit by sliding the slots at the front of the finder over the lugs on the camera body, and lowering into place. The finder is secured by tightening the screw at the rear of the focusing screen.
All the finders examined by the compiler of this document (C33, C330, and C330s WLF, CdS Magnifier, and a prism finder) have a recess in the base with a set of spring clips. These are intended to take an auxiliary scale with exposure and parallax correction settings for use with the 80mm setting on the C33 and later models. It consists of an exposure compensation scale on the left, and a new set of parallax marks on the right. This facility may also offer an opportunity for adding a grid overlay to models without interchangeable screens, or for adding format framing guides with all models.
Here is a scan of a correction plate 55/65mm finder insert (gif/corscale.gif). The proportions should be correct (printer permitting), and dimensions may be obtained by reference to the recess in the finder. An example examined by the compiler is made of clear plastic with red engraving. It is 55mm square, by slightly over 1mm thick. The bottom edge is chamfered. This Adobe PDF plate3.pdf (linked on the web site) can be used to draw an actual size example if a suitable printer is available. It produces two copies each of the correction plate, a simple grid, a combined correction plate and grid, and the standard correction scale for C330+ screens without this feature. The grid leaves the central 10mm focusing spot un-obscured, and is approximately correct for horizontal and vertical 10x8” format framing. Good results can be obtained by printing straight to laser grade transparency film.
A sportsfinder mask fitted with a slight wide-angle lens was available to convert the 80mm aperture of early WLFs to use the 65mm lens. It fits to the sportsfinder mask attachment pins and projects outward by 9mm. It can be left attached, but is vulnerable to scratching, and the raising of focus magnifier and the dropping of the sportsfinder flap is impaired. It is doubtful that a similar fixture was provided for the 55mm, and no reference to such an item has been found.
The file mask.ps (mask.ps) contains a PostScript program that draws sportsfinder mask templates for the 105mm, 135mm, 180mm, and 250mm lenses, and a combined version. The ‘wings’ on each side of the template curve forward away from the WLF as an aid to fitting. The keyhole-shaped mounting holes are indicated by the groups of three circles that should be opened to form a circle and slot. The originals use a brass ‘U’ shaped spring to hold the mask in place. A rubber wedge might make an alternative. Masks can be fabricated from aluminium or brass sheet, or plastic sheet of about 0.030”. Transparent acetate is an option, especially for the combined mask. This mask.pdf (mask.pdf) file is a Portable Document Format version that may be easier to print.
If you choose to try and fabricate masks using the dimensions given below, the centres of all the masks are the same. The locating lugs on the finder are offset. Sports finder masks (masks.jpg).
Sportsfinder mask apertures, to the nearest half-millimetre by measurement
| 105mm lens | 135mm lens | 180mm lens | 250mm lens |
| 37mm | 29.5mm | 21.5 mm | 15.5mm |
The paint finish on the original masks varies from a coarse crinkle finish to a fine matt flock texture. All are black with the focal length engraved on the front.
There are several conversions of Kiev prism finders around. See section 9 for more information.
A four independent flap type, with simple fixed 3.4x flip up magnifier. The Mamiyaflex pattern was without a sportfinder and the flip-up magnifier was hinged at the rear. Sports finder included openings for the 80mm and 65mm on ‘3’ series cameras, 80mm only for the C220 and none for the C220f. Later versions appear to have had chrome support struts for the front and back flaps. An example of a C330 WLF (jpg/330wlf.jpg) shows these side struts and the gap between the sides and the magnifier.
Single action linked flap type, with magnifier in full-size light shield. Sports finder; 65mm and 80mm masking as standard, longer lengths by additional masks on the C330f and C330s models only. Prior to the C330s version, the 65mm finder flap could be released by pressing in the left flap of the waist level finder. The C220F version does not have a sportsfinder aperture of any size. 5 alternative strengths for the magnifier are available, and are user fitted. It will not accept the WLF magnifier. An example of a C330S WLF (jpg/330swlf.jpg) shows the better light shielding of this design.
6.5x magnifier that clips over the sides of the Type 1 WLF. Has adjustment for eyesight. Cited as late as the C330 manual, but withdrawn with the introduction of the C330f/s (Type 2) WLF, which it will not fit.
This is a ‘Chimney’ type 3.5x magnification finder, with an optional 6x central area magnification. The eyepiece is large and is visible using spectacles. The main benefit is from the excellent light shielding compared with the WLF, but it cannot be used at a distance. It is physically large, and does not collapse. However it is no heavier that the WLF. Not listed in the C3 manual, and has apparently been superseded by the CdS Magnifying Hood with the introduction of the C330s. The C330 and C330f manuals list both the metered and non-metered versions. Variations with both black and chrome top surfaces have been seen.
A version of the magnifying hood that incorporates a CdS meter. There seems to have been two variants. The first version had the second-stage magnifier and the meter, while the later version has a meter but does not have the two-stage magnification. The meter must be programmed with the film speed and the viewing lens maximum aperture. The on/off control swings the meter cell into the centre of the field of view. There is a secondary power switch that is depressed when the finder is mounted. Presumably this is to avoid battery drain when the finder is unmounted. Operation is by the match needle principle, and the exposure must be manually transferred to the lens.
The meter can be confused by the second diaphragm in the 105mm DS lens, which must be set to match the meter lens aperture setting (normally f3.5). The split-image rangefinder screens can also inflate the reading. The meter cell may be moved slightly with the on/off control to avoid this effect. The meter area is semi-spot, the actual angle of view depending on the lens in use.
A mercury cell battery is believed to have been used in some models. (Mercury batteries have been discontinued in the USA for some time, and production in Europe will cease shortly. I have no information about the availability of replacements.) Late versions use two silver oxide cells (SG13 or equivalent). This item is not listed in a C330 manual, although the CdS Porrofinder is mentioned. The overall height, with the rubber eye-cup collapsed, is 85mm. This is the same height as the top of the lid of the C330f or C330s WLF when opened. This metered chimney finder (jpg/chim1.jpg) is mounted on a C220. The composite dial controls the film speed setting, the lens maximum aperture, and the match needle operation. The meter on/off arm control can be seen at the base of the finder. This example has the rubber eyecup extended and a cap in place.
Mirror equivalent of pentaprism. The eyepiece is offset to the left, and the finder overhangs the left side of the camera considerably. Due to the overhang the camera does not hang well from the standard strap lugs.. Apparent magnification with 80mm lens is 0.5x. This item is first listed in the C3 manual, and is joined by the metered version in the C330 manual. It appears to have been superseded by the metered version by the time of the C330s release. This rear view of a porrofinder (jpg/porro.jpg), courtesy of HAN, shows the bulk and offset eyepiece of this item.
The Porroflex version is illustrated in some C33 promotional material as having the name ‘Porroflex’ on the lower front. Early versions were manufactured by Nippon Kogaku (Nikon), though whether this was a sub-contract or third-party product is unclear. Porrofinders in the C330 manual have the usual S-M symbol on the upper front.
Version of the standard Porrofinder incorporating a CdS meter. The meter operates in a similar manner as that in the CdS finder (6.4.5). Versions are known to take Type 76 (1.5v) silver oxide cells, but do verify that batteries are available if contemplating a purchase.
A true pentaprism, with rubber eyecup and dioptric correction provision. Apparent image size with 80mm lens is 0.7x. This item is heavy, but brighter than the Porrofinders, if not as bright as the WLF. The full screen area is difficult to see for anyone wearing glasses, and a dioptric correction lens is recommended. This fits under a retaining ring inside the eyepiece. This example prism finder (jpg/prism1.jpg) is fitted to a C220.
There is a reference in a C2 manual to ‘mirror finder’, though it disappears from the accessory list for later models. It resembles the pentaprism in size, with a central eyepiece, unlike the porrofinders. It has a single mirror that provides eye-level, laterally reversed and inverted viewing. The mirror is exposed at the base, and needs careful cleaning. It may have been the prototype for the Porrofinder. Mirror finder image (jpg/mirrfind.jpg).
The rationale for a finder that completely inverts the image eludes me, unless it is to make view camera users feel at home?
An enlarged focus knob to provide finer control. There are two sizes. The Type one will fit earlier cameras, while the Type 2 fits later models (definitely the C220f and C330s). The Type 2, at least, appears to be a scale focusing device for 65, 80, and 105mm lenses, and came in both feet (code DSF-2) and metre (code DSM-2) forms.
This is mentioned but not illustrated in the C3 and C33 manuals, but is illustrated in a C22 / C33 publicity brochure. It is an accessory that slips into the flash shoe with a bracket that attaches to the side of the lens panel. Racking the bellows moves a rod connecting the two portions of the device. The movement of the rod is converted into the motion of a top-reading dial for the 80mm and 65mm lenses. See also the Focus Knob Adapter.
This is a rarely seen item that fits over the film advance knob on the early Mamiyaflex models. It clamps in place and provides an advance crank. Alloy or chrome finish.
