Taking the Mamiya M645J for a Spin

After a while you will get that itch, you will realize that you're addicted. Not just addicted to taking brilliant pictures but to own as many of those wonderful analogue cameras that you possibly can.

eBay has a million uses for the photography enthusiast, even more so if you're into analogue loving. As thousands of amateur and professional photographers make the switch to digital they're selling off their prized equipment through wonderful online auction sites such as the aforementioned eBay.

I picked up my Mamiya M645J for around £160 complete with a great 80mm 2.8 lens and few little extras. The 645J is fully manual and takes 15 pictures per roll if you use 120 film, double that for 220 (which you need the right insert for). Think of the camera as a medium format SLR (a little bigger but with the added bonus of larger negatives). There are interchangeable viewfinders available so that you can go from waist level to eye level for your favored subject matter, it's a stunningly versatile camera.

The body is cast metal and feels good in the hand, like it's meant to be there. The camera has a fixed back that can take 120/220 film inserts and the option for a hand grip shutter release which adds to the SLR feeling of the camera as well as the option for additional lenses! Shutter speeds run from B right through to 500 and there's even the option for multiple exposures via a nifty little switch at the side of the body. The camera does require a 6V silver oxide battery and it's important that it's the right one otherwise your shutter might wig out on you.

I've been stunned by the quality of images this little cam has given me and if you're a fan of the medium format and are in the market for something a little more pro then this baby is a sound investment and well worth checking out.

This is an article by Community Member @mattydk

written by mattydk on 2009-09-04 #gear #medium-format #review #slr #220-film #mamiya #120-film #m645j