Mamiya 645 PRO TL camera body + 80mm f2.8 lens + metered prism

Steve-B

Steve-B

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I resurected my old fujica 35mm the other day and can't believe the fun I have had with it already... the trouble is it gets you thinking, and I have been thinking about medium format and have been having a look...

I have come across a Mamiya 645 PRO TL camera body + 80mm f2.8 lens + metered prism, And obviously know nothing about medium format but would like to learn.. so would this camera be a good one to start of with..it wouldn't be getting used all of the time as I would still be using my digital stuff, but would be something that will come out when I feel like doing something different

Oh yeah I would be using it for general stuff, bits of landscape, building etc..so would I have to get a wider lens to make it useable ?

Thanks, Steve.
 
As an entry to medium format it is perfectly acceptable really. With a prism and presumably a speed grip, it would be held quite similar to your DSLR, albeit with controls in different places and the resultant different ergonomics that brings.

Lenses for Mamiya 645 system are relatively abundant and often quite reasonably priced, so you may wish to get a wider lens - 80mm is about equivalent to a 50mm on the 35mm system, so it is a "standard" lens (approximately) on 6x4.5. To make it "useable" is something that is entirely subjective - you may find the 80mm perfectly fine, too short, too long - that's something you have to find out for yourself really.

Ensure you consider how you are going to develop your film as well - if you are home developing B&W, it tends to require bigger tanks (Paterson Universal tank and bigger). If you send it out, there are less labs that will do 120 and trying to find one that is reasonably priced can be difficult.
 
freecom2 said:
As an entry to medium format it is perfectly acceptable really. With a prism and presumably a speed grip, it would be held quite similar to your DSLR, albeit with controls in different places and the resultant different ergonomics that brings.

Lenses for Mamiya 645 system are relatively abundant and often quite reasonably priced, so you may wish to get a wider lens - 80mm is about equivalent to a 50mm on the 35mm system, so it is a "standard" lens (approximately) on 6x4.5. To make it "useable" is something that is entirely subjective - you may find the 80mm perfectly fine, too short, too long - that's something you have to find out for yourself really.

Ensure you consider how you are going to develop your film as well - if you are home developing B&W, it tends to require bigger tanks (Paterson Universal tank and bigger). If you send it out, there are less labs that will do 120 and trying to find one that is reasonably priced can be difficult.
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Cheers for the info Freecom 2. It doesn't have a speedgrip, but i use my camera's on a tripod 95% of the time so i suppose that doesn't matter ? and i would imagine that I could pick up a waist level finder at a later date should I fancy trying one ?

As for developing I have only just got back into film after a long break and intended to set myself up a darkroom again to do my 35mm stuff but have not purchased any equipment yet, but could purchase whats required..

any other info/tips....before I press the buy button :)

Steve.
 
Steve-B said:
Cheers for the info Freecom 2. It doesn't have a speedgrip, but i use my camera's on a tripod 95% of the time so i suppose that doesn't matter ? and i would imagine that I could pick up a waist level finder at a later date should I fancy trying one ?

any other info/tips....before I press the buy button :)

Steve.
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waist level finder for the mamiya is flipping impossible to find at a reasonable price especially. Been looking for one for months now!

Oh and maybe check the focusing screen type... The standard is type A, matte focusing screen but for accuracy it's best to go with one with microprism (Type C I think) or spot rangefinder (Type B) or the one I recently got Type E with both Spot rangefinder and microprism. There's a vertical spot rangefinder also and one with black corners.

One more thing if you use tripod a lot maybe getting a manual wonder crank would be better than the motor winder (I dont like it and it adds weight) but you can get this later on :)
 
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Psyence33 said:
waist level finder for the mamiya is flipping impossible to find at a reasonable price especially. Been looking for one for months now!

Oh and maybe check the focusing screen type... The standard is type A, matte focusing screen but for accuracy it's best to go with one with microprism (Type C I think) or spot rangefinder (Type B) or the one I recently got Type E with both Spot rangefinder and microprism. There's a vertical spot rangefinder also and one with black corners.

One more thing if you use tripod a lot maybe getting a manual wonder crank would be better than the motor winder (I dont like it and it adds weight) but you can get this later on :)
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I'm note sure what your budget is but Mifsud's have a WLF for the 645 Pro TL & Super (Link)
 
Chris L said:
I'm note sure what your budget is but Mifsud's have a WLF for the 645 Pro TL & Super (Link)
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Thanks Chris :D I've seen that but find it kind of expensive for just a shade and protector for the ground glass?! :|
 
Psyence33 said:
waist level finder for the mamiya is flipping impossible to find at a reasonable price especially. Been looking for one for months now!

Oh and maybe check the focusing screen type... The standard is type A, matte focusing screen but for accuracy it's best to go with one with microprism (Type C I think) or spot rangefinder (Type B) or the one I recently got Type E with both Spot rangefinder and microprism. There's a vertical spot rangefinder also and one with black corners.

One more thing if you use tripod a lot maybe getting a manual wonder crank would be better than the motor winder (I dont like it and it adds weight) but you can get this later on :)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info, I havn't yet purchased it so will phone up and ask some questions, (I have noticed it has got the standard wind on crank, is this likely to be a problem ) the other camera I was looking at was the Zenza BRONICA ETRSi but couldnt make my mind up which one would be best..

Steve.
 
Another model has now come into the equation, and it is the mamiya rb67 pro sd so I think I have now narrowed it down to being between the rb67 which has a waist level viewer and the mamiya 645 pro to.....has anyone got any views between these two...I would be greatfull for your help.

Steve.
 
Steve, the two are completely different when it comes to size and weight. The RB/RZ67 is barely hand holdable, whereas the 645 is definitely manageable for handheld shooting. Additionally, the negative sizes produced are completely different - you'll only get 10 shots from a 6x7, but 15-16 from a 6x4.5.

It can be very difficult to judge how big it really is just from internet images, so here is one (with Rob Hooley's RB67) next to a normal sized 35mm SLR:


Canon A-1 and Mamiya RB-67 by Rob Hooley, on Flickr
 
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Thanks again for the info freecom, The 645 is on its way and will be with me tomorrow
 
Tigger.ufo said:
.......I see trouble ahead....:D

Heather
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NO..her indoors dont mind....I have only had a new D300s this year and a few extra's.....it was either the 645 or a D700 so I think she will be quite pleased..;)
 
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