Mamiya M645 1000S
The Mamiya 645 1000S was the second in Mamiya's line of 6x4.5cm medium format cameras. It is remarkably similar to the previous Mamiya M645 but has a shutter speed range that extends up to 1/1000 of a second, as well as adding a multiple exposure function. Mamiya designed these cameras to be system cameras - that means that they are supported by a huge range of lenses and other accessories. The Mamiya 645 1000S can change out prisms, focusing screens and lenses to allow it to be customized to a photographer's needs. Its one lacking feature is the omission of interchangeable film backs. You cannot change film mid-roll on this camera.
The Mamiya 645 1000S is an SLR style camera, meaning that you look through the eyepiece - or down through the waist level finder - and you are seeing through the actual taking lens via a reflexive mirror. This allows very accurate composition and focusing but does add noise and vibration due to the movement of that mirror when the camera is fired. Additionally, these cameras use a cloth focal plane shutter, which is capable of those higher top speeds like 1/1000 of a second but add additional noise and vibration as well as limiting the camera's top flash sync speed. They can still be used quite readily with flash, but if you are a heavy flash user, or make frequent use of outdoor fill flash, a camera with a leaf shutter might be better suited for your work.
While the prices of most medium format cameras have climbed, Mamiya 645 cameras and lenses have remained very affordable, keeping these cameras an excellent value, especially given how reliable they are. They make a great starter medium format camera and even stand a great chance of being the last medium format camera you will ever buy.
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