Hi Azriel, im looking for a mamiya 645 and I have been advised if buying online anything from Japan will have a very accurate and honest description, and the fact that you got money back was good and worst case scenario you have a second lens and spare parts. Good video.
@@tapiopitkaranta7667 I'd always buy my colored film for 35 and 120 in rolls or cassettes, but to this day I still bulk load 35mm black and white so much cheaper ASA 100/400, good price on Amazon for 100 ft bulk load. Preferred Ilford film over Kodak for B W very nice tonal range and grain.
Glad to see you posting videos again. My medium formats learning was a Yashica Mat 124 g, Mamiya C330 twin lenses and the Mamiya 645 (2 bodies) with 80mm normal lenses, 2x tele converter, 210mm f4 lens, Penta-prism with light meter, 120 film insert, 220 film insert. If you check the old ads it was advertised as a negative about 3.5 times larger than a 35mm negative and similar to 35mm. I too picked the 645 over the Mamiya 67 cause of the camera's lighter weight and smaller size. The 645 makes a great studio camera , group and wedding camera. On 120 film 15 exposers, 220 film 30 exposers ( not sure if 220 film is still being made). The film holder should of came with a plastic case so you could preload film if you owned more than one holder. The main issue I had with the original 645 is not being able to change film mid roll which in later models they added a removable back with a slide. The camera is built like a tank and heavier than any 35mm film camera, but the pictures taken are the best of the best. On one of your older posts I asked if you would review the Mamiya 645 glad to see this and more reviews of it. With a Sony Mirrorless camera I have been able to use the Mamiya lenses with a manual adapter to see how the vintage lens compares. Your old camera reviews were cameras that came out when I was starting photography Pentax, Yashica, Mamiya, Olympus, Canon, Nikon and Konica. During the release of Mamiya 645 there were a lot of other great medium format cameras out but the pricing was very fair on the 645 for the camera features. Next step up is 4 x 5 sheel film press camera with film holders, my learning Camera with a 40 lb tripod that I used in the USA Navy Photo School that will slow you down, but provide huge negatives. Think I lost 50 lbs hauling the press camera around to take photos in Photo School.
Thanks for the comment Robin! I did see the versions with the removable back and I fuly understand that was a sacrifice when I got my camera but I figured coming from 35mm I wont feel the "loss"
I (luckily) experienced something completely different on ebay: the seller sold me a broken Pentax 67 body for nothing and when it arrived here it worked perfectly
I can tell you right now that I love the analog mamiya camera lineup as I own both the rb67 and rz67 cameras and will never stop shooting medium format! 35mm is to small for the effort but 120 slide in the mamiya rz67 is breathtaking and with so much resolution it’s very worth while
@@AzrielKnight Make it quick before Fujifilm discontinues Velvia and Provia which seems more and more likely. I've been stockpiling 120 slide film every time i hear about another fuji film line being discontinued.
Loved the vid. I have a Bronica 645 and love it. I have a metered prism finder that I almost never use, and a waist level that I use 90% of the time and love. A lot of the time I use sunny 16, but have an old spot meter for trickier situations. I love FP4, scans beautifully. Good luck.
Nice review. Love the Mamiya 645 system, I've got the Pro version. I also have the C220 and sometimed I crop it to 6x7 when I don't think the square format suits. Keep enjoying the camera 👍
Back in the day, my dad had shoot (to us quite expensive) slide films; usually he needed a month or so to finish a roll, and than wait another two weeks or so for film to return from pre-paid development, what was developed in anther country, course there wasn't any E-6 lab in our vicinity available, at that time. What a strong contrast to me a couple of decades later (still in the age of film), when I shooted and developed professionally multiple rolls of slide film, on a daily basis...
Nice video. I really like my M645 - I have the 1000S as well. The 80mm is fantastic. I really like the 45mm and those two lenses are my travel staples.
Greg Murphy it kinda depends - I find that when I want to shoot wide open (where the extra shutter speed would help a bit), I usually just focus and then hold an ND filter in front of the lens to shoot. The one stop extra shutter speed doesn’t help that much. I guess it would help for really fast moving subjects, but I never photograph anything like that.
I have an RB67 that I got about six months ago. You're right, it's one heavy camera. On the other hand, I have 6x7 and 6x4.5 backs for it, and just ordered a Graflex 22 (6x6) back that will fit the Graflok back -- giving me three formats (including the square one you hate and I love) in one camera. I'm still going to get an M645 1000s when I can -- because I like the 645 format the best of all the medium format I've shot. I've got four cameras that can shoot that format (a Wirgin Auta, a 6x9 folder with masks, a Daiichi Zenobia, native 645 folder, a Film Photography Project Debonair plastic fantastic, and the 645 back for the RB67), and if I had to stick with one format from tomorrow on, it'd be 645. I suppose it shouldn't surprise me that it's the same aspect ratio as half-frame 35mm, which I also like, and 9x12 cm, which was my first step into large format. But I'll never get rid of my Kodak Reflex II 6x6 TLR... :)
Ebay is very heavily weighted in favor of the buyer, so if you run into an issue with something being broken or not what was described, you're usually pretty safe. You just have to be patient, as Ebay won't step in on returns until a week or so after you open it.
First medium format camera I shot was on a photo course 22 years ago and that was a Mamiya 645, very nice and compact camera. Must say I’m impressed on your photos think maybe give it a cla, I think this camera will suit your style of photography. But if you like to shoot and to see (like catching fish and eating it) maybe try 4x5 (it’s bulky but a graflex van maybe suit you. Like the channel!
I love shooting 120 with the Pentax 6X7. It’s a beast but I like the fact that it’s layout is like a giant 35 mm SLR. Great shooting in western New York State. Lots of small old towns with structures built in the 1800’s. Keep shooting.
@@AzrielKnight Yes your vids are Premo!... I reside in Calgary, been here for over 30 years. Run a small business in the Blackfoot area. "how big can one send to your PO box? if the item does not fit will they keep it aside for you?
Only been shooting medium format for a few months, picked up a Yashica 635, really love that camera but like yourself, I do prefer other image ratios other than square format..I'm going to buy a 645! Great video and images, just subscribed!
Great photos Azriel! I’m new to medium format as well. I think you will find it is quite addictive. I found my my first medium format camera in a junk pile. It was an old Zeiss Ikon Ikonta and it looks really rough. The photos though are amazing - no light leaks, lens is in fantastic condition, and everything works properly. I used an app on my phone for metering and guessed the distance for the focus as there is no finder to focus through(just a window for framing the image). Given the visual appearance of the camera I had pretty low expectations, but after developing the film I was blown away by the quality of the photos. The detail and dynamic range of the 6x4.5 images just blew me away and I was immediately hooked on medium format. Honestly I think the resolution is better than any of my digital cameras and the shooting style definitely forces you to take your time to compose and properly expose because at most you are getting 16 shots per roll. I liked it so much that in the short six months of shooting medium format I have also purchased a Bronica EC (6x6) and a Fuji GW690iii (6x9).
Azriel Knight the photos from the GW690iii are incredible. Only eight shots per roll, but that forces you to make every shot count. The camera is obviously big (my wife calls it a clown camera), but it fits well in my hand and is remarkably light given it’s size. The 90mm lens is sharp and beautiful. Scanned files are extremely large at the resolution I scan at, but the latitude they have in Lightroom is even more than my digital raw files. I could do massive edits if I wanted to but so far the unedited tiffs look so good I only make minor tweaks. If you like MF photography and admire quality photos over the ability to fill up a memory card, the GW690 might be for you.
Interesting review thanks, always wanted one of these back in the day when I used 35mm film cameras but never managed to find the cash. Good advice about ebay purchases too, luckily the dodgy ones are few and far between but still can come a cropper with no warning!
Hi Azriel, Totally follow your lead with film management. I try when possible to use/finish the roll after the shooting assignment. Love your analogy by the way.
Love it! I love using my Bronica ETRS. I have a Mamiya RB67 and a Rollieflex 3.5 which I also love but the weight and use of the bronica makes it my camera to use, medium format wise.
Having shot medium format for 30 years in the 6x7 format, I have to say that were I to start over, I would go with the 645. The one distinction between Mamiya 645 models over its many years of production is that some take an interchangeable back rather than just the inset seen here. For me, that would be a valuable feature. When the new camera arrives, I'd consider a CLA before getting a second lens. KEH sell 'em and repairs 'em, but they do not routinely service them before sale if no issue is apparent. Good demo of how "tricky" buying on ebay can be, although I've bought a lot of gear on ebay and only once run into a sly seller like here.
Love that creamy goodness of medium format film! I don't know how anyone can go back to 35mm after seeing a medium format negative. I don't care how big or heavy they are.
Azriel Knight hello sir, I like the medium format results, data available, tonality. With the optional eye level prism finder and handle attached it’s ideal for me being 5’4” 😉 not having to look down into waist level finder, also the multi shutter release options which also is on the handle, I have two lenses 80mm and 45mm good combo for me and I like the feel and noises it make just seems cool 😎
Hello Az, veey deep video, I own this camera and even did a few videos on my channel using it. Sorry about your eBay debacle, my first m645 and Rilleiflex both had issues and I wound up purchasing from KEH also. I loved their shopping experience so much I made a video about buying from them. Great camera and the battery is still going over a yr now.
Nice! Welcome to the mamiya 645 club. I have 645 super and love to use grip winder. Also mamiya glass are nice! They were used in Batman Dark Knight and Interstellar movie.
Hey Azriel, great video. I own and love this camera very much! You are right, the waste level viewfinder does not have metering. But it saves a lot of weight (about a Kilo). Also the camera will be a lot less bulky. I can only recommend it. You are also right assuming that there are containers for preloading film. I own 4 or 5 film insert alongside with their fitted containers. Makes everything a lot faster :-). Have fun with the replacement body ...
Haven't used mine in a long time but I have three that I bought over ten years ago when selection was plentiful and prices low. Also got a late production RB67 which weighs a lot but takes great pics.
Bought a 645 camera a few months ago and I stopped my choice on the Bronica ETR over the Mamiya because of the interchangeable back meaning I can shoot 2 types of film at the same time. I agree with the weight of these beast is impressive. I much prefer the 645 format over the square one and you get 15 shots per roll instead of the 12 square shots per roll
Thanks for this review, sorry you had a problem with the camera as I would have liked to have seen more shots. I've been thinking of buying one of these for a while now but have found it a bit daunting (especially the cost). I've decided to put it off until I get a studio. I think they were originally intended as a studio/tripod cameras, so walking any distance with the weight wasn't an issue. Having said that I'm still shooting with a mirrored DSLR and some old analogue (heavy)lenses so backache comes as standard. I take it, as its basically a metal cube, the balance isn't too bad handheld?
Thanks for the comment Ian. Once it's in hand and to my eye, it feels pretty good. I hold it underhanded like a fat lens and stabilize with the other. The shutter release on the front was fairly easy to adapt to.
That camera is an excellent camera in my opinion. I have the 645 which maxes at 500sec, and I really enjoy using it. I bought it from KEH eBay which they said was a functional camera, but when I got the camera the mirror was locking up. I did some research and then downloaded the Service manual and dived into repairing it. It had a blown capacitor that was responsible for the mirrors open and shut movement. I paid 71$US and to me it was worth it. The only thing is that it did not come with a waist level finder. But I use it without one anyways. The 55mm 2.8 is a good lens to get with a little more angle of view. Love the photos you took with the Mamiya. Enjoy👍
I totally agree that sometimes less shots per roll is better. I mostly only shoot 24 exposure rolls now for this reason, because I want to develop what Ive shot immediately, and usually I'm pretty selective with what I'm shooting as well which means a project most likely does not take up 36 exposures. But for some weird reason it kills me to develop a roll that hasn't been completely exposed. Maybe it's my inner penny pincher.
It used to bother me leaving frames as well. Another thing I do is shoot half the roll and take it out of the camera in the darkroom so I can use the other bit.
Next time you go to Irricana I would try to pick a day other than election day ! It had to be a real challenge just crossing the street with all that traffic ! I too am looking into moving to medium format along with my 35mm. I shoot digital but really enjoy shooting film. Maybe because Film makes ya think a little more ! Looking forward to your next one ! Thanks for your time !
Lots of good stuff in this one. You had Denae and I laughing at a couple points. A lot of eBay vintage camera sellers avoid the liability by stating it's FPO, even if the camera is in working. Also, does no one give you a hard time about wearing beanies indoors with short sleeve shirt? I swear, I get the fashion police out in force every time I do that. //Andrew
FPO? I still think that wouldn't work though TBH, eBay disproportionately favours the buyer. lol, regarding the hat, to be fair I live in Canadian Rockies and you live in the American desert. I did get a comment once a couple years ago where they just said "are you cold?" and I said "yes, it's 4 Celsius in my basement."
For parts only is a categorical designation. So I'm pretty sure it will hold. If they were just writing it in the description I think it would be different
I share your opinion on square format. Most of what I shoot does not lend itself to the square format. And cropping into the 4:5 aspect ratio of a 16x20 is a HUGE waste of film! I went the other way 15 years ago and stepped up to 6x7. I went with the Bronica GS-1. It’s normal lens (100mm f/3.5), body, film magazine, and unmetered prism finder probably are neck and neck weight-wise with your M645. And they use in lens leaf shutters. That camera along with Technical Pan film using a mirror lockup and a cable release was a beast!
I used one. I was not impressed with the 45mm lens that it had on it. I use a Yashica Mat with a 75mm 3.5 Lumaxar lens from 1957. I can easily crop if required. Mostly I print the full neg to 8x8 inches using the waste off a sheet of 10x8 inch paper. I
Congrats on jumping into medium format.! I recently got a C220 for similar reasons only I like the square format. :) Another thing I'm now doing is short-loading 35mm reels. I have a bulk loader with 100ft of HP5 in it. I used to load up 36exp because I could (more is better, right?) It's only recently I've realised I can load up 2 canisters with 18 shots instead, It works so much better because as you say, the fish is a lot fresher. You know you'll now be looking for a 4x5 field camera next, right? :)
Years ago when I considered shifting from 35mm to medium format, I looked hard at the 645 systems available. They all adopt the Hasselblad body configuration to be modular, which is a plus, but the package is awkward to use handheld, a negative. Two points killed the Mamiya 645 system for me. First, like the Pentax 645, it does not have interchangeable film backs, which IMO are a major reason to put up with the clumsy operation of the camera. Second, the Mamiya reputation for build and durability isn't so great, and the early lenses are so-so. If I had gone forward into 645, I probably would have bought into the Bronica Ersi system, which seems to have it all right. (The Contax 645 was just a gleam in the eye of some unknown designer at the time, and the cost proved prohibitive.) I was unable to reconcile my 645 issues, so I plunged into a Pentax 67 system instead. Now pushing 73, I no longer want to haul the massive weight of the P67, so I'm back to 645. This time, I went for small, light, and huge optical quality: Fuji GA645Zi, foregoing the flexibility of a system camera for the convenience of a medium format point-n-shoot.
What the heck, i got exactly the same setup today. Are you stalking me? :D I haven‘t tested mine with film but it seems to be working great. It is full of dust and all the foam is done though. Awesome video as usual!
Hi Azriel, thanks for the review on the mamiya very good watch. I have 2 of these and love them to bits, the image quality is superb. I noticed in your last video you had problems with the second body , just wondering what the issues were. These cameras are tanks and are very reliable, just gutted for you as you have had so many problems. I have solved a few little problems with mine due to age and are now working like champs. let me know and i will try and help if i can. keep up the amazing work Azriel
Thanks very much. The second one robs me of the occasional frame by locking up. I then have to advance to release it. I'm not 100% convinced it's not the meter in the eye level finder.
@@AzrielKnight, couple of things to try are (1) give the brass contacts on the body and prism a good clean with alcohol or electrical cleaner. they should be bright contacts not dull. (2) are you running a silver oxide battery 4sr44, alkaline batteries don't cut it. (3) check if there are no paper or film shards stuck in the shutter curtains. (4) The camera has capacitor failure, not a huge job to solder in a new one. its located in the front bottom corner of the camera. when the capacitor get tired they can not hold the charge to drop the mirror and complete the shutter cycle. hope this is of some help. regards adam
Great review, love Mamiya's medium format cameras. But I prefer the 645 Super. On my channel I published an in depth review of the super. It's on German (English subbed). Would you mind if I post a link here?
Though I've only been shooting film since 2017, it seems like the more I shoot the longer it takes me to finish a roll, but the amount of frames I'll shoot will vary. The camera I bring with me and the kind of film I use are also factors in how long I'll take on a roll. And... as for developing, I'm hoping to have a black and white setup at my house this summer. for c41, I have to take my films to a camera shop thats 25ish minutes away from me and then wait a week anyways for them to be developed. As for e6, I've decided that at the end of each month, I'll just send out as much as I've shot up to the lab I use.
I used to have an M645 Super with the winder and a eye level AE finder. I've since sold it (to, as it turns out, move to 6x6), but still, I should have gone with the waist level and a crank because that thing was heavy as hell.
Mamiya 4 Life! Ok, this is trippy… I just uploaded a Mamiya 645 Pro video literally minutes ago a video that is 1 month + in the making… That is scary. Lol.
Thank you. Though I really enjoy Azriel Knight´s style here, really cool images in B&W. Just a pity the camera was faulty. It is just cool… and a bit strange that two individuals independently from one another, on basically opposite ends of the globe happen to post videos about the same camera brand and model line almost minutes apart from one another. Oh and I think I have seen Matt Granger with the same style of “Los Pollos” shirt… Where can I get one of those? @@aristoioannidis7490
@@AzrielKnight an older 6x9 folding camera like a Bessa might be good too if you still want that 35mm aspect ratio, less shots, and more detail. They're quite old, so finding a good one can be a challenge.
Can you clarify please, you said that the camera malfunctioned and you wrote the seller and eventually got money back from him. Then when your showing the pics you took you say that the problems were caused in the developement of the film 🤔!?
Thanks for the question Dave. What I mean is that nothing that happened changed how the camera felt or operated. Not all of the shots turned out bad either so I was still able to talk about how it worked.
@@AzrielKnight Aha, I just got a bit tangled up in the head there 😏. These are very nice cameras, a friend has one same as yours but with the motor winder on it and it is very pleasant to use 😎. Having said that I have not been for a long walk with it on a hot day yet so the weight of it hasnt really sunk in yet. I have been pondering purchasing one for myself 😊. Did you find out what the actual problem was with the camera yet 🤔 ???
lol, my wife used to ask that too. here's a definition I found ""Bob's your uncle" is a phrase commonly used in United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries that means "and there it is" or "and there you have it." Typically, someone says it to conclude a set of simple instructions or when a result is reached. The meaning is similar to that of the French expression "et voilà!""
