Given a Mamiya 645
Jun 27, 2022 12:07:38 #
I haven’t been on here nor really taken pictures in a couple years due to caring for two ill family members. During that time a friend gave me a bunch of old equipment including the Mamiya 645. I put it in the closet. I just retired and was wondering if there is a market for old photo equipment or should I just display it with my other out dated equipment?
Jun 27, 2022 12:22:07 #
Just Shoot Me
Loc: Ithaca, NY
Check out the prices for whatever equipment you have (GOOGLE) and see if it's worth anything to anybody.
If not, your collection just got bigger.
Ron
If not, your collection just got bigger.
Ron
Jun 27, 2022 12:27:30 #
Jun 27, 2022 12:43:59 #
clint f.
Loc: Priest Lake Idaho, Spokane Wa
Try using it. They are fun cameras. There are plenty of sources for film and processing. There are manuals on line. Not super cheap to operate like digital but you can achieve terrific results. I use mine for black and white or color transparencies, then digitize it for post processing via scanner or where i get the film developed. You are forced to think about what you are trying to photograph. You will also be able to tell a prospective buyer that it all works if you choose to sell it.
Jun 27, 2022 12:56:31 #
A film camera. The gift that just keeps on giving ...
Giving the cost of purchasing expensive film.
Giving the cost of developing expensive film.
Giving the cost of scanning expensive film.
Giving the cost of deleting failed images captured on expensive film.
All that said, if you have an interest, give it a shot. The only film available today is high quality. You have lots of options in color and B&W. Hopefully, the body came with a lens at a focal length you'd enjoy shooting. Most film today you'll have to mail order. And then the processing and scanning is mail order too. After a roll or two you'll have a good sense of the time and cost of working in film in 2022 and can decide if to keep or sell the equipment.
Giving the cost of purchasing expensive film.
Giving the cost of developing expensive film.
Giving the cost of scanning expensive film.
Giving the cost of deleting failed images captured on expensive film.
All that said, if you have an interest, give it a shot. The only film available today is high quality. You have lots of options in color and B&W. Hopefully, the body came with a lens at a focal length you'd enjoy shooting. Most film today you'll have to mail order. And then the processing and scanning is mail order too. After a roll or two you'll have a good sense of the time and cost of working in film in 2022 and can decide if to keep or sell the equipment.
Jun 27, 2022 15:11:29 #
Your right I just got off eBay. There are a lot of them for sale though. It’s got the manual, several attachments, a case and some film but not sure if it’s still good.
Jun 27, 2022 15:15:23 #
Wasn’t even sure film was still available. I’m not interested in shooting just wondered if there was market for it.
I’ll just add it to my collection.
I’ll just add it to my collection.
Jun 27, 2022 15:18:14 #
May try at some point I have a manual and a bunch of things came with it. I have time to check it out. Thanks
Jun 27, 2022 17:32:04 #
I used to shoot a Mamiya 645. Landscapes mostly. I still have the gear with a couple bodies and several lenses. I was glad to see 120 film make a comeback. Then I started thinking about all the things that CHG_CANON brought up. For once, I agree with him! But I'm going to keep the gear!
Jun 27, 2022 18:32:13 #
lovelylyn wrote:
Wasn’t even sure film was still available. I’m not interested in shooting just wondered if there was market for it.
I’ll just add it to my collection.
I’ll just add it to my collection.
If you dont care about a few hundred dollars it can bring, then thaz your best move.
Actually using it is not especially practical. The nature of your question hints that using it would just be a frustrating waste of time.
Even if the $$ means nothing to you, you might consider that some of your fellow hogsters are dedicated retro hobbyists and would be overjoyed to see it in the the UHH classifieds at a low-ish price.
Jun 27, 2022 19:58:56 #
lovelylyn wrote:
May try at some point I have a manual and a bunch of things came with it. I have time to check it out. Thanks
Your probably want to remember to use <quote reply> to give context to specific replies.
Jun 28, 2022 07:25:34 #
All I can tell you is that the Mamiya 645 is an excellent tool with great optics. I agree with Paul, film is now more expensive than ever. Development of the film and printing when left to a technician, but especially printing, could be a disaster. Many times, depending on the lab, colors are not corrected and the prints lack the quality. In those cases film has to be scanned at a decent resolution so it can be used digitally. Straight prints from the negatives could be excellent but it requires a good lab that will care to make the necessary corrections during printing.
Give it a try, it is the only way you will know if medium format film is for you.
Give it a try, it is the only way you will know if medium format film is for you.
Jun 28, 2022 07:27:06 #
Interesting comments, especially coming from the person who manages the Film Photography section of this site.
--Bob
--Bob
CHG_CANON wrote:
A film camera. The gift that just keeps on giving ... (show quote)
Jun 28, 2022 07:31:12 #
The old film is still good and is worth shooting a roll, just to get used to the camera functions. A scanned 645 neg. can bring beautiful results! (The lab will process and give you a scan (ask for 16-bit for starters); no need to order prints.)
Jun 28, 2022 07:34:25 #
(I had a 126 roll of Kodacolor processed recently that turned out pretty good. It had been exposed 60 years ago by my dad, and put in a drawer in the den; brought back some good memories!)
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