20 Most Recent Mamiya 645 Pro TL Medium Format Camera Questions & Answers

It's been a while since I used a mamilla 645, so forgive me if this is wrong, but I seem to remember the dark slide would only come out with the camera wound on, ready to take a picture.

Probably not, but I would imagine you would need a lens

Try the following link Mamiya 645 Pro TL instruction manual user manual free PDF manual...

Test these instructions above, I hope it will work

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It sounds like the aux. curtain that covers the film when you're focusing either is not properly lowering, or is damaged somehow. You can remove the back and look through to see if you notice any light coming through. If you do, consult a tech. You'd only notice it on frames because mid-frames wouldn't remain in the light path long enough to be affected under most circumstances. It'd likely be a tear/nick in the curtain. Or, it could just not be completely be closing.

It could also be an issue with bad seals in the film back, or between the back and body, or even a crack somewhere in the back or the body itself. If you can't find a leak in the curtain, try keeping the dark slide in right up til you take a shot in, taking it out as soon as you're ready to shoot, replacing it before you wind, etc. to minimize the amount of time light could come from the anywhere but the back - to try and narrow down the location of the leak.

First thing that comes to mind on this camera is that it's a modular camera. This means the film back can be changed mid roll so there is what is called a Dark Slide between the film back and the body.

The dark slide needs to be removed before the camera will function. Also depending on how "new" the film back is there may be a dark slide holder/sleeve on the back side of the film back.

So you remove the dark slide and slide is into the holder so first you don't loose it and also it doesn't get bent.

Diagram

hasselblad makes a digital back--approximately $20,000 USD (yes, that is 20 THOUSAND) and then you need the adaptor (approx. another $1000-$1500 USD). If you can afford that, why not buy a NEW MAMIYA RZ22 (22 mP) or the 33 (33 MP)? would cost less and already digital.

After loading the back with film, the dark slide is inserted so you may remove the back without ecxposing the film. Suppose you had 2 different back, 1 with b&w and the other has color. You are shooting with color. Load the color film and before shooting, remove the dark slide. After a few shots, you decide to change to B&W, insert the dark slide, change backs, remove that dark slide and continue shooting. This is assuming that you have 2 dark slides, 1 for each back. If you only have 1 dark slide, then the back that is not on the camera needs it if it is loaded with film and the other back will have to stay on the camera.

This is copyright material and has never been made publicly available, but you can buy copies from John Craig of Craig Camera in Torrington, CT, USA. He provides an excellent service but if you have any concerns regarding legality then you'll have to check with him if you're concerned as to whether he has the rights to re-publish original copyright works.

Scroll down to items #90050 and #90502 on his website.

If you're looking for this information for free then you'll have to search further than I've just done: not everything is free on the net.

http://butkus.org/chinon/mamiya.htm

You probably nees the "P" adapter made to attach the back to the camera. If your item did nopt come with one, you will have to buy it seperately. Go to Mamiya.com and download the owners manual pdf.