Mamiya 645 1000s or Yashica 635?

[jet_tilton]

<p>I'm trying to get back into film, and I'm looking to trade my Nikon D70s for a Mamiya 645 1000s with either a 80mm, 110mm or 150mm lens and it also includes a backup body. I also have the chance to purchase a Yashica 635 TLR for $90. <br>

Otherwise I have many Canon and Nikon owners of older 35mm bodies who would like to trade. <br>

Is it worth it to trade for the Mamiya 1000s, or would it better to buy the TLR? There is a small shop here in McKinney that develops MF and B/W 35mm and MF film, so processing would be local.</p>

<p>All thoughts are welcome!<br>

Thanks,<br>

Jet</p>

<p> </p>

[jim_momary]

<p>Jet-<br /> Well, being a user of the 1000S I may be biased. If I use a waist level finder (no meter) then I have what in effect equals the usage style of a TLR. If I pop on a prism finder (metered or not) then I am in the land of the SLR again. Try using a TLR lying on it's side, and you'll curse the beast. Mamiya RBs were the fix for that.<br /> The Mamiya uses 120 or 220 film, if I recall properly the Yashica uses 35mm. You will have 'acres' of more negative and 'quality' from the larger film size. That alone would be a deal maker/breaker in my mind. You need to decide if you want MF or not as a first step.<br /> Also, you can change lenses out on the Mamiya, not the Yashica ... more flexible.<br>

I'd guess the Mamiya is more recent and probably more stoutly built, so parts and options are more readily found.<br /> I use 35mm film, 120/200 size, some limited 4x5 inch and digital. They serve different functions. If you are going for light weight 35mm shooting, then why not a used slr film camera? I even use now a whole bunch of cheap old rangefinder 35s, Yashica GSN, Minolta Himatic 9, Olympus 35 SP. If you want 'primitive', small, light and damn fine lenses, that's another option.<br /> I think you need to do some more soul searching and figure which path you might want to follow. They're all fun, but lead to different points.<br>

<br /><br>

Jim M.</p>

 

[richard_oleson]

<p>I'm something of a TLR fan, but if you have the resources to make the trade the Mamiya is by far the better camera here. The Yashica 635 has a triplet lens that is respectable stopped down, not very good opened up and at no time the equal of the 80mm on the Mamiya. It was not Yashica's top line offering. The Mamiya 645 is one of relatively few medium format that I have working experience with, and it is a real pleasure to use... you may find it more comfortable to handle even than your 35mm SLRs.</p>

<p> </p>

[yann1]

<p>Mamiya 645 and Yashica 635... You're comparing apples and oranges. TLR ansd slr are used in a different way, you may not like the TLR.<br>

The Yashica 635 (that uses 120 film without its adapter) is a nice camera, but not for $90, especially for a Yashikor lens, also, personally, I find the focusing knob a pain since it's on the right side of the camera (maybe because I'm left handed), and I had good results at f16 only with it. I'm a TLR fan, but this camera desappointed me. Go for the Mamiya, you won't regret, and take also a 35mm SLR as a backup.</p>

[jack_welsh]

<p>The Yashica 635 does shoot 120 and 35. 35 in vertical mode only. That, with the 80 lens would make it okay for portraits. But, the Mamiya is a much better option.It would be better if you could get a newer model, though. A Mamiya Pro would make a great camera. But, if the person who you are trading with, has the 1000s. It would be a case of "getting what the other guy has." Anyway, the Yashica is still the older camera.</p>

[gary_watson]

<p>I'd pass on the elderly Yashica and move up to the Mamiya 645(Super/Pro/ProTL) system. They're plentiful, tough(despite the reviled plastic bodies), and affordable. A 645 Super+prism finder(don't get a WLF)+back+80mm wouldn't cost much.</p>

[rodeo_joe1]

<p>I agree that there's no comparison optically between the Mamiya lenses and the Yashikor.<br>

I don't know what Mamiya gear is going for in the States at present, but here in the UK anything like the 1000s is practically being given away. Just check the state of the foam light seals around the film door before you buy, and the state of the baffling inside the mirror box. Replacement of the light seals is time-consuming and messy! Allow half a day and a bottle of nail-varnish remover for scraping out the old "goo" from all the grooves. However, once replaced with decent neoprene foam you should be good for another 25 years use out of the camera.<br>

The 80mm standard and 110mm lenses are both excellent performers. The 150mm f/3.5 is less stunning, but also usually doesn't cost a lot on the secondhand market. Actually the 110mm lens is a bit of a rarity, and I'd take that over the 150mm or 80mm if I had to make a choice.</p>

[john_tran14]

<p ><a href="http://www.photo.net/photodb/user?user_id=1125864">Jack Welsh</a> <a href="http://www.photo.net/member-status-icons"><img title="Frequent poster" src="http://static.photo.net/v3graphics/member-status-icons/2rolls.gif" alt="" /></a>, Dec 31, 2008; 08:44 p.m.</p>

 

<p>The Yashica 635 does shoot ..................... 35 in vertical mode only<br>

I don't really agree here. It can shoot 35mm horizontally anytime. Guess how.</p>

 

[trevor_durritt1]

<p>I happen to own and use both of these cameras and agree that the Mamiya is the best quality. However, the 635, despite it's dim screen, is fun to use outdoors and is lighter in weight when on a trip. Both have their merits.</p>