Mamiya M645

[wlewisiii]

Nice cameras, great glass, I should not have sold my 645E kit... :bang:

William

 

[Chris101]

I never found the M645 to be uncomfortable to handle. I hold and fire the camera with my right hand, and focus and adjust shutter and diaphragm with my left. Of course that left handed grip throws it all out of whack, but I do use that when I have a prism attached.

Ruben, I figure M645 prices are less than Bronicas, Hassies, and other MF cameras, is because the old supply and demand thing - there were just so darn many of them made.

 

[ChrisN]

Chris - do you use the waist-level finder when handling the camera without the grip? Handled this way it is much the same as using the Hassy. It's funny - I love the WLF on the M645 - it is much brighter and easier to focus with than my Rolleiflex or the Hassy, but it limits me to shooting in landscape format. That's what I really like about 6x6 - no decisions about orientation; very liberating.

 

[MolteniOrange]

I've long been a fan, and owner, of Mamiya gear and discovered the 645 when my employer was cleaning out the basement. I bartered for a beat-up 645J body, 120 and 220 inserts, and four lenses (45, 80, 150 and 210). The 150 and 210 were rarely used. I quickly replaced the J for a 1000S from KEH and absolutely love it. It fits perfectly in my right hand and focusing the big lenses with my left is easy and precise. I prefer the waist finder and meter with a Sekonic that I trust. Later, I added a Zoerk adapter that lets me use these lenses on my Nikon bodies, which opens up even more fun. All in all, I can't recommend the system more highly. Most people skip them because they lack removable backs, but I don't mind a bit. The glass is great, the mechanics are sound, and it's a joy to use, even hand-held.

 

[micromontenegro]

Some camera must offer the best bang for the money. It is a dirty job, but some one has to do it. In this universe, Mamiyas 645 do.

 

[Chris101]

Chris - do you use the waist-level finder when handling the camera without the grip? Handled this way it is much the same as using the Hassy. It's funny - I love the WLF on the M645 - it is much brighter and easier to focus with than my Rolleiflex or the Hassy, but it limits me to shooting in landscape format. That's what I really like about 6x6 - no decisions about orientation; very liberating.

I do, and I agree about that, and 6x6 vs645. I used to cut my 645 transparencies into 43x43 'super-slide' format, just so I could think square. Heh - I was doing 'crop factor' calcs in the 80's.

 

[filmfan]

I got my Mamiya 645 1000s, 120 and 220 film backs, metered prism, and an 80mm/2.8 lens for $240 on ebay... makes my expensive Nikon photos look worthless in comparison.

 

[Jodorowsky]

Mamiya 645 Help

Mamiya 645 Help

Hi-

Glad this thread's going. I just bought an AE prism, and although it seems to fit (and work) in every other respect, it doesn't seem to fit flat at the back of the camera (I can see the connectors), although if I press it gently it does sit flat. Is this normal, or should I send the prism back?

Thanks,

J

 

[shadowfox]

One of my favorite systems, the lenses are such high quality. I don't regret selling mine to fund a Hassy kit, but I do miss it.

 

[ruben]

Some camera must offer the best bang for the money. It is a dirty job, but some one has to do it. In this universe, Mamiyas 645 do.

Hi micromontenegro,

I find your above quoted comment quite interesting, simple and genious at the same time.

Cheers,
Ruben

 

[nihraguk]

I own an M645 Pro with an AE prism and a standard 80mm prime and the results are consistent and high-quality. The only beef I have with this camera is that its bulk and weight mean that I don't use it as often as I should; but I think those issues are difficult to avoid with most MF SLR systems. Currently deciding whether to sell it to fund a Leica purchase or not. The fact that lenses/accessories for this system are incredibly affordable and produce excellent results is making this decision very difficult.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I own an M645 Pro with an AE prism and a standard 80mm prime and the results are consistent and high-quality. The only beef I have with this camera is that its bulk and weight mean that I don't use it as often as I should; but I think those issues are difficult to avoid with most MF SLR systems. Currently deciding whether to sell it to fund a Leica purchase or not. The fact that lenses/accessories for this system are incredibly affordable and produce excellent results is making this decision very difficult.

I wouldnt sell it. You won't get enough out of it to buy a Leica. Mamiya 645 stuff isn't worth any money so you might as well keep it and keep making photos that will blow away the quality of any 35mm system including Leica. If you want a Leica, buy one, but keep the 645...you won't get enough money from it to justify losing it.

 

[nihraguk]

I wouldnt sell it. You won't get enough out of it to buy a Leica. Mamiya 645 stuff isn't worth any money so you might as well keep it and keep making photos that will blow away the quality of any 35mm system including Leica. If you want a Leica, buy one, but keep the 645...you won't get enough money from it to justify losing it.

I'm thinking of getting an M2, not one of the more recent Leicas, so if I manage to sell the M645 at the price I'm asking for it'll put a considerable dent in the cost of the M2.

But you definitely have a point, and that is what is making this decision so difficult for me.

 

[David R Munson]

I'm a big fan of the Mamiya 645. I've owned 4 different Mamiya systems (645, RB, RZ, TLR) and they've all been great, but the 645 is one I've stuck with. A great deal (most?) of my personal work is done with a 645 Pro, non-metered prism, winder, and usually the 80mm f/1.9. The system just works for me, and I'm not going to argue with that.

(more on my flickr)