How do you remove a film back from a Mamiya 645 Super with no darkslide?

Shizam · Nov 17, 2015

Just got a Mamiya 645 Super with two film backs but have run into a problem.

The film back attached to the camera is missing the darkslide (so it won't let me remove the back from the camera)

The extra backs I have have the darkslide installed in them (so I can't remove the dark slide w/out it being attached to the camera)

So... How can I either a) remove a film back that has no darkslide on it or b) remove a darkslide w/out it being attached to the camera?

MattKing · Nov 17, 2015

IIRC, there is a small interlock on the back that has the dark slide in it that can be manually actuated. When you do that, you can remove the dark slide manually.

frank · Nov 17, 2015

There is an interlock to prevent this. You'll need a dark slide or a similar piece of metal or plastic.
(Based on my hasselblad and bronica experience)

Matt is answering a different question, I think: how to remove a dark slide from a back that is not attached to a camera.

StephenT · Nov 17, 2015

Ditto. Find the interlock on the back with the darkslide, remove it, insert into the attached back.

The interlock is usually small and may be a pin or a semi-circular do dad. Just depress a suspected pin and see if the darkslide can be removed. If not, find another suspect and keep trying.

bstark · Nov 17, 2015

I suggest you use the darkslide from one of the extra backs. The film backs have a little lever on the bottom which you can push inside with your fingernail while pulling on the darkslide. I hope this helps.

MattKing · Nov 18, 2015

frank said:
There is an interlock to prevent this. You'll need a dark slide or a similar piece of metal or plastic.
(Based on my hasselblad and bronica experience)

Matt is answering a different question, I think: how to remove a dark slide from a back that is not attached to a camera.

Correct!

And with that loose dark slide, you can insert it into the back on the camera, and then remove that back from the camera.

EDIT: In case you didn't realize it, the backs for the 645 Pro and Pro Tl are fully interchangeable with the backs for the Super, and the dark slides work in all three.

Xmas · Nov 18, 2015

You also need to post a WTB a dark slide...

Shizam · Nov 18, 2015

I see a pin on the back (upper left corner of back in photo):

But pressing it all the way in does nothing and that is really the only mechanical thing on the back. I tried jamming a hook into the 2 latches at the top of the back (that hold it to the camera) but that also did nothing.

Also @bstark, I would use the slide from an extra back but you can't remove the slide from a back if its not mounted (which is half the problem)

The 2nd photo is an image of the back of the camera where you can see the mounted back has no slide in it

Shizam · Nov 18, 2015

Found it!!! Man, it was so tiny and hidden. In the 1st image its a _tiny_ little black dot next to the screw on the bottom right :thumbsup:

MattKing · Nov 18, 2015

Good work!

Rick A · Nov 18, 2015

The release pin is behind the metal plate on the bottom of the back. With the mating surface of the back facing you, it's on the right side, a small silver lever that can be pushed to the left to release the dark slide. If you look at your first photo, it's behind the metal plate. on the bottom.

please excuse the dust and dog hair, just getting cleaned up for a trip.

Sirius Glass · Nov 18, 2015

Welcome to APUG

Now locate and buy a dark slide. In fact buy a spare. Or two. And some more film backs. And some more lenses. And filters. Do not forget to get a polarizing filter. And a tripod. And lens hoods. A dark room bag. A day light load development tank. Chemicals. An enlarger. A print dryer. A mat board cutter. A dry mount press. ... You have only just begun.

Shizam · Nov 18, 2015

Thanks Rick but I think that is a different back, maybe for a pre-Super 645? Totally agree Sirius, I have my eye on one as we speak

Sam

Rick A · Nov 18, 2015

Shizam said:
Thanks Rick but I think that is a different back, maybe for a pre-Super 645? Totally agree Sirius, I have my eye on one as we speak

Sam

It's the back off one of my M 645 Supers.

MattKing · Nov 18, 2015

Shizam said:
Thanks Rick but I think that is a different back, maybe for a pre-Super 645? Totally agree Sirius, I have my eye on one as we speak

Sam

It is hard to tell from your photo, but I think your backs are actually the fully compatible Pro backs.

There aren't a lot of differences between the two versions, outside of "style" and the colour of the dark slide handle.

How do you remove a film back from a Mamiya 645 Super with no darkslide?

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How do you remove a film back from a Mamiya 645 Super with no darkslide?

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