Mamiya M645
M645, original model image by Voxphoto (Image rights) |
The Mamiya M645 is the first series of 4.5×6 SLRs made by Mamiya. It features an electronic focal plane shutter. The finder and screens are interchangeable, but there is no magazine back, only pre-loadable film inserts. This made it easy to preload onto less expensive film magazines, but no mid-roll change is permitted. Up to 15 frames can be captured onto a 120 roll film. All the M645 models covered here share the same accessories (finders, screens, lenses, grips and inserts). The lenses and inserts (but not the viewfinders) can also be attached on later manual-focus cameras such as the M645 Super.
M645
The original M645 appeared in 1975. It has knob advance with a flip out crank and shutter speeds from 8s to 1/500. It sports a mirror lockup and double exposure lever. There is a dedicated flash sync terminals on the body. One for electronic X and the other for bulb FP. Flash sync is 1/60 sec. There are two shutter release buttons on the camera body. Both are useful depending on type of grips and viewfinders used in the system. The first one is on the front below the lens mount which has a lockable collar. The second is on a small ledge on top of the camera to the right of the viewfinder. The shutter knob is on the left hand side of the body. The speeds available marked in green for full seconds include 1, 2, 4 and 8 sec. For slower shutter speeds in hundredth of a second they are marked in orange 2, 4, 8, 15 of a sec. In white, 30, 125, 250, 500 of a sec. 60X shutter speed is in red and represents the maximum speed for electronic flash sync. There is also a circle marked in red between B and 500. Set to this position to use the metered prism finders shutter speed dial.
The lens is pretty basic with rings for focus, shutter, aperture, DOF and focusing scales. There is one leaver changeable from A to M by the lens barrel. This switched the lens from an automatic to manual for stopping down the lens to the aperture selected for depth of field.
The film back has a memo clip to attach a roll film box top as a reminder of film type. Opening the film door requires pressing on to this memo area, while moving the lever to the right. The M645 takes a 6 volt battery that provides power for the camera body as well as finders. It can be accessed at the base of the camera body by the tripod socket. To use twist the knob on the plate in the direction indicated and a it will pop-up. It takes PX28 or 4LR44 type batteries. The location of the battery compartment is not the best. Grips and or tripods plates can block access to the battery. There is also a red battery test button by the top shutter release. By pressing it, a lamp on the shutter knob side will lite.
M645 1000S
The M645 1000S (1976) adds the 1/1000 top speed, a selftimer, a depth of field preview button other details. The manual advance winder knob with fold out crank is now primary just a crank. It is still removable, so many cameras on the used marketplace might be different or they were lost because some hand grips require them removed.
M645J
The M645 J (1979) is like the original model with shutter speeds from 1s to 1/500 but with the mirror lockup feature removed. The J is for Junior. It also lacks the upper shutter-release button of the other M645 models. It was only made for export.
Gallery
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System
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Lens original C
Zoom
Special
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Lens Newer
Zoom
Lens Shutter
APO
Special
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View finder
Focusing screen
Grip
Film
Lens accessories
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Specifications
M645 | M645 1000S | M645 J | |
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Introduction | 1975 | 1976 | 1979 |
Type | 6cm × 4.5cm electronic focal plane shutter single lens reflex camera | ||
Film back | integrated w/ removable film magazines | ||
Film | 120 film magazine 15 exposures 220 film magazine 30 exposures | ||
Finder | interchangeable (Prism, AE, CdS, PD or waist-level/sports finder) | ||
Focusing screen | interchangeable (Microprism, Matte, Checker, RF Wide, RF Spot) | ||
Focusing | helical focusing built into each lens. | ||
Mirror | instant return, automatic mirror system | ||
Mirror Lock Up | Yes | No | |
Shutter | Moving Coil electronic focal plane shutter | ||
Shutter Speeds | B, 1 to 500 | B, 1 to 1000 | B, 1 to 500 |
Shutter release | 2 | 1 | |
Multiple exposure | Yes multi exposure knob | ||
Film winding | Removable, knob with built-in collapsible crank | ||
Power | 1x 6V silver-oxide PX28 |
Bibliography
- Lewis, Gordon, ed. The History of the Japanese Camera. Rochester, N.Y.: George Eastman House, International Museum of Photography & Film, 1991. ISBN 0-935398-17-1 (paper), 0-935398-16-3 (hard). P.147.
- McKeown, James M. and Joan C. McKeown's Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras, 12th Edition, 2005-2006. USA, Centennial Photo Service, 2004. ISBN 0-931838-40-1 (hardcover). ISBN 0-931838-41-X (softcover). P.647.
- Sugiyama, Kōichi (杉山浩一); Naoi, Hiroaki (直井浩明); Bullock, John R. The Collector's Guide to Japanese Cameras. 国産カメラ図鑑 (Kokusan kamera zukan). Tokyo: Asahi Sonorama, 1985. ISBN 4-257-03187-5. Item 2172.
Links
General links
In French :
- M645 on www.collection-appareils.fr by Sylvain Halgand
In Spanish :
In Japanese:
- The 6×4.5 and 6×7 SLRs in the Camera Museum of the Mamiya official website, covers the M645, M645 1000S and M645 J
- Mamiya M645 at Asacame
Documentation and manuals
- Mamiya 645 Camera Manuals : Photo-Manuals.com by Ben Squire
- Mamiya M645 Instruction manual (PDF) at Orphan Cameras
- M645 1000S (PDF) at Mamiya Leaf