Mamiya 645 - a review and shoot with the medium format classic!

The famous Mamiya 645, specifically in my case this is a 645J! Ashamed to say that this was another absolute classic medium format camera that I have never tried before.

I've never been a huge fan of the 6x4.5 format... I sort of think that the big draw of medium format film is the huge step up from 35mm in terms of negative size and therefore resolution. So why then go for the smallest of the medium format frame sizes?

But there are definite advantages! And the first one is portability.

645 cameras such as this M645, or the Bronica ETRS cameras, are smaller and lighter than most of the 6x6 or 6x9 cameras. And when you're talking about some pretty chunky cameras, size and weight are things you need to consider.

So what did I think of the Mamiya 645J? You know what, I really liked it. Of course the Mamiya lenses are top notch, so what you might lose in negative real-estate, you're winning in class glass!

Overall I really like this camera. This one, once I fix it (more on that in the video) will be hitting the Ebay shelf, but only because I have a Bronica ETRS, and I don't need two 645 cameras in my collection.

Have you tried a Mamiya 645? What did you think of it? let me know!