The Mamiya M645 was the first 6 x 4.5 single lens reflex (SLR) made by Mamiya and was produced from 1975 to 1987. Built for professionals or advanced shooters who wanted a smaller more portable format over the Mamiya RB67, it became a work horse and rivaled Hasselblad. The M645 was not near as modular as its big brother the RB67 nor its rival Hasselblad as the film was housed inside the camera body rather than interchangeable film backs. However, it does retain some modular aspects as you can at least change the viewfinder and focusing screens along with lenses, you could also add a motor drive to automatically advance the film. The other advantage or disadvantage to some is the electronically controlled shutter with a shutter speed of 1/500 to 8 seconds in full stop increments. Most cameras for slow shutter speeds top out at 1 or 2 seconds before the requirement of bulb but the M645 goes beyond that to 8 seconds and like most further with bulb.
My experience in shooting with the M645 has been fairly positive as it’s much smaller, lighter, and more easy to shoot with compared to my other professional medium format cameras of its era. Being spoiled with some cameras that have interchangeable backs did dampen my opinion of the system slightly as you’re stuck with the film you have until you finish the roll. Another issue I had with the camera was that the fastest shutter speed was only 1/500. Don’t get me wrong, I’m more of a slow shutter speed shooter but if you have a high ISO film and are faced with a bight lighting condition you’re pretty pooched unless you’ve brought filters.
All in all the M645 is a great tool for the photographer, light and portable and very user friendly. It feels very durable for someone who likes to shoot outdoors and seeing as the film is housed inside the camera it would be more weather resistant than those with interchangeable backs. It’s a Pro camera that even a novice can handle and if you are wanting to dive into the medium format world I feel as though the Mamiya M645 series would be a great starting camera.
The Specs:
Produced: 1975-1987
Type of camera: Medium format Single Lens Reflex
Film/picture format: 120/220 6x45cm with an aspect ratio of 4:3
Lens Mount: Mamiya Sekor 645 bayonet
Lens(es): Interchangeable
Shutter: Electronically controlled vertical travel focal plane shutter with shutter speeds of 1/500 to 8 seconds including Bulb. Multiple exposures are also available.
Exposure metering: not built into camera, only metered viewfinders have this option.
Viewfinder: Interchangeable with four waist level and pentaprism metered and non-metered viewfinders.
Focusing screen: Interchangeable with 5 different screens
Reflex mirror: Automatic return
Depth-of-field preview: Only available from the lens manual aperture control.
Frame counter: Mechanical additive
Film advance: Hand wound knob on right hand side, can have a power winder attached.
Power source: One 6v A544 battery in camera body powering the shutter
Camera back: Hinged for 120 or 220 film insert.
Camera finish: Black