User manual MAMIYA 645AF

Congratulations on your purchase of the Mamiya 645 AF Camera. Mamiya pioneered the 645 SLR system camera three decades ago and the Mamiya 645 AF, with its TTL auto-focus, auto-exposure, auto-flash and autofilm winding features, is the latest Mamiya master piece and reflects its long tradition of medium format camera expertise. Special Advice To Professional Photographers Your Mamiya 645 AF is designed for heavy professional use and will give you a long service life if properly maintained. Your camera and lenses have many moving parts which require periodic lubrication. Its electronic components, too, are subject to wear and tear and are affected by ambient conditions like dust, sand, sea air, heat and moisture. If cameras had odometers like automobiles, it would be easier to specify servicing schedules. May we suggest that if you shoot thousands of film rolls per year, you send your equipment annually for servicing by the Mamiya distributor in your country. Combining 35mm handling ease and speed with the advantages of an almost 3x larger image size, it is a full-featured camera, utilizing many digital controls, LCD displays and is ready for the age of digital photography. Its high-tech focal plane shutter with speeds to 1/4000 sec. permits sync flash up to 1/125 sec. and has an exclusive "Safety Retraction" feature, which protects it against accidental damage. The AE Prism Finder with its many features, protected by a sturdy magnesium housing, and also the Power Drive Grip, are now integral components of the diecast aluminum camera body, designed for heavy professional use. All the many features, safety interlocks and other important information are covered in detail in these instructions. It is imperative that you read them thoroughly before you put your camera to work, in order to ensure proper operation and maximum results. Note: In order to acquaint yourself with the functions of the camera, you will want to practice without film. Please see bottom of page 37 how the camera can be tested without film. 1 2 Names of Parts and Functions Hot shoe (Page 63) Exposure compensation dial lock release button (Page 46) Exposure compensation dial (Page 46) Exposure mode dial lock release button (Page 39) Exposure mode setting dial (Page 39) Auto focus supplemental infrared light emission window (Page 36) Strap lug (Page 80) Exposure metering mode selector lever (Page 45) Rubber eye piece Diopter adjustment dial (Page 13) Dark Slide (Page 20) Magazine release button (Page 20) Magazine cover release button (Page 21) Eyepiece Shutter Lever (Page 66) Main Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) (Page 6) Magazine cover lock button (Page 21) Rear dial (Page 71) Magazine lock button (Page 20) Strap mount (Page 80) Synchro terminal (Page 65) Front dial (Page 71) Mirror up lever (Page 59) Lens Release Button (Page 15) Shutter release mode selector lever (Page 47) Depth of field preview button (Page 66) Auxiliary release socket (Page 80) Congratulations on your purchase of the Mamiya 645AF and welcome to the world-wide family of happy Mamiya camera owners! 3 4 Diopter adjustment lens (standard accessory) (Page 14) Dark slide storage pocket (Page 20) Film box tab pocket Screw cap for battery compartment for magazine LCD (Page 17) External power socket (Page 69) Battery case lock lever (Page 11) Main Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) Superimpose mode shooting data (Page 75) Superimpose mode calendar and index number (Page 73) Shutter time (seconds) (Page 41) Self timer mode mark (Page 53) Multiple exposure mode mark (Page 51) Auto bracketing mode mark (Page 49) Index mode (Page 74) Manual focus mode (Page 32) Battery power indicator (Page 12) Program mode (Page 39) Battery case (Page 11) Tripod socket (Page 80) This diagram is for explanatory purposes. The actual display may differ. Aperture (Page 40) Program shift indicator (Page 39) Dial lock indicator (Page 72) Magazine LCD Panel (Page 6) Down button (Page 18) Mode setting button (Page 49) BL button (Page 56) Magazine LCD Film sensitivity - ISO 25 to 6400 F1 key (Pages 72,75 and 77) Film type display - 120 or 220 SET button (Page 72) Number of photos display This diagram is for explanatory purposes. The actual display may differ. 5 6 Contents Viewfinder with LCD read-outs on bottom Names of Parts and Function .........................................................3~5 Main Liquid Crystal Display ..................................................................6 Magazine LCD ......................................................................................6 Viewfinder with LCD read-outs on button ............................................7 Basic Operation .................................................................................10~29 Inserting the Batteries ........................................................................11 Checking the Battery Power ...............................................................12 Diopter Adjustment . ...........................................................................13 Replacing the diopter corrected lens ...............................................14 Attaching / Removing the Lens .................................................... 15~16 Installing the Battery in the Magazine ................................................17 Setting the Film Speed .......................................................................18 Attaching / Detaching the Magazine.............................................19~20 Loading Film in the Magazine .....................................................21~23 Shutter Release Button / Holding the Camera ...................................24 Taking Photos in the Full Automatic Mode ................................. 25~28 Removing a partially exposed film roll ....................................................................... 29 Auto Focus Function ........................................................................30~36 Single Focus Mode ........................................................................31 Continuous Focus Mode ................................................................................................ 31 Manual Focus Mode ......................................................................32 Manual focusing using the focus mark ...........................................33 Subjects With Which Auto Focusing May Not Work .......................34 Using the Focus Lock Function ..........................................................35 AF Supplemental Infrared Light ...................................................................................... 36 Camera Operation Test ......................................................................37 Exposure Modes ...............................................................................38~43 Program AE ...................................................................................39 Shifting the Program ......................................................................39 Aperture Priority AE .......................................................................40 Shutter Priority AE .........................................................................41 Manual Mode ..........................................................................42~43 X Mode ..........................................................................................43 Time Mode......................................................................................43 Exposure Metering and Film Advance Modes ................................44~47 Average Exposure Metering Mode ................................................ 45 This diagram is for explanatory purposes. The actual display may differ. Autofocus area frame AE lock display Exposure compensation ± mark Exposure compensation value display - displays the difference between the setting and the metered value when in the manual mode Flash charge indicator Focus marks displayed when subject is in focus Exposure metering mode display Aperture Shutter speed Spot Exposure Metering Mode .......................................................45 Average / Spot Auto Switching Exposure Metering Mode ............. 45 7 8 Exposure Compensation ....................................................................46 Single-Frame Mode / Continuous Mode .............................................47 Additional Shooting Modes ...............................................................48~53 Auto Bracketing Mode .................................................................49~50 Multiple Exposure Mode ..............................................................51~52 Self Timer Mode .................................................................................53 Applied Photography .........................................................................54~69 Extended Exposure Modes .........................................................55~56 AE Lock Mode .............................................................................57~58 Taking Photos with the Mirror Up ................................................59~60 Depth of field ......................................................................................61 Infrared Photography . ........................................................................62 Flash Photography ......................................................................63~65 Metz Flash SCA3951 System Functions ........................................64 Flash Photography with Flashes other than Metz Flashes .............65 Depth of Field Preview /Eyepiece Shutter ..........................................66 Changing The Focusing Screen .........................................................67 Using the M645 Manual Focus Lenses ..............................................68 External Power Supply .......................................................................69 Date, Electronic Functions, and Miscellaneous ...............................70~86 Electronic Dial Operations ..................................................................71 Front / Rear Dial Lock Mechanisms ...................................................72 Superimposing Data ....................................................................73~76 Setting the Date and Time .............................................................73 Setting the Index Number ..............................................................74 Selecting the Data to be Superimposed .........................................75 Data superimpose modes ..............................................................75 Checking the data to be superimposed ..........................................76 Changing the Viewfinder Display in the Manual Mode "M" .................77 Error Messages ..................................................................................78 If the shutter cannot be released ........................................................79 Strap / Using a Tripod / Auxiliary Release Contact ............................80 Specifications of 645AF ...............................................................81~82 Common Sense Camera Care and Practice ................................83~85 The Importance of Proper Maintenance .........................................84 Batteries Care ................................................................................84 After-Sale Servicing .......................................................................85 Liquid Crystal Display .........................................................................86 This section describes basic camera operations, how to load film and basic full automatic photography. When we refer to "left or right" we assume you are holding the camera in shooting position. 9 10 Inserting the Batteries (The camera will not operate without batteries) Checking the Battery Power Set the shutter release mode selector lever to "S" (to turn the power on). Check the battery condition in the lower right corner of the main LCD. Set the shutter release mode selector lever to "L" (to turn the power off). Use six "AA" alkaline and lithium batteries. 1. Lift the battery case lock lever, turn it counter clockwise and pull out the battery holder. The batteries are sufficiently charged. There is little power remaining. Have new batteries on hand. Camera will still operate. 2. Insert fresh batteries with the + and - ends as shown in the drawing. · Be sure the batteries are placed with proper polarity There is very little power remaining. Camera will not operate. *Set the shutter release mode selector lever to "L" (to turn the power off) and replace the batteries with new ones. 3. Return the battery holder to its case and lock it by turning the lever clockwise. Make sure it is firmly attached. *When the batteries are spent, "batt" flashes on the main LCD and the viewfinder's LCD when the shutter release button is pressed. · When replacing the batteries, be sure to use six new batteries of the same type. Do not mix different types of batteries or old batteries with new ones. Amount of film that can be taken with one set of batteries At normal temperature (20°C), using new batteries, 120 roll film and under normal usage. Alkaline batteries : 150 rolls Lithium batteries : 300 rolls *After inserting the batteries, set the date and time. (See page 73.) 11 12 Diopter Adjustment Look through the viewfinder and make sure that the focus frame (Rectangle with Circle) is in sharp focus. If it is not, turn the diopter adjustment dial in the "-" direction if you are nearsighted, in the "+" direction if you are farsighted. If this is not sufficient you may require an optional diopter corrected lens. See below. Replacing the diopter corrected lens 1. Remove the lens supplied with the finder by pulling it downward. 2. Push the replacement diopter corrected lens upward into the viewfinder's eyepiece frame until it clicks into place. *Point the camera at a bright, plain object such as a white wall when making this adjustment. Range of adjustment of diopter corrected lenses (Optional accessory) *If there is dirt or dust on the lens surface, remove it with a blower or sweep it off gently with a lens brush. *If there are fingerprints or dirt on the lens surface, wipe it off with a piece of clean, soft gauze. *Using solvents could discolor the diopter corrected lens frame. 13 14 Attaching/Removing the Lens Attaching 1. Remove the camera's lens opening cap, just like you would remove a lens, by pushing the lens release button "A" backward and then turn the lens cap or the lens itself counter clockwise and lift out. Removing While pushing the lens release button "A", rotate the lens counter clockwise until it stops and lift it off. To remove the front lens cap, squeeze the shiny sections together and lift out. *After removing the lens from the camera body, protect both ends by attaching the caps. *Oil, dust, fingerprints or water on the electronic contacts could result in malfunction or corrosion. Wipe such impurities off with a clean piece of cloth. To remove rear lens cap turn it counter clockwise. 2. Attaching the lens Align the red alignment dot of the lens (on the shiny flange) with the camera's red dot, fit the lens into the camera and rotate it clockwise until it clicks into place. *Do not touch the distance ring or other rotating parts during the auto focus operation. 15 16 Installing the Battery in the Magazine The button battery supplies power to the magazine's LCD when it is detached from the camera. When it is attached the power is supplied by the camera's batteries. Setting the Film Speed The film speed (ISO sensitivity value) is the reference for all exposure and must be set correctly. If the set value differs from the actual value of the film in use, under- or overexposure may occur. 1. Remove the battery compartment cover screw. Use a coin or suitable screw driver and turn it counter clockwise. 1. Press the L (up) button. When the LCD panel displays information, press and hold the L (up) button on the bottom part of the LCD for more than 1 second. The ISO indicator will blink. 2. Insert a battery. Insert the battery according to the polarity indication + in the battery compartment, and close the battery cover. Battery used: Sony CR2032 or equivalent 2. Set the film speed. Set the film speed of the film by pressing the L (up) or M (down) button. To lock the speed setting, press and hold the two buttons simultaneously for more than one second; the film speed will be written in memory in 5 seconds. ·Be sure to watch correct polarity *When the battery is exhausted, remove it immediately and replace with a new battery. Otherwise accidental battery fluid leakage may damage the contacts. *The setting is not complete while the ISO indicator is blinking. *The information on the film in use, such as the type, ISO sensitivity value and number of exposures, is stored in the back -up memory. However, when the battery capacity has dropped during stand-alone use of the magazine, the information may not be shown by the LCD panel. *The information on the film (type, ISO sensitivity and number of exposures) is stored in the memory, but when the battery power is low this information may be displayed erroneously. Be sure to replace the batteries with new ones. 17 18 Attaching/Detaching the Magazine When there are no batteries in the camera, the shutter's "Safety Retraction" feature, keeps it in the open position and the magazine's dark slide cannot be pulled out, even when it is attached to the camera. Film winding and shutter release are also blocked in this case. Detaching 1. Insert the dark slide into the magazine. Attaching 1. Remove the camera's rear body cap and the magazine's protection cap. 2. With your thumb first push button "A" down and then simultaneously button "B" in. The magazine will separate itself from the camera body. 2. Fit the body coupler of the magazine into the bottom channel of the camera, properly centered. 3. Push the magazine against the camera body until it snaps into place. (You will instantly hear the shutter closing) *When the magazine is removed, the shutter will automatically open, as explained on the previous page, under "Shutter Safety Retraction" Film winding and shutter release are also locked. Shutter Safety Retraction The precision shutter blades are made of very thin hyper-duraluminum and could be damaged if unprotected. Therefore the camera is designed to automatically retract the shutter into the open position when the magazine is removed. When it is reattached the shutter automatically closes and is ready for normal function. (Batteries must be in camera). The magazine cannot be attached or detached unless the dark slide is in place. Automatic film advance to #1 There is no need to line up the film's paper leader start mark. The magazine automatically advances the film to the first frame (See page 22). 19 20 Loading Film in the Magazine 1. Open the back cover of the magazine. By first pushing the button "A" down and then button "B" simultaneously. 4. Attach an empty spool to the roll-film insert. Flip the roll-film insert's lower spool clip "SPL" away from the spool, fit an empty spool between takeup spool studs "E", and return the spool clip "SPL" to the original position. 2. Take out the roll-film insert. Squeeze the center block "645" "C" between your fingers and pull it out. 5. Set the film. Flip the roll-film insert's upper spool clip "FILM" away from the spool, fit a roll of film as shown in the illustration, and return the spool clip "FILM" to the original position. ·When you load film for the first time, remove and discard the protective paper cover which is attached to the film rails in the magazine. 3. Set the film type (120 or 220). Push and hold the pressure shaft "D" located under the 645 center block. This frees the pressure plate and permits it to be turned and set for either 120 or 220 film. ·Be sure to align the lock pins with the holes on the pressure plate. The film type should be displayed when the film is loaded on the LCD of the magazine. 6. Attach the leader paper of the film to the empty spool. Gently pull out some of the leader paper, insert the tip of the leader paper into the take-up slot of the empty spool, and rotate the spool a few times to wrap the leader tape around it. When the pressure plate (120/220) is set erroneously: 21 22 Shutter Release Button/Holding the Camera 7. Insert the loaded film insert into the magazine. While squeezing the center latches together, place the film insert, with the feed spool on top, in the magazine and with pressure on the left and right blocks "G" push it into proper position. (You will hear a click). Shutter Release Button The shutter release button has a two-step action, A half-press (light pressure) will activate the camera, heavier pressure will release the shutter. When pressed lightly it stops at a certain point. In this manual this position is called the "half-press" position. When half-pressed, the power turns on and the camera becomes functional. 8. Close the back cover. Push in the upper part of the back cover firmly to close it. 9. After attaching the magazine onto the camera body, pull out the dark slide and press the shutter button halfway; this will feed the film automatically to frame No. 1. Place the dark slide in the magazine's rear storage pocket *It is not required to align the film start mark, for the magazine will automatically detect film frame No. 1 from any position. *When the magazine is mounted on the camera body, the mirror and shutter which has been freed will be set in position. *Do not wrap too much leader paper around the empty spool. Otherwise the film section may be exposed to light. *When the magazine is separated from the camera, the power save mode is activated in 5 seconds after the start of stand-alone operation and the LCD panel turns off. To release the power save mode and turn on the LCD panel, press the L (up) button. *To prevent accidental film fogging, do not pull out the leader paper too far or load/unload film under direct sunlight. *When the film is not wound properly, the counter display disappears and the "--" mark appears in the LCD. Holding the Camera Grasp the camera firmly when taking photos. If the camera moves during exposure, the picture will be out of focus. *Grasp the grip firmly, tuck in both elbows and support the bottom of the camera with your left hand. *At slow shutter speeds, or when using the self timer, it is best to use a tripod and cable release or electromagnetic cable release (Optional accessories). 23 24 Taking Photos in the Full Automatic Mode 1. Set the shutter release mode selector lever to "S" (single-frame advance mode). There are two shutter release modes: "S" (singleframe advance mode) and "C" (continuous advance mode). (See page 47.) When set to "L", the power is turned off. 3. Set the exposure mode selector dial to "P" (program auto exposure). There are four exposure modes: "P" (program AE), "Av" (aperture priority AE), "Tv" (shutter priority AE) and "M" (manual mode). 2. Set the focus mode selector lever to "S" (single focus mode). (This control is located at the lower left front of the camera.) There are three focus modes: "S" (single focus mode), "C" (continuous focus mode) and "M" (manual focus mode). 4. Set the exposure metering mode selector lever to "A-S" (average/spot auto switching). There are three exposure metering modes: "A" in which the average light of the entire picture is measured with emphasis on the center of the picture, "S" in which the light in a spot at the center of the picture is measured, and "A-S" which combines these two to automatically switch the mode according to the extent of difference between the brightness of the light metered in the two modes and sets the distribution ratio of the exposure metering modes within an intermediate range. (See page 45.) 25 26 5. Focus. 1. Aim the camera so that the subject is within the focus frame 6. Unloading the exposed film. When the fixed number of exposures have been taken, the camera automatically takes up the film till the end and stops. The LCD panel on the magazine should display End now. 1. Open the back cover. While holding down the magazine's back cover lock release button "A" push the back cover release button "B" to open the back cover. 2. Remove the roll-film insert. Squeeze the release latches "C" of the roll-film insert in the film chamber with your fingers and take the roll-film insert out. 2. Half-press the shutter release button. The focus is adjusted automatically. 3. Remove the film. Flip the roll-film clip's spool clip "SPL" away from the spool, and take out the film roll. 4. Fasten the film with a sticker. After unloading the film roll, attach the provided sticker onto it to prevent unrolling. *Move the empty spool from the top (FILM) to the lower take-up compartment (SPL), ready for loading the next film roll. When the focus mark G lights........The picture is focused. 3. When G lights, press the shutter release button to make exposure(s). Defocusing Marks Flashing: The picture is not focused and the shutter cannot be released. Either press the shutter release button again to adjust the focus or move the camera to change the position of the focus frame. Precautions for Film Unloading ·Do not unload an exposed film in direct sunlight. ·The exposed film should promptly be put in a light tight bag or box and sent to the processing lab as soon as possible. ·Never try to remove the magazine from the camera body in the middle of film winding. Otherwise malfunction will result. 27 28 Removing a partially exposed film roll To remove partially exposed film roll, insert the dark slide in the magazine and press the shutter button and the forced film advance button "A" simultaneously. This causes the film to be taken up till the end and the magazine's LCD panel shows "End". 6-exposure film If you continue photographing after the 8th exposure when using 6-exposure film, the shutter membrane may be damaged by the leader paper at the film end or by the film's sticker. Use the procedure described below. Photograph in the same way as with 120 film. Eight exposures can be taken. After taking the 8th exposure, insert the dark slide in the magazine, then half-press the shutter release button while pressing in the forced film advance button to wind up the film. This camera is equipped with a TTL phase difference detection type auto focus function. When the brightness or contrast is low and it is difficult to focus, a supplemental infrared light is emitted automatically. Set the focus mode selector lever to "S" (single focus mode) or "C" (continuous focus mode). 29 30 Single Focus Mode (S) This mode uses the focus priority mechanism. The shutter can be released when the focus mark in the viewfinder is lit. This mode is suited for still subjects. The focus is locked when the G focus mark lights in the viewfinder's LCD. *The shutter cannot be released if the subject is not in focus (if the G focus mark does not light). *To take another photo with a different composition, take your finger off the shutter release button then press the shutter release button again. Manual Focus Mode (M) The auto focus function can be turned off so the focus can be adjusted manually. 1. Set the focus mode selector lever to "M" (manual focus mode). Turn the focus mode selector lever to "M" (manual focus mode). "M.F." appears on the main LCD panel liquid crystal display panel. Continuous Focus Mode (C) This mode uses the release priority mechanism. The shutter can be released regardless of whether the G focus mark in the viewfinder's LCD is lit. The focus is adjusted continuously while the shutter release button is half-pressed. This mode is suited for moving subjects. *The focus is not locked even if the G focus mark is lit. *The shutter can be released even if the G focus mark is not lit. 2. Adjust the focus. Turn the lens focusing ring "A" and adjust the focus to the subject. When the subject is in focus, the G focus mark lights on the viewfinder's LCD. 31 32 Manual focusing using the focus mark. (Focus confirmation method) With this camera, a focus mark G lights in the viewfinder's LCD when the picture is in focus. With the shutter release button half-pressed, turn the lens focusing ring to focus on the subject. When the subject is in focus, the G focus mark lights in the viewfinder's LCD. Subjects With Which Auto Focusing May Not Work The auto focus function requires subject contrast. Auto focusing may not be possible with the types of subjects described below. If this is the case, either switch to the manual focus mode and focus manually or point the camera at an object the same distance as the object you want to photograph, lock the focus using the focus lock mechanism, then take the picture. (See next page) When differences between light In focus and shade are not clear (blue skies, white walls and other objects with no contrast) Turn the focusing ring clockwise. Turn the focusing ring counterclockwise. *Use this method when shooting in the manual focus mode and when using the M645 lenses. This method can be used when the lens aperture is f/5.6 or larger. Subjects with continuous repeated patterns (building exteriors, blinds, etc.) Brightly shining subjects like the sun or light sources or objects in which these are reflected (car bodies, water surfaces, etc.) When the object on which you want to focus is far smaller than the focus frame 33 34 Using the Focus Lock Function If the object on which you want to focus is not in the focus frame, the camera focuses on the background at the middle. In such cases use the focus lock mechanism to lock the focus before taking the picture. AF Supplemental Infrared Light When the subject is dark or the contrast is low and the camera is having trouble focusing automatically, a red lamp may light on the front of the camera when the shutter release button is half-pressed. This is a supplemental light that assists the camera's auto focus function. 1. Set the focus mode selector lever to "S". *The AF supplemental infrared light is only emitted when the focus mode is set to "S" (single focus mode). *The AF supplemental infrared light's reach is limited. It does not reach distant subjects. Range: 9 meters (when using an 80mm f/2.8 lens) *When using a bellows lens hood (sold separately) with a diameter larger than that of the lens, focus before mounting the hood. 2. Change the composition. With the shutter release button half-pressed, move the camera to achieve the desired composition, then release the shutter. 35 36 Camera Operation Test This is a simple way to test the camera and autofocus without film. "P" Mode is the easiest. You may use any mode but "T". 1. Set the shutter release mode selector lever to "S" (to turn the power on). 2. Remove the Dark Slide from the magazine. 3. Open the back cover. 4. Set the autofocus modeselector lever to "S". 5. Release the shutter. This camera offers you a selection of four exposure modes program AE (automatic exposure), aperture priority AE, shutter priority AE and the manual mode. 37 38