mamiya 645 pro.... best finder/prism?

[melody]

I've been shooting 35mm for a few months and a friend lent me her mamiya 645 AFD and I fell in love with medium format. I bought an 80 1.9 off ebay and would like to get my own body to go with it. I'm debating over what finder to use though. I don't want waist level because I shoot portraits and do a lot of vertical. I also don't need the meter because I'm using a hand held.

Anyway, my Q is: is the non-metered prism as good and bright with focusing as the AE metered one?
I've debated getting the custom bright screen from Bill Maxwell for it too....

Thanks!

ps- first post here

 

[CGW]

I've been shooting 35mm for a few months and a friend lent me her mamiya 645 AFD and I fell in love with medium format. I bought an 80 1.9 off ebay and would like to get my own body to go with it. I'm debating over what finder to use though. I don't want waist level because I shoot portraits and do a lot of vertical. I also don't need the meter because I'm using a hand held.

Anyway, my Q is: is the non-metered prism as good and bright with focusing as the AE metered one?
I've debated getting the custom bright screen from Bill Maxwell for it too....

Thanks!

ps- first post here

The 80/1.9 itself will brighten things up. The plain Mamiya 645 prisms--both old and new--are far from dark. I'd skip the Beattie screen for now. Spend the $ on a motor drive. The WG401 is the newer model(Power Winder N is the older version)and preferable to the WG 402 since it takes AA batteries. The winder greatly improves the otherwise crappy ergonomics of the Super/Pro/ ProTL bodies since they lack the integral drive+grip of the AFD model.

They're a reasonably light, fast-handling 645. Get a couple of backs with 120 inserts. Often, 220 backs are a good deal cheaper and a bargain. The only difference between them is the interchangeable insert. I've bought backs with 220 inserts+120 inserts for less than a back with a 120 insert.

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[melody]

Thanks for the info!! So the listing I'm thinking of from KEH is:
M645 PRO WITH 55 F2.8 N (58), PRISM (PRO), 120 PRO BACK, POWER DRIVE II, MEDIUM FORMAT SLR MANUAL FOCUS CAMERA OUTFIT

I've tried to look these items up. I'm assuming the prism is not metered (fine) but is the power drive the same as the one you're referring to?

 

[CGW]

If it's this one, yes:

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This kit might be a better deal. Unless you want a 55/2.8--a moderate wide angle--the 110/2.8 is a very nice portrait lens. Looks like a metered finder but it could be just a generic photos since it doesn't say its metered. Ask 'em.

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[brucemuir]

Don't know if you prefer manual focus but an AFD kit with 80 2.8 can be had for around 6 bills.
An AF is even cheaper.

 

[melody]

thanks. I'd like both lenses, but I think I'll go for the wider angle first. I shoot kids and it's hard to interact with them from further back. Bruce, the auto focus on the AFD is slow and it's only in the center. I like to shoot nearly wide open and recomposing is useless.

 

[al5256]

Hi, I have 645Pro with a SV AE reflex finder FK402 which has mirrors in it not prism. Last month I got a non-metering Prism finder-FP401 from the auction site. Basically there is no difference in the brightness of two viewfinders however FK402 distorts the view a little at the edges. I like FK402 because it has -5 to +5 diopter build on it. Your original question: the brightness of FE401 and FP401 should be the same.

 

[melody]

thanks, al5256. so the advantage of the FP401 is only the diopter? I have 20/20 vision so I wonder if I'll need a diopter. I went ahead and ordered that kit, so we'll see!

 

[MattKing]

If you are going to get a kit with the power winder, make sure you also look for a manual hand crank.

Sometimes the manual crank can be hard to find by itself.

Personally I prefer using the manual crank and the GZL401 left hand grip (with terminal adapter RA401) to using the power winder - but YMMV.

I think everyone though prefers having the choice.

 

[brucemuir]

Bruce, the auto focus on the AFD is slow and it's only in the center. I like to shoot nearly wide open and recomposing is useless.

Not trying to push you either way but while I agree the AF aint like a dslr it's definitely useable for people...maybe rough for kids though.

Even though the AF series is plasticy it's a smaller integrated winder unit with better metering than the older CdS prisms on the manual bodies. It will also imprint "exif" to the film

The stock focus screen is actually quite good with MF lenses although the camera only will spot meter with non AF lenses. I use the 80 1.9 no prob.

Each generation of the af series has improved autofocus speed but you are correct that it is a bit slow.

I just prefer the AF series for verticals and ergonomics. Easier shooting handheld for me.

Enjoy whatever you get, the lenses are quite good.