Mamiya 645 Pro TL Medium Format

Mamiya 645 Pro TL Medium Format 

DESCRIPTION

Featuring fast and convenient 35mm-like handling, the 645 Pro yields a negative 2.7 times larger than 35mm. Its multi-format capabilities include interchangeable film magazines for 6x4.5cm, 35mm standard and 13x36mm panoramics, plus Polaroid instant proofing.

USER REVIEWS

Showing 11-20 of 38  
[Sep 27, 2005]
kevgre
Expert

Strength:

Durable, Mirror lockup a must and works flawlessly, accurate metering, multiple backs including digital if needed.

Weakness:

I wish I didn't have to mortgage my house to buy a good lens for it, but you get what you pay for.

I have owned the Mamiya 645e and Kiev 88CM cameras so I was eager to step up to the 645 Pro. My primary reason for that was the removable backs. While the 645e is a great camera, the Pro TL leaves it in the dust. My gear is setup with a 645 Pro TL, 220/120 back, 35mm Pano back, Power winder, and the metered viewfinder, and hte 80mm 2.8 lens. Focusing is extremely easy with the camera and it is built like a tank. It feels and works like a true pro camera should. I highly recommend this to anyone wanting upper echilon images and while it shoots 6x4.5, it provides an amazing negative that can be enlarged dramatically without quality loss.

Customer Service

Have not needed it yet, but I hear it's great.

Similar Products Used:

Mamiya 645E, Kiev 88cm, Seagul 109, Canon EOS3, Canon 1D Mark II... (the list goes on)

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Sep 02, 2003]
Longbow
Professional

Strength:

Modular backs for 120, 220, 35MM and poloroid films; accessory motor drive grip advances film at up to two frames per second; optional AE eye level finder has a choice of center weighted or spot metering patterns, or you can set finder to automatically pick the best metering pattern based on its own program for the subject at hand. Shutter speeds to 1/1000 are sufficient for most fast targets, and AE finder controls slow shutter speeds down to eight seconds (two seconds w/o AE finder). Lenses are superb--Pro quality in every respect, including the two available zoom lenses.

Weakness:

For some types of flash photography, leaf shutter lenses which allow flash sync at up to 1/500 second with any lens are invaluable; the focal plane shutter in the 645 only provides flash sync to 1/60, but Mamiya provides two leaf shutter lenses to accomplish the same, though not as versatile as having all lenses in line capable of high speed sync. But having a focal plane shutter going to 1/1000 is a big plus, also. Lenses are quite pricey compared to consumer type 35MM glass (you get what you pay for); on the other hand, they are quite reasonable compared to lenses with famous German names.

It gives me great pleasure to review this camera, as it has given excellent service, performance and results for me since 1988. At that time few, if any, modular, medium format cameras had as many of the features that heretofore had been the province of Pro-grade 35MM SLR's.

Customer Service

Excellent and faster service compared to other manufacturers I have dealt with.

Similar Products Used:

Mamiya 645 Super.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jul 15, 2003]
Chris
Professional

Strength:

Durability and reliability. Extensive lens system that you can afford. Extensive line of accessories.

Weakness:

Crappy cable release adapter breaks easy.

Tough,shock resistant, workhorse body. Sharp & extensive lens system from fisheye to 500 mm reflex. I have used this camera system on location for 4 years and my Pro TL body has never missed a beat even in high heat & humidity, helicopters, or on the beach. With one of the winders you have a fat handholdable 35 mm feeling package but a big chrome on the light table that night.

Customer Service

Never Needed it.

Similar Products Used:

Hasselblad 501cm,RB & RZ,Mamiya 6, & Bronica SQ

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Dec 16, 2002]
Michal Zmuda
Intermediate

Strength:

Smaller than other medium format cameras. Well ,strong build (I almost died falling down with my camera in Tatry mountains in Poland). This camera is 100% shock resistent.

Weakness:

Flash sync only to 1/60 sec (not a good choice for studio work) TTL output that nobody really needs.

Camera is Cheaper than other medium format cameras and gives professional quality images. Easy handling. Perfect for outdoor photography. Wide range of accessories.

Customer Service

Guys are professional

Similar Products Used:

none

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Nov 21, 2002]
martyg
Intermediate

Strength:

Available lenses and accessories. Have not had experience with mirror slap claimed by others. Used prices were very reasnable

Weakness:

None so far.

Great unit with little more weight than my 35mm and TLR systems

Customer Service

Initial focus problem. Fixed w/o charge.

Similar Products Used:

Hasselblad 501CM Koni Omega Rapids Mamiya C220F with variety of lenses Bronica SQ-A

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Nov 02, 2001]
Sean S
Expert

Strength:

Weights just as much as a 35mm camera and is just a little bigger. Great Lenes Everything is interchangable Depth of Field Preview Multi Exposure

Weakness:

Takes time to focus, and if you dont have the metered prism takes time to do exposure.

I got my mamiya about 2 years ago. I am do photography on a more limited budget then most people cause I dont really do it professionally. I really like the image results that i get with it. The camera is a little larger then most 35mm cameras and weighs just as much and yields a negititive 3x bigger, which means no matter how small or large you go will give you a more detailed picture then 35mm. The lenses are very expensive but I dont think that much more or less then most other med. format cameras, and very nice. I use a Pentax Spot Meter V which gives excellent results. This camera is really good if you have the time to expose and focus your pictures. Its harder to get Spountanous re-action shots and anything that involves fast focus. Dont get it without the GRIP

Customer Service

Never had to use

Similar Products Used:

None

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
4
[Sep 27, 2001]
alexa
Professional

Strength:

None

Weakness:

None

I found the Mamiya to be very useful and my favirite above all other cameras I''ve used.

Similar Products Used:

None

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[May 22, 2000]
Marek Mezyk
Intermediate
Model Reviewed: 645 Pro TL body

Strength:

Great Feel. You can make this camera as comfortable as you want.

Weakness:

Slow Flash Sync, Loud when shutter gets relesead as the mirror slaps

This is a great camera. Its just slightly bigger then any Pro 35 mm and it delivers the nice big negative. I had some great results with this camera and this is the one that introduced me to medium format. The components of this camera are set up so you can modify it and make it most comfortable for you. From motor drives to prisims there are a lot of components to suit your style. That is BIG thing mising from the new Mamyia 645AF. That camera is fixed in its function where this one can grow varying on your style and your needs. Bottom lineis that this camera is great.

Customer Service

Haven't needed them yet

Similar Products Used:

None

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Apr 29, 2000]
Gary Wright
Model Reviewed: 645 Pro TL body

Strength:

Love the neg size and extra attachments for all the photographers needs

Weakness:

Yeah, slow sync.

It was the camera I used to move me into medium format

Similar Products Used:

None

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
[Apr 23, 2000]
Marek Mezyk
Intermediate
Model Reviewed: 645 Pro TL body

Strength:

Mix and match the Pieces you feel most comfortable with. You can really make this camera into what will suit your needs best with all the little pices you can interchange on it. There also is quite a lot of used equipment for it out there so you don;t have to break your bank upgrading.

Weakness:

Slow Flash sync (PRO model, not PRO TL) 1/60th. Its a bit bulky but what 645 isn't.

This is a fun camera. I wouldn;t say it handles like a 35 becuase this thing weights a bit much and in size its is much larger then even a nice and slick bulky Nikon F4 but the BIG negatives are a joy. Also, the size of this camera is about half to those like RZ. Those I think are just too big outside the studio for '35' type shooting. Its a very well made camera. I had some awsome results with it.

Customer Service

Never Had to Use it.

Similar Products Used:

None

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 11-20 of 38  

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