Mamiya 645 Pro TL

paulphoto's Full Review:

Mamiya 645 Pro TL 35mm Film Camera The 35mm SLR system is arguably the most comprehensive system of all formats in the realm of photography. Currently, Canon and Nikon are perhaps the two leading 35mm SLR manufacturers that offer a wide range of lenses as well as accessories to support their top line camera bodies. For instance, in the Nikon autofocus (AF) system, one has a choice of lens selections in focal lengths ranging from 14mm (114 degree ultra-wide angle) to 600mm (the long telephoto), including a 16mm fisheye lens that sweeps a 180-degree field of view. Canon offers similar focal range in lens selections for its 35mm line. If one works with Nikon manual focus system, one has a choice of lenses ranging from 8mm-fisheye to 1200mm in focal length.

Supported by a wealth of lens choices (fixed-focal lengths and zooms) with high quality optics and other accessories makes 35mm SLR system a very popular and logical photographic platform for everyone. And because it is both affordable and portable, there is hardly a reason why a 35mm SLR camera is not a camera of choice.

Howard Creech said, in his review of the Contax 645 medium format (MF) camera, "in truth the only reason to buy into MF is the larger negative". It seems clear that larger negative (almost 3x larger than 35mm format) offers better image quality. A large negative film also has the advantage that it allows room for cropping an image and still produces superior results. Howard Creech was absolutely right; that was the only reason I invested in this camera system.

Previously, I had owned the Mamiya 645J. It was an entry-level (Junior model, hence the word "J") camera. I only used it to take portraits of my family. Being old, beat-up and a bit rusted, the M645 Junior broke down. I did not bother to have it fixed with the reason that I wanted a medium format camera that can grow.

I looked into the new Mamiya 645E, whose design is similar to the old M645J, but very modernized and well equipped. It is the current model offered by Mamiya as an entry level. I did not want it because of its limited accessories; not much room to grow. I also considered the Hasselblade system, particularly the 501-CM model, simply because I wanted to utilize the superb optics of Carl Zeiss lenses…but realize it is too costly to invest in such a system. I thought about getting the Bronica ETRSi, but I personally prefer the Mamiya system.

Quite frankly, I decided to buy the Mamiya 645 PRO TL system because I got it at a very cheap price. I bought the system from a working photographer. She bought the M645 PRO TL system (a SVX II pro Value Pack that currently sells for $2400) as a backup for her Mamiya 645AFD system, and she decided to get a second M645AFD to eliminate fumbling with the controls. In absolute mint condition and comes complete with boxes, manuals, info papers and inserts, the M645 PRO TL package (which includes the body, 80mm f/2.8 lens, prism finder PF401, 120 film back, power grip, and RC402 threaded cable release adapter) is hard to pass. I quickly made the payment before she changed her mind.

Nonetheless, the reason I decided to write this review is not because I got a very expensive camera cheap, but because of its superb handling and performance.

The Design, the Features

Without the lens, roll film holder (or back), prism finder and power grip attached, the M645 PRO TL is just a hollow cube with a focus screen on top, a slanted mirror inside and a black shutter curtain at the back (be careful not to touch it!). It makes me wonder why such a seemingly hollow cube alone can cost at least $1599. It is all too clear that only when the above listed items are attached to the PRO TL body that a very nice looking medium format camera starts to reveal its formidable shape and capability. It is solid with metal construction, strong, and heavy but not too unbearable. In fact, the whole outfit is lighter than a 35mm camera Nikon F4S with a 35-70mm f/2.8 zoom lens.

The M645 PRO TL body has four interchangeable viewfinders: AE Prism Finder FE401 (an aperture-priority AE finder that offers both spot and average metering choices with A/S Matrix Metering), Prism Finder PF401 (non-metered), Reflex Finder FK402 (with built-in aperture-priority AE auto exposure), and Waist Level Finder N.

It supports a total of five interchangeable backs: 120 magazine HA401 (the 6x4.5cm roll film holder with 15 exposures), 220 magazine HB401 (30 exposures), 35mm magazine HC401 (with a panoramic adapter), Polaroid Film Pack Holder HP401, and a Digital Back (offered by many independent manufacturers, such as Kodak). The camera features a safety lock mechanism that prevents the back from being removed, if the Dark Slide is not inserted.

Even though, it comes with a manual film advance crank (AC401), the M645 PRO TL has two optional motor drives: SV Power Winder WG-402 and Power Grip II WG-401. The WG-402 is the standard power winder that merely provides an auto film advance by almost 1 frame per sec (0.8 fps to be exact). The WG-401, on the other hand, is a real power grip. It can fire at 2 frames per sec. It has an ability to engage multiple exposure setting, battery check, continuous shooting. It accepts AC adapter and most commercial battery pack operation.

The M645 PRO TL has a very simple layout with few control buttons. The shutter speed dial is on the top right with a lock release button next to it. The shutter speed dial ranges from 1/1000 sec to 4 sec, B (bulb), AEL (Automatic Lock) and A (Automatic). Each click is very distinct and secure. The dial will lock in 1/60 sec, AEL and A, and requires depressing the lock release to change to different setting. All three settings are marked in red. With the power grip (WG-401 or WG-402) removed, there is a multiple exposure lever, and a neck strap lug above it. The battery lamp is on the upper-right corner of the camera. On the lower-right front of the camera is the shutter release button with three operations: shutter release lock, enable, and a 10-sec self-timer. The lens mount alignment indicator is next to the shutter release button. On the lower left (still at front of camera) is the battery check button. On the left side, we have the hot-shoe mount, flash synch terminal, mirror lock-up lever, lens release button, 6-pin coupling connector for dedicated TTL flashes such as Metz, auxiliary release contact and neck strap lug.

The film speed dial is not on body but on the film magazine. The sensitivity of the film set on the magazine will be transmitted to the body, and the M645 PRO TL will use that information to communicate with the AE Prism Finder FE401 for automatic exposure.

The nice feature I particularly like is the auxiliary release contact adapter. It is basically a front threaded cable release adapter that allows remote shutter release via any commercial release cable. With this adapter (Mamiya RC402), I can use my Nikon AR-3 remote release cable to trip the shutter.

In the Field: Handling, Operation, Performance

My camera system consists of the M645 PRO TL body, 80mm f/2.8 N lens, non-metered Prism Finder PF401 and the SV Power Winder WG-402. The whole setup is quite easy to handle, maneuverable, easy to shoot handheld, not as heavy as I originally thought. The back of the hand grip on the power winder WG-402 appears to mimic the contour of the thumb. However, the contoured shape of the thumb appears to be in the wrong place. If I rest my thumb there, it appears to point forward and out (not up and inward toward the camera), thus producing a weaker grip to support or hold the camera with one hand. It is somewhat difficult to explain. If you are familiar with Nikon 35mm camera, such as F4, F100 or F5, its back has an ergonomic contoured design to enforce a strong grip, by having the thumb point up and inward toward the camera body. The Mamiya contour design for the hand grip is not like that.

The Power Grip II WG-401, being larger than the WG-402, should be an excellent grip for someone with large hand. With the demand of heavy duty, the Power Grip II WG-401 uses 6 AA batteries, while the WG-402 uses a 2CR5 6V lithium battery.

Holding the power grip WG-402 with the right hand and support the camera body and lens with the left hand will provide a good secure grip for a stable handheld shot. I can obtain sharp pictures shooting handheld. Turning for vertical shooting position is also easy. The M645 PRO TL is very easy to operate. With the eye-level prism finder, the M645 PRO TL handles like my 35mm camera. I love it! The power winder, even though slow, is quite smooth. The camera's operation is reasonably quiet, considering a large mirror inside.

Without the AE prism finder (FE401), A and AEL features do not function and the M645 PRO TL simply operates in manual exposure mode. The shutter speed will operate from 4 sec to 1/1000 sec. If the AE prism finder is attached, the shutter speed will operate from 8 sec to 1/1000 sec in auto aperture-priority mode (at least the manual says so, because I have not used the AE prism finder yet). My camera has a non-metered prism finder (PF401), and therefore it requires an outside exposure meter to determine the exposure setting. For normal shooting (when a light meter is not available), I derive my exposure value from my Nikon F4's TTL (Through The Lens) metering system. This method works quite well.

The "sunny f/16" principle also applies in medium format photography, and it can be a great advantage. I have used this principle during my test drive of this camera. With a good clear sunny sky, with the sun over my shoulder, I can manually set the exposure with the lens set at f/16 and shutter speed at 1/(ISO film speed). I can use any equivalence in aperture and shutter speed combination with the "f/16 and 1/(ISO speed) sec" exposure value as the starting point. With my Fujichrome Provia 100F slide film loaded, the "sunny f/16" principle translates to: aperture f/16, shutter speed 1/125 sec. For most backlit subjects, I still use this principle but open up one stop for the exposure. The results in both situations are outstanding with slide images very well exposed; excellent color and detail also due to the Mamiya's exceptional optics. The problem is that we don't have the luxury of a sunny sky all the time.

Portrait Photography

With a non-metered prism, the camera is excellent for shooting portraiture. Other studio lights or strobes can be connected to the camera, and a flash meter can be used to derive the precise exposure value from the flash output. The camera has a standard flash synch of 1/60 sec. With a flash sensor located inside the camera body, the M645 PRO TL also features TTL and OTF (Off The Film) electronic flash exposure automation. These features are operational when a dedicated electronic flash is used, like the Metz flash system, which Mamiya recommends. For a simple portrait shot, I use a photoflood as a light source (at least for now), meter the subject using a gray card with my Nikon F4's TTL meter to determine the exposure value. I always use film with ISO speed 400 to yield a reasonable fast shutter speed.

The M645 PRO TL (or any medium format camera using a 6x4.5cm film size) produces an image with an aspect ratio of roughly 1.3 (that is, 6/4.5) which matches the standard 8x10-inch print (with aspect ratio of 1.25 or just 1.3), an ideal format for a portrait. The aspect ratio preserves its integrity with enlargement at 10x13-inch, 11x14-inch or larger.

The most ideal print size of a 35mm negative is 4x6-inch, since it matches the aspect ratio of a 24x36mm image-size on film. To produce an 8x10-inch enlargement from a 35mm negative film, both shorter sides have to be cropped. To produce larger size, such as 11x14-inch, the more aspect ratio will be lost. This makes the medium format 6x4.5cm image size highly suitable for portrait photography. But ultimately, it is the film size. With medium format, we have larger negative to work with.

Polaroid Film Pack Back
The Polaroid Film Pack Holder is an extremely valuable back, if your goal is to obtain precise exposure every time. With Polaroid instant picture, a photographer can examine the quality of the shot immediately and makes the necessary correction. Use this in portrait photography and there is no room left for guessing. In fact, the image size produced by the Polaroid back is roughly 6x4.5cm (or 56x41.5mm to be precise), and the picture can thus be used as an instant wallet size photograph.

I have not used the M645 PRO TL Polaroid back yet, but I have had experience with the Polaroid back for my 35mm camera Nikon F4 (Polaroid PRO II Back). The operation and features are the same, except that the Polaroid PRO II back for F4 produces an image size of 24x36mm, which has no real use other than for exposure evaluation. But with the 6x4.5cm image size, the M645 PRO TL Polaroid back offers dual functions: 1) Exposure evaluation and 2) Usable instant pocket size photos.

This is the back that I will soon add to my system.

Digital Back
Kodak is an independent manufacturer (among several others) that makes a digital back for M645 camera, the DCS Pro 645 Digital Back. This digital back is outrageously expensive. Working with 16 Mega Pixel image size, this back really demands a top price and respect. This is definitely something that a portrait photographer would invest in.

35mm (24x36mm) Back
I thought the reason I stepped up to medium format photography was the larger negative. Well, with this back and its panoramic adapter, a panoramic picture can be made with image size of 13x36mm, which has a certain appeal in itself, since a 35mm SLR system (at least the one I own) does not offer something like this.

General Photography

If you intend to use the M645 PRO TL for cityscape or scenic photography, I would recommend getting the AE Prism Finder FE401, which features spot and average (A/S matrix) meter. The TTL metering method is far easier and a lot faster than a light meter. With a light meter, one would have to walk up to the scene, take an incident light reading, walk back to the camera and set the appropriate aperture and shutter speed. With a cityscape at miles away, this is impossible.

Lenses

35mm SLR system is rich with lens choices, offered by both the camera manufacturers and independent lens makers. That luxury is not available in the medium format world, at least with the Mamiya system. Mamiya manufactures its own lens system, and there are only a few of them. For example, you have only two zoom lenses to choose from: 55-110mm f/4.5N and 105-210mm f/4.5N. With these two combined, the focal lengths are an equivalence of a 35-135mm in a 35mm format.

For fixed focal length lenses, Mamiya offers many lens selections which include 24mm f/4 fisheye, 35mm f/3.5 and 45mm f/2.8 wide angle, 55mm, standard 80mm lens (a 50mm lens in a 35mm format), 120mm, 150mm, 210mm, 300mm and 500mm. Mamiya also offers two macro lenses: 80mm f/4N and 120mm f/4N, and one shift lens 50mm f/4.

These lenses are very expensive, but the price truly reflects their amazing optical quality. Only the 80mm f/2.8N lens is the most affordable one.

Accessories
There are numerous other accessories that support the M645 PRO TL, such as a selection of focusing screens, flash grip, camera hand grip for left hand users, macro extension tubes, 2X teleconverter, electromagnetic cable releases, tripod mount adapter for macro photography, and more.

My Wish List
My wish list for the complete system includes two additional lenses: a 35mm f/3.5 or 45mm f/2.8 (wide angle) and a 150mm f/3.5 or 210mm f/4 (portrait lens), and perhaps a Metz flash.

The Mamiya 35mm f/3.5N lens is an equivalent 22mm lens of a 35mm format.

Conclusion

The Mamiya 645 PRO TL is truly a high quality manual focus medium format camera. I am very glad to have owned the system. Having used it, and with the results I get, I am convinced that I have made a great investment.

The M645 PRO TL is very versatile; with an array of interchangeable film back, including digital, makes it a highly capable medium format camera for professionals or serious photographers. I recommend this camera without reservation.

For a super outfit, I would recommend the Mamiya 645 PRO TL, AE Prism Finder (FE401), Power Grip II WG-401, 120 or 220 film magazine, an 80mm f/2.8 (or a lens of your choice) and a Metz flash.


Specifications: Mamiya 645 PRO TL

Camera type: 6x4.5cm electromagnetic focal-plane shutter SLR
Actual negative size: 56x41.5mm
Film used: 120, 220, Polaroid, 35mm
Lens mount: Bayonet
Shutter speed: (manual) 4 - 1/1000 sec, (auto) 8 - 1/1000 sec
Field of view: 94 %
Multiple exposure: possible via lever
Depth-of-field: via lens (m setting on lens)
Self-timer: Electronic LED display, 10 sec with last 2 sec in rapid flash
Optional shutter release socket: mechanical and electrical
Battery check: via button on the body
Time exposure: Time (T) photography can be taken
Synchronization: Dark Slide storage, Memo clip
Power supply: 6V battery x1 (4SR44, 4LR44 or 2CR 1/3 lithium battery
Dimension (body and film holder): 124mm(W)x104mm(H)x124mm(D)
Weight: 970g