Adam Trahan

My new to me Mamiya 645 1000s

Mamiya 645 1000s

s/n: L152175

This page, like all pages at my blog will serve as a resource for owning and operating my equipment. I’ve wanted a medium format camera my whole life. My first impressions of being a photographer was from my Grandad taking pictures with his twin lens reflex camera. I wanted to get one just like his but I also want to do this on my own and do it the way that I want to. I focused on a Mamiya 645 and further research took me to the 1000s. It had the functionality that I wanted. I have only seen one in a display case. When mine arrived from eBay having ordered it from Japan, it was a good copy however the light seals were at the end of their effective life and needed replacement.

What follows is my initial experience owning the camera.

First Impression: Different, big, awkward to hold (I only know conventional and contemporary 35mm) it’s not a Nikon, the waist level finder is huge, no light meter, the battery type is different, focus seems the same, appears that a tripod will be in my future.

I purchased my own Mamiya 645 1000s with a waist level finder and a 80mm f2.8 lens from a Japanese seller on an auction site. I ordered it on Monday morning and it was here on Wednesday afternoon, amazing. It appears to work, it’s clean and I like it so far. I read the manual, I’ll read it again. The basic functions I have in my memory. The battery is five dollars and it’s so cute! Actuating the film advance and releasing the shutter sounds like a big door slamming shut compared to my 35mm. I hope I stop comparing and get my mind into a different zone with it.

This configuration does not have a light meter. I purchased a Sekonic L-398A.

I am already thinking of places to take my first pictures. The desert, one of Arizonas ghost towns or an old building down town. The desert in black and white or some old houses in Phoenix or Mesa. Funny, my mind goes straight to videos where I’ve seen others use a similar camera on similar subjects.

This is where I will log my thoughts and interest in the Mamiya 645 1000s medium format camera. I’ve always wanted a Hasselblad however, I know now that I should start out simple and learn on something basic while I figure it out.

Researching the variety of cameras has brought me to the Mamiya 645 and particularly the 1000s as a first good choice. It is relatively inexpensive, has plenty of support, availability of accessories, a self timer in addition to having a one thousands of a second shutter speed.

…and did I mention relativity inexpensive compared to my other wants?

My first exposure to medium format was prior to the introduction of a 35mm film camera. My Grandad used a twin lens reflex camera and I remember he let me play with it as a young boy. I do not remember which model. I would have loved to know but not even an Internet forum could figure it out. And besides, I want to do this from my interests and the Mamiya 645 has mine.

Note: I printed the manual for the 1000s and L398 and took it to FedEx to be spiral bound. As much as I like the iPad, I also like paper resources.

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Prior to Use - Inspection

Upon closer inspection, the light seals are deteriorating and crumbling. The deteriorating foam will continue to get worse over time and I plan to use this camera. As the foam breaks down and the film back door is actuated along with the mirror closing, the foam sheds pieces into the interior. Those crumbs of foam get into the mechanism of the shutter and film, fouling the camera, contaminating the film.

There is minor rust on the interior metal. Fortunately our humidity is very low and the desert is dry. I doubt the rust will continue. There are filaments of fungus on the view finder. The fungus and the rusting were not disclosed in the description of the camera. I will contact the seller and let them know about the discrepancy. I’ll keep the camera and will find a clean body in the future if I end up enjoying the Mamiya M645 1000s and medium format photography. The damage is minor and should not affect the images. It appears to be working properly.

Inspecting and cleaning, replacing light seals is mandatory for good camera function and vital to the pictures I take. It’s a step I’ll do or send off to have done. In the case of the Mamiya, 645 this is a simple but tedious preventative maintenance that is a must do. I have completed the cleaning of the camera this weekend. I ordered the light seal kits and the light meter from Sekonic. I have experience replacing the light seals on Nikon EM and my FG. The experience was helpful and I am confident that I can replace them on the 1000s.

This discovery will delay using the camera. It is necessary to prevent issues arising from contaminating the interior of the camera, fouling the shutter assembly and ultimately ruining camera and my pictures. It also gives me time to familiarize myself with a stand alone light meter.

Owning and operating an old camera is a lesson in preventative maintenance, caring and a set of skills not in a telephone camera operator’s skill set. Any knowledgeable photographer knows the importance of having good intact light seals.

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To Do List

✔️ Light Seal Kit ordered

✔️ Sekonic L398 III Light Meter ordered from Sekonic

✔️ Clean and ready camera body for Light Seal replacement

4. Instal Light Seals

5. Function check

6. Source a camera bag ~ purchase

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Cleaning & Light Seal Replacement

✔️ 1. Clean exterior.

✔️ 2. Remove film door - strip foam - remove surface rust, use solvent to remove residue/adhesive.

✔️ 3. Remove foam in the film door and camera door channel - clean with solvent.

✔️ 4. Remove focus screen seat - remove mirror seal and bumper - clean with solvent.

5. Identify individual seals - coat contact surfaces with Purel - place foam - let dry.

6. Re-assemble camera.

The cleaning went relatively well. I’m glad I did it because the foam seals were actively deteriorating. The camera was vacuumed and cleaned, repeatedly until there was nothing left to clean. It is now ready for new light seals. I ordered an additional mirror bumper seal for the mirror after reading about the standard light seal installation and the findings Mamiya generated. The subsequent configuration was found to be the best. Moving forward, I’ll be more diligent and scrutinize better when buying cameras from the Japanese warehouse sellers. Their use of the word “Mint” is not accurate by any means. Now I know.

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Tech Note: Most camera body channel seals are installed starting at the hinge end, working towards the latch side until the seal is used up

You are installing an 3 piece kit for the Mamiya M645 series of film cameras.

Please note the mirror cushion is the straight seal. The other 2 seals fit on mirror frame beside the mirror. Those are foam seals and not cushions. They are applied to the mirror frame to prevent light leaks when using the waist level viewfinder. Mamiya found that when the mirror rose to the top and the shutter opened, stray light enter the mirror cage area could fog the film. That was only occasionally and really depended on how close or far away from the camera user was from the waist level finder when the image was taken. Just FYI, later model M645 cameras were updated and the foam seals on the mirror frame where removed and seals were placed at the top of what Mamiya called the “reflection absorber leatherette” on the left and right sides on the inside of the mirror housing. In the parts list the “reflection absorber leatherette” parts are SLS29161 and SLS29131. The techs at Mamiya found light leaks were more of common with the updated seals than when the foam seals were applied to the mirror frame. So any M645 camera in for service they added the seals to the mirror frame.

Please note it is easier to install the mirror cushion with the viewfinder removed. I can show you how that part is easily removed in a video, I will make available soon.

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camera | lens | film | flash