I have a number of medium format cameras, all but one being a German folder, and that one is the Yashica D TLR. What I like about the folders is their compact size when folded up, their vintage qualities (not so vintage in the 1930s through 1950s I expect), and in particular their beautiful lenses. The ones I have range in size from 6×4.5 with and without a mask, to 6×6, to 6×9. All take 120 film. The Yashica D takes 6×6 images and uses 120 film as well. However, the drawback to all of these cameras is the limitations of their lenses in length and focusing capabilities – fixed and immutable as they say. Yes, there are attachments, such as magnifying filters, but none of them can produce the variations available in a system allowing interchangeable lenses.
As a consequence, I have long been contemplating a modular medium format system, and ended up by chance or luck coming across a Mamiya 645 Pro TL with all the parts present in one package. Numerous YouTubers have really excellent videos, from short to long, from cursory to extensive detail. The video below shows the bits and pieces I have – it’s long, it’s detailed, but if you are really curious, follow along. I learned the most about this camera from it, and have watched a number of times.
Truthfully, I just dove into the purchase. I figured it would be best to get one all put together rather than trying to figure out what I needed. Searching around online, I found a Mamiya from a reputable dealer with all the parts that I knew a modular system needed for a reasonable price: A body, a lens, a film back, and a viewfinder. It has a grip, too, instead of a crank to advance the film. It’s big and heavy with everything attached – nearly 4 lbs to take a 6×4.5 image. Is it worth it? I’ll find out when my first roll of film comes back from the lab next week.
I spent about 3 days reading about each part and watching YouTube videos. I gathered PDF manuals from around the net. I fiddled and putzed. I got frustrated and annoyed, too, as well as learned so much . . .
The fact is, there are a lot of parts available for the Mamiya 645 Pro TL. It can be simple, it can be complex. It can be small, it can be big. Truthfully, I rather like small and light myself, and if I keep the critter (30 day return policy), I most likely will look for a waist-level finder and a crank to advance the film. I read about the body, the viewfinder with its auto-exposure, the film cartridge, the grip, the lenses. Everything has to be coordinated to work.
And when it doesn’t work? Pull out that dark slide!
When I take it out, I have to keep it safe in a camera bag as I have no camera strap is available that works with it with the grip in place. The Mamiya has proprietary lugs, and that is a nuisance. With a crank to advance the film, Op-Tech (my favorite camera strap) Style B attachments work, but when the grip is attached, they do not.
So, what do I think about it so far? I rather like it. The grip has that wonderful noise only a grip or automatic film advance in a camera can achieve – a click, a whir – just like an exhaust in a classic sports car! That aside, I really like medium format film photography the more I do it. Those negatives are beautiful. Scanning and editing them is not too big of a deal, and the addition of Negative Lab Pro makes them even better. I hope at some point to develop them using the Lab-Box, both black and white and color.
There are definite aesthetics in the images produced from this camera. You can find them on Flickr. You can also learn a bit about people’s reactions to the camera itself. I always like Max’s commentaries on various cameras found on his channel Analog Insights. He doesn’t go into how to use a camera, but the experience of using a camera. See what you think.
So there we are. Once I get the film back from the lab, I will have a better idea if the camera is worth keeping as I will know if the bits and pieces all work. It has automatic exposure with aperture priority using the viewfinder. I can switch to totally manual techniques. The film back advance works well from the sound of it. The lens is bright and clear, as is the viewfinder. The shutter curtain is not wrinkled. All seems fine mechanically and electronically – but the film will have the final say.
Yeah, another roll or two will be worth running through the Mamiya.
Ink, Yarn & Beer 
I have a Rollei medium format, but the focus wheel is broken and haven’t been able to source another, hope yours is OK!
So far it seems to work – the film will let me know. And I will let you know, too. Sorry about the focus wheel on your Rollei – hope you didn’t spend a fortune on it. See you soon – and, Fraggy – STAY TOONED! 🙂
I admire your ability to delve into the technical aspects of photography and go the film route. I’m anxious to see what this camera can produce, remembering it’s the photographer who makes the picture not the gear.
Thanks, Anne. Good equipment always helps! And, I have to say, I do like to explore equipment and such, as long it is easy to get. Poor instructions and illogical construction – in hardware (cameras) and software are nothing I enjoy. I remember a Brother printer we had – what a convoluted set of menus! We replaced it very quickly as even the resident IT genius couldn’t deal with it.
My first camera was a Nikon 3100. I had never used a digital before except for fully automated point and shoots. After reading the manual, a photographer friend asked me how I liked the camera. Since I was sick and hadn’t been out to use it, I said that the manual was well written except Nikon expected us to know the lingo. Then I asked her what an ISO was. After she stopped laughing, she said it was the old ASA! One of my journalism professors said that doing a “how to” was the most difficult to write! He was correct!!
I worked in x-ray for years, being a tech an teaching it. The lingo of my student days is not the lingo of today’s students. That aside, it’s fun to watch language grow and change – what was okay to say years ago has totally different meanings today. And some is not acceptable / was not acceptable. Can you imagine the problems time walking could get us into?!