Looking for Mamiya M645 basic information

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Chris - 26 Sep 2005 13:33 GMT

Greetings. I'm currently working in the 35mm realm and I'm getting
interested in dabbling in the MF world. I'll have access to borrow Mamiya
M645 1000S bodies and 45mm or 55mm lenses (not sure of the exact specifics
yet, f/stop or prism available).

I've been googling for a M645 primer or just some basic information and
I've come up dry so far. Does anyone have any favorite bookmarks or
links that they'd be willing to share?

I'm looking for things like:

I've heard the meters (if present) in the prisms aren't terribly accurate,
should I just use a hand held or meter in my 35mm camera?

Any how-tos on loading 120 or 220 in the cart? Any gotchas here?

Hand holding tips (minimum shutter speeds recommended)?

Anything else I don't know to ask as a beginner?

Thanks in advance!

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Chris

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Ralf R. Radermacher - 26 Sep 2005 13:49 GMT

> I've been googling for a M645 primer or just some basic information and
> I've come up dry so far.

The only authoritative site on this topic has unfortunately gone
offline, earlier this year.

Some info is available via the links at...
http://medfmt.8k.com/mf/cameras.html

> I've heard the meters (if present) in the prisms aren't terribly accurate,
> should I just use a hand held or meter in my 35mm camera?

I wouldn't expect a hand-held meter to be any more accurate.

> Any how-tos on loading 120 or 220 in the cart? Any gotchas here?

No probs at all. Couldn't be easier.

> Hand holding tips (minimum shutter speeds recommended)?

The usual rules apply. Realistic times are always shorter than what
people claim they can do. ;-)

Ralf

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Ralf R. Radermacher - DL9KCG - Köln/Cologne, Germany
private homepage: http://www.fotoralf.de
manual cameras and photo galleries - updated Jan. 10, 2005
Contarex - Kiev 60 - Horizon 202 - P6 mount lenses

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Alan Browne - 26 Sep 2005 14:58 GMT

> I've heard the meters (if present) in the prisms aren't terribly accurate,
> should I just use a hand held or meter in my 35mm camera?

That's exactly how I metered rented MF's. Handheld incident or used my
35mm's spot meter. I just bought a Sekonic L-558R, so spot and incident
all together.

> Any how-tos on loading 120 or 220 in the cart? Any gotchas here?
>
> Hand holding tips (minimum shutter speeds recommended)?
>
> Anything else I don't know to ask as a beginner?

Slow down. Use a tripod. Slide film! Woods / fall colors,
GET CLOSE TO THE SUBJECT!

Cheers,
Alan.

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David J. Littleboy - 26 Sep 2005 16:19 GMT

> Greetings. I'm currently working in the 35mm realm and I'm getting
> interested in dabbling in the MF world. I'll have access to borrow Mamiya
> M645 1000S bodies and 45mm or 55mm lenses (not sure of the exact specifics
> yet, f/stop or prism available).

I use the latest version, but I understand that they're quite similar. The
lens mount's the same.

> I've heard the meters (if present) in the prisms aren't terribly accurate,
> should I just use a hand held or meter in my 35mm camera?

I'd be afraid of an older meter. Do incident or spot metering with a new
meter.

> Any how-tos on loading 120 or 220 in the cart? Any gotchas here?

I've heard of people have managing to load the film backwards, but don't see
how it's possible.

> Hand holding tips (minimum shutter speeds recommended)?

I try to keep the shutter speed at 1/125 and higher. 1/60th in an emergency.

I use mine without a grip. It sits on my left hand, and I squeeze the
shutter between thumb at the back of the camera and index or middle finger
on the shutter release. It seems to me that this imparts very little shake
to the camera. The camera is equally ergonomic horizontally or vertically,
which is great since I like vertical shots.

I've used it on a monopod with the 150mm lens. It worked well.

> Anything else I don't know to ask as a beginner?

The discontinued 110/2.8 lens is a monster winner, sharp, great bokeh, and
cheap if you can find one. Highly recommended. But then all the lenses are.
My kit is 35/3.5, 55/2.8, and 110/2.8.

It's a fun system. Enjoy.

David J. Littleboy
Tokyo, Japan

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Matt Clara - 26 Sep 2005 19:28 GMT

> Greetings. I'm currently working in the 35mm realm and I'm getting
> interested in dabbling in the MF world. I'll have access to borrow Mamiya
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
>
> Thanks in advance!

Can't get any more basic than this:
http://www.mamiya.com/assets/pdfs/645/M645_1000S_v4.pdf

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Regards,
Matt Clara
www.mattclara.com

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Chris - 27 Sep 2005 15:56 GMT

Thanks to everyone that replied to my post; there was a lot of good
information in here.

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Chris

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