Best 645 film cameras in 2022? Pentax 645N vs Mamiya 645 Pro

The Pentax 645N & Mamiya 645 Pro both make great medium format options if you want a camera with auto-advance capabilities and other advanced features. I break down some of the core differences in this video. I also compare the manual-advance Bronica ETRS, and share why one of these three options might suit you better than the other.

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►CHAPTERS
00:00 - Intro
00:51 - Video structure & target audience
02:56 - Scoring - Viewfinders
03:41 - Ergonomics
05:15 - Noise
06:13 - Weight
06:43 - Speed
07:29 - Metering
09:56 - Modularity
11:18 - Lenses
12:18 - Flash sync
12:28 - Total scores (preliminary)
12:52 - Prices & film economy
14:15 - Total scores (considering Prices)
14:39 - Which one should you get?
16:33 - Which one would I buy?
17:29 - The Bronica ETRS
19:56 - Bronica Price & Score compared
20:18 - Bronica vs Pentax vs Mamiya
21:20 - Closing thoughts & Reshoot Australia
22:09 - Mamiya photo samples
22:46 - Conclusion & outro

#Pentax645N #Mamiya645Pro #BronicaETRS

[matchat]

The Bronica is less different than you think. Using the AE-III prism it has aperture priority AE as well as spot or center weighted metering. It has an electronically controlled leaf shutter and there's the option of manual or powered film advance. The bronica also has the advantage of interchangeable film backs which the pentax doesn't have.

[b_wtangible_moments]

Love my Mamiya 645 Super. I have the same setup with grip and prism finder, but I also have the mamiya wriststrap that makes it very comfortable and balances well with the 110mm f2.8. Which by the way is a Wonderful Portrait Lens. Great comparison review. Fun fact: Christopher Nolan used Mamiya Sekor lenses to film scenes from The Dark Knight. He is one of my favorite Directors that still shoots all his movies on Film.

[Stego]

I had the Mamiya 645 ProTL with the 80 1.9, but ergonomics did not feel good in my hands. After a few years with a Pentax 67 I found a Pentax 645 with 75 2.8 and I fell in love, despite the fact that the Pentax looks a bit "silly" to me. But ergonomics, ease of use, and sharpness of the 75mm really made me fall in love with it.

[freacky]

There is a motorised grip available for the bronica too. And with the newer AE III prism finder you can have similar functionality to the pentax

[theallimoo]

I was able to piecemeal a simple Mamiya 645 Pro kit together a few months ago for around $500USD - manual crank, ae prism, no grip however hence the lower cost. The modularity and the ability for multiple backs was the deciding factor for me. Both are great cameras, really all three are - it really does come down to preference, use case and budget.

[ZisisKardianos]

Thank you for the informative video Hashem. During the last 6 years I have bought - and then sold - quite a few MF cameras (Bronica RF645, Bronica ETRSi, Rollie 6006, Fuji GW690ii etc) shot about 100 rolls in different situtations. I bought a Pentax645n in mint condition about 6 months ago. It came with the two popular zooms, the 45-85 FA and the 80-160 FA. I'm now buying the standard 75mm FA for making my camera lighter for walk-around shooting and of course due to the lens's better IQ. The camera and two zooms cost me about 700€ which I thought it was a steal considering the excellent state of all components. I decided on the Pentax645n because I was sold to its sophistication, simplicity, automations and ergonomics and of course its AF capabilities. Having tried the modularity of the ETRSi, I can easily say that it gave me more pains than joy, especially when I was using it for long exposure night photos on a tripod. I also found focusing with the rangefinders a real pain sometimes, especially for quick mid-distance shooting of moving subjects. All in all, I'm very happy with the Pentax and it seems that this is the camera to keep for the years to come. So here are two questions for you. I find it odd that the images of the Pentax when shot in vertical orientation (also making use of the 2nd tripod mount of the camera) appear on the negative upside down. Initially I though I might have loading the film in a wrong way, but it cannot be that since the film edge markings and the shooting settings imprints appear the right way. Have you noticed that? (By the way, you could have given the Pentax some more scoring if you had included that feature which is very useful to some). And finally I would like to ask you how do you find the accuracy of its TTL function and whether you have any tips for using on-camare flash with the Pentax. I recently purchased the Pentax AF 500FTZ. Intending to use it mostly as fill-in in low-light "daytime" conditions (portraits and street scenes in overcast, shadowy conditions). Once again thanks!

[PhilTaylorPhotog]

Hi Hashem, great review. I'm a fellow Melbournite who works for a US high-speed camera manufacturer, but shoot 4x5, digital and now 120 having finally bought a Pentax 645 kit a week ago (non-n version).

A few extra points worth mentioning: I paid $1380 for a P645 + x4 inserts + 80-160 + 300 + 1.4XTC. I went back and forwards between the Mamiya & Pentax even though I'd used a Pentax years ago, and an RB67 for a year too. There are far more Pentax lenses available, especially at longer focal lengths. Not only this, but the Pentax lenses are forwards compatible for all 645 models, so when I update to an n or even a D or Z later (or both), I can use my full range of glass.

Also, Pentax glass, from what I can determine is more consistent across the range...there's only one lens which I've heard is not great, but with Mamiya it seems a little hit & miss (I may be biased, but I felt the same with the RB glass).

Finally, Pentax 67 glass is fully compatible with both the 645 and 35mm bodies (via adapters)...if you don't care about AF, that's a huge benefit, as it means a lot of glass will be available for a long time. With the Mamiya, not all glass is compatible between the pro TL and AF/AFD models...

and finally finally :-) ..the flange to film plane on the Pentax is quite a bit less than the Mamiya. This means I can adapt everything down to a 70mm large format lens. What this means in reality is that with a bellows, I can get ample tilt or shift using a 90mm large format lens, and some using 67 lenses - pretty fantastic possibilities if you're into architecture or landscapes. And yes, there are leaf shutter lenses for Mamiya & Pentax and shift lenses, although I don't believe either have tilt (need the RB67 with bellows and the tilt shift adapter for that).

[devroombagchus]

Thanks. Very well described. One point: i have a fast motor drive for my Bronica, as well as a manual one. And the small crank. So I can go from heavy and luxurious to less weight to lightest and simple.

[ianblackburn]

I bought the Pentax mid last year and have been so happy with it I'm so happy I went for it as it so simple to use

[vedranr.glavina]

Hi Hashim ! Did you read my mind ? Exactly what I was missing... I am a Clinical Pharm who loves analog photography. Super-Big -Thanks for this fantastic video. As usual ! Mamiya is the missing camera here. I do have ETRSi and Pentax 645.
Viva Albania !

[caught_in_my_eye]

The Mamiya 645 AF would be a more comparable model as that is autofocus and similar in features

[selzzaW]

Just a small thing about the panoramic backs: The Mamiya crops a standard 35mm frame, whereas the Bronica exposes more of the negative (around like 8 sprocket holes total).

[toulcaz]

Great job. There is a lot of reason in this review. After roaming a while in 645 groups, wedding shooters seem to highlight a lot more issues with Mamiya and Contax to get repaired. Also something worth mentioning for the Pentax 645 N and NII is the focus confirmation of all manual lenses you wish to adapt. Pentax even had an adapter to use the Pentax 67 lenses. If someone already has a Pentax 67, the Pentax 645 is the obvious choice.

[jenohogan]

Wow, I didn't realize the Mamiya had gone up so much. I have the Mamiya "Super" model, I paid about $400 CAD w/ shipping 5ish years ago. This was a really good comparison video.

[wblynch]

All all are great choices and it comes down to which one falls into your lap at the best deal. 6 years ago I got a mint 645 proTL set, with 3 lenses, 5 backs, and 2 winders for $450 usd. A lucky find considering today’s prices. I would like to get a manual crank and WLF.

An advantage of being modular is one can easily replace any single component that fails, without having to source a complete new unit.

I would love to get a Pentax 645n for the AF capability.

[p.]

The whole ETR Series is an electronically controlled camera, not mechanical. You do need a 4SR44. There is a better AE-III Finder an the oportunity to shoot panorama like the X-Pan with a 135W-magazin but for the fraction of the price of a X-Pan.

[goofyrockz]

I've always loved my little Bronica. So much even that I have 2 of them with several lenses.

[MaxLamdin]

just a couple things, remember that the Mamiya can always be used with a manual advance wind making it smaller and more portable than the Pentax, there should also be a switch under the grip of the Mamiya which lets you engage the multi exposure. Also, the Bronica is still a fully electronic camera like the Pentax and Mamiya and would be exactly the same if you used it with the autowinder in a similar way to the Mamiya. Personally, I started with the Bronica and have latterly gone over to the Mamiya, the Pentax never even tempted me due to the fixed autowinder (loud) and the none changeable backs seemed like a real kick in the teeth

[MeasuredLight]

Great comparison, Hashem! Some really great info here! I've only owned three medium format cameras. The Hasselblad and Fuji that I have now, and I previously had a Mamiya 645 1000s. No changeable back, but changeable viewfinders. I really loved it! I bought it with an 80mm lens and a huge bunch of accessories in Japan in 2015 for $300 haha. I do love the 645 format, and I'd probably get the Pentax these days!!
The Pentax has some really affordable lenses, even now after the price increases over the last 5 years or so! I've often thought about getting a 120mm Pentax 645 macro to adapt onto my digital camera!!

[colingift]

Great review, wish you had posted and I had seen this earlier although I think my decision would have been the same. About a year ago I purchased the original Pentax 645 with lens for about $500. Had a bit of an issue focusing that camera due to my poor eyesight and dim viewfinder... and have subsequently gotten the 645n and found it to be just what I really needed all along... even with manual focus lenses it has the green dot focus confirmation I find extremely helpful... the only reason I regret not buying the Mamiya was having changeable backs, but I'm keeping the original Pentax and just ordered the flip up view finder magnifier (thanks to your comment on that accessory)
to keep on that body to shoot different (BW film) stocks giving me the best of both worlds.