For months after I got a Mamiya C220, I struggled with focusing. There were all sorts of possible explanations and I even visited an optician to discuss the issue in detail. Finally a series of tests, proved one respondent to an article here, was right. It was an issue with shims in the focusing screen. The camera had been described as professionally serviced. When I eventually sent it to a professional service centre, they were surprised just how much of the original shimming was missing.
When the Mamiya returned, suddenly using it was a very different experience. I have been enjoying the C220 ever since. Shooting lots of rolls? Well no, there are too many cameras in my collection, so the Mamiya doesn’t completely dominate. Each time it’s turn comes around now though, it is hard to resist quickly following up with another roll.
October and early November saw a prolonged period of fairly dry weather, but almost completely devoid of sunshine. Conditions poorly suited to so many subjects. Feeling the need to use the Mamiya anyway, I got out and did what I could. A roll of Ektar; well a woodland scene might still look okay, even in horribly flat light. The Ektar went by pretty quickly and regardless of the results, the feel of the Mamiya just makes you want more. The area of woodland near Ramsey Isle Of Man is now managed by the Manx Wildlife Trust and they are doing a fine job.
Here are some of the images taken in the Hairpin Woods:


As soon as the Ektar came out, a roll of FP4 went in. The daytime skies continued the unchanging, steely grey routine. The answer seemed to be to go out at night. Night shots in a small town on a weekday night, can be a little experimental. Cars move when you don’t want them to and don’t move when you do. People go past when you are setting up, then with cable release at the ready, nobody appears for ages. The FP4 roll went by quite quickly. The Ektar went to a lab and the FP4 went into the bathroom. Here are a couple of images from a quiet Thursday night in Ramsey:


The sneak preview (I can’t be the only one) as I hung up the FP4 negatives in the bathroom, left a feeling of satisfaction. No stunning images on either film, but frankly, that didn’t matter much. Following the rhythm that a TLR requires is oddly satisfying. The Mamiya had again been a pleasure to use and I had a record of some locations that will inevitably change in time. Almost as soon as the FP4 was out, a roll of TMax 400 had been loaded. Some more night time jaunts to follow soon.
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Comments
Daniel Castelli on TLR under Grey Skies – A response to Geoff’s TLR challenge
Comment posted: 02/01/2025
I used a C220 decades ago. A nice camera, sharp lens, big negs. But eventually I decided that a being a two format user was just too confusing, like wearing two watches. But I like the nighttime photos.
Comment posted: 02/01/2025
Rick on TLR under Grey Skies – A response to Geoff’s TLR challenge
Comment posted: 02/01/2025
Comment posted: 02/01/2025
Jeffery Luhn on TLR under Grey Skies – A response to Geoff’s TLR challenge
Comment posted: 02/01/2025
Nice photos! Ravioli House seems like a good place after hiking in the cold woods. Very nice colors in your forests. A lot like California redwood forests. Thick soft floor. Not muddy after a rain. Oh, the smell of foggy wet walks!
I have many medium format cameras and the Mamiya C33 with 3 lens sets is one of them. Certainly not as good for hiking as a Zeiss 120 size folding camera, but spectacular for portraits. Soooo sharp with a strobe and FP4. I keep all the cameras in rotation because they all have their charm. The weight of the Mamiya is considerable, especially when carrying extra lenses, but the results are worth it. Good to hear that you solved the focus shim issues.
Comment posted: 02/01/2025
Geoff Chaplin on TLR under Grey Skies – A response to Geoff’s TLR challenge
Comment posted: 03/01/2025
Comment posted: 03/01/2025
Comment posted: 03/01/2025
Vlkr on TLR under Grey Skies – A response to Geoff’s TLR challenge
Comment posted: 05/01/2025
I did the shin adjustment on my c220 by myself but your post pushed me to give my c system a complete professional overhaul.
Comment posted: 05/01/2025