The Mamiya MF cameras are one of the best that I have used. My first one was the M645 w/prism, but no meter. I learned using the "Sunny 16" rule while stationed in Germany (1977-1980). I got rid of this camera back in 1983, a big mistake, but today I have about 7 of them. I am missing the M645E. Loved doing my own development on B/W and slide film. I have repaired a few of these cameras and they are working. I am trying to share these cameras with members of the photo club in my area. I have even used the MF lenses on my digital cameras and the images are great. Enjoy shooting yours.
It's great hearing about people using the cameras during their heyday! I also love adapting my old lenses to my digital bodies. It's such a shame, however, that the adapters for the M645 lenses are always gigantic and really expensive.
I've been binge watching these Mamiya 645 videos over the last week or so. I'm currently waiting for my "new" (near-mint) 645 Pro to hit the doorstep. It should be here in a few days. This was a great video... By now you've probably figured out the Super does indeed have a bulb mode. It's the B right next to the 4 on the shutter speed dial. You would need a locking remote shutter release or a remote adapter with a separate timer. Alternatively you could simply hold the button... (not ideal) With the Pro and Pro TL, apparently you can use the Bulb mode along with the self timer. In this configuration, the 1st press of the shutter button opens the shutter, and the 2nd press closes it. Another idea. Say you wanted a 16 second long exposure. Couldn't you set the shot up for a 4 second exposure and under-expose by 2 stops, then use the multiple-exposure switch to take 4 successive shots on the same film frame to get the properly exposed 16 second shot? A bit more work, but it should work for streaking clouds or smoothing water. Car light trails however would end up with breaks in the light trails. :(
yep I realised my mistake about the Bulb mode. I never thought about taking multiple long exposures. That's quite clever. I bought an adapter for the Super that allows you to connect shutter release cable but it was quite expensive and unreliable because it relies on electrical contacts.
Quite different. GS is lighter and easy to carry. Just slings round the neck or shoulder. Better for street/ travel. Harder to focus because the focusing patch can be hard to see in certain light. Super is easy to focus. And has auto advance and wind so less to think about, meaning I can be more present.
Hard to compare the two to be honest. They're both such different systems and formats. I think the Yashica probably has the advantage over the mamiya being fully mechanical.
Great review, and your photos are exceptional. Sometimes watching these reviews, the reviewer goes into the specs but the resulting photos are...lacklustre. Your video has both good info and excellent photos. Love your work. Thanks for sharing!
I wouldn't say it's better. It's a more barebones version of the Pro, i.e. has fewer features. If I had the choice between the two, I'd go for the Pro, now. However, if you don't care about having extra features, e.g. doesn't need a battery to operate, I'd recommend the Super.
Beautiful photos mate. Picking up this almost exact set up in a couple of days for my portrait work. Your video made me even more excited to get this camera! lol
great review! I just purchased mine ,it's my first medium format camera. I think at first it looks intimidating but the results are beautiful.Love your potraits
Glad it was helpful! It doesn't have a self-timer unfortunately. You can get a shutter release adapter and then screw in a separate self-timer into it.
You can get a motorized back for the RZ and RB Zain, for between 80 and 150. Kinda pricey though just for a back. My friend is looking into getting one of those 645s happy for him and glad you copped one too. I’m an RB man myself lol
That's odd that you say yours doesn't have a bulb mode, my 645 super does have one on the shutter speed selector. Otherwise great video! (also I agree the 1000 series does look very fugly, one of the main reasons I went with the super)
You're absolutely right. I made a mistake haha. Don't know what I was thinking there. I think I automatically told myself it doesn't have a bulb mode since I can't use it without an adapter. I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Hope you're a subscriber now!
So I recently got one of these and I have that particular thumb grip although I don’t know the name of the thumb grips model as you linked the wrong one down below and I can’t figure out how to change the batteries they exploded in mine and I need to clean it out
Well the grip in this video is not a 'thumb grip'. It's a motor grip. The thumb grip listed in my description is my Fujifilm X100V (a completely different camera). If you're looking for this particular motor grip in the video, I'd suggest giving it a search on ebay or Kameratori, if you're in the EU. Also, really sorry to hear about your batteries exploding!! damn.
This is a great beginner medium format. I'd recommend the fuji if you have no desire to buy other lenses, since it's a fixed one. Tbh, you won't regret buying either.
Zain Riza thx so much for the reply! im excited. i feel like it’ll challenge me to be a better photographer in not relying to heavily on bokeh, and framing things unconventionally due to the default portrait orientation. i do worry about switching to rangefinder though. seems really tricky to get focus right. that and the max shutter speed of 1/500 seems like it’d be hard to shoot in broad daylight conditions.
Can’t tell you how many cameras I refuse to buy just because they’re fugly lol I Never had a 645 but I do plan on getting a 645 back for my RB67 Love the pics in this video📸🔥
It's a shame your beautiful light wasn't balance for what you were using as a source. You look like you've used way too much bronzer or something... good review though!!!
I really liked your portraits! I like the camera too, but I shouldn’t buy it. There’s only a certai. Amount of cameras one should have. And I already have too many 😛
Subbed! There seems to be quite a few variations to the mamiya 645.... any suggestions on which one to get? I just started my own channel, would love for you to come by and have a look! Cheers mate!
depends on your needs and budget. I'd get the Super if you're not quite sure, then if you need to you can upgrade. Thanks for subscribing. I'll check your channel out.
