Mamiya 645 Cameras

[jerry_plemons1]

Mamiya 645 lineage(Category:Mamiya 645)

I am interested in purchasing a film-based Mamiya 645 camera. Is there a

lineage somewhere, i.e., first model to latest, so I can determine where the

various models fit. The Mamiya 645 1000s looks attractive and I'd like to keep

the price down to something I can affort - around $300+. There seem to be quite

a few offerings in that neighborhood on the large auction site for Mamiya 645

cameras. I just don't know what's what.

 

I typically shoot a Leica & Bessa R2 35mm film-based cameras for enjoyment and

a Canon 20D for studio type work. I have a broken Kowa Six that no one wants to

repair and thought of getting another body on the "bay", but it is such an old

dog that I'd rather go with something a little more modern and serviceable. I

really like working with film for my own enjoyment, thus the interest in the

645 - and the larger format the 645 offers.

 

Thanks in advance for your advice and guidance.

 

Jerry Plemons

jplemons3@tx.rr.com

[dave_redmann]

I think it goes:

 

M645

 

M645 1000s (added 1/1000 s shutter speed)

 

M645J - cheaper version of M645

 

M645 Super (added interchangeable backs instead of inserts; earlier examples of this model are supposed to be fussy)

 

M645 Pro

 

M645 Pro TL (added TTL flash metering capability)

 

M645e (cheaper version, only inserts/no interchangeable backs, non-replaceable prism finder)

 

M645AF (first auto-focus version, uses backs, non-replaceable prism finder)

 

M645AF-D (improved support for digital backs, non-replaceable prism finder)

 

M645AF-D II

[michael_notar1]

M645AFDII- much improved AF, 1/3 stop AV/TV

[golden]

I have a 1000s, excellent camera, you can get the regular C lenses very cheap, they are good but not as good as the N lens which i only have one of, they are a bit higher but worth it. good luck on your choice

[jerry_plemons1]

Thanks for the lineage. This helps a great deal. Much appreciated.

[nick_bumgardner]

About two weeks ago I went through the process of picking out a medium format camera and looking at all of my different options. If you have not yet done so you can go to the Mamiya website and view instruction manuals for each of the Mamiya models. I ended up going with the 1000s. So far it has worked out amazingly well for me. After I got my first big negatives back I was in love.

 

Good Luck

 

Nick

[chris_laudermilk]

I walked this path a while back. I ended up going with the 645Pro because it seemed to be the most capable of the older manual Mamiyas short of the TL version & I don't need TTL flash metering. So that along with a 120 back, non-metered prism, 80/2.8N lens and WG401 power grip ended up costing me about $350 through KEH.

 

With prices where they are on these, unless you have specific reasons for it I honestly don't see a reason to go for the older or budget/crippled versions.

 

I use my 645Pro alongside my 20D; it's been great fun getting back to basics with the camera.

[calvin_lee]

I had owned the M645 1000s, then 645 Pro. But went back to the 1000s for its more robust build (all-metal body) & quality construction. This can even be felt in the silky-smooth film advance crank gearing of the older cameras. I have also found film spacing to be more consistent with the non-interchangeable back Mamiya 645 cameras including the 645e.

[andr3w]

I went with the Pro TL, It's the newest non AF Mamiya 645. I prefer the manual lens selection

and price. The same lenses in AF design are much more expensive. I was also suprised that

some unique manual lenses were never updated to AF.

 

I love 645 and can't go back to 35mm. I even sold my DSLR.