Mamiya 645 -- very impressive, and can we talk price?

[summicron1]

So someone gave me one of these a coupla weeks ago. Truly amazing, but that's the way of it.

He is an old camera collector who was donating his collection to a local gallery, I was helping move the collection, and in the process he said he had this 645, it didn't go with the collection, I could have it.

Wow! Very cool -- Hassey wannabe, seems to be in good working order, replaced the film door seal (which was not there, causing a leak) and away we go.

But here's the thing: I needed a wide angle lens for it, a 45, because it only came with an 80, 150 and 210, and in buying one discovered that, yeah, they really are giving this stuff away these days.

Hasseys still bring good money, but I see I can replace this body for under $100 easily, and buy just about any other lens I want for the same money, or a bit more. The dealers in this stuff really aren't making much more than their handling costs, at prices like that.

Not news to this bunch, of course. Really sad, but really fun. Oh yeah, and the pictures?

 

[mr rusty]

Y. I have a M645J - the model with only 1/500 shutter speed. Love it. So, it has an insert, not a removeable back that some see as a disadvantage,- but it's a smaller camera as a result. With an Optech strap, I can carry it nearly as easily as a 35mm (That's nearly). Agree lenses are not expensive and great quality.

 

[chriscrawfordphoto]

I did a lot of my best work with a Mamiya 645 system. Great camera that took a lot of abuse, and the lenses are generally very good. I never felt the 45mm I had was as sharp as the other lenses for the system, but my 45 was an older version, while my other lenses were all the N version, which was the last version of the manual focus M645 lenses.

 

[TenSpeed]

I have the M645 1000s model, love it

 

[L Gebhardt]

I've sold off my 645 Pro TL and all but the 120mm macro lens (still in use on another system with an adapter). I bought it all used, but even then in the few years that I owned it the prices fell through the floor. In comparison most other used equipment I've bought and resold has on average been mildly profitable (if you exclude shipping costs). I'm not sure why the Mamiya 645 system is so undervalued today. Anyway, enjoy your new camera and be glad the masses have abandoned the system.

 

[flavio81]

I always wanted to go to the 645 system but I read that some lenses were not so good, like for example the 45mm, or the old 210mm; thus I have stayed away from the system. Currently I own a full Mamiya C (TLR) system which I like (lenses are good, particularly the 65, 80, and 180), and a good RB67 system which I like even more (lenses are fantastic; at least the 50 and 90mm.)

 

[summicron1]

Y. I have a M645J - the model with only 1/500 shutter speed. Love it. So, it has an insert, not a removeable back that some see as a disadvantage,- but it's a smaller camera as a result. With an Optech strap, I can carry it nearly as easily as a 35mm (That's nearly). Agree lenses are not expensive and great quality.

this is the original model with 1/500 and no interchangeable back. The 45 I just bought is the N, which is supposed to be improved. I will see.