Bellows replacement for C330

[RPippin]

I need some advice on replacing the bellows on my Mamiya C330. I have the bellows but don't know the procedure for removing the old bellwos to install the new. Any help would be appreciated.

[David Grenet]

This is one of those things the Mamiya user forums was good for - this was discussed many times but I can't remember exactly how. If someone doesn't chime in soon I'll dig out my parts camera and have a play for you...

[RPippin]

Thanks for responding, I had about given up hope. Let me know if you find those threads. I've begun trying to dissasemble the damn thing and have parts scattered all over the darkroom but still can't get access to the front or rear to the bellows. If I don't hear something soon I'll be forced to fall back on the hammer and chisel aproach.

[David Grenet]

You could try emailing Graham Patterson. He knows a lot about these cameras and could probably help. His website is here. He posts here sometimes too...

The Mamiya user forums were taken down by Mamiya a few years ago with no warning (otherwise I would have saved all the posts I could!)

[grahamp]

I have never swapped a bellows, or heard from anyone who has. Based on an exploded diagram of a C220, the bellows is double - a rectangular section outer, and a square section inner for the taking lens.

There should be screws in the front of the lens panel (6?) that hold the frames for the bellows fronts. There should be a similar set on the rear of the bellows, on the inside, I think. Whether you can swap the bellows without removing the lens panel and rack, I am not sure. You only have around 50mm of separation with the lens panel racked forward.

To be clear: this information is my reading of a diagram from a C220 service document without instructions, and I have never done this myself. A fine screwdriver with a screw grip looks like an essential item for the internal screws.

[RPippin]

Thanks for all the help. I guess I just need to take the plunge and start removing more screws and see what happens. The bellows I'm replacing are the outer bellows not the inner so if I can get to the mounting screws on the front and back the rest should be easy. If I'm going this far I may replace the leatheret with something more colorful and exotic. I'll keep everyone posted and share what I learn as well as post some pics of the progress.

[grahamp]

You will have to undo the lens panel end of the inner bellows to swap the outer one. The diagram suggests that they share some screws in common.

[barzune]

I've been looking all over for some direction on replacement of my own outer bellows, and this thread is about all I can find.

Did you ever succeed in getting the bellows replaced ( and get the camera working again)?

[Nicholas Lindan]

I guess I just need to take the plunge and start removing more screws and see what happens.

Ah, I've done this numerous times - the removing screws part. What happens is they fall on the floor and are never, ever, seen again...

Seriously: May I suggest working on a large white terry towel. That way when the screws drop they don't roll. Now I just need a way to keep springs from sproinging.

An egg carton for keeping related items together, a pocket voice recorder and a small digital P&S with a close-up lens are handy.

An egg carton for keeping related items together, a pocket voice recorder and a small digital P&S with a close-up lens are handy for taking notes - which I never seem to take enough of.

[2F/2F]

If you already have the bellows, it should not cost all that much to have someone put them on.

Try Western Bellows if a repair person cannot do it...though I don't know why a repair person who knows how to work on old cameras would not be able to do it.