What is the best or cheapest camera you have bought?

[ViolentPanda]

Is there a problem with the Mamiya C330 or it just a weird camera?

If hope I see one of those at a car boot sale

They were a very "original" idea when they were launched, a TLR with interchangeable lenses and viewfinders.

The 3xx series Mamiyas (the C3, C33 and C330 models) all have auto shutter-cocking as part of the wind-on procedure, which introduces a bit more strain to the mechanism (due to the design of the interchangeable lenses) than it does on a standard fixed-lens TLR, so over time the wind on can get progressively stiffer in operation and more "gritty"-feeling, although it doesn't actually affect use that much.

I love the Mamiya C TLRs. I've had a pair of C33s for about 15 years that have given me no trouble (as well as their being lighter than either the C3 or the C330s), and the C2 for a couple of years which, although it doesn't have auto shutter-cocking, and uses a wind-on knob rather than a crank, is still a lovely camera. The standard 80mm lens in either the early (chrome furniture) or late (black furniture) formulations is a cracker too, IMHO.

 

[ViolentPanda]

'Twas a looooooong time ago, but i remember it being a bitch to load (film crank again probably!) and having a very daft clamp system for the lens.

Until you get absolutely used to them, they do seem a real faff to load or change lens on compared to an RB67 or M645, that's for sure! And of course you don't have the convenience of having a stockpile of ready-loaded film backs like you do with the Mamiya MF SLRs either.

Other than that it took very good pics, so yes Stow, it is just a weird camera, but give it a whirl if you see one cheap

Hear hear!

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Cheapest was a 60's Yashica Jstar (€2ish) that actually takes very good photographs.

I still rate Contax Aria as my best cameras. They just what they're supposed to do perfectly everytime. Small, compact and built to last a dozen lifetimes. That with a Zeiss 50mm f1.8 is a good as 35mm film photography *got for me.

Assuming nothing better comes, but have to say, if I had the money I would be taking a serious look at the new Fujifil/Cosina MF film camera just about to luanch in the UK. Not because I'm a ludite, or technophobe, or anything.

 

[Struwwelpeter]

An Olympus OM2 with a f1.8 50mm lens and an OM system bounce flash that I bought off my employer for £50. I "sold" it to a friend of a friend but never got paid.