Winder or no winder?

[DeanC]

I'm thinking of getting a Power Winder N for my Mamyia 645 Super but I'm not sure about the ergonomics benefit and noise. Can anyone comment on how loud it is and how it changes the handling vs. no grip?

Thanks,
Dean

 

[Nige]

I have one (no sure which model) but hardly ever use it. Camera with it on doesn't fit in my bag, and it doesn't fit in the bag by itself either! I do like to use it when the camera is on a tripod. It does make the camera nicer to hand-hold until the extra weight gets noticed, but if your used to holding a M645 without the L grip or winder, you've probably worked out how to hold it to suit yourself anyway.

 

[Greg_E]

I forget, which one is the N winder? I have two types of winder for my stuff, one takes a 2cr battery and one takes 6 AA batteries. The one that takes the 2cr battery is much more quiet because of the slower speed and belt drive, it is also much lighter. However it does not like my Super very much as it has trouble determining if the camera is wound when you first turn it on. If the camera was wound and you make an exposure, then it knows what to do. This gets to be a real hassle when you change to a fresh roll and want to wind it to the first frame.

The one that takes the 6 AA batteries works great except for the extra weight and noise. Not as loud as the older winder for the 1000s, but still pretty loud. Works fine with NiMH batteries.

If you are determined to get a winder, try and get the one that has the electronic cable for the leaf shutter lenses, as well as the screw in cable release socket. That way you can avoid needing the separate cable release adapter. I've often wondered if the thumb winder for the 645E would work with the Super and Pro bodies that I have. That might be a nice option for a grip and quiet winder.

 

[DeanC]

The 'N' looks like the one that doesn't work with the Pro or Pro-TL. I'm not determined, I'm just looking for a way to improve the hand-holding ergonomics a little. I agree that a nice, quiet, thumb winder might be nice. I guess I could always ask if it fits over on the Mamiya site forums.

Thanks.

 

[MattKing]

Unfortunately, the Rapid Winder (thumb operated) only fits the 645e. Strangely enough, the power winder that fit the 1000s will purportedly work on the 645e as well.

I like the ergonomics in terms of how the camera handles with the N winder, but it certainly is heavier and larger.

My winder N seems to work fine on my 645 Pro.

IIRC I think the more recent winders for the Pro and Pro Tl don't work on the Super. It is the more recent winders that have the extra connection to automatically cock the shutter on the (recent) leaf shutter lenses.

Matt

 

[Greg_E]

All my winders work fine on the Pro. My Super may also have some sort of problem because I can't get it to work correctly with a home made electronic shutter release button. The Pro works fine with this button.

I would find it somewhat strange that the old winder for the 1000s will work with the 645e, but since I don't have an e body, I can't say for sure. I do have a 1000s and the winder though. I can say that if you open the old winder, and use a decent grease on all the gears, the old winder will run at about half the noise! I bought that winder new so I know it wasn't old dried grease when I bought it. I tried to do the same with the winder for my Super, but couldn't get it open far enough to do anything.

For eye level hand held work, the winder is very nice to have. Not as important for waist finder work. If you have to mount the camera in a location where you can not wind the film, the winder is of course an absolute requirement.