Mamiya 645 Pro Video Manual 1: Overview, Features, Functions, Interface, and How to Use

The Camera Owner's Instagram (thank you, Dave!):

Mamiya's 645 Pro series represents, in very many ways, the pinnacle of film 645 SLR camera development. The 645 Pro itself led to later 645 cameras and, ultimately, to the Mamiya Leaf line of ultra-high-end 645 DSLRs. This video series looks at the Mamiya 645 Pro 120 film SLR and details how to operate the camera. Video 1 provides an overview of the interface.

Video Index:
Skip the Intro: 0:15
Mamiya 645 Pro Overview: 0:35
Mamiya 645 Pro Features -- Top: 4:15
Mamiya 645 Pro Features -- Sides: 7:05
Mamiya 645 Pro Features -- Front: 7:51
Mamiya 645 Pro Features -- Back: 8:49
Mamiya 645 Pro Features -- Bottom: 8:57
Mamiya 645 Pro Features -- Inside: 9:24
Things NOT to do with your Mamiya 645 Pro: 9:39
Like this Video and Subscribe to the David Hancock Channel: 11:42

Video Review with Sample Photos and Personal Essay:

Video 2 -- Operation:

References:

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[jean-claudemuller]

The AE prism is much more refined, as it has 3 metering patterns and it shows them in the viewfinder.
Depending in the difference between average and spot meeteringresults it chooses:
only average, showing A in the viewfinder
a mean value between average and spot, showing AS in the viewfinder
only spot meetering, showing S in the viewfinder
The way to use this system is to center the viewfinder on the main part of the subject with AE lock (red square on speeds barrel) and lock the exposure by pressing half way the shutter button before recomposing. (red circle barrel position is without AE lock)

[rotfaimm]

The connection on the winder is for the leafshutter lenses 55, 80 and 150 mm . The small connection on the camera body is for the handgrip and electronic cable release . Peter

[graemelever-naylor]

Thanks David. Very helpful videos. I bought the Pro TL mainly because it was one of the latest medium format film cameras. First thing I checked was the mirror stop which is intact. Seems to work at all speeds but will develope the first roll tomorrow. I don't mind polycarbonate bodies because they seem to survive reasonably well and I understand the Mamiya has an aluminium frame. I got the FK 402 finder - can shoot without glasses, but no grip so ergonomics not that great. I tend to pick it up by the finder which is probably not a good idea. I was surprised however, considering it is aimed at "pros" (according to the manual), how fiddly the shutter button lock/timer was - particularly if you have sweaty or greasy fingers and how fragile the multiple exposure lever seemed and particularly the lack of intuition in that the bar does not point to the options but a position marked on the flat. However, they must last the distance because I could not find any other complaints about them. Probably seems pointless to criticize a design that is 30 years old. Anyhow, I am looking forward to the possibilities as I move from 35mm film to 645 format.

[the.squidd]

Extremely helpful and useful, thank you for this!

[obijuankenodi]

You have no idea how helpful this 2 videos are...thank you for making this.

[NoviSavvy]

As long as I know 645 Pro has rarely been used with digital backs unlike 645AF
The reason it can sometimes jam is due to poor curtain brake design which can get out of sync and an electronic release magnet which gets sticky. I bought not working camera body for $100, took out the shutter assembly and fixed it in one evening. It's relatively easy to fix if you've ever disassembled small mechanisms. Now I'm waiting for the back and the waist finder from eBay and I can't really find 80 2.8 lens which I was recommended to buy. Instead I'm going to buy 55 2.8 since it is the only available for now.

[zacharystudio]

can't thank you enough for this 🙏🏻

[Dwarvenchef]

Any videos on the 135 backs, I have two of them and cant figure them out

[cecilsharps]

I have a 1000s and a 645e. The 1000s has the motor winder. Sounds like i'm in a bottling plant when i use that thing. The 645e has a dead meter but the shutter is accurate.

[safwanfallatah]

What’s the purpose of mirror lock-up dial???

[its_Vhris]

When turning the dial to lock and unlock the shutter do you need to press anything, for ne it us locked in the locked position

[kathreenmirate]

Do you have tutorial for mamiya 645 super? Thanks David!

[jean-claudemuller]

The motordrive grip electrical socket is for an electrical strap that connects the leaf shutter lenses automatic cock system. Leaf shutter lenses of previous generation had to be manually cocked, with the M645 Pro they made new leaf shutter lenses with automatic electrical cocking by a strap between grip and lens.

[gregorysenyszyn]

There is no attempt to seal the camera body nor the film backs. The black plastic just keeps out your fingers. I wonder if the lens are sealed? The outside black plastic has zero weather seals. I've had to take my camera body apart to fix the dreaded shutter sync lock. --- I have a leaf shutter lens. The lens comes with a short cable to connect to the power grip. --- The connector on the side is a spot for other electric shutter releases. I've got the small doggle for where you can screw in a standard cable release and plug into the socket. I've also got a wireless shutter release so that you can trigger the camera from afar. The receiver threads onto the bottom of the camera and a cable to go into the shutter release socket on the side of the body.

[safwanfallatah]

Do i have to switch he A-M lever on the lebs to A whenever i use the AE finder? Even when i want to use the AE finder on manual mode?

Also the exposure compensation can be used only when the switch on the AE finder is set to (Auto A-S) ? Or also in AV and SP??

[plyazcady]

better camera this or the pentax 645n???

[pavilion]

Hey, if using the AE Prism finder, do you just leave the shutter dial on A/AEL, and it'll automatically use the shutter speed advised in the finder? Or is the finder just a guide, and you still have to manually adjust the shutter speed on the dial accordingly? How do you focus too?

Thanks

[waynesimon]

The Mamiya 645 line is not a format I have ever bothered to consider. I still say why bother to 645, but thanks for the video David. I know many people love their M645's but people love the Kodak Duaflex also. Personal choice is just that simple.

[jean-claudemuller]

The red dot for lens alignment is also the battery check LED

[GabrielBok]

Thx for the review! I am looking to buy a 6x4.5 camera. Wich one do you recomend betwen Mamiya 645 Pro TL and Pentax 645N II? Thank you!