Mamiya 645 for street photography?

[Sean]

I'm contemplating using my Mamiya 645 super for some street photo, trying to keep light and quick so would probably go with 1 lens and 1roll of 400. I have always used my 645 kit with a tripod and mirror lockup so just curious how it might perform on the street hand held..

 

[Fotohuis]

I'm contemplating using my Mamiya 645 super for some street photo, trying to keep light and quick so would probably go with 1 lens and 1roll of 400. I have always used my 645 kit with a tripod and mirror lockup so just curious how it might perform on the street hand held..

Yes, it's possible. I have used the M645 pro with AE prisma for street photography. It's nice to have an extra 120 back for quick change. 45mm or 55mm (W.A.) Sekor is the best choice. But I prefer my Leica M7 now for this kind of photography.

Best regards,

Robert

 

[Nige]

take a few extra rolls in a pocket! Although I've never purposely gone out 'on the street' with my M645 I do use it as a general walk-around camera and have have pretty much dispensed with the tripod (I used to use a monopod mostly) when using the camera like this.

 

[waynecrider]

I say try it; spend a roll. What could it hurt? For the small amount of weight tho I carry a Slik Sprint Pro pod with quick release, cause there's always going to be something somewhere that makes me wish I had one with me. As concerns just people shooting, or shooting at outside events, I usually opt for my 35mm Nikon over my Super without a metering prism. I also like to hold the camera at my side sometimes and shoot blind.

 

[Rlibersky]

All my street photography is done with a M645. I use Ilford 3200 shot at 1600. Developed with ID11. The grain is clean up to a 11x14. Of course this is on a bright day. I also put a orange filter on for a little better contrast. It allows me a shutter speed of 500th at F8 or F11.

 

[Digidurst]

Sean, I'm glad you posted this question as I've been playing with the very same idea.

Thanks for the tips everyone!

 

[msage]

I'm contemplating using my Mamiya 645 super for some street photo, trying to keep light and quick so would probably go with 1 lens and 1roll of 400. I have always used my 645 kit with a tripod and mirror lockup so just curious how it might perform on the street hand held..

Sean
Why not? I have used my Hasselblad and it works fine. The plus is the bigger neg.

Michael

 

[Paul Sorensen]

Sean, do you have the motor grip? It adds a small amount of weight, but the camera handles a bunch better with it. It also adds some noise that might be a concern depending on what/how you are shooting. I use mine hand held a great deal and have been very happy with the quality of the shots. I don't do street photography and have a couple of other cameras I would probably try first for that (Yashicamat and a Yashica Electro 35G) but I really can't see why you shouldn't give it a try.

 

[BradS]

GO for it! The waist level finder will render you nearly invisible to people used to seeing an SLR or P&S held up to (near?0 the face.

 

[paul ron]

I've used my RB67 for street photography, now I use a Bronica ETRS which is much more portable and people don't duck anymore when I point it at em. Use fast film so you can keep the shutter speeds up there for sharper shots.

 

[Sean]

I've used my RB67 for street photography, now I use a Bronica ETRS which is much more portable and people don't duck anymore when I point it at em. Use fast film so you can keep the shutter speeds up there for sharper shots.

Thanks for the info, I'll give it a try next week

 

[Sinarfar]

I used a 645e in Venice that returned some wonderful shots. I used a 55, 80 and 150mm lens. 150 proved to be great for candid street shots. 60 rolls in 2.5 days. pouring rain more than 50% of the time. I used a monopod and rapid winder. Umbrella and rapid winder worked well.

I chose the 645e over the RB and Sinar F2 for speed, weight and built in metering. Worked out very well. Love Venice, can't wait to get back. Next time; RB.

 

[MattKing]

I find it much easier to use my M645 Super handheld with the accessory grip, with the connector that permits use of the shutter release on the grip, and the focus assist lever. I am, however, very left handed.

A waist level finder is great, but practically speaking, you are restricting yourself to horizontal format.

My favorite lens for this purpose? The 55mm f 2.8.

Have fun!

 

[Glenn Mathison]

Y Not?

Sean,

I use my 645E chasing my kids around the yard and I've usually had great results. Light, quick and easy.

I've tried BradS suggestion using WLF with my other 645 but my brain has not got the reversal thing sorted out so I often swing the wrong way, and as for portait orientation with WLF, forget it. YMMV.

In any case, give it a go and let us know how you fare.

Good luck!

Glenn

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

If I can do it with my Bronica S2A, where I have to yell "CLEAR!" before everyone around me is knocked over by the report of the Mr. Zenzaburo's mighty shutter, you should have no problem with the M645.

 

[Robert Budding]

Nice shot, David. What film did you use - grain seems pretty well controlled.

Robert

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Thanks, Robert. Old TX and Acufine, EI 800. More from that series here, all with the Bronica-Nikkor 50/3.5--

http://www.echonyc.com/~goldfarb/temp/mta.html

 

[Sam2nd]

Sean.
Go for it!
I do almost all my shots, for street photography, with Pentax NII and Hassel 503 CXi, always handheld without problems, normally with Tmax 100 ,Tri X 320-400 and TMax 400, with a sunny day at 400 ISO 1/500 f11-16 and a 100 ISO 1/250 f8-11, the result almost always very goods. I do the shots with my Hassy without built-meter, my meter is a very cheap Sekonic L 308-B, and no problem. Hassy for street is a great machine.
With Pentax, I think, that I can do all sorts of Photography, sports included.
With your camera don't have any problems is OK
Sorry for my stinking English
Regards.