Getting to know the Mamiya m645J film camera.
- antonroland
- Jul 29, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 12, 2023
In this article I wish to tell you more about the Mamiya m645J medium format film camera.
Medium format film photography has many benefits over 35mm film and this is a great starter camera that you probably won't want to part with. EVER...
This was my first experience with medium format film photography and what a great not-so-little camera it is. OK, it is not THAT big either.
Photography is about creating images, sure. To me, a lot of the joy of the process is in using and owning the actual tool used to create the image. I easily and quickly form emotional bonds with things I own. I mean a camera is a tool, right? Weird maybe? My wife reminds me of this every opportunity she gets...
This camera with a spare lens was gifted to me by a mentor photographer I respect very much. I have made a few great images with it over the years but she sat in storage for a few years. Film became much more readily available in the last year or two and she is seeing lots of light again.
If you are keen to try shooting film or keen to get back to film shooting I would really recommend you get in touch with these fine people here at Cape Film Supply...
The above is a very mediocre 2400dpi scan on an A4 flatbed scanner. Image quality is nothing to complain about and the lights render very pleasing starbursts.
A lightly edited image shot using Fuji Provia slide film.
Sadly, because of the early D-SLR days, sharpness became the be-all and end-all of photography. Yes, I sadly also fell for that for a year or 3. I believe this image proves that there is plenty of that. Mamiya Sekor C lenses are amazing and can be picked up at bargain prices.
A meager 2400dpi scan on an A4 flatbed scanner will yield a theoretical 20Mp image. A decent scan could turn that 645 frame into a 200+ Mp image.
Now, back to the Mamiya m645J...
The m645J is one of a large family of 645 cameras built by Mamiya from around 1975 into 2000 and beyond. The m645J is a very basic and stripped-down version produced around 1979 - 1982.
The closest cousin is the M645 1000S which has one faster shutter speed of 1/1000 second, a second shutter button and mirror lock-up functionality. Oh, there is also a M645 which sits somewhere between the m645J and the m6451000S.
The m645J is gloriously basic. It shoots 120 roll film and has a removable prism viewfinder. You can fit a metered prism or a waist-level viewfinder to it.
It produces a 4x3 aspect ratio image slightly different from the 2x3 aspect ratio images produced by 35mm D-SLR cameras.
Shutter speeds range from one full second to 1/500 of a second with "B" bulb setting for longer timed exposures with a cable release. Flash sync is at 1/60 of a second.
One thing puzzled me for quite a while. The red dot on the shutter control knob.
This setting is for use with a metered viewfinder prism. Nerd-speak for the fact that some viewfinder prism heads have a light meter built into it.
One thing, and the only thing, I find disappointing about this camera is that it has no removable film back like many other medium format system cameras. You need to finish the roll. If you load colour and wish to shoot black & white mid-roll you are on a sticky wicket. But then it is a basic entry-level medium format camera.
It is also no big thing really. A roll of 120 film will give you 15 frames of, you guessed it, 6cm x 4,5cm gloriously large negatives. The 645 negative is around 3x the size of a 35mm negative in area. Well, if you want to be absolutely technical, it is about 56mm x 42mm...on mine at least.
Opening the film bay door is a bit tricky at first
In the middle of the film door is a square holder for the film box tab. This also depresses along with a sliding switch which needs to be pressed to the right. To do this right the eyepiece cup needs to be moved up a bit or removed completely.
The film cassette needs to be removed from the camera body in order to load a film.
The film cassette lifts out easily by simultaneously pressing two buttons at the side of the "120" grab handle. There are very clear film loading illustrations on the cassette. Even I could get it right the first time. IF you can get hold of 220 film, which is highly unlikely, you would need a 220 cassette.
120 and 220 film is essentially the same thing except that 220 is double the length. Unlike 120 roll film, 220 has no paper backing rolled with the film.
Please note the eyecup position. This is necessary to open the film bay.
As for lenses, the Mamiya Sekor C lenses are quite superb and don't stand back for any digital era lens. On the Mamiya m645j the 80mm lens is the equivalent of the 50mm standard lens we know on 35mm film cameras. There is a f/1,9 version but I am very happy with the f/2,8 version I have.
I also have the 2,8/45mm lens which is fairly close to 28mm perspective in 35mm film terms. Both the above examples were shot with the 45mm lens. I will probably get the 55mm (35mm equivalent) eventually but I will get one or two telephotos first. The 150mm (70-80mm equivalent) and 210mm (120mm equivalent) are on my radar and good ones can still be picked up for rather very cheap compared to "modern" recent lenses.
Personally I prefer prime lenses to zoom lenses but good zooms are also available for these cameras.
If you pick up one of these cameras, have it serviced and specifically check the light seals in the body at the film door. They will very likely need replacement. This should not cost more than the price of one or two rolls of film. On top of the camera is a small red button. This is the battery test button. If the battery is good a green LED should light up next to and above the shutter control knob on top of the camera. They are easy to come by unlike the obscure batteries in the Yashica Mat124G.
If the battery has leaked during storage you should think twice since internal damage to wiring could call for expensive repairs...possibly more than the asking price of the camera. They do last forever though. I have never had to replace the one in my camera in over 10 years.
If you are thinking about shooting film, you could do a LOT worse than getting yourself one of these. The Mamiya m645J is a great camera that can be bought for a very good price.
Grab one if you can get a good one. You REALLY won't be sorry.
Happy shooting!
Anton
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