Mamiya 645E

Though a little heavy and hard to keep stable for long periods, the camera is very solid and dependable. I have taken it to Asia and on my fieldwork in Louisiana. It makes beautiful images! There are a ton of lenses to choose from. It is a great piece to earn on, though an expensive one with film and processing. It's a shame that it has been discontinued because it is a great, affordable MF camera.

Affordable
Beautiful optics
Solid metering

The shutter and mirror are a bit noisy and I would love to have seen a more modular design. I like the silent, manual advance, but wish I had spot metering. I considered the Pro TL but there is no option for silent operation other than with the crank advance which is a bit difficult to operate.

Kiev 88 and various 120 box cameras

I needed a knob for my bellows and was completely ignored by Mamiya

After shooting fully automatic 35mm SLRs for several years I decided to step into the world of medium format (MF) photography, as my primary application is shooting outdoor scenics for calendar and editorial purposes on a part-time basis and I was competing with pros using 4x5 large format and 6x7 MF. For me, going from 35mm to 4x5 was too big a step up, and 6x7 meant a significantly heavier camera (e.g., Pentax 67 II) and more expense (10 frames/120 roll for 6x7 vs. 15 frames/120 roll for 6x4.5). However, a 6x4.5cm MF camera is roughly the equivalent of having a 16-18MP professional digital camera at a fraction of the cost (lets face it, who wants to take a $7,000 DSLR into the field). With the new Fujichrome Velvia 100 Professional (RVP 100; not to be confused with Velvia 100F which is a lot more like Provia 100F) 16x20s are easily achievable, and 20x24s are said to be possible with hi rez scanning and lightjet printing. This is why I gave it a value rating of 5/5. Although my initial choice was the fine Pentax 645N II, I couldn't justify the significantly higher cost, weight and AF. The Mamiya 645e always appealed to me as the most lightweight 6x4.5 cm camera and it had all of the basic functions (MLU, AEL, ability to bracket narrow latitude transparency film in 1/3 EV increments). I purchased the "Rapid Pro Value Pack" and immediately removed the grip, as I do all of my shooting from a tripod and don't mind advancing roll film via the standard hand crank (yes folks film advance is manual, as is focusing and setting aperature). Although it came with a normal 80mm f/2.8N lens, I quickly added a 55mm f/2.8N and 150mm f/3.5N lenses. This lightweight kit easily fits into a day pack, and isn't unduly heavy for day hikes, although it is certainly heavier than a 35mm SLR with equivalent focal length lenses. My 645e has almost always functioned flawlessly, and the few times it didn't I could usually point to something that I did wrong. The meter is pretty accurate (within 1/3 ev) when metering land, but tends to need +2/3 EV compensation when water is in the lower half of the image which is normal for a centerweighted pattern. The MLU procedure is straightforward (you depress the shutter 1/2 way using cable release while in AEL mode then swing up the mirror) but it can be a bit of a bother having to hold it until ready to shoot (which can take some time if people are in the way, it is blowing, etc.), although you can hold it this way for far longer than most exposure lock buttons would retain the shutter speed value. Bracketing in 1/3 increments only works with AEL, but manually bracketing in 1/2 EV increments using the aperture ring is easily reproducible). All-in-all, a basic but competent entry level 6x4.5cm MF camera that sadly in today's mad consumer digital was recently discontinued.

Great value at today's depressed MF prices, good basic camera. Has all of the essential functions for professional quality work from a tripod (AEL, MLU, ability to bracket in 1/3 EV increments). Bright viewfinder with 80mm f/2.8N or 55mm f/2.8N lenses and adequate with 150mm f/3.5N lens. Split microprism fixed (i.e., non-removable) focusing screen (two ways to focus manually - either the split image method or the circular microprism ring around the center split). Amazing dioptric correction range (-5 to +5).

Not a particularly rugged camera for field use but hey if you want that get a Pentax 67 II metal brick albeit with a significant weight penalty (why overall rating of 4/5). Dust easily gets into the mirror box and onto the focusing screen. Hard to see all the way into the viewfinder when wearing eyeglasses (i.e., not great eye relief).

None.

I've called Mamiya a few times with questions and they were very friendly and helpful.

For the price you can't beat it, especially if you have an investment in Mamiya 645 lenses. Good basic solid functioning camera. Takes great photographs. Positives outweigh the negatives. I keep using it. I didn't truly appreciate it until I went back to my M645 and then appreciated it more.

Bright view finder even in dim Easy to use controls. Uses most standard 645 accessories. Lightweight works well if you are carrying the camera all day for a wedding. It's lighter means I can use a lighter tripod. I like that for location shooting. I've dropped from a tripod, boy was I lucky, it still functions well says something about its construction.

Feels a little "plastic" cheap. Doesn't feel substantial like other Mamiya 645's. I've had the film door pop open mid roll. Not sure why. I bought the rapid winder used from Adorama and it works ok, it's better than using the standard film advance, but the fact that one motion doesn't advance it one frame is a drag. It takes several movements to advance one frame. There's the cheap feel again.

M645, M645J

KEH Shipped quick and the camera was the rating that was listed. This is not the first purchase through KEH.

All of the great features have been cited in the previous reviews and I have to agree with most of them. However, I initially found this camera a bit awkward to handle. I'm used to holding 35mm cameras in my left hand with my thumb and forefinger manipulating the lens controls and my right hand working the shutter. This arrangement really didn't transfer to the 645e. I acquired a left side Vivitar handle grip with a built in cable release. Although this added considerable weight and bulk to the package, in my opinion this made the camera much faster to handle. For tripod work, this camera is great as-is right out of the box.

Great optics Lots of features for relatively low price

Awkward handling Loud mirror slap

Minolta Autocord

none required

I picked this camera up second hand because I wanted big prints but the price of M/F digital and the 1Ds is just stupid. I'm totally happy with my purchase at this stage. The camera has one positive after another. It's light enough to hand hold, has bang on built in metering, super sharp optics, its easy to use, has a big bright viewfinder, has Aperture priority exposure etc etc etc. The 645E really is a powerful little medium format package for the money. If you are looking at medium format for not too much money this is DEFINATELY the camera to get.

Fantastic optically quality Very accurate metering- means you don't need a polaroid back. Easy to use Light enough to hand hold.

Makes you buy M/F lenses and 120 film.

First M/F camera

Not used