Mamiya 645 Pro Video Manual 1: Overview, Features, Functions, Interface, and How to Use

[@obijuankenodi]

You have no idea how helpful this 2 videos are...thank you for making this.

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@rotfai45mm]

The connection on the winder is for the leafshutter lenses 55 , 80 and 150 mm . The small connection on the camera body is for the handgrip and electronic cable release . Peter

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@jean-claudemuller3199]

@@DavidHancock I use a converter made by Mamyia that converts electrical remote release to mechanical screw-in release

[@graemelever-naylor6721]

Thanks David. Very helpful videos. I bought the Pro TL mainly because it was one of the latest medium format film cameras. First thing I checked was the mirror stop which is intact. Seems to work at all speeds but will develope the first roll tomorrow. I don't mind polycarbonate bodies because they seem to survive reasonably well and I understand the Mamiya has an aluminium frame. I got the FK 402 finder - can shoot without glasses, but no grip so ergonomics not that great. I tend to pick it up by the finder which is probably not a good idea. I was surprised however, considering it is aimed at "pros" (according to the manual), how fiddly the shutter button lock/timer was - particularly if you have sweaty or greasy fingers and how fragile the multiple exposure lever seemed and particularly the lack of intuition in that the bar does not point to the options but a position marked on the flat. However, they must last the distance because I could not find any other complaints about them. Probably seems pointless to criticize a design that is 30 years old. Anyhow, I am looking forward to the possibilities as I move from 35mm film to 645 format.

[@DavidHancock]

Nice! I have to imagine that many of these that have broken are sitting on shelves as donor cameras for repair candidates. In general, finding broken project cameras has gotten very hard in the last year or so.

[@the.squidd]

Extremely helpful and useful, thank you for this!

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@jean-claudemuller3199]

The AE prism is much more refined, as it has 3 metering patterns and it shows them in the viewfinder. Depending in the difference between average and spot meeteringresults it chooses: only average, showing A in the viewfinder a mean value between average and spot, showing AS in the viewfinder only spot meetering, showing S in the viewfinder The way to use this system is to center the viewfinder on the main part of the subject with AE lock (red square on speeds barrel) and lock the exposure by pressing half way the shutter button before recomposing. (red circle barrel position is without AE lock)

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you.

[@tunasunga5089]

The front port connection on the battery grip is for the electronic wire cable shutter. uses for long exposure

[@DavidHancock]

@@tunasunga5089 thank you!

[@jean-claudemuller3199]

The motordrive grip electrical socket is for an electrical strap that connects the leaf shutter lenses automatic cock system. Leaf shutter lenses of previous generation had to be manually cocked, with the M645 Pro they made new leaf shutter lenses with automatic electrical cocking by a strap between grip and lens.

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@NoviSavvy]

As long as I know 645 Pro has rarely been used with digital backs unlike 645AF The reason it can sometimes jam is due to poor curtain brake design which can get out of sync and an electronic release magnet which gets sticky. I bought not working camera body for $100, took out the shutter assembly and fixed it in one evening. It's relatively easy to fix if you've ever disassembled small mechanisms. Now I'm waiting for the back and the waist finder from eBay and I can't really find 80 2.8 lens which I was recommended to buy. Instead I'm going to buy 55 2.8 since it is the only available for now.

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you and very nice!

[@zacharystudio]

can't thank you enough for this 🙏🏻

[@its_Vhris]

When turning the dial to lock and unlock the shutter do you need to press anything, for ne it us locked in the locked position

[@DavidHancock]

I forget for sure. That should be shown in either this or the second video. I sent this camera back to the owner right before I released this video series.

[@its_Vhris]

@@DavidHancock managed to get it going again, I just needed to lightly press the shutter button in, thanks fo the fast reply :))

[@jeremyrundle5686]

BOTH videos GREAT VERY well produced

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@cecilsharps]

I have a 1000s and a 645e. The 1000s has the motor winder. Sounds like i'm in a bottling plant when i use that thing. The 645e has a dead meter but the shutter is accurate.

[@DavidHancock]

As long as they can take photos, all the problems are just personality traits.

[@safwanfallatah8611]

Do i have to switch he A-M lever on the lebs to A whenever i use the AE finder? Even when i want to use the AE finder on manual mode? Also the exposure compensation can be used only when the switch on the AE finder is set to (Auto A-S) ? Or also in AV and SP??

[@DavidHancock]

For the A-M switch, that only controls the aperture and if it stops down when the photo is taken or when you set the aperture. So with the AE finder, leave it in "A" and the camera will know how to meter properly. For exposure compensation, it works in each metering mode.

[@jean-claudemuller3199]

The red dot for lens alignment is also the battery check LED

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you.

[@NextScamdemic]

I saw one recently and it drew me in. Pretty sexy for an early 90’s camera in my opinion

[@DavidHancock]

I agree. These look fantastic.

[@kathreenmirate389]

Do you have tutorial for mamiya 645 super? Thanks David!

[@DavidHancock]

I do not. I only have this one because the camera was loaned to me.

[@kathreenmirate389]

Thanks David!

[@Dwarvenchef]

Any videos on the 135 backs, I have two of them and cant figure them out

[@DavidHancock]

Unfortunately no. I don't have one of those to use.

[@pavilion7887]

Hey, if using the AE Prism finder, do you just leave the shutter dial on A/AEL, and it'll automatically use the shutter speed advised in the finder? Or is the finder just a guide, and you still have to manually adjust the shutter speed on the dial accordingly? How do you focus too? Thanks

[@DavidHancock]

With A mode, the camera will automatically pick the shutter speed based on the apperture. With AEL, I think I covered that in Video 2 and since I sent this camera back to the owner some time ago I've forgotten exactly how that worked. For focusing, check out the Video 2 section on how to take a photo, but in short you just manually focus the focus ring and then take your photo.

[@kathreenmirate389]

I bought this camera because of this video. I just wanna know if you put the setting to M when you use a waist level finder? And switch it to A, when using auto aperture with AE prism finder? Thank you

[@DavidHancock]

Oh gosh that's a good question. I didn't use a waist level finder. Given that the metering stuff was in the prism, and that the waist level has no meter, I assume this camera will only work on full manual with the waist level finder.

[@kathreenmirate389]

@@DavidHancock thanks for your reply David. Do you think I should select M with WL finders? I was reading the manuals and does not say what to set it for for WL finders. Thank you.

[@DavidHancock]

Yes, definitely.

[@safwanfallatah8611]

What’s the purpose of mirror lock-up dial???

[@DavidHancock]

That raises the mirror to prevent shutter shake. So if you're using a macro lens for extreme macros or if you're shooting a waterfall long exposure, etc., you can raise the mirror after you set up your image and that prevents the mirror slap from adding shake into your image.

[@waynesimon2963]

The Mamiya 645 line is not a format I have ever bothered to consider. I still say why bother to 645, but thanks for the video David. I know many people love their M645's but people love the Kodak Duaflex also. Personal choice is just that simple.

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you, Wayne. Yeah, I'm still kinda lukewarm, at best, on the 645 format. The cameras are no smaller than 6X6 cameras and not meaningfully smaller than 6X7, so I don't really see the advantage other than more shots per roll and the familiar 35mm aspect ratio.

[@plyazcady]

better camera this or the pentax 645n???

[@DavidHancock]

In some regards, yes, mainly that the camera has removable film backs which the Pentax system lacks (IIRC.)

[@GabrielBok]

Thx for the review! I am looking to buy a 6x4.5 camera. Wich one do you recomend betwen Mamiya 645 Pro TL and Pentax 645N II? Thank you!

[@DavidHancock]

In most of the important ways, six one way, half-dozen the other. I prefer the Mamiya because of the swappable film backs, however. The Pentax, there's a good case to be made, is more robust and reliable in the long term.

[@geneahern3704]

How do you trip your shutter if you are half way through a roll?

[@DavidHancock]

It should fire when the shutter release is pushed assuming that the dark slide is removed and the batteries are good. That should be true regardless of where you are in the roll.

[@geneahern3704]

@@DavidHancock Thanks David, but if you're using a motor grip and fire the shutter, it will automatically advance the film and put the shutter under tension again, is there a away of tripping it with motor grip ?

[@Vintage35MM]

Yes… I just received a motor grip today. It really helps the hand holding ergonomics with the AE Finder, and the shutter button is in much better location Turn the motor grip off, put film slide to protect film, and remove the film back. With the film back off the shutter can be tripped with the shutter button on the lower front of the camera body. Look at it kinda like one is dissembling it for hard case transport and it’s one thing you do before closing the lid. I’m viewing this camera as a … open the hard case and assemble the camera to suit the needs, film back, motor grip, lens, viewfinder decisions … then disassemble for storage or to move to a new location. I don’t see it as a point n shoot ready to shoot in a second kinda system. I ordered a back/viewfinder cap today. I’m excited to see if it will meet my expectations to protect the shutter curtain and focusing screen when storing the body in a hard case

[@gregorysenyszyn6606]

There is no attempt to seal the camera body nor the film backs. The black plastic just keeps out your fingers. I wonder if the lens are sealed? The outside black plastic has zero weather seals. I've had to take my camera body apart to fix the dreaded shutter sync lock. --- I have a leaf shutter lens. The lens comes with a short cable to connect to the power grip. --- The connector on the side is a spot for other electric shutter releases. I've got the small doggle for where you can screw in a standard cable release and plug into the socket. I've also got a wireless shutter release so that you can trigger the camera from afar. The receiver threads onto the bottom of the camera and a cable to go into the shutter release socket on the side of the body.

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you. I would not expect the lenses to be weather sealed.

[@jean-claudemuller3199]

This M645 generation Super, Pro, Pro TL was never compatible with digital backs and shutters could not suffer from digital over load. The M645 digital compatible generation was M645 AF, M645 AF-D, Phase One, but legacy M645 lenses are no more compatible for meetering

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@louisthomas4688]

The 645AF is not compatable with a digital back unless the camera was sent to Mamiya for a factory conversion. The AFD version (D for digital) was always compatable with a digital back.

[@ftlbaby]

@@louisthomas4688 Are the AFD (and DF) versions able to shoot film?

[@ELIOT-h1g]

@@ftlbaby the afd, adf2, and afd3 are able to work with film backs. DF series will not advance film even though the backs will mount on body.

[@ftlbaby]

@@ELIOT-h1g excellent bit of info, thanks! I am currently shooting with a Mamiya 645 Super EXTRA, but will eventually get a digital system...

[@IramRolon]

🤞 😎 👍 Love your tutorials! Very good instructional video. Thank you very much for the same

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!

[@Being_Joe]

Kind of turned me off this camera when you mentioned repairs needed. Been looking at either this or a RB/RZ.

[@DavidHancock]

Won't lie, I'd take the RB67 over this in a heartbeat. It's a much different experience and I personally much prefer the 6X7 format over 645, but in general the RB67 is a way more robust camera. That said, I did have to have mine serviced when a spring broke. So the RB67 isn't invincible.

[@Being_Joe]

@@DavidHancock I have a C220 and that extra film does make a difference. I much rather go 6x7 as well (though 645 is not bad). I like your RB67 videos and are very informative. I'm eying the RZ but you making me think I should just go for the RB.

[@NoviSavvy]

It's relatively easy to repair actually. Usually it's good to change the mirror stop to a reinforced 3d printed one prior original breaks and add a little bit of tension to curtain brake clutches to make sure they won't get out of sync. I believe that shutter only gets out of sync with motor winder when batteries run out and it stops winding at the beginning of shutter cocking. Unlike RB/RZ which can have electronics failure and won't be fixable without serious modifications (custom diy electronics) this one (645Pro) I fixed in one evening with a pair of tweezers and a set of tiny screwdrivers.

[@jesussicardo325]

Manual en español

[@DavidHancock]

Lo siento, no habla Español.

[@rotfai45mm]

I have a 2006 Pro TL , here is the mirrorstop fixed , not spring support like in the Super and Pro . But anyhow I have 3 spare mirrorstop's for my Pro TL . I have also 4 all metal M645 camera's from 1975 / 1980 . I like them far much more than my Pro TL , the first Mamiya M645 and 1000S are build like tanks . They stay also much longer pritty , the plastic of the Super / Pro / Pro TL get very easy damaged and worn or worse brake of . I'am thinking of selling my Pro TL and stay with my little tanks .... Peter .

[@DavidHancock]

Nice! I haven't used the older M645 and 1000S, but I have been trying to get my hands one them to use.

[@eddiemejia6939]

Nice video Love the Camera my personal camera for my film projects got 2 check the photos on instagram mejiaphoto

[@DavidHancock]

Thank you!