Love hate relationship with the Mamiya 645 | Test Roll

[@jean-claudemuller3199]

hi folks You don't need to remove the back for loading or unloading film, just open the back door and take out the film holder. you can have preloaded extra film holders in their protective case in your bag, and just replace the film holder when you have too change film. Back removal is meant to change film type mi-roll, or changing film format

[@Project3635]

We'll definitely try that next time. Thanks for the tip!

[@sneakerjoe23]

I think shooting with the waist level viewfinder is a lot easier ergonomically handheld. I think if you shoot it with a prism then the attachable grip makes it easier in my opinion. Nice video though.

[@andyvan5692]

one good tip, if you don't have a strap, you can always add a mono-pod to the screw in the base of the camera, some of them have hand straps included, so makes supporting the camera in a balcony situation much safer, can't drop it, the camera, will ONLY fall over, or the mono-pod will fall onto the hand rail, this is why there is a hand strap, can only fall 2" thats all.

[@milesofmxments]

I’m just getting into film. These are lovely shots. Thanks for sharing :)

[@Project3635]

Thank you! Hope this inspires you to shoot more!

[@jdebultra]

I have huge hands and its not ergonomically friendly. However, I bought the power winder grip and solved that. The grip makes it way more comfortable. I have the metered prism.

[@Project3635]

That's great to hear! It is still a great camera for its price though not very ergonomic.

[@slimpickins70]

Same. I have the 645 pro with power winder grip what a difference.

[@LennyCooke636]

I purchased a Mamiya 645 1000s which is all metal and heavy ! Probably heavier than your Mamiya 654 Pro which has some plastic built in to it. I would definitely recommend a grip also a strap to put around your neck to help balance the camera. One of the things I worried about the most when I first stated shooting with this camera was dropping it and ruining one of my lenses, or worse ! So although it's not as big as 6X6, it's definitely not a 35mm camera, or a point-and-shoot that you can stroll with carelessly around town without any worries. One thing I noticed about shooting with this camera is that I also had to use pretty high shutter speeds when hand-holding it especially if I was using a tele-photo lens. I was so disappointed when I developed the film and found out that most of my pictures came out blurry. As a matter of fact, because the camera is so heavy, I had to shoot at 1/250th or less most of the time, (regardless of lens), or use a tripod especially on not so sunny days. I never tried using the camera with flash so that might have helped a little, but who wants to shoot flash all the time...

[@brianwhite9275]

What film did you use with the camera?

[@garethVanDagger]

First time I shot with my 645 pro I had the M switch showing on my lens which made it almost impossible to find focus. So I worked that out ready for my second roll…. Then I just shot for an hour yesterday and realised that I had the multi switch turned on so the camera hadn’t been winding the film for the next photo (my version has the automatic winding grip) and it had just been taking multiple exposures. I’m finding the 80mm lens very limiting and with the lenses being manual focus it’s a real departure from what I’m used to. I’m very frustrated at the moment and I can’t say I was blown away from seeing my first roll developed. I will keep trucking on and see how I go after a month. I think I need to find a medium format camera with autofocus and a zoom lens 😁

[@photomaster1]

Thank you for this, I have a few cameras and Mamiya 645 plus the RZ 67 are great cameras I would love to see you try a Fuji GX 680 which is a wonderful camera for very large shots but not so great for doing the street shooting. Keep doing what you're doing I enjoyed this very much. Hello from Waterloo, Iowa

[@xxmtfkxx]

I'm waiting for my Mamiya RB 67 to arrive from Japan..due to current Covid-19 pandemic.. delivery has been extremely longer..this anticipation is killing me..😭😭😭 Stay safe and strong!!

[@ucevrim]

I’ve recently got the body. Waiting for lens. Cant wait to try it out myself. Is there a way to remove the viewfinder and use the waist level one? I couldn’t take it out.

[@jean-claudemuller3199]

there is a safety locking system on prisms On older M645's you have to turn first and then push the round button, on the M645 Super you have a button on each side of the prism, first you have to slide one and hold it in that position, and then to push the second.

[@Project3635]

@@jean-claudemuller3199 Thanks for answering on our behalf! But yes on most (if not all) of the mamiya 645s you can change the viewfinder.

[@tomislavmiletic_]

If you like 120 film, like the 6x6 ratio, and like the classic SLR, 35mm camera format and feel, than you should try the Pentacon six TL, especially if you can get one with pentaprism. Yes, it's a quirky, quite heavy old east German camera, but certainly likeable, considering it feels like Pentax 67...

[@daleclark3138]

You might be able to get an accessory handle to add on the left side of the body. I know that there is one for the larger RB67. It would not cost much and might help you a lot with the handling of the camera.

[@paradisa13]

Could you help to ask Tim where/how in Singapore he got his lugs for the Mamiya from? Many thank yous (:

[@josecolon8143]

Guys, I love your channel! True to photography

[@duandavis]

What's the background music? It matches perfectly 😊

[@Project3635]

Unfortunately, I can't remember the name of the music. :(

[@andyvan5692]

also if you don't have a strap, an 'L' bracket with a "small rig" handle on the side, will help enourmously, for grip, as you can choose the size of handle you feel is most comfortable for YOU.

[@phanumatduangthai3401]

The medium format quality is really stunning!

[@Project3635]

It really is! Medium format does wonders for depth.

[@jachymnovotny5029]

which black and white film did you use? Amazing photos

[@Project3635]

I believe it was the Lomography Earl Gray or the Lady Gray. Thanks for your kind comments!

[@aipepero8090]

Where you guys from ? From what I hear you guys talk kinda sound like Malaysia /Singapore

[@Project3635]

Hi! We're from Singapore!

[@KK-ze8ye]

This or Nikon F3 ?

[@Project3635]

Haven't tried the F3 before actually. Waiting for someone to loan me one haha

[@tekoppentekoppen761]

Both! They complement eachother great!

[@mattrobs]

> I blame Tim Yeah nice going Tim!

[@PlaceNameHeere]

Great photos

[@andyvan5692]

good job, but as this magasine (film back) has a knob, you can wind from the back, it MUST stop of it's own accord, when it hits 1 or the back is faulty!!- hint: the wind knob is DISCONNECTED when the mag is on the camera!- so just use the advancing knob/lever, this is how it is designed to work, ALSO to 'fire' the shutter with NO film in the back, use the "multi-exposure" lever, dis-engages the film safeties in the wind mechanics, BUT don't forget to return this to "NORMAL" when you put film in!!

[@Dre_On_Film]

I’ve been waiting for this video!!!!

[@Project3635]

You got it now!!

[@inevitablecraftslab]

i dont get the title of this video. You never used one and went to a park without the manual and tried it out in trial and error mode.

[@Project3635]

Yes, that's why we call this series 'Test Roll'. Because we're literally shooting a test roll on it. It's meant for us to give ur first impressions on it.

[@inevitablecraftslab]

@@Project3635 ok great :) i ve got some love hate relationship with this camera so i was wondering whats your issues, just to find out that your issue is that you never read the manual :)

[@Project3635]

I'm not sure what you mean. My main issue with this camera after trying it for the first time wasn't the difficulty in loading the film and figuring out how to use it. I did say so in the end of the video that it'll be hard for someone to figure out how to load the film etc without a manual if you've never use a similar camera before. But my maim problem with it was not being used to the shape and ergonomics since it's quite different from 35mm cameras. Also because I have small hands I am constantly afraid to drop it without straps which was also mentioned in the video.

[@CertainExposures]

I’ve seen competitions a few film meet ups where people go head to head to see who can load fastest lol. You’d be surprised at how quick they can be. If you want a smaller camera to fit your hands maybe one of the 645 rangefinders would be better? The first time I held a Mamiya 645 it felt very comfortable but I have _cartoon_ sized hands. Didn’t get to load it or shoot though. By the way check my vids out sometime because I’m team #staybrokeshootfilm too. I first found you when I was doing research on half frame and ended up getting a Pen F to do some vids.

[@Project3635]

Hello! That's so interesting, I've never heard of that before here in SG but I will suggest this to the next person organising a film meet. I've been searching for a good MF camera honestly and it's hard cause I really want a 6x6. I'm looking to go for a rangefinder but the minimum focusing distance of 1m on even the Mamiya 6 is making me wonder if I should get an SLR. Will be trying out a couple more cameras before deciding! Also subscribed! Keep up the good work. :D

[@CertainExposures]

Project 3635 nice, thanks! Have you tried a TLR yet? If not then check out my video on a few things to know before you get a TLR. If you can live with those things then that could be a great option for you. It also would not cost ~$1500 like the Mamiya. Then again I’ve heard great things about the Mamiya 6 camera...unfortunately 6x6 SLRs like the pentagon six have such a bad reputation.

[@Project3635]

@@CertainExposures Not looking for a TLR, I've tried one, and I actually own a Lubitel (not an actual TLR but you still get the same experience), I want something I can easily carry around and just take out and shoot anytime. A TLR is not it for me unfortunately. :(

[@CertainExposures]

Project 3635 ok gotcha. Yes, they’re not for everyone. It usually comes down to whether you like a wlvf or not....

[@chinchris3451]

why didn't you adopt a tripod ?

[@Project3635]

Haha, we were moving around a lot on that day so that might be a bit cumbersome. Maybe in future!

[@ИванИванов-я8ы3ф]

Hi from VungTau ))) 😁

[@coby.travis]

HELLLLOOO I SEE ME

[@jimdailey1018]

You're doing fine. Just don't hurry. You have pretty hands.

[@jimdailey1018]

Your hands may be small but they are pretty. Good camera, get used to it.

[@Project3635]

Thank you! Will try to borrow it more often from Tim 😁