Mamiya C220 - prob. w/ soft felt in film chamber

I just bought a beautiful Mamiya C220 used on eBay. Everything seems
to be alright, except for the soft felt part which is in the bottom
film chamber has turned to black sticky gunk. This is the same
material that seals the camera back from light. This gunk probably
gets in touch with the backside of the film (I haven't loaded film
yet).

Should I clean the gunk away totally and put new soft material in its
place? I'm not sure how necessary the soft felt is so could I just
clean it up and not replace it with new material? I'd leave the felt
in the outer rims so it still seals light, but just would clean the
area where it gets in touch with the film.

Thanks for all the help. I've been shooting 35mm (Velvia exclusively)
for five years now and decided to try medium format instead of going
digital. I'm very excited about getting to shoot with this camera!

"Hapa" wrote in message
m...
I just bought a beautiful Mamiya C220 used on eBay. Everything seems
to be alright, except for the soft felt part which is in the bottom
film chamber has turned to black sticky gunk. This is the same
material that seals the camera back from light. This gunk probably
gets in touch with the backside of the film (I haven't loaded film
yet).

Should I clean the gunk away totally and put new soft material in its
place? I'm not sure how necessary the soft felt is so could I just
clean it up and not replace it with new material? I'd leave the felt
in the outer rims so it still seals light, but just would clean the
area where it gets in touch with the film.

Yes clean all the old sticky foam out. If you contact Mamiya America you can
get a full set of foam for the camera.

Should I clean the gunk away totally and put new soft material in its
place?

Yes, it is a light seal. I replaced mine with thermal isolation foam,
but you can also use a piece of a thin mouse pad.

--
Vincent Becker
Photographies et appareils anciens - Photography and classic cameras
URL:http://www.lumieresenboite.com

Microtools.com has the replacement foam... cut to fit with a razor and
straight-edge (cut from the backside, not the foam side.) First clean the
gummy residue with Q-tips and acetone. You "can" use alcohol / naptha /
zylene / toulene- based topical adhesive removers, Goof-off / Oops, etc..
but use it """sparingly""" (any plastic or glue joints will be trashed if
you even drip it on... it'll go everywhere!) Just use a Q-tip that's barely
damp, rub it off, finish with an acetone wipe.

Over the years I've changed all the seals and mirror -impact cushions on my
F1's and seals on my C330S's with no problem.

Jim W.


"Vincent Becker" no_address@no_spam wrote in message
...

Should I clean the gunk away totally and put new soft material in its
place?

Yes, it is a light seal. I replaced mine with thermal isolation foam,
but you can also use a piece of a thin mouse pad.

--
Vincent Becker
Photographies et appareils anciens - Photography and classic cameras
URL:http://www.lumieresenboite.com



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