Mamiya RB67 Series Repair Person

Would $1400 be too ridiculously high a price for a brand new in box 645e? I like new things. Edited September 16, 2021 by danac

I have not found the need or desire to own a 645. I either shoot 6X7 on the RB or 6X6 with either my Bronica SQA or Mamiya C33.. 6X6 is not just square but is meant to facilitate cropping meaning you have square landscape and portrait in the same shot. Granted you loose 3 shots over 645 but there is no need to tilt the camera. Have a look at the Bronica SQA GREAT CAMERA..Not my favourite due to my age related dislike of electronic cameras tho I do own 3 the Bronnie a Canon F1 New and a Canon A1. The Bronica is very similar to a Hasselblad in layout (Poor mans Hasselblad) and extremly versatile having a great choice of backs lenses and finders. Only gripes electronics and no cold shoe. Do not rule the SQA out. Edited September 16, 2021 by laurencecochrane

.Not my favourite due to my age related dislike of electronic cameras THIS FROM THE PERSON WHO FITTED FULL ENGINE MANAGEMENT TO HIS 1971 CAR

Would $1400 be too ridiculously high a price for a brand new in box 645e? I like new things.

Seems a bit steep since they went new for around US$800 as a kit with the 80/2.8. They are somewhat plasticky. Chinese-made, too.

 

Did you ever look at the Pentax 645 system?

Not my favourite due to my age related dislike of electronic cameras THIS FROM THE PERSON WHO FITTED AND PROGRAMMED A FULL ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM TO HIS 1971 CAR.

OOOPS SORRY duplicate post Electronic whizkid NOT

Would $1400 be too ridiculously high a price for a brand new in box 645e? I like new things.

Yes!

If you'd ever handled one you'd know how cheap and plasticky those things feel. I picked one up in a camera store years ago after they were introduced. I couldn't put it down fast enough.

 

Also the reliability of the last M645 cameras (E, Super, Pro & ProTL) has proved questionable. Whereas all my old metal-bodied M645s are in great working condition. Of course I've had to renew their light seals, but that's to be expected.

 

If you want an M645, get an old 1000S, and forget about how sleek it looks. They're not 'shelf queens' they're workhorses.

 

Alternatively, the Pentax 645 is just as attractive as the 645E, but far better made.

Last night before I saw the last few posts, I bought the camera and a mint 45mm wide angle lens both from Japan. I know the camera is ugly but the larger negatives are what matters. The first generation 645s are classic beauties like Grace Kelly or Ingrid Bergman. The 645E is like the girl next door. It was definitely overpriced but the big attraction was that it is brand new and never used. Besides, my wife, who is a very fine photographer, didn't like the RB67 and really likes the 645E. I can still get a 1000S body down the road and the lenses will work with it. I guess I've come a long way since the original post. Thank you all for the great comments. Soon I will be busy photographing many of my favorite scenes up here in the Colorado Rockies all over again. In a few weeks Deb and I will be in Zion and Bryce National Parks. I'd better get a five roll bundle of Tri-X.

Last night before I saw the last few posts, I bought the camera and a mint 45mm wide angle lens both from Japan. I know the camera is ugly but the larger negatives are what matters. The first generation 645s are classic beauties like Grace Kelly or Ingrid Bergman. The 645E is like the girl next door. It was definitely overpriced but the big attraction was that it is brand new and never used. Besides, my wife, who is a very fine photographer, didn't like the RB67 and really likes the 645E. I can still get a 1000S body down the road and the lenses will work with it. I guess I've come a long way since the original post. Thank you all for the great comments. Soon I will be busy photographing many of my favorite scenes up here in the Colorado Rockies all over again. In a few weeks Deb and I will be in Zion and Bryce National Parks. I'd better get a five roll bundle of Tri-X.

Welcome to the world of NICE CHEAP ROLL FILM he says sarcasticly. But seriously. Have fun with new toy

I lucked into some sweet MF deals a decade+ ago when it was giveaway-priced: Mamiya 645, RB67 Pro S, and Bronica SQ-B kits+lenses--it then was a contrarian move friends dismissed. Now I use a Nikon D7200+Micro Nikkors to scan b&w negs with a Manfrotto copy stand with a light box using homebrew holders. Couldn't be happier with the results. I've skipped C-41 negs for digital.

 

Enjoy the new camera!

Last night before I saw the last few posts, I bought the camera and a mint 45mm wide angle lens both from Japan.

I hope the 45mm lens was the 'S' or 'N' version, and not the old 72mm(?) front filter version.

 

Also, keep your fingers crossed that the brittle mirror rest/brake bit of plastic doesn't crack. They're unobtainable, and 3D printed clones less than satisfactory.

The lens is an N model with a 67mm filter thread just like the standard 80mm lens. That sure saves on filter costs. I don't know what the mirror rest/brake is but the camera is new in box and has never been used so things should be in good shape. At most the camera is twenty-one years old.

 

Rest assured rodeo_joe|1, I will probably get a 1000s body sometime down the road.

I don't know what the mirror rest/brake is

For future reference, here's what it looks like on an M645 Super:

That's the best view I could get of it. I'd need an endoscope to show it fully. It sits to the right and bottom of the lens throat. Above is with the mirror up.

 

With the mirror down in normal position it looks like this:

Its purpose is to position the mirror correctly (adjusted by the small screw-slot lower right) and to arrest the mirror when it flips down.

 

It looks as if its designer (hah!) intended the tensioning spring to gently brake the mirror. Unfortunately the angle is all wrong and the plastic lever takes all the force of the mirror thumping down. This causes undue stress on the feeble piece of plastic and causes it to crack over time. It's then useless for its job and allows the mirror to be displaced and the camera won't focus correctly. Basically one scrap camera! The entire ship lost for a ha'porth of tar.

Edited September 30, 2021 by rodeo_joe|1