Mamiya C220 Medium Format TLR Camera
The Mamiya C220 is a film camera from Mamiya — known for its Interchangeable TLR Lenses and 120 Medium Format Film. Used copies start from $156.06 on GearFocus, with buyer protection on every purchase.
Mamiya C220 Medium Format TLR Camera
Used Mamiya C220 Listings on GearFocus
Camera Overview — Mamiya C220
Key Features — Mamiya C220
Interchangeable TLR Lenses: Unlike most TLR cameras, the C220 accepts swappable Mamiya TLR mount lenses, allowing photographers to shoot at multiple focal lengths with a single body.
120 Medium Format Film: Shoots on 120 roll film, producing large negatives that yield significantly more detail and tonal range than 35mm.
Twin-Lens Reflex Design: Separate viewing and taking lenses allow for waist-level composition through a bright ground glass screen without interrupting the exposure.
Leaf Shutter System: Shutter built into each lens enables flash synchronization at all shutter speeds, a practical advantage over focal-plane shutter designs.
PC Sync Port: A PC sync port is included for connecting external flash units and triggering setups across a wide range of studio and field flash systems.
Fully Manual Operation: No automatic exposure modes — focus, aperture, and shutter speed are all set by hand, rewarding a deliberate shooting approach.
Camera Specifications — Mamiya C220
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use Cases | Portrait, Studio, Creative Effects |
| Hot Shoe | Cold Shoe (No Contacts) |
Description — Mamiya C220
The Mamiya C220 is a twin-lens reflex (TLR) camera built for medium format 120 film, produced during the 1960s. It operates around the Mamiya TLR mount and supports interchangeable Mamiya TLR lenses, giving it a level of versatility that most fixed-lens TLR cameras lack. Focusing is manual, and the camera uses a leaf shutter integrated into the lens system.
For flash shooting, the C220 is equipped with both a cold shoe and a PC sync port, accommodating a variety of external flash setups. The camera body weighs between 1,400g and 1,500g, making it a solid, substantial system suited to tripod or deliberate handheld use. Film loading is straightforward with standard 120 roll film, the medium format staple.
Whether you're drawn to the deliberate pace of TLR shooting or the larger negative size that 120 film delivers, the C220's interchangeable lens system makes it one of the more adaptable options in the TLR category.
Pros — Mamiya C220
- ✓Interchangeable Mamiya TLR lens system offers flexibility uncommon in TLR cameras
- ✓120 medium format film compatibility for large-negative shooting
- ✓Leaf shutter design enables flash sync at all shutter speeds
Cons — Mamiya C220
- ✗Substantial weight of 1,400–1,500g makes it demanding for handheld use over extended periods
- ✗Manual focus only — no autofocus option
- ✗No hot shoe; flash must be triggered via cold shoe or PC sync port
Videos — Mamiya C220
The ULTIMATE Mamiya C220 Overview & Walkthrough | Vintage Camera — Vintage Insight Photography










