Mamiya 645 Pro TL Angle Finder

[Ralphieboy]

I just received a Mamiya angle finder for the 645 Pro TL with an AE finder and I can't get it to fit the camera. The mount on the finder seems too small the camera mount. Everyone, including the seller, believes it should fit. I've searched and searched and can't find much info. Also, the magnifier that came with the camera fits but it has a larger mount.
Help!

 

[MattKing]

Which AE finder?
Could the angle finder be designed for the AE Finder N (originally for the Super) while you have the more modern version?
Or vice versa?

 

[Ralphieboy]

It's the FE401. That could be it. I did find, and order, an angle finder that looks like the correct mount. I'm out of town so I've not seen it. The ad description says it's for the 645 AF however. We shall see. Thankfully, the seller takes returns. This appears, from the picture at least, to fit. As you can see the mount is bigger.

 

[Ralphieboy]

Okay folks, I need to tap your knowledge. I have purchased 2 angle finders for my Mamiya 645 Pro TL, neither of which fit the AE finder on the camera. One, the model 2 mount and the one billed to fit the pro, is too small for the eyepiece mount. The one billed as being for the AF version, pictured in the above thread, the mount is too large. What angle finder actually fits a late model 645?

 

[Steven Lee]

@Ralphieboy It's called "Angle finder N", see page 20 of the brochure.

 

[MattKing]

Here is the one for the earlier models:

And no, I can't tell whether that Angle Finder is the same for the one listed in the linked brochure.

 

[wiltw]

It's the FE401. That could be it. I did find, and order, an angle finder that looks like the correct mount. I'm out of town so I've not seen it. The ad description says it's for the 645 AF however. We shall see. Thankfully, the seller takes returns. This appears, from the picture at least, to fit. As you can see the mount is bigger.

What is pictured is explicitly for Mamiya 645AF, launched in 1999...not the same as for Mamiya 645 Pro which was prior to the 645AF.

• The 645AF uses Angle finder FA401 - 360 degree rotatable angle finder.
• The 645 Pro uses Angle finder N for prism N, AE N viewfinders.

 

[Ralphieboy]

@Ralphieboy It's called "Angle finder N", see page 20 of the brochure.

That's the one I have. The mount on the angle finder is too small to fit the eyepiece af the AE finder. I've seen the same problem posted on another photo forum but I can't seem to locate ot now. Quite the problem.

 

[MattKing]

That's the one I have. The mount on the angle finder is too small to fit the eyepiece af the AE finder. I've seen the same problem posted on another photo forum but I can't seem to locate ot now. Quite the problem.

Perhaps the finder has been modified?
Can we see a detailed photo of the finder - both overall and at the eyecup end (with eyecup off)?

 

[Ralphieboy]

I guess this will keep, on my way out of town for the remainder of the week. Thanks for the help.

 

[Ralphieboy]

After trying both the Mamiya N angle finder and the AF finder, neither fit the AE finder on my 645 Pro TL. The angle finder and the AE finder have not, per local camera mechanic, been modified. I've seen this problem mentioned on another forum but haven't been able to locate the original post. Maybe the AE finder on the Pro TL just isn't designed to accept an angle finder? Any of you folks have an answer? Thanks!

 

[plummerl]

After trying both the Mamiya N angle finder and the AF finder, neither fit the AE finder on my 645 Pro TL. The angle finder and the AE finder have not, per local camera mechanic, been modified. I've seen this problem mentioned on another forum but haven't been able to locate the original post. Maybe the AE finder on the Pro TL just isn't designed to accept an angle finder? Any of you folks have an answer? Thanks!

Would this be the forum mention you're alluding to? It starts out similar, but he found the solution, just buy the correct finder.

https://www.flickr.com/groups/471198@N20/discuss/72157692926345791/

 

[Ralphieboy]

Nope, not the same forum but same problem and 'solution'. I have the finder listed for the Pro TL however it does not fit, even after removing everything removable from the finder's eye piece. I would agree with you about buying the correct angle finder, but as far as I can find, I have the only 2 types made for the 645. I suppose I'll just do without or purchase a different prism finder.

 

[reddesert]

I don't know much about 645 Pro finders, but I think it would be easier for people to diagnose the issue if the OP could post a photo of the prism in question and the angle finders.

 

[Ralphieboy]

I don't know much about 645 Pro finders, but I think it would be easier for people to diagnose the issue if the OP could post a photo of the prism in question and the angle finders.

Pictures of the 2 angle finders, prism with and without eye cup. As you can see the N finder is too small and the af angle finder is too big. Like Goldie Locks I'm looking for the pne that's just right.

 

[plummerl]

Pictures of the 2 angle finders, prism with and without eye cup. As you can see the N finder is too small and the af angle finder is too big. Like Goldie Locks I'm looking for the pne that's just right.

The finder in your first shot (_083632) is the 645 AF AFD version. The second shot is definitely the 645 N version. It would be more clear if in your second shot, you reversed the mount and one with the mount at 45 degrees. It almost looks like the tabs are bent in. The finder mount should have the same dimensions as the rubber eye-cup, just in metal instead of plastic. This ebay listing has some pretty detailed images of the finder and mount:

Angle Finder N

 

[MattKing]

I have the AE Prism finder designed for the earlier 645 Super on my 645 Pro. In all the years I've owned and used it, I've never taken the eyecup off, so I'm not in a position to share its dimensions - in case the angle finder you have is set up for it.
Here are the images of the finder in its instruction manual:

 

[Ralphieboy]

After looking and looking I've determined that neither the N nor Model 2 angle finder will work on a late model 645 Pro Tl with an AE finder.

Apparently the late model AE finder is not designed to accept the N angle finder, or, there is out there in the abyss, a different model for the AE finder. This is not scientific research but based on my own opinion and trial and error only.

The piece on the angle finder that connects to the eye piece on the camera is too narrow. And yes, I did remove the eyepiece.

And so it goes....

 

[janoshkozma]

After looking and looking I've determined that neither the N nor Model 2 angle finder will work on a late model 645 Pro Tl with an AE finder.

Apparently the late model AE finder is not designed to accept the N angle finder, or, there is out there in the abyss, a different model for the AE finder. This is not scientific research but based on my own opinion and trial and error only.

The piece on the angle finder that connects to the eye piece on the camera is too narrow. And yes, I did remove the eyepiece.

And so it goes....

Hi,

I’m looking for an Angle Finder N for my Mamiya 645 Pro TL and after reading lots of posts, searching google, I found this thread.
At this point, based on the comments above, I’m not sure whether I dare to buy one on eBay…
But based on the system chart Angle Finder N should fit on 645 Pro TL. (https://ianbfoto.com/downloads/Mamiya 645/Mamiya 645 ProTL System Chart.pdf)

Did you have any luck in the last 1+ year (since your last comment)?

 

[Ralphieboy]

None! Gave up on it. Best that I can tell is there is no angle finder that fits the FE 401 finder. Maybe someone on the forum can help now.