Mamiya 645 Super Review | Portraits, Lenses, User Guide + YouTube
Looking to buy a a cheap medium format camera? Have you considered the Mamiya 645!? Much cheaper than the Contax 645 or Hasselblad and more compact than it’s big brother the Mamiya RZ67. This Mamiya 645 review lists 11 point about the Mamiya 645 Super camera. It includes –
- Key information to get you started
- Mamiya 645 Super viewfinders – prism vs WLF
- Extension tubes for Mamiya 64
- List of some of the best Mamiya 645 lenses
- Mamiya Sekor 80mm f1.9 portrait lens
- Mamiya 645 portraits & sample photos
- Mini Mamiya 645 User Guide
1. New 645 Film Camera! Mamiya 645 Super
I recently bought myself a new 645 film camera, a Mamiya 645 Super medium format film camera. When I wrote the last post “Contax 645 vs Mamiya 645” (link below) the camera had not yet arrived. Now I have had chance to run a roll of film through it what do I think?
Medium Format Film Camera – Mamiya 645:
2. Mamiya 645 viewfinders
Mamiya 645 WLF N (Waist Level Finder)
My Mamiya 645 Super arrived with the Mamiya 645 waist level finder N (“WLF”) already fitted. My first observation with the Mamiya is the 645 format is in horizontal orientation (in camera) rather than vertical. With the Fujifilm GA645 for example the 645 frame is in portrait (vertical) orientation. As a portrait photographer I tend to shoot in the portrait format with most cameras so this was a little different for me.
A-Z FILM CAMERA REVIEWS
Disadvantage of a WLF (for portraits)
For anyone used to a digital camera such as a DSLR you might think so what? Well I bought this particular camera as I wanted it with the WLF included. To focus with a WLF you look down at the top of the camera and it will show a horizontal image on the glass. To take a portrait photo with the WLF you have to hold the camera on it’s side and it is not as easy to compose, especially when working quickly.
You don’t see this problem with say a Rolleiflex SL66E or a Hasselblad 500 series camera as they are 6×6 format. You don’t have the issue with the Mamiya RZ67 Pro II either as it has a rotating film back.
Advantage of a Mamiya 645 WLF
The advantage of the Mamiya 645 WLF is it makes the camera smaller and lighter than with a prism view finder attached.
Mamiya 645 prism finder
There are a few different Mamiya 645 prism finders available depending on the camera model. For the Mamiya 645 Super camera I use there are two finders commonly used. The first is the one I have, the Mamiya 645 prism finder N (shown below). This viewfinder is cheaper as it doesn’t have a built in light meter.
The second viewfinder is the Mamiya 645 AE prism finder N which has a build in spot-centre weight exposure meter (powered by the camera battery). This is a great option if you don’t want to carry I light meter with you.
Mamiya 645 prism finder vs WLF
The view through a WLF is bigger and brighter than that seen though a prism. For me this makes using the WLF easier for critical focusing. The prism finder has the advantage that images shot in vertical orientation are easier to do as it is less awkward. For tall models the prism finder is again better as you hold and focus the camera at eye level not chest height. With a WLF you may often need a chair or steps to stand on if you don’t want to shoot up at a subject.
3. Mamiya 645 Extension Tubes (for Headshots)
Some of the Mamiya 645 lenses will not focus as close as I would like to for film headshots. Luckily there is the option like with many camera systems, to use an extension tube. You can buy different thickness tubes which basically fit between the lens and the camera body. The thicker the extension tube the closer you can focus to a subject. I use the Mamiya 645 extension tube number 1 for some of my model photography headshots.
4. Cheaper Mamiya RZ67 or Hasselblad Alternative?
If you don’t mind the 6×4.5 film format vs 6×6 film or 6×7 the Mamiya 645 Super camera offers a cheap alternative to a Hasselblad 501C or Mamiya RZ67. I use all 3 of these cameras (and more) and if you want a cheap medium format camera that is smaller and lighter than most medium format film cameras then look no further. The Mamiya 645, Hasselblad and RZ67 are all modular film cameras with WLF so all give a similar shooting experience.
All three of these cameas have amazing lenses available so I think the choice of cameras comes down to film format. If you are happy with the 645 film format then the Mamiya 645 Super gives 15 frames (photos) per roll of film. In comparison a 6×6 Hasselblad gives 12 frames per roll and the RZ67 gives only 10 rolls of film. This makes the M645 a more economical choice when it comes to shooting film/ buying film.
5. Modular Camera Design – Mamiya 645 Film Camera
The modular design of the Mamiya 645 Super means I can remove and replace the film back. For wedding photography it is good practice to have multiple film backs, for both speed and efficiency but also so you can load perhaps one film back with colour film and one with black and white. For that reason I bought myself a spare 120 film back.
6. Best Mamiya 645 Portrait Lens?
Mamiya Sekor C 80mm f/1.9 lens
The Mamiya 645 Super camera comes with a Mamiya Sekor 80mm f2.8 lens as standard M645 kit lens. It is small and lightweight but the reason I bought a M645 camera was to make use of the fast Mamiya Sekor C 80mm f/1.9 lens. If you photograph people the best Mamiya 645 portrait lens is the 80mm f1.9 (see below about the Contax 645).
The Mamiya 80mm f1.9 lens came as the kit lens on the older Mamiya 645 1000S camera. My first task was to transfer the lens from my Mamiya 1000S onto the new M645 Super camera. (I don’t use my Mamiya 645 1000S I just wanted the lens from it). The Mamiya 80mm f1.9 lens is amazing for portraits or low light photography with a medium format camera. (I believe it is the fastest medium format camera lens for any system. “Fastest” meaning it has the smallest f stop number so lets in the most light and gives the most shallow depth of field).
Mamiya 80mm f1.9 vs Contax 80mm f2
The closest lens I have owned to the Mamiya C 80mm f/1.9 lens is my Contax 645 Zeiss 80mm f2 lens. That way a fantastic camera/ lens setup but you pay a huge premium for it. (See the Mamiya 645 vs Contax 645 review) . The main difference with the Contax 645 camera setup is the lenses are autofocus where as the Mamiya Sekor 80mm f1.9 is manual focus. This is true for all lenses on the Mamiya 645 Super as it is a manual camera.
7. Mamiya 645 Wedding Photography
I bought the camera to use for analogue Mamiya 645 wedding photography. The 80mm f1.9 lens lets me photograph in low light conditions and the 645 film format gives me 15 photos per roll. The modular M645 design means I can also use multiple film backs. This means I can reload film faster during a busy wedding or use 2 backs with different film types. I now plan to use the Mamiya 645 Super alongside my 35mm Leica M3 film cameras for film photography weddings.
8. Mamiya 645 Portraits
My first chance to use the Mamiya 645 Super was in my Coventry studio for model photography with friend and model Roisin. Above is an iPhone photo of my first 645 Mamiya negatives drip drying above the bath. Below are a few samples of the resulting photos once the negatives had been scanned.
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9. Mamiya 645 Landscape Photography
I have also used the Mamiya 645 camera for some landscape photography but since getting a Fuji GA645 I now pack this camera if I want to travel light with a 645 format camera. Both 645 film cameras have the uses but I prefer the 645 Mamiya for portraits and the Fuji 645 for landscapes/ travel photography.
10. Mamiya 645 Lenses
Best Mamiya 645 lenses?
I did a lot of research before buying the lenses I use. From my reading and experience these are some of the best Mamiya 645 lenses made. In focal length order these are the lenses I use:
- Mamiya 55mm f2.8 N – standard lens for wider view
- Mamiya 70mm f2.8 N – leaf shutter lens (specialist lens for flash photos)
- Mamiya 80mm f1.9 C – fastest lens in the line up and best bokeh!
- Mamiya 80mm f2.8 N – standard kit lens (sharp and compact)
- Mamiya 110mm f2.8 N – sharp lens, great for headshots
11. Mamiya 645 – User Guide & Getting Started
If you have just got yourself a Mamiya 645 Super camera here are a few answers to questions I had when I first got my Mamiya 645.
Questions
- What battery do I need for a Mamiya 645 Super?
- Can I use the Mamiya 645 Super without a battery?
- What is the Mamiya 645 Super flash sync speed?
- Why can’t I remove the film back?
- Why can’t I take a photo when I press the shutter?
- What does the “X” and “M” means on the lens?
- How to use a Mamiya 645 leaf shutter lens for flash photography?
- How to load film in a Mamiya 645 Super
Answers
- Mamiya 645 Super battery – 1x 4LR44 6V battery
- Mamiya 645 Super without battery – Yes it will work at 1/60 mechanical shutter speed only
- Mamiya 645 flash sync speed is 1/60 (though some lenses have leaf shutters so they can sync to 1/500)
- To remove the Mamiya 645 film back the dark slide needs inserting
- (i) To take a photo (with a battery inserted) the dark slide needs removing (ii) Ensure the shutter release lock is not on
- “M” stands for manual flash, “X” stands for electronic flash
- Attach a PC Sync cable to the lens terminal and set the shutter speed on the lens body to 1/8 or slower. The shutter speed setting on the lens itself controls the light not the curtain in the camera body.
- Mamiya 645 Super film loading – see video linked below at 10:05
Mamiya 645 Super Film Loading + Quick Camera Overview
This is a great video if you have just bought a Mamiya 645 or are tempted to buy one. It gives a good Mamiya 645 Super overview and shows how you load film into this camera.
YouTube: Mamiya 645 Review
Wait! Do you have film?
After reading this article hopefully you are now ready to get out and start shooting! Have you got film to load? Here are some of my favourite films that I use in the Mamiya 645 for portraits.
400 speed film is better suited to medium format cameras as the lenses let in less light that many 35mm prime lenses. For example a 35mm camera 50mm f1.4 lens @ISO 100 = 80mm f2.8 @ISO 400 on a Mamiya 645 camera.
Colour film:
- 120 Kodak Portra 400 – Amazon UK / US
- 120 Kodak Portra 800 – Amazon UK / US
- 120 Fuji Pro 400H – Amazon UK / US
Black and white film:
- 120 Kodak TMax 400 – Amazon UK/ US
- 120 Kodak Tri-X 400 – Amazon UK / US
- 120 Ilford HP5 400 – Amazon UK / US
For a full list of film stocks you can now click here – NEED FILM?
A-Z FILM STOCK Reviews
Alternative 645 format film cameras
Hasselblad H2
If you prefer autofocus you might light the Hasselblad H series cameras. I use the Hasselblad H2 and both the lenses and camera are fantastic. It is my go to 645 film camera for portraits now.
FUJI GA645
Want something smaller but still autofocus? Check out the Fuji GA645 camera. I use it less for portraits now but I shot many with it in the past.
FUJICA GS645
Love the idea of a small 645 folding camera and prefer manual focus cameras? Check out the even smaller Fujica GS645 camera! Amazing lens the same as the Fuji GA645. Sharp modern looking images.
Related Mamiya camera / Film photography articles
- Mamiya 645 vs Contax 645
- Mamiya 645 1000S
- How to Process Film through to Digital (Develop, Scan, Edit)
- How to Develop Film at Home (Step by Step Guide)
- Rodinal Stand Development / Semi-Stand Development (Guide)
What about Leica film cameras?
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Used that box many times, Matt, many good memories. You’ll love it!! Shot mostly Tri-X and AGFA RSX.
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The four B&W images above are gorgeous. I was put off on buying a Mamiya 645 Pro on eBay as the images at flickr were barely better — and often worse — than 35mm. But after seeing these at approximately 4x their actual size, I’m sold. I can now clearly see the difference between 645 and 35mm. Thank you.
Thanks Rob, yes with 645 format you should certainly see improvements over 35mm film format. The M645 is quite light and compact too. Happy shooting! 🙂
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This is a well written and informational article, thank you. I am searching to see if the beautiful Mamiya 80/1.9 lens would be compatible with anything else besides the 1000s, and turns out I can try this camera! Thank you.
Thanks Jessica! Yes I bought the 1000S specifically for the lens and then I used it on the Mamiya 645 Super. Great portrait lens!