Mamiya 645 and Leaf Valeo 6

kevinjesmain · Jan 11, 2011

Hi, ive been shooting with some great medium format cameras but i dont own them. I was looking into getting one of my own. I found a older 645 that looks like this.

http://www.infinitemachine.com/forsale/images/IMG_5736.JPG

I also wanted to get a somewhat cost effective digital back. Two opposing statements, cheap and digital backs. lol. I also found a leaf valeo 6. Would this body work with that back? and is there any adapters needed?

thanks for any help

Mike_E · Jan 12, 2011

Drop by the film section and you might get a better response.

The Mamiya's a great brand and has some of the best lenses around. You also might look at (and research) Bronica in a 6x4.5 format.

If you're going to spend the money on a medium format digital kit, don't fool around just go ahead and get one.

I think that you'll find that a good scanner and your film will make some great photos.

Buckster · Jan 12, 2011

kevinjesmain said:
Hi, ive been shooting with some great medium format cameras but i dont own them. I was looking into getting one of my own. I found a older 645 that looks like this.

http://www.infinitemachine.com/forsale/images/IMG_5736.JPG

I also wanted to get a somewhat cost effective digital back. Two opposing statements, cheap and digital backs. lol. I also found a leaf valeo 6. Would this body work with that back? and is there any adapters needed?

thanks for any help

What's your budget for a medium format digital back?

usayit · Jan 12, 2011

If my memory serves me, most MF digital backs from that time period required tethering to a computer. That would severely limit its practicality in my opinion. I've heard of work arounds (portable units that connect) but that's what they are... work arounds which also cost extra.

tirediron · Jan 12, 2011

Spend a little extra and get a 645 AFD/AFD II/AFD III. You can get digital backs to couple of that, but they require EXPENSIVE adapator plates and are a huge PIA. On a 645 AFD or newer, a Leaf back will couple right to the body. The prices are at rock bottom too; last year I picked up a 645 AFD, 80mm, 55mm, 105-210mm and 24mm fisheye as well as a bunch of miscellaneous stuff for $1500 CDN.

djacobox372 · Jan 12, 2011

Only the "AF" mamiyas take their digital backs, and they also require specific "af" lenses which are far more expensive.

Frankly I don't see any reason for medium format digital at the low-end (sub $20,000), a D3x will perform just as well as all but the most expensive setups.

kevinjesmain · Jan 12, 2011

tirediron said:
Spend a little extra and get a 645 AFD/AFD II/AFD III. You can get digital backs to couple of that, but they require EXPENSIVE adapator plates and are a huge PIA. On a 645 AFD or newer, a Leaf back will couple right to the body. The prices are at rock bottom too; last year I picked up a 645 AFD, 80mm, 55mm, 105-210mm and 24mm fisheye as well as a bunch of miscellaneous stuff for $1500 CDN.

Would that leaf back go right on a 645 afd? and it has to be the AFD not just the AF right?

tirediron · Jan 13, 2011

djacobox372 said:
Only the "AF" mamiyas take their digital backs, and they also require specific "af" lenses which are far more expensive.

Incorrect; they do not require them. AF lenses allow you to use fully automatic TTL metering, but MF lenses work just fine, but require you to use stop-down metering. I have a number of MF lenses that I use with my AFD.

djacobox372 said:
Frankly I don't see any reason for medium format digital at the low-end (sub $20,000), a D3x will perform just as well as all but the most expensive setups.

Could you please provide some evidence to support this contention?

kevinjesmain said:
Would that leaf back go right on a 645 afd? and it has to be the AFD not just the AF right?

Yes, it has to be an AFD vice simply an AF. The "D" in "AFD" means that the camera body has the required digital communication ability. You will need to have a back for your model of camera, but it will mount right in place of the film magazine.

seeingdigitally · Jun 13, 2013

I read that Leaf Valeo 6 will work with Mamiya 645 AFD. I heard that 645 AFD ii has faster autofocus and so wanted to get that one. Not sure if my Leaf Valeo 6 would work with it or not. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Derrel · Jun 13, 2013

I have heard that Capture Integration, An ATlanta,Georgia store, does a lot of MF back sales. I've looked at their prices off and on over the past year. They seem to be slow to update their web site, but often have what appear to me to be pretty good pricing on used backs of many types.

Pre-Owned Digital Backs & Equipment | Capture Integration