Mamiya M 645Finder stuck

[bobmolson]

Mamiya M645 1000S

Just got a waist lever finder for my M645.Took off the prism finder following the manuals instructions and attached the waist level. But now I can get the waist level to release . No matter how I turn the release button and align the dot the finder will not release .Anybody have this problem before?

 

[jvo]

i have a 645 pro tl.... to take off my wlf i don't "turn" anything.... i push down on a button on the right side (looking rear to front) of the finder, and push in on a similar button on the left of the viewfinder at the same time. the finder lifts.

i had an older m645 that worked the same way...

the only dot i align is on the shutter release....

would the 1000s be different? i was interested in a backup body, so would be interested.

jvo

 

[MattKing]

The manual says:

Finder Release Button

Turn clockwise until it stops, push in, and the finder can be lifted off the camera body.

I haven't actually worked with that model since it was current, but the description in the manual sounds familiar.

 

[bobmolson]

the problem is the knob does not stop when turned,as it does on the prism finder. It is as though it has become disconnected. I have a sneaking suspicion this may be a case of making a light tap with small hammer in just the right place to push the viewfinder off the locking lugs. Any camera repairmen out there with ideas.? Sending it in would cost more than what I paid for the camera

 

[Kirks518]

I don't think I'd go the hammer route. Where did you get the WLF from? If it's a camera dealer, (KEH, Adorama, B+H, Used Photo Pro, etc.) they should a) get the WLF to release and b) repair/replace/refund the WLF, and all at their expense.

As it is now, sounds like you have an permanently mounted WLF, and taking a hammer of any size could caused damage to other areas that could be devestating to the camera. Just my take on things.

 

[benjiboy]

Sometimes we have to do things that aren't financially justifiable to achieve an acceptable desired outcome, whatever the cost, and what could be a few minutes work for a skilled repairer who knows what he's doing, and not in the end cost a great deal, might be a disaster if you take a hammer to it

 

[bobmolson]

Repair with hammer is not an answer.But neither is sending the camera in with the going rate of $200 flat rate anymore. So I think I'll go the route of a second body for $100 bucks instead and sell off the extra prism finder

 

[Kirks518]

Bob, when I said send it in, I meant to the shop that sold it, and have them fix it on their dime. That is of course assuming it was a shop, and not an individual you bought it from.