Mamiya PRO 645, 645Pro, M645 Pro Instructions Manual

Instructions

Congratulations on your purchase of the Mamiya 645 PRO

Mamiya pioneered the 6x4.5 film format and introduced the world’s first 645
SLR in 1975. The 645 PRO is the latest masterpiece in this series and
incorporates all the latest mechanical, electronic and optical advances. Its

external appearance, too, has been modernized and its ergonomic design
further enhanced.
We are sure that you will enjoy the many advantages this camera and its
accessories offer and want to particularly mention:
The 645 PRO has a built-in self-timer (delayed shutter release) which will also
facilitate time exposures. Attaching special leaf shutter lenses will automati­cally set the focal plane shutter to

1/8

sec. Heavy duty gears connect to the

improved Power Drive Grip WG401. This grip also

automatically

cocks

the lea

f
shutter lenses and permits remote control.
The AE Prism Finder FE401, specially created for this camera, automates
exposure and shows LED safety signals. 35mm film holders now come with
panoramic adapters. A super fast 300mm f/2.8 APO lens was also designed
for this camera.
We are convinced that your camera will serve you well, because we have

designed it for heavy professional use. However, we ask you to please read
all operating instructions carefully before you put your equipment to work, in
order to ensure proper operation and maximum results.

This manual covers the
basic camera. Sepa­rate instructions are
supplied with all sys­tem accessories, in­cluding lenses,finders,
film holders, etc.
For additional informa­tion please feel free to
contact your author­ized Mamiya dealer or
the Mamiya importer in
your country.

1

Special

Features

of Mamiya 645

PRO

....................3

Names

and

Function

of Parts

..................................7

Attaching and Removing Lenses

.........................

10

Attaching and Removing Roll Film Holders

........

.11

Attaching

and

Removing

Viewfinders.................12

Attaching and Removing the Film Advance

Crank

.........................................................................

13

Inserting

Battery and

BatteryCheck

........

...............14

Shutter

Release Selector

.......................................

16

A Trial Familiarization Test

...................................

17

Film Loading

...........................................................

18

Advancing Film to the

First Exposure

................

.21

Aperture

Ring/Stop-downOperation

...................23

Focusing

................................................................

.24

Depth-of-field

.........................................................

.25

Film

Transport and

Film

Unloading

....................

.26

Using the Self-timer/Delayed Shutter Release.

.

..2 7

Multiple Exposures

...............................................

.27

Time

Exposures

....................................................

.28

Mirror

Lock-up

Photography

...............................

.29

Infrared Photography...........................................

.30

Using Flash

............................................................

.31

Using a Tripod

.......................................................

.32

Holding the Camera Steady and Securely..

........

.33

Attaching and

Removing the Neck Strap

...........

.34

Specifications

........................................................

.35

Trouble Shooting

..................................................

.37

Basic Accessories

................................................

.39

System Chart

.........................................................

.41

Storing

and

Checking

the

Camera

......................

.42

Features and specifications subject to change without notice.

2

3 x More Negative Area Than the 35mm Format
Plus

Superior Image

Quality

From Mamiya World-

Class Lenses

The

6x4.5cm

format offers approx. 3 times more image

area than the 35mm

(24x36mm)

format, Man’s vision is

horizontal and rectangular.

Film Holders are rectangular and so are most pictures in

them. The

6x4.5 format

is also large enough to be viewed

without a magnifier and its aspect ratio (horizontal

/

vertical)
is ideal, requiring minimum cropping. Mamiya’s high
performance medium format lenses assure sharpness
and beautiful color fidelity.

2

Sturdy, Versatile, Safe and Highly Reliable Body

-

Tailored to Satisfy Pro Needs

-

Introduced in 1975 to not only provide an alternative to
the 35mm format, but to afford the user with advanced
versatility given its much larger format, the Mamiya 645
Series is constantly being upgraded. Elements such as
speed and handling plus a host of other special features
have been enhanced to satisfy the needs of most de­manding professionals.

Two new convenient safety features have been added to
the 645 PRO in the form of state-of-the-art optoelectronics
which immediately identifies problems with the shutter
(i.e. when it will not release) when the AE Prism Finder

FE401 is used. Whether these malfunctions develop from
failure to draw out the Dark Slide, or if there are problems
in film take-up, the LED will indicate the source of the
trouble. With these new advancements, Mamiya believes
the most demanding pro will be more than satisfied with
the new edition 645.

Enhanced Interchangeable Roll Film Holder System

3

-

Enables Polaroid and Even 35mm Panoramic

Photography

-

The 645 PRO features an interchangeable film holder

system capable of using a far wider range of roll film

holders than before. Depending on the application, the

system can be quickly attached to or detached from the

camera, ensuring the ability to catch even fast changing

scenes. It also features fail-safe devices including, for

example, one that warns when you have failed to take out

the dark slide when the AE Prism Finder FE401 is being

used.

3

Interchangeable Viewfinders

1. AE Prism Finder FE401

The AE (automatic exposure) Prism Finder FE401 fea­tures three modes of TTL metering, including automatic
switching from center-weighted averaging to spot me-

tering. It also has a

+/-3EV

exposure compensation ad-

justment.

2. Prism Finder

PF401

The Prism Finder

PF401

is without metering electronics
and designed for manual photography mode. Both Prism
Finders show an unreversed, upright image and are ideal
for eyelevel photography.

3. Waist Level Finder N
The Waist level Finder N is desirable for low angle
photography and particularly for horizontal composition.
A self erecting hood with built-in magnifier shields

groundglass from all ambient light. A built-in sportsfinder

permits eyelevel viewing and is ideal for action photog­raphy.

Bright, Dynamic Images Visible on the Focusing
Screen

-

5 Selectable Types Available

-

The 645

PRO can reproduce bright, dynamic and sharp
images on the focusing screen, enabling optimum com­position to be obtained according to the photographic
purpose. In addition, the 645 PRO greatly enhances
focusing.
5 types of focusing screens are available to facilitate
photographing a wide variety of subjects.

6

A Comprehensive Series of Interchangeable Lenses

- Sharp Images and Outstanding Color Balance -

There are an amazing variety of interchangeable lenses
in the PRO 6 x 4.5 format series. Mamiya has concen­trated an all-out effort on the systematic production of
lenses in an effort to satisfy a multitude of needs. All
lenses are multi-coated to eliminate flare and ghosting
even under the most adverse light conditions. While the
series now also features three leaf shutter lenses, all
lenses exhibit the utmost in color balance, high

resolu-

4

tion and crystal clear definition. A feature lens is the new
300mm f/2.8 APO lens which eliminates chromatic aber-

ration and produces photos with the sharpest definition.
Given the wide variety of lenses in the 645 PRO Series,
they greatly expand the world of images that are possible.

Auto winding with the Power Drive Grip WG401

This Power Drive Grip WG401 has been specially de­signed for heavy duty, motorized operation with the 645

PRO. It also permits automatic shutter cocking of the leaf
shutter lenses and can be remote controlled. Another
feature, not available previously is the following:
When attaching a partially exposed film holder (in which
the film has not been advanced to a new frame), to the
645 PRO equipped with the Power Drive Grip WG401, a

built-in camera mechanism will automatically advance
the film to the next frame, when the shutter release is
activated, either on the camera body or on the Power
Drive Grip WG401.

8

New Automatic Leaf Shutter Lenses for added
versatility.
55mm (Wide Angle), 80mm (Standard) 150mm
(Telephoto) lenses

These

lenses are all in Seiko #0 shutter, offer the advan-

tages of syncroflash photography at all shutter speeds

1/

30,

1/60, 1/125,1/250 and 1/500sec.

The optional Power
Drive Grip WG401 will automatically cock the shutters as
it transports the film and moves the mirror.
The camera’s focal plane shutter must be set at 1/8 sec.

for leaf shutter mode operation. The leaf shutter lenses
can do it automatically.

5

A Broad Accessory System
For Specialized Applications

A useful accessory system to serve the specialized
needs of the photographer. It includes Auto Bellows and
Auto Extension Rings for close-up and copying work;
Infrared Remote Control for studio and nature photogra­phy; External Battery Case for operating in cold sur­roundings; Camera Grips for convenient holding and
more.

10

Other Features

<Mirror Lock-up>

After focusing, the

Mirror

can be locked up before making
an exposure. This is convenient when the camera is used
at slow shutter speeds and is mounted on a tripod for
telephotography, copy work, etc., since even

a very

small

amount of vibrations should be eliminated.

<Self-timer>

Self-timer for delayed shutter release. When activated it
will light a red pilot lamp in the front of the camera for eightlamamp in the front
seconds and will blink for two seconds before triggering
the shutter.

<Time Exposure>

Time exposures are made by utilizing the Self-timer and
the “B” shutter setting. A new power saving circuit design

switches the battery off and extends is life.

6

Focusing Screen N

13 Gold Plated Contacts

These contacts interface the

Aperture Ring Couping Pin

This pin

is fitted into the

Ex-

posure

Meter Coupler of the

lens, to

transmit the aperture

data

to

the AE Prism Finder.

AEPrism

Finder with the ISO
dial on the film holder and
the shutter speeds.

Hot-shoe (X contact)

A

cordless flash can be used

Battery Check Lamp

Focusing Screen Release Pin

When

you

want to change
the screen. slide this pin to
the left and

remove

the

screen.

with

this

shoe.

Lens Release Button

collar is turned to the

red dot.

Auxiliary Release Contact

When the cover is moved to
the left. the contact appears.
This contact is used

for

con-

nections of external

releases

such as a special hand

grip

and remote control unit.

Mirror

/

*

Never touch the surface of

the mirror.

Battery Check Button

LED displays the present
battery condition.

7

Finder Coupling Panel (Front)

Finder

Coupling

Panel (Rear)

Electric Contact for Film
Holder

This contact receives film
sensitivity data from the film
holder.

Film Holder Mount

Film Holder Coupling

Pin

Shutter Curtain

Exposures are controlled by
opening and closing the cur­tain

Film Holder Mounting

/

Bracket

Shutter Speed Dial Lock
Release Button

This

button is used for un­locking the Shutter Speed
Dial from an AE position.

Shutter Speed Dial

This dial

selects the shutter

speed, and switches the

op-

eration mode from AE

to

manual photography.

Neck Strap Lug

Film Advance Crank

A

Single complete turn cocks
the shutter and advances the
film for each exposure.

Multiple Exposure Lever

When this lever is set at
“MULTI”, film

is not advanced

even

when the Film Advance

Crank is turned.

thus

allow­ing multiple exposures on the
same film frame.

Tripod Socket

1/4" tripod socket. To con-

vert to a

3/8" socket, remove
the small screw in the base of
the socket. Then remove the
bushing. See page 32.

Distance Scale

The camera to subject dis­tance can be set or confirmed
with this scale.

Lens Alignment Dot
Depth-of-field Scale

Provides a quick reading of
depth-of-field for various ap­ertures and distances.

Exposure Meter Coupler

This coupler is engaged with

the Aperture Ring Coupling

Pin, transmitting diaphragm
information to the AE Prism
Finder.

Battery Chamber Cover

Battery Chamber Cover
Latch

Removing the Front Body Cap and
Rear Cover

Attaching the Lens

Removing the Lens.

First remove the Front Body Cap in
the direction of the arrow, while
pushing the Lens Release Button

8

backwards as indicated by arrow.
Rear Body Protective Cover can be
readily removed by depressing the

part

of

@

as shown in the illustration.

Line up red Lens Alignment Dot

@

against red camera Alignment Dot
(C) and gently insert the lens into the
camera body. Then turn the lens
clock wise, as indicated by arrow,
until it clicks into place. Make sure
that the Aperture Ring Coupler Pin
is engaged with the Exposure Meter
Coupling Pin @, which sticks out
under the

Mamiya name plate of the

camera.

While pushing lens release button back­wards, turn lens counterclockwise.
(Same procedure as removing

body

cap).

*

When the Aperture Ring Coupler Pin is engaged

by the exposure meter coupling pin lever, F/stop
data is conveyed to the AE Prism Finder.

10

Attaching the Roll Film Holder

Removing the Roll Film Holder

*

Remove the Roll Film Holder

Cover.

1. While spanning the Roll Film Holder

between your thumb and middle fin­ger, holding it on the rubberized fin­ger rests, carefully align its Film

Holder Mounting Bracket with the
corresponding center clip of the
camera body.

2. While keeping this alignment, press
the upper part of the Roll Film Holder

against the camera body, so that it

clicks into place by engaging the

spring loaded twin camera catch.

1. Insert the Dark slide

into

the slot

marked by White Lines on the side

of the holder.

2. Push the lower one of the Film
Holder Detaching Lock Release
Button (A) downward, while simulta­neously pushing the Film Holder
Detaching Button @I inward.

*

If the

Dark

Slide is not inserted,
the safety lock will prevent the
holder from being removed.

*

The Dark Slide can be inserted
in the Roll Film Holder up to the
Green Line, marked on the slide,
without affecting the image.

Green Line

11

Attaching the Finder.

Removing the Finder

The same procedure applies to all
finders. The illustrations shows
the AE Prism Finder

FF401.

Lift the Upper Cover from the camera
body.

Insert the Attaching Latches (A) of the
finder into the Finder Coupling Panel
(B) in the front wall of the body. Press
the finder down until the rear latch
locks securely in place.

Spanning

the finder with your fin­gers, push the button on its right side
marked with a downward pointing

arrowQ,downward,

while pushing

the other button, on the left

side@,

inward.

12