Mamiya 645 super problem

tommychan · Nov 8, 2010

Hi, few days back after taking photos with my Mamiya 645 Super. The whole roll of film coming out blank (i develop the film myself). Looks like it was not being exposed! I tried 2 rolls of film subsequently and having the same problem. I checked the camera everything seems ok including the new battery installed.
The week before everything was ok, the images all developed without any problems.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

JohnMeadows · Nov 8, 2010

I only ask this as I was dumb enough to have done it this past weekend (I just got an M645J and am learning how to use it): Is there any chance the film was loaded the wrong way?

Paul Sorensen · Nov 8, 2010

Gotta ask, but are you sure of the development process? Are there markings on the film edges? If not, then it is most likely the development rather than the camera.

Since this has happened more than once I am guessing that the above is not the case, but we gotta ask.

Have you used the camera before with success? (edit, oops, I see you answered this in your original post)

Could it be that the dark slide is in the camera and the interlock is malfunctioning?

There are other possibilities that can be investigated by looking at the camera.

MattKing · Nov 8, 2010

Welcome to APUG!

Do you have a leaf shutter lens on the camera? If so, is that shutter cycling properly and have you set the focal plane shutter to 1/8 or slower.

My bet though would be the dark slide.

tkamiya · Nov 8, 2010

Adding to what Matt has said:

IF the back is working like it should, it will not let shutter to release with the dark slide in. HOWEVER, this interlock is made possible by a tiny electronic switch in the back. I had one back with this switch defective and it would let me release the shutter all day long with the dark-slide in place. It's worth checking....

I can't test this myself as I am not at home. But, I *think* you can set the shutter switch to MULTI on the side, wind once, pop open the back, remove the insert, and observe the shutter opening. Can you do that and see if shutter is actually releasing? I have seen weird behavior when my battery became weak.

rpsawin · Nov 8, 2010

From experience with a Bronica SQb:
1.) Double check that you are loading the film properly.
2.) The dark slide can malfunction so make sure it is working properly.

Take none of it personally..."things" happen all the time especially when out in the field. Good luck.

Best regards,

Bob

tommychan · Nov 9, 2010

Hi, am sure that the film was loaded correctly. Glad to know that you've just bought your M645J, sure you will have fun with it.

dehk · Nov 9, 2010

Seems like Matt and tkamiya said everything I would have said.

tommychan · Nov 9, 2010

Hi, thanks for all the response.

1) am not using the lens with leaf shutter;
2) the dark slide is working properly, I can't release the shutter when the darkslide is in the camera;
3) am using 120 black & white film, usually after developing there is no film markings on the edges - just the 15 developed photos. Do I miss anything ??
4) for the 2 blank rolls its just the clear plastic film, no images at all after developing.

Later will check again the camera functions and clean all the electrical contact then see how.

dehk · Nov 9, 2010

tommychan said:
Hi, thanks for all the response.

3) am using 120 black & white film, usually after developing there is no film markings on the edges - just the 15 developed photos. Do I miss anything ??

Are you saying the frame numbers didn't even show up? They Should always be there.

And why don't you just open the back of the camera and trip the shutter, see if the shutter opens.

tommychan · Nov 9, 2010

Hi, there is no frame numbers shown on the film strip (for the properly developed film). Just the 15 images developed, for your info am using some chinese made black & white films. May be other manufacturers have the frame numbers and markings there?

currently am overseas and unable to test the camera, sure will do that when am back home.

dehk · Nov 9, 2010

That explains it, yes usually they do have markings at the side. Well enjoy your trip!

olleorama · Nov 9, 2010

Lucky films are known to sometimes be emulsionless (out of 15 films I bought, 3 turned out this way). I prefer Shanghai GP3 among the chinese, it's sad that Era won't make 120 films. But I got tired of shanghai after a bad batch with crazy curlyness. Try another brand and see if the problem remains.

tommychan · Nov 9, 2010

am using the Shanghai GP3 film too, so far don't have this problem. Anyway, may try another brand later after I check my camera functions again.

Thanks

tommychan · Nov 15, 2010

Hi, just an update to those who have responded earlier.

After cleaning those electrical contacts, as suggested by some of the members here, now my camera is back to work again

Thank you for all the assistance & feedback.

Mamiya 645 super problem

Moderator

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency