Mamiya 645j. Any good?

[kenneth_bruno]

Greetings,

I have the opportunity to purchase a Mamiya 645j with 80mm f 2.8

lens, two finders (AE and WL) for $500. Is this worth the price and

effort or could I possibly find a "better" model for roughly the same

price?

Regards. Ken

[john lehman, college alask]

That is about what Keh (www.keh.com) charges for that combination rated BGN with a guarantee.

The top of the line 1000s model from the same period wuld be about $100 more.

[bob_chong]

You can always buy a brand new, never been used, 645e kit for $200 more.

[alan_woolnough]

Hi Ken,

 

Ive had the 645j for about ten years, and its never let me down. Of course it is a very basic model, compared to the more modern ones. Its a rugged, metal bodied camera {which i prefer}, and has few features of note. Its top shutter speed, of 500th, sync speed of 60th, non interchangable back, may not suit everyone. It does have a multiple exposure setting, which works quite well.

 

None of its basic specs, have been a drawback me, as ive always used basic manual cameras. If my 645j conked out today, i personally, would replace it with the same model.

 

In the end, this camera has everything required for most situations, but its worth putting a lot of thought into it, before forking out the £££s.

 

cheers

[agememnon_jones]

645J is ok, but 1000S is better. But $500 seems high, again since for $700 you can get a new 645E kit with 80/2.8 lens, metered prism (w/diopter) and a 120 insert from B+H (plus a bonus insert from Mamiya right now). $500 would get you the same kit used from KEH. If you can live without a waistlevel viewfinder, the 645E kit gets you new with warranty. I have one and can say the camera is excellent, lens is supurb. If you do not need AF then it may be the best deal going.

 

For more Mamiya 645 info check here

 

http://www.ozdoba.net/mamiya/mamiya_645_home_e.html

 

or here

 

http://people.smu.edu/rmonagha/mf/mamiya645.html

 

or here

 

www.mamiya.com

 

Good luck!!!