Is my Mamiya 645 right?

[sjgslack]

Hi All,

I hope this is the right forum for this one!...

I've just bought a Mamiya 645 1000s body off ebay... The condition looks great and everything, BUT:

WITHOUT film in the camera i get the following issue:

If I turn the multi exposure switch off multi and onto single, the wind lever behaves oddly: sometimes it will wind on normally, sometimes it will wind on then go round once more time, and sometimes it will simply keep winding forever.

If i put the switch back to multi then I get none of the above issues - it works exactly as expected.

Is the above happening because i'm trying it with no film in the camera? Or have I bought a dud?!

Thanks 🙂

 

[ruby.monkey]

Sounds about right.

 

[sjgslack]

Sounds about right.

Good! That's a relief. Being used to 35mm it's hard to know what to expect

Thanks

 

[unixrevolution]

I got a Pentax 645 cheap from a pawn shop because they didn't know it wasn't broken. A 645 won't fire the shutter without film present.

 

[sjgslack]

I got a Pentax 645 cheap from a pawn shop because they didn't know it wasn't broken. A 645 won't fire the shutter without film present.

Fantastic!

Well with min the shutter will fire, but it seems to be half way in between as it has empty spools in the back. I took them out and it wouldn't fire at all....


Looks like i'm onto a winner -- thanks for the help 🙂

Silas

 

[Spanik]

If you want to be sure, just wrap half a backing paper onto an empty reel and put that in the film holder the side that that wheel is pressing against it. then it will think there is film in the camera. (there is a rubber rimmed wheel pressing against the film back) Works also for a C330.

 

[nikon_sam]

If you pull the film insert out and the counter resets then it will take about 7 or 8 turns to get to the #1 position on the counter (there needs to be a spool in the insert on the bottom position) ...Wind on and trip the shutter...go to the next frame...sometimes it's one turn some two...when you get past the 15th frame it will wind continuously like you're at the end of a roll (when using 120 film-a 220 film insert will allow the counter to go on to 30 frames...)...when shooting in the "Multi" mode the counter will not advance...
I've tried it several times with mine and find it inconsistent in taking one or two turns to advance to the next frame...most of the time it take two turns...
Make sure the counter is resetting when you remove the film insert...

Almost forgot...make sure you take the camera out of "Multi" mode when you're done...you can really screw up a shooting session if you don't...trust me on that...

 

[sjgslack]

If you pull the film insert out and the counter resets then it will take about 7 or 8 turns to get to the #1 position on the counter (there needs to be a spool in the insert on the bottom position) ...Wind on and trip the shutter...go to the next frame...sometimes it's one turn some two...when you get past the 15th frame it will wind continuously like you're at the end of a roll (when using 120 film-a 220 film insert will allow the counter to go on to 30 frames...)...when shooting in the "Multi" mode the counter will not advance...
I've tried it several times with mine and find it inconsistent in taking one or two turns to advance to the next frame...most of the time it take two turns...
Make sure the counter is resetting when you remove the film insert...

Almost forgot...make sure you take the camera out of "Multi" mode when you're done...you can really screw up a shooting session if you don't...trust me on that...

That pretty much EXACTLY describes what mine is doing with no film in and just a spool on the bottom.... Good news 🙂

I have ordered a lens and some film now, so hopefully all will be well... Thanks very much!

S

 

[Spanik]

I have ordered a lens and some film now,

Rather essential to use a camera isn't it? I mean, who buys a camera without a lens????

 

[sjgslack]

Rather essential to use a camera isn't it? I mean, who buys a camera without a lens????

Agreed 🙂

I bought the body on a whim as it was a good price -- Wanted to be sure it was right before i went deeper in!

The lens was delivered today - the 70mm f2.8... The thing is a beast!

S

 

[Spanik]

The 70/2.8 is a leaf shutter lens (IIRC). Yes, those are beasts. I have the 55/2.8 and it is a beauty. Let us know how the 70 is, it is on my list for some time now as I'm very fond of the 55 and hope the other leaf shutter lenses are as good.

 

[sjgslack]

The 70/2.8 is a leaf shutter lens (IIRC). Yes, those are beasts. I have the 55/2.8 and it is a beauty. Let us know how the 70 is, it is on my list for some time now as I'm very fond of the 55 and hope the other leaf shutter lenses are as good.

I've just developed the first roll and the negs look fantastic on superficial viewing. I'm looking forward to scanning them this evening!