MAMIYA M645 SUPER

Name: Mamiya M645 Super
Brand: Mamiya

The Mamiya M645 Super is a modular medium format single-lens reflex (SLR) camera introduced in 1985 as an advanced evolution of the original M645 series. Designed for professional and serious amateur photographers, it combines the flexibility of interchangeable film backs, viewfinders, and lenses with a robust mechanical platform and improved ergonomic and operational features.

Overview

Released in 1985, the Mamiya M645 Super represented a significant refinement of the M645 platform, which had been introduced in the early 1970s. As part of Mamiya’s 6x4.5cm medium format lineup, the Super model was engineered to meet the demands of studio, portrait, commercial, and field photographers who required high image quality, modularity, and reliability. The camera retained the core mechanical design of its predecessors but introduced several key upgrades, most notably a redesigned body with a more ergonomic grip, improved film back compatibility, and enhanced viewfinder options. Unlike fully electronic medium format systems, the M645 Super maintained a largely mechanical shutter system, ensuring functionality even without batteries, while incorporating TTL (through-the-lens) metering for accurate exposure control.

The M645 Super was positioned as a cost-effective yet professional-grade alternative to larger and more expensive systems like the Hasselblad 500 series or the Bronica SQ. Its 6x4.5cm negative size offered a balance between image resolution and film economy, allowing 15 exposures on a standard 120 roll film. The camera’s modular design enabled users to swap film backs mid-roll—a critical feature for professionals switching between color and black-and-white film or managing multiple projects simultaneously. The M645 Super was widely adopted in portrait, fashion, and architectural photography, where its combination of portability, image quality, and system expandability proved highly advantageous.

Specifications

Specification	Value
Type	Single-Lens Reflex (SLR)
Film Format	6x4.5cm (on 120 roll film)
Years Produced	1985–1999
Lens Mount	M645 screw-mount (Mamiya Press-compatible with adapter)
Shutter	Focal-plane cloth shutter; speeds 1–1/1000 sec, Bulb (B), and X-sync at 1/60 sec
Metering	TTL open-aperture metering via viewfinder (center-weighted average)
Exposure Modes	Manual exposure only
Viewfinder	Interchangeable focusing screens and viewfinders (including waist-level, prism, and AE prism options)
Dimensions	Approx. 145 x 100 x 110 mm (body only); Weight: ~950 g (body only, without back or finder)

Key Features

Interchangeable Film Backs: Allows mid-roll film changes and quick switching between film types (e.g., color, B&W, slide), a hallmark of professional medium format systems.
Mechanical Reliability: Fully mechanical shutter operates without batteries; only metering requires power (1x 6V PX28 or 4SR44 battery).
Improved Ergonomics: Redesigned right-hand grip and shutter release position enhance handling and balance, especially when used with heavier lenses.
Modular System Compatibility: Supports a wide range of M645 lenses (55mm to 500mm), viewfinders, and accessories, including bellows focusing units and polaroid backs.
TTL Metering with AE Prism Option: When used with the optional AE Prism Finder, the camera provides through-the-lens, center-weighted metering with a match-needle display in the viewfinder.

Historical Context

The Mamiya M645 Super was introduced during a transitional period in medium format photography, as manufacturers began integrating more electronic automation while maintaining mechanical reliability. It succeeded the original M645 and M645 1000s models, addressing user feedback regarding handling, film back reliability, and metering integration. The Super model featured a reinforced film back latch mechanism and improved dark slide design, reducing the risk of accidental exposure—a known issue in earlier models. It also introduced compatibility with the AE Prism Finder, which, while not enabling automatic exposure, provided real-time aperture-priority metering feedback, a significant usability enhancement.

In the mid-1980s, the medium format market was dominated by systems like the Hasselblad 500 series, Bronica SQ and GS-1, and the emerging Pentax 645. The M645 Super distinguished itself by offering a lower price point, a wide selection of high-quality lenses, and a lighter, more portable body compared to square-format systems. Its focal-plane shutter design allowed for faster flash sync speeds (1/60 sec) than leaf-shutter competitors, which typically maxed out at 1/30 or 1/125 sec depending on the lens. This made the M645 Super particularly appealing for studio photographers using strobes and outdoor shooters employing fill flash.

Collectibility & Value

Today, the Mamiya M645 Super is regarded as a durable and practical entry point into medium format film photography. While not as collectible as Hasselblad or Rolleiflex systems, it remains highly valued for its reliability, modularity, and affordability on the used market. Complete systems with multiple backs, finders, and lenses typically sell between $400 and $800, depending on condition and included accessories. Bodies alone can be found for $150–$300.

When purchasing an M645 Super, collectors and users should inspect the film back for light leaks, ensure the dark slide operates smoothly, and verify that the shutter fires consistently at all speeds. The mirror mechanism should be checked for smooth operation and absence of oil bleed, which can contaminate focusing screens. The camera’s cloth focal-plane shutter is generally robust but susceptible to timing inaccuracies if damaged or worn. Meter functionality should be tested with a fresh battery, and the AE prism (if included) should display a responsive needle.

Common issues include degraded foam light seals (requiring replacement), stiff film advance levers, and occasional sync contact oxidation. However, the mechanical simplicity of the camera makes most repairs straightforward for experienced technicians. Spare parts are relatively available due to the model’s long production run and popularity.

Similar Cameras

Bronica SQ-A (1984–1990): Square-format SLR with interchangeable backs and TTL metering; heavier but offers 6x6cm images.
Pentax 645 (1984–1997): Competing 6x4.5cm SLR with built-in metering and later models featuring auto-exposure.
Hasselblad 503CW (1995–2013): Iconic 6x6cm modular system with superior build and optics, but significantly more expensive.
Mamiya C330 (Twin-Lens Reflex): Earlier Mamiya medium format system with interchangeable lenses but fixed film format and TLR design.
Kiev 88CM: Budget 6x6cm SLR with interchangeable backs and lenses, mechanically similar but less reliable than the M645 Super.

Repair & Maintenance

The Mamiya M645 Super uses a single 6V PX28 or equivalent 4SR44 battery to power the TTL metering system; the shutter and film transport remain fully mechanical. Battery compartments should be inspected for corrosion, especially in older units that have sat unused for years. The camera requires periodic CLA (clean, lubricate, adjust) servicing every 5–10 years depending on use, focusing on the shutter mechanism, mirror dampening, and film advance components.

Common maintenance tasks include replacing light seals (foam around film back and body joints), cleaning focusing screens, and ensuring the film back engages properly with the body’s film plane registration pin. The film advance lever can become stiff due to dried lubricant or debris in the linkage, which is typically resolved with disassembly and re-lubrication. Given the availability of parts and a strong user community, repair difficulty is moderate, though shutter timing adjustments should be performed by specialists with appropriate equipment. Overall, the M645 Super is considered one of the most serviceable and durable medium format SLRs of its era.