-easy to use -good weigth and size -lens easy to focus and great cuality optics, -Its functions are quite enough for every kind of work; scenary, modeling, portrait, etc.

-the battery model is hard to find at the camera shops, and if you leave the battery inside the camera for a few days it gets discharged. -The on/off button is very small and sometimes it is hard to manipulate. I suggest to make it bigger.

This is an excellent camera, with a great lens (80 mm 2.8, and a great price. It is easy to use, the prism finder is very good, with a clear vision, and the posibility to use manual or automatic settings is good. The lens is just magnific, I love its optics and easenees to focus.

Customer Service

none

Similar Products Used:

Canon Eos A2, Minolta x300s, Nikon FM2, and lately Canon Eos Elan 7

A great camera if you don't intend using it outdoors when it's cold.

See above.

I am now on my third example of this camera, and none of them have worked properly once the temperature gets to around freezing. With the first one, the shutter stuck open when pressed, and would not close until pressed again - great for actions shots! The second was fine on landscape shots, but on portrait format in cold weather I only got half an image. The third (current)one suffers from the same problem as the first (though the temperature needs to go lower for it to happen), and also has started to suffer from the film wind handle spinning and not advancing the film, reported by some other reviewers. This again seems to be temperature-related. Numerous returns to the UK servicing agent have all produced "fault not found" reports.

Customer Service

"Fault not found" on five occasions - need I say more?

Similar Products Used:

Mamaiya 1000S (wish I'd never traded it in!)

-Simplified layout and controls -Mirror lockup! -Lenses -Price -Value

-Metering idiosynchracies -Shutter release can be touchy

This is a very capable outdoor camera, when taking landscape, macro, and detail photos. It is less capable as a wildlife camera for obvious reasons (why use it for wildlife anyway?) It has everything needed to take first rate pictures with beautiful detail. The metering can be a bit quirky, and offers less information than even the most basic 35mm SLRs, however. I suggest learning to live with its limitations, or buy an accessory light meter. Overall, I love this camera, especially for the price. I like to compare this camera in Mamiya's lineup as its Canon ftb (sorry to those who don't remember this camera). Not the most feature laden body, but has everything many professional photographers will ever need. Its simplicity is part of its charm. Way to go Mamiya!!

Customer Service

-Mamiya USA website is great. Never needed warranty repairs.

Similar Products Used:

-Pentax 67 -Older Mamiya 645 bodies

Price of house and lenses. I also like diopter.

The need for batteries, all the plastic, and that the film mag. is integrated. I was a fraid to take the camera on a skiing trip in -30 C - I was afraid that the plastic would break (maybe it would not have)

The camera has a "plastic fantastic" feeling too it, but it does everything it is asked. The mirror seems to jump, so I have taken all my serious shots with the mirror locked up - but this is a problem with MF in general. My choice was between a Hasselblad 500 c/m and this camera. I bought this because I could not justify the extra price - and because the lenses cost less. The first camera I got, was in bad condition - the diopter was spinning, and so was the film. The camera I have now works like a charm.

Customer Service

Good

Similar Products Used:

None, only 35 mm equipment and Leitz MF camera. Tried Hasselblad in shop.

A great value for the price. Wide range of high quality lenses. Built-in diopter adjustment. Mirror Lock-up. Robust construction and finish.

No self-timer. Lack of texturing on the body to aid in holding the camera.

Having used this camera extensively since purchasing it new in October 2001, I find it to be an excellent camera. I appreciate the ease of use, diopter adjustment, and mirror lock, and exposure compensation. I have not had any problems with the film advance, as have some other reviewers. I have used this camera in desert heat, high mountain wind and in other precarious situations: It's value and robustness are outstanding, given the price. With regard to the body being assembled in China: Mamiya provides for quality control of the assembly of parts that are manufactured in Japan. Based upon the performance I've experienced, I have no reason to doubt the quality of this camera.

Customer Service

The Mamiya website is excellent: The forums are very helpful.

Similar Products Used:

Mamiya M645 Mamiya 645J

No frills, just basic options that I need. The diopter is highly useful. When you throw in the free additional lens, it is an excellent value.

This camera was made in China. I am a little concerned about the durability of the camera. However, its big brother, the 645 Pro TL works nicely.

Purchased this camera primarily as a backup for portrait photography. It came with a rebate for a free additional lens. I selected the 150mm lens for portrait work.

Customer Service

n/a

Similar Products Used:

Mamiya 645 Pro TL.

great price, bright viewfinder, great optics?

kind of a rough advancew

Great camera for money paid, considering another one for backup--best part is after purchase mamiya will give you a 55mm or 150 mm lens free which makes it a great buy. I am also having problems with the winder, it wants to spin with no stop but only occasionally. I haven''t missed a shot yet, but it does make me a bit nervous.I thought it was just me although through these postings it seems to be a potential problem which will have checked out---overall great camera.c

Customer Service

don''t know yet

Similar Products Used:

mamiya super/pro

Good Optices, inexpensive entry into medium format.

The quality of these cameras is not as good the Super and Pro. Perhaps because they are being made in China?

I have used Mamiya cameras for several years, the 645 Super and Pro. Overall I like Mamiya, the quality of the lens optices is excellant. I have found the quality of the 645E to be not as good as I expected. The first wedding I used the 645E on I experienced a mechanical problem in that about mid-roll the rewind knob would quit working. By that I mean it would spin around and around without stopping. It is supposed to advance the film and cock the shutter with one complete revolution of the rewind crank. The first time this happened I thought I was at the end of the roll, opened the camera back and ruined several of the pictures which happened to be the formals of a wedding I was doing. I have experienced this problem several times throughout the past year. I purchased a second 645E camera this past month and the first time I used this camera I experienced the same problem and several times since. I sent both cameras back to Mamiya for repair. I just receieved them back last week so do not know if the problem had been fixed. The work sheet said the cameras were adjusted to specs. so I will have to wait and see if the problem has been remedied. Overall I like the camera and would be very happy with it if it were more reliable.

Customer Service

Have used their customer service several times over the years and have found it to be quite good although expensive. No matter what the problem the minimum charge is about $180, this was 3 or 4 years

Similar Products Used:

Mamiya Super, Mamiya Pro, Bronica 645

Accurate metering and exposure control. Robustly made. Easy to use. Lets you into the great Mamiya 645 system of lenses. Superb images, and stupendous value.

Needs a dedicated meter on/off switch. Whacky AE exposure procedure with mirror in up position. Would like interchangeable backs, but at this price/value point, I''m not going to complain too much.

Fantastic camera and system, especially for the price. Large easy to operate controls (except the meter) and excellent image reproduction. All the basics you need and then some. Metering is great, even in tricky lighting, and the exposure compensation is nice when more control is needed/wanted. I would prefer a dedicated meter switch, changeable backs, and easier mirror-up AE exposure setting, but what you get for the package cannot be beat. Great lenses, too. Get it with the rapid winder for easier control. I actually prefer the manual advance over the PRO TL''s battery driven unit.

Customer Service

If only others had customer support like Mamiya''s, the world would be aa easier place to navigate. Great and attentive people.

Similar Products Used:

None

Tons of features for a camera at a less than $1500 price tag.
These include:
*Mirror Lock Up
*Multiple Exposure
*Ultra-Accurate Center Weighted Meter
*Built-In Diopter

None.

Relatively cheap price, but don't be fooled by it. This camera has the capability to produce world-class photos. Recommended for beginners and for use as a back-up camera. I took this camera to the Highlands in Scotland and was very pleased with my photos.

Customer Service

Haven't tried yet.

Similar Products Used:

None