Mamiya 645 Camera Review
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- Опубликовано: 9 июл 2024
- In this episode, Jules and I review the classic Mamiya M645 camera series which was first introduced in 1975. We explain the difference between the three different versions of the camera and take you with us on a Sunday morning photo walk around Munich.
Equipment used:
Mamiya M645 1000s
45mm f/2.8
80mm f/2.8
210mm f/4
Gossen Sixtino
Films used:
Kodak Portra 400 scanned and developed by www.meinfilmlab.de
Ilford HP5+ scanned and developed by Jules
When I was stationed in Germany on my first tour (1969-1974) I didn't get into photography in a big way. But on my return in 1977 I got a great deal on a Mamiya 645. The local military outlet had a camera, complete kit, marked at $360. Body, prism-non metering, 80mm lens, and one 120-film insert. They had marked it wrong and had to sell it to me for that price. The two German instructors I had could not believe the deal I got. I learned a lot about photography and darkroom operations. I got rid of it in 1982 with additional accessories that I had acquired. Now I have three Mamiya systems and I am waiting for the fourth to come in to replace the first one I sold. All of them will get used as I attempt to introduce members of our photo club to shooting film again and processing their film. Great presentation on a unique and proven camera.
That was a great deal. 1000 easy when new.
You can squeeze 16 shots if you load it just right. You can change backs by using a portable change bag. Ah the things we did to get around problems. Bride wanted black and white during the wedding. Fiddle but no problem. You could time when to swap back. Or talk to them. Change their pose while swapping backs. Remember in them days. We tended to only shoot 72 to 90 pictures. When I had a great couple lovely location I would shoot 120 lots of colleagues would be amazed that any. One would shoot so much. And yet after 38 years. I loved that time the best and probably earned the most. Doing as much as 54 weddings a year. One time 7 weddings in 10 days.
I was asked to photograph a wedding for a lady on the last day of her life. Went from the hospital to the lab help in the dark room. Put the 20 pictures in the album and went back 3 hours later. In time for the family to enjoy their day with their mum. My wife was the ward sister her and the other nurses thanked me. But it was a privilege to be with this family at such a moment. We make memories that last for ever.
Fascinating, thank you for sharing!
That’s awesome. I appreciate when those with experience share their stories
Man, I missed your videos. Thanks a lot for posting.
I had one of these back in 1978, loved it. Had several lenses for it, eventually sold the whole outfit to go digital. I miss it now! But I'm shooting with a C330f and can't justify both.
Love your reviews. They are thought out, clear and very insightful. Thanks for creating...now I need to get a 645!
You`re video`s are like candy. Can`t get enough. Thank-you for doing what you do. Very inspiring.
Excellent! Loved the images with tack-sharp focus and grain-free detail. I have one, I plan to get another.
I have one of the early 645. My father was a professional photographer and gave me this "baby" Mamiya. Makes great pictures. I haven't used it much lately.
I will use it more after watching your superb video. Greetings from Terrassa, Spain.
Great vid!!! I love how you appreciate underrated cameras like this and the Pentax slrs. They are great performers and good value. Thanks!!!!
Years ago, I used mine for weddings. Complete with meter prism and motor drive. Heavy with the the motor drive, but very easy to hang on to with the grip and shutter button being very convenient. The grip also made portrait or landscape easy to handle. Nice system. Thank you for the video.
Beautiful review of a classic camera, and its expressive possibilities, greetings from Bogota Colombia.
Thank you for another great video. I love how engaged you are as well the video quality, great pictures, and you know what you are reviewing. Keep up the good work. Would love to see a video reviewing a Nikon S2.
Thanks so much for your kind words. I'll research the Nikon S2. Sounds interesting. :)
thank you for your review...love shooting with my mamiya c330. maybe i'll pick a 645 up next year.
Purchased my Mamiya 645 in 1976 in Australia. My lenses are 55mm, 80mm, 150mm and 210mm. Then picked up a new 500mm f5.6 lense just before travelling to South Africa in 1980. It is a great camera, fabulous results with all lenses; but the 500mm lense on wildlife was/is a WoW!
Still have all the gear and still shoot 120 format. Coupled with a Metz 45CT 1 flash unit the results are great.
Would never sell. I'd recommend the camera and lenses to anyone wanting to get in medium format film photography.
It's difficult to get the tone of camera review videos right, but you guys really do it well. Thanks!
brilliant video, very enjoyable to watch thanks, from Scotland.
Thanks for the review, it’s helped me with my decision to get one. I love the size of it.
Great review as always!
Just a minor thing: 4/3 ratio (i.e. 6/4.5) is so very much different to 3/2 (as in 35mm) aesthetically. At least to my perception. I almost always find myself cropping digitals to 4/3 and I always find 35mm prints to "rectangular". Whatever you prefer, it *is* a different beast.
tx for sharing your experience. I am thinking about getting one of those. So, the video has been very helpful.
Excellent review. My Mamiya has been sitting in a closet for more than a decade (life does get complicated doesn't it) but it is coming out before I turn in tonight and an order for some batteries and film to follow shortly thereafter. You have inspired me to get back to doing the things I love.
Taking person, pleasant voice, great film, enjoyable to see, great example photos! I enjoyed this review very much, personally i own a M645 also.
My favorite camera. It was so well made and intuitive. Would love to shoot with it again. Mamiya glass is so good.
background music is wonderful. it make me feel peace.
I’ve been on the fence with the camera since this will be my first medium format camera. This video sealed the deal for me and just purchased through eBay. Thanks!
I had a Mamiya M645 when it first came out (top shutter speed was 1/500), and it was a great camera. When I traded it in for a Leica M4-2, the Mamiya had held its value very well. If I’d kept it, I’m pretty certain it would still work fine. A robust construction for sure.
Always high quality the way you are presenting your cameras. A pleasure to watch them. Belgian greetings.
Haha. Thanks for the feedback here as well. Is there something you'd like to see more? Just let us know. :)
Hasselblad e.g.? After the Rolleiflex and Mamiya would this be a nice follow-up....Searched in your reviews but couldn't find it..... Possessing a Rolleiflex and Hasselblad...but still curious if you have some new information to discover this device. It's only a suggestion. Thx guys !
I shoot primarily B&W on a Sony A7 and your B&W examples in this were eye opening. Looks worth the jump just for the tonality.
That was a very very comprehensive review of the Mamiya 645! I have my analog photography vlog too! More power!
about to go pick one up for cheap was having doubts on it but you have given me confidence on it so excited to go pick it up
I’ve had mine for some time. I love it’s basic simplicity.
Tolle Besprechung der Kamera, Ich liebe dieses Model aus genau den Gründen, die Ihr genannt habt.
Super nice review! Thanks a lot!
Thanks a lot for your kind comment. I really appreciate it. :)
Oh, great. Another camera on my "most wanted" list, hahaha. Nice video! I love smaller medium format cameras, they're very inspiring to walk around and shoot with.
I have the Bronica ETRSi, and I would heartily recommend that to anyone interested in the 6x4,5 format. Very light and easy to carry with you, but amazing sharpness and clarity. The lenses for that system are very underrated in my opinion.
Outstanding review, thank you! Your eye for composition is quite great.
what a great review, thank you.
I really like this camera. Years ago I picked up a lizard-skin covered 1000s with metered viewfinder, 45 2.8, 80 1.9, & 150 4.0, plus extension tubes. Great kit for little money!
Very nice video, thanks. I recently got a 1000s and so far I love it. Mine has the metered prism and while I like it a lot, I really need to pick up a waist level finder.
Thanks ! Great tranquil video and gives a very good impression of the system. Photos are very nice.
I'm trying out film again with the Nikon FE and just looking into medium format as a potential option.
I'm a big fan of the Mamiya m645, I have the original version and I love the camera as my grab-and-go medium format!
Thank you, I loved it!
Quality video! Like your presentation skills!
I have one of these, with Mamiya lenses from 35mm to 300mm. (And the Mamiya 2x extender) I often use Kodak Technical Pan film, which shows up the slightest imperfections of any lens. I have been delighted with the results and the film area is 3 times that of a 35mm. It is well worth the exercise. I highly recommend this robust, super camera. (The prism finder has an exposure meter that always surpasses my expectations)
Mamiya 645 is a beauty! I have the Super version but it such a great and affordable system!
Great video sir. One side note, the 645 Super, Pro, and Pro TL all have interchangeable backs if you need to switch formats while shooting.
Literally just bought one a couple hours ago. This was a nice surprise
Haha, that's funny. Enjoy this great camera. :)
I just bought one with a 150mm f/4 cant wait to get it!
I have a 645, and had it refurbished after I bought it. I have the 150mm portrait lens that is super fun to use! Just started getting back into it.
Great video! Really thought about getting this until I found my Hasselblad
Back in the day I had a 645J with the 80mm and the 210mm lenses and I have to say it turned out some really nice images, particularly the 210mm. Funnily enough I had that very same exposure meter!
The 1000s has become my camera. It is more inconspicuous than my RB67ProS and you are not so often "disturbed" when taking pictures ;-)
I love the handling, the lenses and the quality, I wouldn't want to miss this cam anymore.
Great details, I personally have a M645J and never knew it came after the 1000S.
It would be my favorite camera if they put in the meter inside the camera itself and not in the prism finder. I prefer using the waist level finder and also is the prism finder pretty heavy.
One other thing. I have a Hasselblad 500 and I tried many different focusing screens but none are as brilliant and easy to focus as the one in the Mamiya. The difference is really noticeable.
Great video as usual. Would love to see something on your favorite square format cameras. I have a Yashica Mat that I love but would like to have interchangeable lenses.
Thank you for this! My partner has the RB67 and I love it but it’s too large for me. This is perfect.
Another excellent video! It's nice to see Jules again too. With him gone for a few episodes, I thought maybe he was wanted by the police 😉
i have the mamiya m645j and love the simplicity
Finally, a camera video that doesn't use annoying ambient or trap music.
Alec Signorino Thanks for your feedback. Glad to hear you like it. :)
Great video
That upper shooter release button 😍 I wish my Mamiya 645 Pro had one 😞
Great video! Love my 645 1000s. As you say, it's rugged and means business. My only complaint is that the glass on the focusing screen (at least, the default one) is pretty dim compared to other cameras (for example my Hasselblad 501cm). And the 80mm 1.9 is gorgeous
Great overview of this camera thank you so much! I actually just picked one up last week and I'm having an issue with the mirror locking up when I'm using 1/125. Only way to set it back down is to rotate/advance the film. Every other speed works fine and the shutter curtains open and close, but that mirror locks up only at that one speed. Do you or anyone else have any ideas?
Good one! Thx...just got my M645 1000s today:>)
Lucky basterd
I love my 645 1000s. When I got into medium format I purchased a Hasselblad, the Mamiya 645 1000s, and a Bronica. This Mamiya is the only one I have left from those. I sold the others. I’ve also added a C330 since. Mamiya delivers the most bang for the buck.
Thanks for your comment, Brian. I can relate to that a lot! Love my Mamiya cameras. :)
Really enjoyed this video , I have a question which of these lenses or not would you recommend for portraiture ? Environmental portraits , regular portrait and everyday photography?
I picked up an M645 with wlvf and 80/1.9. Heavenly…
What's up Maxi how are you? Like some of your commenters mentioned I was also looking at this camera I actually had it on my eBay watch list. Strange how you review this exactly on time. You know I'm a fan of the channel and how thorough you always are and passionate. I have to say there are two things I really wanted to hear about this camera that wasn't mentioned. I was hoping to see how to operate the mirror lock up, also there might be 3 lenses for this camera that have Leaf shutters built in i hope I'm not wrong about that. What I appreciate about your work is you don't try to be anyone but yourself thats very hard to find on YT. Big respect bro.
Hello thank you for the video, great video. it seems to me quite an interesting machine. I have a question , or maybe what I am looking for is just a confirmation - I have never used WFL viewer as I always shoot with a light metering viewer , and in case you need to use the lock up mirror for very slow picture might the WFL be a problem ? ( it sholdn't be ) thanks . very good channel
For a medium format beginner like me, this was the clearest and most useful guide, so thank you for taking your time to explain, and provide pointers to what's the most important aspects. I have yet to receive the camera that I have bought its an m645 and Sekor 150mm f4.
The former is lacking the DOF lever and self timer, and that bugged me but the price was really good compared to 1000S units on sale. Still I have to wonder if I will miss the DOF.
The latter apparently isn't the best Sekor, but I have start somewhere, and I live in France so light isn't a huge problem as I will do mostly landscape and close exterieur views. DOF/Boeh might be. For the self timer, I have anyway a tripod but will probably buy a cable release for some situations.
Have you ever needed the self timer?
I wondered about other things you didn't cover here.
1. Filters - Have you needed to buy ND or UV filters for your lenses? If you use others, which are the most useful in your opinion for general colour work and for B&W?
2. Front lens hoods - I see you using them on some of your lenses, and wonder if you guys have found they were needed after shooting for a while, or they just came with what you bought
3. Shake - as I mentioned I don't anticipate shooting in low light, but I do wonder if you have noticed shake through the shutter and mirror mechansims when shooting at low speeds. In particular do you see any difference between the two shutter releases?
Also is a shutter lock a useful feature i.e. do you use it?
In my youth when using mechanical 35mm, I didnt wind on my film as I encountered the issue when manipulating the camera in my bag etc.
4. AF - I am a LOT older than you, and my eyesight doesnt get any better. That means that I wonder at my capacity to accuratehly focus. Everyone says the viewfinder is amazingly bright and that's great as short sighted folk like me need it. But I also suffer from async astigmatism. Time will tell once I get started, but given the overall (increasing) roll and lab prices, I won't spend too much time if the results show this to be an issue. Do let me know if you have any friends 68 and over that use these. :-)
Thank you so much for a really useful video.
Thank you for your feedback and taking the time to write down all these questions. To keep it short:
For the purposes you describe, you might not need the DOF lever. For filters, I would always recommend an orange or yellow filter for black and white work and maybe a graduated neutral density filter for shooting landscape and toning down the exposure of the sky. The rest is optional and a matter of taste. Shake shouldn’t be a problem and yes we did use the shutter lock function. I also don’t have the best eyes but always find it easy to focus such medium format cameras since it is very apparent through the viewfinder what is in focus and what is not.
I hope this helps a little. Enjoy your journey in the medium format film camera realm.
Great video.
For me Mamiya 645 1000s is the most beautiful in Mamiya 645 camera's range :)
Hello Max how are you? I ordered this camera a day before you put up this review and I've been using it a week now with the 55 mm 2. 8, coming from the rolleicord it's such a difference, not better or worse but I really love the build quality and the movement of the controls and the handling. The images from the 55 mm I'm shooting wide open and I have to say it's final images may just beat the Rolleicord I use especially wide open. Then again I haven't shot slow speeds yet. Stupendous camera bro . Respect
You guys missed out on the 80mm f1.9. That lens is one of two lenses that are considered the fastest lens in pre-millennial medium format history (the other being the Pentax 105mm f2.4 which is of equivalent aperture speed).
This is one of the very best and most thoughtful reviews I've seen for the Mamiya 645. I started shooting medium format with a Yashica D TLR and have had my eye on the M645 as my next medium format camera. Your video has fully convinced me to go get one. Thanks!
Thank you so much for your kind words. Really appreciate your feedback!
Max, I am now the proud owner of a very nice condition Mamiya 645 1000s, thanks in no small part to your Analog Insights! Mine came with the 80mm f/2.8 Sekor-C lens and the CdS metered prism finder. I have shot 3 rolls so far and have really enjoyed the format. I would like to pick up at least 1 more lens for it at some point, probably the 45mm f/2.8 or 55mm f/2.8. I've also heard good things about the 150mm f/3.5. Thanks again.
I really enjoyed the way you did te review for this camera...honest and friendly.
I also have this camera in my closet and I think it is time to buy some 120 rolls
I just like the shutter sound alot~
Thank you for this! between the mat124g vs this one m645, which optics perform better?
Love the lenshood.
Where did you got it, max?
i just got both the m645 and m645 1000s with a hole lot of lens cant wait to hit the film with it.
Is it possible to shoot vertically with the waist level finder? Or is it only the RB67 that can rotate the back?
Long time viewer of your channel, and just curious about weight and ergonomics of the 1000s vs the Pro TL. I really want a light camera to walk around with and was curious about if the weight difference was significant for the pro. And if it felt comfortable to use the waist level view finder vs the prism? Should I just save up for the mamiya 6? Thanks!
Awesome Insights video again! ..Your video series has me inspired to go take photos - do you have any tips on a good place in Germany to visit for a weekend of photowalks? Munich looks pretty cool, anywhere else you'd recommend? (I was considering Berlin as another option). Thanks!
Alanpods ______ Thanks for your comment. Glad to hear that. I can certainly recommend Berlin, Hamburg, Munich but also Wetzlar and many other smaller cities. :)
Wie so oft - ein tolles Video! Vielen Dank dafür!
Leider inspiriert ihr mich immer wieder weitere alte Kameras zu kaufen :)
Die 645 habe ich seit zwei Wochen und bin nach dem Wechseln der Lichtdichtungen gespannt auf die erste Rolle.
Welchen Entwickler nehmt ihr denn für den HP5?
Die Bilder haben ein schön feines Korn.
I really enjoyed your report on the Mamiya 645 and the pictures that accompany it! Do special note was the Deux Chevaux as car pictures are so difficult to achieve! The location is superb and I wish some day I will be able to walk those streets and renew my lessons in German on site!
I inherited a Mamiya Standard 23 cameras from my dad with an assortment of film backs and masks for 6 X 4.5, 6 X 6 and 6 X 9 film. Later I purchased a 6 X 7 back! I was very lucky to be able to fix the camera as there was a light leak from the lens release lever and I was going to dump it towards a Hasselblad 501 C at a huge price...
"two steam horses" lol
Does it have a magnifying glass in the view finder? I didn't see it in the video.
What is it about film that it seems to have natural dynamic range ?
Great video guys (V)
Question where do i need to set the M or AM or doesnt matter , thanks
Just got the 645 m (500) so it is slightly older but still really well made. Good quality.
I would like to hear about the wide-angle, telephoto lens set
45mm + 80mm + 210mm
or
55mm + 80mm + 150mm
Which one to buy?
I just found your channel and like this one and you got +1 too. Cheers
Need some help if you have time max... Im seriously considering purchasing this camera, especially because of the compactness and the fact that lens adapters are made to use most mf lenses from bronicas to hasselblad v lenses. Im still a bit stuck between this and the bronica s2a. Any insight would be very helpful :). Thanks!
Vielen Dank für den sehr interessanten Beitrag. Ich bin nämlich gerade auf der Suche nach einem MITTEL zum FORMAT. Macht ihr zufällig in München auch mal Fotowalks oder -stammtische, wo man mit euch etwas philosophieren kann?
Nice 645 camera! I recently picked up Bronica ETR-Si (645) and GS-1 (6x7) cameras, and they are really good too! How does the Mamiya system compare to Bronica?
i have three of them all the lens you can amazing camera something can be done with this amazing set
Thank you. I recently picked one up with the metered prism finder and I find that the camera is clunky to hold when shooting in portrait orientation because of the 645 format. With the waist level finder it must be even more difficult to shoot in portrait orientation as I noticed you did in one of your images. I do like the camera however and will be developing the first roll I shot with it this weekend.
Thanks for pointing that out. I forgot to mention this aspect specifically in the video. Good spot!
Thank you for the wonderful video! Do you use the light meter for every shot, or do you feel that you sometimes can approximately guess what your shutter time needs to be?
Thanks, glad to hear you liked it. No, we didn't meter for every single shot but rather in difficult light situations and selected shots.
Do you print the film or scan it and then print it on the printer???
Brilliant video, love Mamiya.
Though as I guess others have pointed out, if you want interchangeable backs there is the 645 Super, Pro and Pro-TL.
But anyway grate video review and cool images!
Thanks for your comment. Yes, as mentioned in the video I also own a 645 Pro TL and there is a separate review on the channel. In my opinion, the classic M645 is different enough in terms of build quality and material to look at them separately from the later versions as well as the 645 AF. Hope this helps. :)
@@AnalogInsights ok, cool.
And I totally agree, the difference between the M645 series and the 645 Pro are like the RB67 and he RZ67. If I might do a lense recommendation it would be the two zoom lenses (ULD versions) brilliant stuff.
Thanks for the review! i have a question how do you shoot in portrait mode (vertical) ?? is that possible? is confortable? i want this camera for portrait and fashion photography!
Thanks for your comment and please excuse my late response. This camera is not really well-suited for shooting portraits. I would suggest you go for the Mamiya 645 Pro TL instead. I have a review of this camera here on the channel as well. :)