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This is an amazing piece of photographic equipment, handles as easy as 35mm, but provides photos which are 2.7 times larger. I chose Mamiya 645 for the following reasons: 1. Portability (it is heavier than a typical 35mm) but you can still carry it around (unlike RZ67 or 'Blads, which provide even bigger (better) quality pictures but are not very useful in the field). 2. Great optics (even the kit lenses are generally superior to Canons and Nikons of the world) but run at a fraction of their cost, particularly if you go for a manual focus lens. 3. Compatibility with older manual focus lenses (something you cannot do with Canon) 4. Solid build, very intuitive controls, especially for someone who shoots in manual mode only (but then again, you wouldn't be buying this camera if you are the "full-auto" kind of guy or gal. 5. Support for digital backs. They are still pretty expensive, but technology gets cheaper over time. 6. Total system cost, compared to a 35mm digital system. With optics, a top-line 35mm digital are about the same cost -- and sometimes even more -- than Mamiya 645 with a digital back, but you get better pictures.Read full review
I bought this camera for my girlfriend as a Christmas present. While I couldn't actually give it to her on Christmas (timeline issue), I did get it while she was at her family's over the holiday and decided to give it a spin myself. My girlfriend is a photographer I am not so this camera shouldn't be too easy for a novice but it actually is. I found the instruction manual (included in my sale but not sure if it is in others so check) easy to read and understand. After playing with the camera for a little bit I found it easier and easier to use and learned it's little tricks here and there. My girlfriend wanted this camera so she could get into Meduim format film and get away from the digital 35mm format for a bit. She also liked this camera because while it takes film, we can at a later date purchase a digital back for this camera so it will grow as she grows. I bought the camera from Samy's Camera out of Santa Barbara. They shipped it to me in near perfect condition and any blemishes there were on the camera were clearly spelled out and even photographed so there were no surprises when I received it. I would definitely recommend this camera especially to those that want to get away from 35 mm and make the step up to medium format.Read full review
I bought this camera specifically to use with a P30 digital back, coming from Canon 5D DSLR. First, it has nice build and feels sturdy in my (not small) hands. Not a huge change from a DSLR. Second, the controls are easy to use, and I love that all dials and buttons have protection from a non-intentional pressing or rotating. You may only intentionally change some setting. You have all modes that you need: P-A-T-M. I've long been shooting with only M(anual) and A(perture priority). Third, it works seamlessly with a hi-tech back and there is no problem with the digital interface. Film back can easily replace the digital back. In 5 secs you can enjoy those film days with a 16-frame roll in your film back. Nice sound of advance motor )) Fourth, I love Mamiya's lens and I appreciate the quality which is produced by the lens and through to the digital back -- the quality is consistent and stunning. Fortunately, I have a great copy of both zooms and fixed lens. Fifth, if you should rely on Auto Exposition metering, you have both spot and more integral metering of the light coming in. You also have One-Shot auto focusing and Continuous auto focusing, though for me a studio photographer this is not relevant. Finally, it is just beatiful. And some of my fellow colleagues agree with me -- this beast is just great looking. Downsides? Not many, not very important. 1) Slowish Auto Focusing -- but this is not a sports camera anyway. 2) Rather fast draining of batteries compared to my former DSLR -- but just keep 6 fresh AA batteries at hand and you'll be fine. 3) The battery compartment seems to be loose a bit (with 3 or 4 bodies I had in my hand) but I never experienced spontaneous opening in the course of the shoot. Highly recommend for those who are not willing yet to pay 3-4K for new bodies. This one will surely show if you need a better one or just may stay with this great piece of photographic equipment. Good luck to everyone!Read full review
Until you actually use a medium format camera, you don't realize the detail you're missing. Weather shooting digital or film, this camera produces excellent results. I also shoot with Canon (5d, 10D + L lenses) and this camera continues to outshine. What amazed me was the clarity of the optics. I have tested the 80mm Mamiya f2.8 lens against my 70-200 f2.8 L IS Canon lens, which is one of Canon's shapest, and the Mamiya is hands-down the winner. The camera handles well for me. I don't mind big cameras. I use a Leaf Valeo 6MP back that I got very cheap off of this site and the results are magnificent - except in low light. Saving up to get the ZD back (22MP.)
Love this camera. It is high tech, but still easy to learn and use. I have used manual medium format film cameras, 35mm film cameras, and professional 1 series Canon digital SLR. The Mamiya 645AFD is my favorite of all. You can sit and read the manual in one sitting, pick up the camera, and be shooting with full confidence within a couple of hours. Such a breath of fresh air compared to the endless menus and complications of up scale digital cameras, plus to me, digital is no substitute for medium format film. This camera is relatively small and lightweight, at least compared to the huge brick of a Canon 1Ds plus L lens and hot shoe mounted flash. I love the art of film capture, and this camera makes it easy to create. The 645 format is the "smallest" of the medium format formats, but the size of the camera makes it a good compromise as compared to the Mamiya RZ 67 which I was also considering purchasing. The 645ADFD can be carried and used on location almost as easily as a 35mm camera. Highly recommended for medium format film users.Read full review