Mamiya M645

[Pope_Larry_II]

Oh great camera gurus of Farktography, I come once again seeking your wisdom and knowledge.

I have an opportunity to acquire a Mamiya M645, with three lenses, an extender, a box of filters, a flash and most if not all of the original manuals and documentation. I have no idea if it works, and from looking through it, it needs a good cleaning.

From my internets research I think film is still available in my area, so that’s not a problem.

I’m fairly certain that I will buy the camera, but I need to know a fair price for it. eBay has listings form $150-$650 for it, so that’s no help.

Also is it worth it to buy and fix the camera?

Does anyone here have any experience with this type of camera that could offer some advice on using it?
I have photos and I’ll post them later.

[sleeping]

I wouldn’t advise spending significant money on a non-working camera unless you know more about what’s wrong with it. The parts situation for a lot of older cameras isn’t all that great, and if it has a bad circuit board or something like that it may not be economically repairable at all.

Conversely, though, the money in older MF systems is mostly in the lenses, so if you can get the kit for a decent price it might still be a decent deal even if the body is dead – KEH has a bunch of M645 bodies for around 100$.

http://www.keh.com/Camera/format-Medium-Format/system-Mamiya-645-Manual-Focus/category-Camera-Bodies?s=1&bcode=MS&ccode=2&cc=79311&r=WG&f

I’d expect to spend 100-200$ on a straight overhaul if no major parts are needed, e.g: http://essexcamera.com/camera_list.php?brand=MAMIYA

[Curious]

I have no idea if it works, and from looking through it, it needs a good cleaning.

I have photos and I’ll post them later.

i’d be interested in seeing the photos but that first sentence concerns me. i read that as the lens(es) being dirty, not the body. if that’s the case the cleaning costs could add up significantly. to the point of not being worth it at any price.

OTOH at a good price (lord knows what that is) the whole kit sounds like a good find if you are interested in medium format film shooting. personally i prefer 6×6 but my sister has a mamiya 645 and loves it. she used it for aerial photography and had great results with it.

[Pope_Larry_II]

As promised the photos.

Curious, it may just be dirt on the outer lens, everything is incredibly clean. When I looked though the viewfinder, I noticed a fuzzy line across the viewing area (for lack of a better term).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21883298@N08/5297996314/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21883298@N08/5297398035/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21883298@N08/5297997032/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21883298@N08/5297399137/in/photostream/

h[url]ttp://www.flickr.com/photos/21883298@N08/5297399581/in/photostream/[/url]

The package has three lenses and the extender, and the case. I didn’t examine things too closely as it was Christmas. Right now it’s sitting at my dad’s house until I figure out what to do with it. It belongs to an uncle who was particular about keeping things clean and in working order.

[sleeping]

When I looked though the viewfinder, I noticed a fuzzy line across the viewing area (for lack of a better term).

If you can see it in the finder, it’s more likely to be an issue with the mirror, focusing screen, or prism than the lens (unless it’s a really major problem). The prism and screen are almost certainly detachable, so it should be pretty easy to check.

[Curious]

what sleeping said. my sister said dirty mirror when i told her about it earlier today.

from your photos it certainly looked like your uncle took care of it. nice outfit and complete which sure counts for a lot with older equipment.

[Author]

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