Mf 101

[alanswan]

Hi,

I'm new to MF. Never touched a MF cam before, until someone loaned me a Mamiya 645 recently.
But he left it to figure out to operate it myself.
Been doing some research, but I still have a few questions.

Where do I buy the film for MF? The cam came with a 120 insert.

Anything to look out for when taking with a MF as opposed to take with a 35mm SLR?

The viewfinder that came with this cam did not have a ASA dial or light meter.
So I guess I will be stuck with flash picts for now.
Does the flash operate in the same manner as when used with 35mm?

From what I see on the cam and what I read, there is no release button for winding back the film. Seems like I just have to keep taking and winding until I reach the end, and the mechanisms would auto (??) change direction and start winding back?

TIA.

[kex]

u can get the MF film at cathay or Ruby,just tell them u want the 120 film.

the 645 operates just like a 35mm,just use it the way u shoot with a 35mm.

flash operates in the same manner as 35mm as well.

after finishing the 16 shots for 645,just wind a few more rounds and open up the film magazine.

remember not to let the roll film unfold,and secure it by using the white adhesive u see dangling there.

[kex]

if u never load a roll film b4,it will be alot easier to bring ur camera along to ruby photo and ask them nicely to demo/load it for u.

[alanswan]

Originally Posted by kex if u never load a roll film b4,it will be alot easier to bring ur camera along to ruby photo and ask them nicely to demo/load it for u.

Heh... That's a good idea!
Thanks for the resp.
And before I forget, one more impt question.
Where can I get the film developed?

[kex]

most lab can process 120 color film..

for MF,can try to shoot slides for a start,since no printing is needed to view the positive image.

i process my slides at fotohub beach rd branch.

[kodachrome]

I have to disagree .

Not ALL labs will do 120 processing "in house". Some will cheerfully take your film and then send it to someone else to process for you. This is followed by an exorbidant (painful!!!) processing charge. I has happened to me.....

Since then, I have used fotohub and they are pretty reasonable, cost should be similar to 35 mm roll (if not lower as there are less pics to print). Any new shop you use for 120, ask up front on the charge, it may not be what you expect.

Transparency film looks good in 120 & I would agree it is a nice place to start. But 6X7 looks much bigger than 645.

[pipefish]

120mm photography is exactly the same as 35mm. Its just a matter of getting used to the camera, esp loading and unloading. The only difference is the bigger neg/trans that you get. If you're really keen, Cathay does sell a viewfinder for the M645 that has a built in lightmeter.

Also, most places in the Peninsula area will develop 120 in house.

[kex]

i did say most labs,not all do 120 process..

of coz 6x7 is bigger than 645,but it is the positive image i'm recommending to him to save cost on printing.

[kodachrome]

I think I owe kex an apology.

My previous post sounds rude.

That was not the intention, no criticism or offence intended.

[alanswan]

Thanks all for the valuable feedback.

pipefish: I think the guy who loaned me the camera have a viewfinder with a lightmeter in it.
He's probably waiting for me to discover that and get back to him... :P

[sabahan]

Once you start taking 120 format,You will not like 135(If you still shooting film,esp slide film),mamiya 645 series(Not the AF) shoot only 15 shot on 1 roll of 120,if you are shooting Kodak film,seal off the film by appling some water to the protuding paper after you finished the film and 'glue' it .

[kex]

Originally Posted by kodachrome I think I owe kex an apology. My previous post sounds rude. That was not the intention, no criticism or offence intended.

dun worry about that


happy shooting!