Mamiya seems to have changed lens mounts on their 35mm cameras the way you're supposed to change tooth brushes, and the earlier lenses were often completely incompatible. Good luck find lenses for the later bayonet mount cameras, though when you do find them they are inexpensive.
The shutter mechanisms seem to need more care than equivalent age Pentax cameras as well. Glen Tortorella wrote: > Hi Adam, > > I see you mention your Mamiya, but I forgot to ask: have you ever > tried Mamiya's 35mm cameras? Overall, what do you think of them? > The ZM, which I believe was their last 35mm, looks interesting. I > gather it might be tough to find one in nice condition, as black > camera bodies tend to get pretty scuffed up. > > Glen > > On Sep 1, 2007, at 10:13 AM, Adam Maas wrote: > > >> The handling of the 645N and 645NII are superb (Better than my >> Mamiya's, >> Although I do like the Mamiya 645AFDII even more), the original 645 is >> IMHO compromised by the use of the ME Super 2-button interface (I'm >> not >> a big fan) but still handles well overall. Build is plastic-covered >> metal, which is the norm for 645-format SLR's. >> >> 645's are the weight of a pro 35mm SLR, and only somewhat bulkier. >> They're very handholdable, I regularly handhold down to 1/60th with my >> old M645, and have tried the 645 Super at 1/30th (roll is still in the >> camera, so we'll see). The Pentax 645's are every bit as >> handholdable as >> my Mamiya's. >> >> You aren't into tripod-only territory with either of the Pentax MF >> SLR's. Only the Mamiya RB & RZ's are truly tripod-bound (Although it's >> probably a good idea with a Bronica GS as well) >> >> -Adam >> >> Glen Tortorella wrote: >> >>> Thank you for your thoughts, Adam. Medium format is an intriguing >>> option. I will continue to ponder the matter. How do you like >>> handling the 645 (i.e. the "feel" of it)? Is it more of a "tripod >>> only" type of camera, or may one take good hand-held shots with it? >>> Does the design include any plastic (like the top plate on my Super >>> Program) or is it all metal? >>> >>> Regards, >>> Glen >>> >>> On Aug 31, 2007, at 8:59 PM, Adam Maas wrote: >>> >>> >>>> Glen Tortorella wrote: >>>> >>>>> Hi all, >>>>> >>>>> I went to a somewhat "local" camera shop today to buy film. In one >>>>> of the used cases sat a Pentax 645. It looked like it was in nice >>>>> shape, and it came with a lens...I am not sure which one, though. >>>>> Anyway, they are asking $560 for it. I have had at least some >>>>> interest in the medium format domain ever since I saw my friend's >>>>> Hasselblad back in 1997. Since it seems like an expensive >>>>> pursuit, I >>>>> have held out on buying a medium format setup. Any comments, >>>>> folks? >>>>> I know little about this type of photography, and I would >>>>> appreciate >>>>> any comments--either about the features of the 645 itself, or about >>>>> medium format photography (i.e. associated issues and "things to >>>>> keep >>>>> in mind"). >>>>> >>>>> Thanks, >>>>> Glen >>>>> >>>>> >>>> Nice kit, a bit pricey, unless it's an N or NII(AF body). >>>> >>>> I'm a fan of the 645 format. It's big enough to get a really >>>> noticable >>>> quality boost over 35mm, but the camera's aren't any heavier than a >>>> 35mm >>>> pro AF body like an F5 or EOS 1v. >>>> >>>> I actually just picked up a Mamiya 645 Super kit today, for $800cdn >>>> off >>>> a friend. Got the 45/2.8, 80/2.8, 150/3.5, the body, AE prism N, >>>> Winder >>>> N, a standard prism, 2 backs and 3 inserts (2x120, 1x220). Quite a >>>> good >>>> price, and it replaces my older M645 which is back in the shop (I >>>> also >>>> own a 55/2.8 N and another 80/2.8 along with a prism for my older >>>> 645). >>>> >>>> The Pentax units have several features built-in that are >>>> accessories on >>>> the Mamiya and Bronica 645's (Metering prisms, winders, backs). >>>> This is >>>> generally a plus for the metering and winding, but the individual >>>> backs >>>> are a bonus (that's one reason I upgraded to a Super from my M645, >>>> some >>>> Mamiya bodies, including the M645, have integrated backs like the >>>> P645, >>>> the others being increased reliability and the price was right). >>>> >>>> -Adam >>>> >>>> -- >>>> PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List >>>> [email protected] >>>> http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net >>>> >>> >> -- >> PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List >> [email protected] >> http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net >> > > > -- Remember, it’s pillage then burn. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net
