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Mamiya old film camera!

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C.A.V.
Posts: 1706 - Karma: 1,644
My grandfather used to be a proffesional photographer back in the day and he gave me this the other day, i dont really have much use for it becuase i dont even know how to use film or the camera, anyone know how much these go for? or how to use it? basically any info about this camera would be cool!


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Jun 11 2013 1:09PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24730 - Karma: 29,989
Mamiya 645. Fucking dope find.


Jun 11 2013 1:21PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24730 - Karma: 29,989
Specifically a Mamiya m645 1000s

Sweet little MF camera, has DOF preview and a 1/1000 shutter speed. I'm not a huge fan of the 645 look personally, but it's pretty awesome to get 15 shots on a roll of 120, and the lenses are affordable and sweet. I saw something where a guy was shooting skating with a 24mm fisheye on one of these, and I'm pretty sure it has an 80mm f1.9, which is freaking fast for MF.

I'd be absolutely pumped if I came across one myself.
Jun 11 2013 1:49PM
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CliffyByro
Posts: 5678 - Karma: 3,903
the best way to use it would be to sell it to me right now ;)
Jun 11 2013 2:41PM
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C.A.V.
Posts: 1706 - Karma: 1,644
i feel i should learn to use film it be pretty cool and this would be fantastic to use i bet, what prices to these go for now?
Jun 11 2013 2:59PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24730 - Karma: 29,989
Probably around 300 for that model, depending on the condition.

Honestly, I'd just keep it. You're going to get far better photos out of that camera than any DSLR out there (a 645 should be able to get you at least 30megapixel resolution scans). I'd be fucking PUMPED to stumble on that.

It's a great Medium format option, and not bad for learning to shoot MF. I'd learn to shoot a 35mm camera first, though... you can pick them up for cheap, and they're easier to find film for. Learning on Medium format would take some dedication, and some patience if you're a complete noob to film.

You're going to want to buy a light meter for the Mamiya, or buy a metered prism, but honestly, I'd just use a light meter. It's going to be cheaper, and more likely to work anyways.


Also, if you want cheap film to throw through it, you best options are here. It's what I use.

http://www.freestylephoto.biz/brands/211-Arista-EDU-Ultra?mfg%5B%5D=211&attr%5B%5D=1-1
Jun 11 2013 3:32PM
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jeremy.g
Posts: 4931 - Karma: 459
no you arent. this camera has a built in meter that works just fine. and if i were you i would just buy some film and start shooting that thing. its very easy to shoot. look up a few youtube tutorials on how it works - its very simple and get after it.
Jun 11 2013 3:47PM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
darn it i want so bad. you luck man
Jun 11 2013 3:56PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24730 - Karma: 29,989
I can assure you, that's not a metered prism on top of that camera. Just the standard viewfinder prism. There would be a knob off to the side where you select your shutter speed if that was a metered prism.


Jun 11 2013 4:00PM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Sean's right. I've got the metered prism for my 645 and this one is just the 'plain' prism finder.

It's a great camera! Have fun using it.
Jun 11 2013 8:34PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
You clearly don't know a thing about mamiyas, please keep quiet
Jun 11 2013 8:54PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24730 - Karma: 29,989
What's the other lens? 80mm? if it's the 1.9, you sure have a treat of a lens...
Jun 11 2013 10:22PM
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C.A.V.
Posts: 1706 - Karma: 1,644
exactly! your good
Jun 12 2013 6:33AM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24730 - Karma: 29,989
Jesus... that lens right there is quite possibly the biggest reason to have that camera, because it's the fastest lens in the entire medium format world.

You can get some really crazy bokeh with that lens, and use it effectively in low light situations. That lens right there is one of the reasons why wedding photographers fucking loved that camera. It's not the best at f1.9 at all - you're going to have corner falloff and a slightly softer image, but the fact that you can go to f1.9 is remarkable. You can achieve the brightest MF viewfinder ever with that lens.


Fuck man... I'd roll with that camera all fucking day. It's light, easy to use, and with effectively a 35 f2.8 and a 50 f1.9, you have a really killer setup. I fucking WISH I could go to f1.9 on my hasselblad 80mm sometimes... but 2.8 is as fast as you're going to get with that.
Jun 12 2013 8:42AM
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DrZoidberg
Posts: 5675 - Karma: 4,269
fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu so so so so so lucky, those things are awesome. Enjoy it. You can probably kill somebody with it too, those are tanks.
Jun 12 2013 9:44AM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
more like a 35 f2 and a 50 f1.2 in actual practice...
Jun 12 2013 9:58AM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
30mm*
Jun 12 2013 9:58AM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24730 - Karma: 29,989
Wait, I thought a 55mm lens came out to 35 on MF?

but yeah... DOF-wise, you're right.
Jun 12 2013 10:11AM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
I was doing the math for 6x6 lolz ya it's 35
Jun 12 2013 10:39AM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24730 - Karma: 29,989
Either way... I almost want to get one of these just for that lens... considering how surprisingly affordable they are, I might just do it this summer.
Jun 12 2013 10:51AM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
OR get a newer AF model and adapt the contax 80mm f2, sharper/beter colors
Jun 12 2013 11:10AM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24730 - Karma: 29,989
Or not, since I don't like spending a lot of money if I don't need to.
Jun 12 2013 11:17AM
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C.A.V.
Posts: 1706 - Karma: 1,644
is there a lens adapter to use these lens for newer cameras like my t2i? so i can add 2 more lens to my collection and use it on the mamiya and t2i?
Jun 12 2013 12:28PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24730 - Karma: 29,989
You can, but I can't tell you how well they'll work.

I'd just invest in some 35mm vintage glass that will end up being a lot more use-able.
Jun 12 2013 12:50PM
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C.A.V.
Posts: 1706 - Karma: 1,644
Thanks dingo , you actually are very helpful
Jun 13 2013 8:17PM
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DrZoidberg
Posts: 5675 - Karma: 4,269
If you're of the diy persuasion, I've seen people adapt mf lenses to act as tilt shift lenses on 35mm or crop digi sensors. Could be a fun project.
Jun 15 2013 11:36PM
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C.A.V.
Posts: 1706 - Karma: 1,644
by the looks of it if the price is right this baby is for sale
Jun 16 2013 8:40PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24730 - Karma: 29,989
100$ haha.
Jun 16 2013 9:20PM
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Swaggermager
Posts: 2576 - Karma: 950
I know I don't know anything about your life or your relationship with your grandpa but if my grandpa gave me something like this as gift I wouldn't sell it. Maybe he gave it to you with some hope that you would learn to use it and love it like he did. Do what you want, just my point of view.
Jun 16 2013 11:42PM
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JuliusJ
Posts: 3778 - Karma: 2,106
Especially something as dope as that. I would bet you'd regret selling it later on.
Jun 17 2013 2:56AM
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C.A.V.
Posts: 1706 - Karma: 1,644
it was my dads idwa he will talk to his dad about it he wants to see what he can get for it since i probably wont lug it out to colorado
Jun 17 2013 6:04PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24730 - Karma: 29,989
So worth lugging out to colorado... or anywhere, really. That fucker can take better photos than anything you can afford.
Jun 17 2013 9:16PM
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De-Clan
Posts: 1920 - Karma: 3,696
CMC could have a dope new photographer, I say keep it cole
Jun 17 2013 11:08PM
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