The Mamiya 645E...

[ChristopherCoy]

Thanks to @stephenbybee this little beauty ended up with me today. I decided that since it was bought new in 2003, and only had one owner, and offered everything I needed with room to grow, it was the perfect jumping off point. Most of my MF experience has been 6x6 but I think I’m going to enjoy the rectangle. Came with the 80mm and the 210mm. Even has the original QC check card!

I’m glad I didn’t listen to the many bad reviews of this camera though. Yeah it’s plastic, but it has quite a substantial feel to it. The viewfinder is very bright in spite of all the reviews stating otherwise. And the diopter, it’s an absolutely beautiful thing. Wearing glasses, my right eye isn’t what it was just a year or two ago, and the diopter makes things so very crisp!

I’ll reserve any other assessments as I haven’t gotten it loaded yet, but tomorrow I’ve got 5 rolls to put through it at the closest state park I can get into.

 

[BrianShaw]

Oh that should be fun... lots of fun!

 

[Horatio]

Enjoy!

 

[ChristopherCoy]

Ok I’ve found my first nuance that I need to sort out.

Loaded it with TMax, set the iso dial to 100, got ready for a shot. Aperture switch was set to “a”, F5.6, shutter set at 1/60th. Fired the shot. Problem is, shutter stayed open and I had to close it by again pushing the shutter. This seemed to be an intermittent thing.

I’m thinking it’s either the battery, which I did not replace yet, or there’s a combo of settings that I’m not getting right. If I’m using manual settings do I also have to use manual apertures?

 

[glbeas]

I have a 645afd though I dont use it that much its a great camera and the lens is so sharp you can cut yourself on the images. I think you will be happy with it.

 

[reddesert]

Ok I’ve found my first nuance that I need to sort out.

Loaded it with TMax, set the iso dial to 100, got ready for a shot. Aperture switch was set to “a”, F5.6, shutter set at 1/60th. Fired the shot. Problem is, shutter stayed open and I had to close it by again pushing the shutter. This seemed to be an intermittent thing.

I’m thinking it’s either the battery, which I did not replace yet, or there’s a combo of settings that I’m not getting right. If I’m using manual settings do I also have to use manual apertures?

Replace the battery before you do anything. You need the battery to operate even in manual mode. The Mamiyas are sensitive to battery voltage and if your battery is partway to dead they will fire the shutter but not complete the cycle. I don't have experience with the 645E, but on the earlier 645, you can complete the cycle by pushing the battery check button. The 6v batteries (PX28 or 4LR44) are cheap and easy to get (order online) because they are used in electronic dog collars, oddly.

The M/A switch on the lens is mechanical and only sets whether you have full aperture viewing (A) or manual stop down (M), like on a Pentax M42 lens. It doesn't interact with the shutter setting.

Read the manual thoroughly.

 

[MattKing]

What reddesert said. The Mamiya 645s depend on their batteries. I always carry at least one backup. The silver oxide versions are much more expensive than the alkaline ones, but last considerably longer. The 645e is recent enough that Mamiya also recommends the lithium versions, but I've not used them - they aren't as common.
Check the contacts as well!

 

[ChristopherCoy]

Replace the battery before you do anything. You need the battery to operate even in manual mode. The Mamiyas are sensitive to battery voltage and if your battery is partway to dead they will fire the shutter but not complete the cycle. I don't have experience with the 645E, but on the earlier 645, you can complete the cycle by pushing the battery check button. The 6v batteries (PX28 or 4LR44) are cheap and easy to get (order online) because they are used in electronic dog collars, oddly.

The M/A switch on the lens is mechanical and only sets whether you have full aperture viewing (A) or manual stop down (M), like on a Pentax M42 lens. It doesn't interact with the shutter setting.

Read the manual thoroughly.

What reddesert said. The Mamiya 645s depend on their batteries. I always carry at least one backup. The silver oxide versions are much more expensive than the alkaline ones, but last considerably longer. The 645e is recent enough that Mamiya also recommends the lithium versions, but I've not used them - they aren't as common.
Check the contacts as well!

So I ordered new 4LR44 6v batteries from Amazon, and they were delivered this morning. Inserted a new one, set the aperture to 2.8, shutter to 1/4sec, and it did it again on the second frame. However, on the third frame, same settings as the second, I held the shutter button down and it completed the cycle. I wonder if it has to do with the fact that I'm letting up on the shutter mid-cycle.

 

[Horatio]

Have you contacted the seller?

 

[ChristopherCoy]

Have you contacted the seller?

He's a member here on Apug. But I don't think it's a problem with the camera, I think it's a user error, I just have to pinpoint what I'm doing wrong.

 

[Horatio]

He's a member here on Apug. But I don't think it's a problem with the camera, I think it's a user error, I just have to pinpoint what I'm doing wrong.

Entirely possible, as I had to learn about the quirks of my SQ. Perhaps he can provide some insight.

 

[ChristopherCoy]

Well, now I'm not so sure. Changed the battery again, put it back to "A" (aperture mode) and it still stays stuck open. Happens through all shutter speeds. Looks like this was a quite common problem with these models too, and there's no fix - or at least none that I can find.

 

[ChristopherCoy]

ok I think I just figured it out. If I push the shutter button all the way in, the shutter will open but not close, consistently, no matter which shutter speed its on.

If I only push the button half way down, it fires as normal, and completes the cycle.

I can consistently cause the issue, or "fix" the issue depending on the pressure applied to the shutter button.

 

[ChristopherCoy]

Yup. That's the issue for sure. If I mash the shutter all the way down, it will get stuck mid cycle. Almost as if the shutter button goes past the point of contact with the battery current. If I gently push it down, it maintains contact and goes through the cycle. It will also adjust shutter speeds if I put it in "A" mode.

So there is a contact issue, or the shutter button needs to be adjusted slightly.

 

[MattKing]

Make sure that the Shutter Release lock isn't partially engaged.
Also check the positions of the Mirror Lock-up and multi-exposure levers.

 

[ChristopherCoy]

Make sure that the Shutter Release lock isn't partially engaged.
Also check the positions of the Mirror Lock-up and multi-exposure levers.

They aren't. I've definitely checked those. I've tried mirror up, mirror down, with lens, without lens, multiple exp engaged, multi disengaged, I even took the grip off and took the coupler off the winding wheel becuase I thought maybe that was an electrical point of contact that wasn't in a proper position. It's definitely associated with the amount of pressure applied to the shutter button. If there was an easy way to adjust how 'deep' the button goes, it would fix it. something like an o-ring at the base of the shutter button or something. I'm probably going to take it to a camera repair center on Wednesday and see if its something they can adjust.

 

[Horatio]

Perhaps some electronic contact cleaner would help. I sure do miss Radio Shack. It was easy to get there.

 

[MattKing]

For clarity, does this behavior repeat when the grip is off and you are using your finger to release the shutter?

 

[ChristopherCoy]

For clarity, does this behavior repeat when the grip is off and you are using your finger to release the shutter?

Yes it does. I can duplicate the behavior either way, and consistently so.