For the Mamiya 645 users out there, you might be interested in this;


From the looks of it, it has;

• an integrated viewfinder and grip ala Pentax 645N and Contax 645 AF (non-interchangeable?)
• I don't see any break between the back and the body. I hope Mamiya couldn't possibly have considered nn interchangeable backs like the Pentax 645N.

In any case, this has my attention.

-- Tommy Zablan (lensman49@hotmail.com), March 04, 1999

Answers

Now that I've looked at it for quite some time;

• looks like the manual aperture prong and aperture ring isn't on the lens, this means there is a possibility for full AE instead of just aperture-priority.
• There IS a break between the body and the grip.
• It looks like a sexier version of the Contax 645

-- Tommy Z. (lensman49@hotmail.com), March 04, 1999.

It looks like a Minolta based 645 or a Mamiya 645 designed by Minolta. My bet is that you have a shutter speed dial behind the grip, and the sub-command dial above the camera is for aperture.

The question is, will it have completely new lenses which are not compatible with the original 645 line?

Oops, I don't think the grip is detachable. The LCD screen is right above it. But the back looks like it is.

Wow! This looks like a great camera for fashion photography.

-- Carlo Ma. Guerrero (guerrero@netgazer.com.ph), March 04, 1999.

Check out the specs.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Medium Format Autofocus System for Professionals ELMSFORD, NY; March 1, 1999: Mamiya America Corporation proudly announces the introduction of the Mamiya 645 AF (Autofocus) System. Mamiya pioneered the 645 SLR system over 25 years ago and continues their long tradition of expertise and excellence with the newest autofocus addition to the system. The MAMIYA 645 AF offers a bevy of new features combined with world-class Mamiya performance. The MAMIYA 645 AF is the realization of years of careful research and development by Mamiya to make operation swift and decisive to meet the demands of professionals around the globe.

The MAMIYA 645 AF utilizes a TTL (through-the-lens), phase-difference-detection type auto-focus system. An automatic infrared sub-beam enables the user to focus easily even on subjects of low contrast or low illumination. Single AF (focus priority) or Continuous AF (release priority) can be selected with the AF mode dial.

Equipped with a metal focal plane shutter of max 1/4000 sec., the MAMIYA 645 AF encourages all kinds of photographic uses, from portraiture with wide-angle lenses to high speed shooting to capture fast action with telephoto lenses. Combine the electronically controlled shutter speeds with = stop adjustment with autofocus and capturing decisive moments with precision is even easier than ever possible in medium format.

The vertically-running, metal focal plane shutter has a high flash sync speed of 1/125 sec, useful for mixing flash and ambient light in daylight situations.

Dial-type exposure mode settings enables the user to confirm the active mode at a glance. Shutter speed and aperture values can be set in = steps using the two electronic dials. In AE mode, the shutter speeds and aperture values are controlled automatically in 1/8 stop increments.

The MAMIYA 645 AF Incorporates an intelligently designed interactive control system between the internal controls in the body, new AF interchangeable lenses and the motorized interchangeable film magazines. This interactive system makes it possible to control each component most precisely without fail and to support further system development in an eminent electronic imaging era. Exposure modes on the MAMIYA 645 AF can be set to Aperture priority, Shutter priority and full Program AE. A metered manual mode is also available for complete user control. The program AE can satisfy every kind of shooting idea with its 1 1.5 step shifting function to both high and low speed sides.

The MAMIYA 645 AF has three metering modes: Center-weighted average, Spot, and Auto A-S (Variable ratio). The new auto-bracketing function exposes three frames consecutively and can be selected in 1/3, 2/3 or 1 stop increments, making difficult shooting situations even easier. Separate exposure compensation controls allow adjustment of 13 EV in 1/3 stop increments. Making the best use of Mamiyas world-class techniques of lens design and state-of-the-art optical glass, the line of 7 new autofocus AF lenses and 22 manual focus interchangeable lenses for Mamiya 645 AF can fully satisfy tough requirements of professional photographers. Mamiya uses Ultra Low Dispersion (ULD) glass to correct Iateral chromatic aberration so that the professional can expect high contrast and resolution from minimum to maximum aperture with Mamiyas world-class wide angle lenses. Additionally, the floating element mechanism enables the user to utilize the entire range of the lens from close-up to infinity while minimizing field-curvature, common in wide angle lenses. High contrast and clear image reproduction is Mamiyas elimination of as much ghost and flare spot as possible with telephoto lenses through computer-aided design and choice of superior glass elements.

Paying close attention to environmental protection and effective use of natural resources, Mamiya uses eco-glass, which contains no lead or arsenic, maintaining their company policy to be Earth-friendly, Nature-friendly.

The MAMIYA 645 AF utilizes the newly designed Mamiya 645 AF mount, which accepts the 22 current world-class M645 series lenses. In consideration of the loyal users of the Mamiya 645 system for the last 25 years, all manual focus lenses are compatible with the new MAMIYA 645 AF. The non-AF lenses now have focus confirmation capability and stopped-down AE metering, taking on new life in the 645 AF system.

Mamiyas tradition of serving the professionals interest with interchangeable film magazines is continued with the new MAMIYA 645 AF. Both 120 and 220 roll film can be loaded in the magazines, which are driven by the built-in power winder in the MAMIYA 645 AF BODY. By rotating the pressure plate, the switch between film 120 and 220 is made simply and swiftly. A Polaroid film holder magazine is also available for on-the-spot proofing and light level evaluation. The interchangeable film magazine system also enables MAMIYA 645 AF owners to go digital with a number of compatible digital backs.

The 645 AF is equipped with the TTL direct flash control system to support Metz's SCA3000 module system. One can tackle a wider variety of situations using the automatic TTL flash exposure, including daylight synchronization and macro photography. Exposure data can be imprinted outside the image area. The feature is user-selectable, and the information one can have recorded on each exposure include Exposure Mode, Aperture, Shutter Speed, Exposure Compensation, Metering Mode and ID Number. In DATA mode the exposure number is recorded on the film. In the DAY mode, the Year/Month/Date/Time and ID number are imprinted on the film.

The three-digit ID number is indicated as sequential numeric data (001-999). Most important, the data is in the camera bodys memory, making it possible to continue the exposure number sequence without a break even when the film magazines are changed (Data increment method). This is indispensable to the professional who needs to catalogue a large shoot in a worry-free manner.

The exterior LCD display, and larger letters on the display of the body, clearly describe present shooting conditions/settings. The LCD display is back-lit for dark situations, and this function can be can be switched off when not desired. The date on the LCD of the interchangeable film magazine is linked with that of the camera body.

The MAMIYA 645 AF is the first medium format camera to use a magnesium alloy in the production of the top cover. The result is a solid, more rugged exterior which feels good to the touch.

The MAMIYA 645 AF will be available in the summer of 1999.

For additional information:

Mamiya America Corporation 8 Westchester Plaza, Elmsford, NY 10523 914-347-3300 FAX 914-347-3309 Email: info@mamiya.com

Specifications: Mamiya 645 AF (Autofocus)

Camera Type: 6 x 4.5 cm format, electronically controlled focal-plane shutter, TTL multiple mode AE, AF single lens reflex Actual Image Size: 56 x 41.5 mm Film Type: 120 roll film (16 exposures ) 220 roll film( 32 exposure ) Polaroid Land Pack Film (I00 & 600 series) Lens Mount: Mamiya 645 AF Mount M645 Mount can be used (manual focus confirmation, stopped-down AE) New AutoFocus Lenses: 45mm f/2.8 AF, 55mm f/2.8 AF, 80mm f/2 AF, 80mm f/2.8 AF, 150mm f/2.8 AF, 210mm f/4 AF, 300mm f/4.5 AF Finder: Fixed prism finder magnification 0.71x, Built-in diopter adjustment (-2.5 to +0.5 dpt., also possible are adjustment ranges of -5 to 2 dpt. and 0 to +3 dpt. by using separate diopter correction lens), integral eye-piece shutter Focusing Screen: Interchangeable, Matte (standard) and Checker. Field of View: 94% (ratio of horizontal/vertical against actual image) View-finder Information: Focus display, out-of-focus direction mark, aperture value, shutter speed value, metering mode (A, S, A/S), battery-ready, AE lock, exposure compensation (difference in metered value between set one and actual one) AF system: TTL phase-difference detection type Detecting device: CCD line sensor Focusing area: Indicated on the focusing screen Metering method: Center weighted average (AV), spot (S) and variable ratio (A-S auto change) Metering Range: EV 1 (F2.8, 4 sec.), - E'V 19 (F11, 1/4000 sec.) (in case of ISO100, F2.8 lens) Exposure compensation:13 EV (1/3 step) Film speed: ISO 25 - 6400 AE lock: Yes (AEL button) Shutter: Electronically controlled metal focal plane shutter, (vertical) Shutter speed: AE 4  1/4000 sec. (1/8 step), manual 30  1/4000 sec. (1/2 step), X, B (Bulb. Electronically controlled), T (Time, mechanically controlled), emergency shutter blades open mechanism of the shutter (open without the interchangeable magazines, automatically return with the interchangeable magazines) Flash control: TTL direct metering, supports Metz SCA3000 system Film transport: Automatic transport via built-in motor, single or continuous exposures Film loading: easy-loading Multiple exposure: 1 - 5 times Outside LCD: Camera body; aperture value, shutter speed value, self-timer, ABL, battery confirmation, multiple exposure, program AE or program AE shift value, data imprinting Interchangeable Film Magazine: ISO speed, type of film (120/220), exposure number Data Imprinting: 7 segment, dot matrix method, DATA mode; exposure mode, aperture value, shutter speed value, exposure compensation, metering mode, ID number. DAY mode; Year/Month/Date/Time, ID No. Switchable: Active/Inactive Sync. terminal: X contact (sync. speed 1/125 sec.) Cable release socket: On shutter button Remote-control terminal: On the side of the body, Electromagnetic cable release Self-Timer: 3 - 60 sec. (standard: 10 sec, can be set 1 sec. step between 3 sec. and 10 sec., and 10 sec. step between 10 sec. and 60 sec. ) Depth-of-field confirmation: Preview Button Tripod Socket: U 1/4 inc. and U 3/8 included External AC Power Socket: provided Size: to be announced Weight: to be announced

-- Carlo Ma. Guerrero (guerrero@netgazer.com.ph), March 04, 1999.

Looks ugly to me. But I admire their desiscion to permit the use of their older lenses.

-- Alvin S. Granada (binogranada@hotmail.com), June 13, 1999.