Mamiya 645 vs Pentax 645: Which Medium Format Film Camera is Right for You?
Mamiya 645 and Pentax 645 are two popular medium format film cameras that have been widely used by professional photographers for years. In this article, we'll compare these two cameras in terms of features, image quality, and handling.
Features and Design
The Mamiya 645 is a modular camera system that allows for interchangeable film backs, viewfinders, and lenses. It has a maximum shutter speed of 1/1000s and can shoot up to 15 frames per roll of 120 film. The Pentax 645, on the other hand, is an integral system with a built-in motor drive, TTL metering, and a top shutter speed of 1/1000s. It can shoot up to 15 frames per roll of 120 film as well.
Image Quality
Both the Mamiya 645 and Pentax 645 produce beautiful images with plenty of detail and silky depth of field, due the larger negative size. If one wanted to push each camera to their limits, lens choice and film stock will ultimately determine differences in image quality, however, this difference may not be noticeable on small screen but can make a difference in print quality.
Handling
The Mamiya 645 has a modular design that allows for customization but can be bulky and heavy. It's not as ergonomic as the Pentax 645, which has a more streamline design with a built-in prism, a solid grip and button controls. However, the Mamiya 645 has a smoother and quieter shutter mechanism, which is important when working in quiet environments such as weddings or studio shoots.
Price
For base models, prices of the Mamiya 645 and Pentax 645 are similar. However, the price of the higher end Pentax 645 models (especially the AF models) tend to be more than that of Mamiya 645 Pro models.
Pentax 645 prime lenses tend to be slightly more expensive across the board compared to similar offerings from Mamiya. However, the ultra-fast Mamiya Sekor 80mm f1.9 and 110mm f2.8 options fetch very high prices in the current market. For the budget conscious customer, there are numerous affordable zooms available for both systems.
Conclusion
Both the Mamiya 645 and Pentax 645 are great medium format film cameras that offer high-quality images. The Mamiya 645 has a modular design that allows for customization but can be bulkier and more expensive. The Pentax 645, on the other hand, has a more traditional design with a built-in motor drive and easy-to-use controls. Ultimately, the choice between these two cameras will depend on your personal preferences and shooting style.