Mamiya 645E Film Camera

I really enjoy this camera. It is NOT built pro tough. plastic body and the "rapid winder" attachment is a bit flimsy feeling. Plus, it takes TWO sweeps of the lever to advance the film, hardly "rapid" winding. Also, the rapid winder attachment covers the hole on the shutter release where a remote cable attaches. So, to use a remote shutter release, the winder attachment has to be removed. What I REALLY wish the camera had is an electronic self timer. Those nits aside, the camera performs well. Metering is accurate, and I love the manual focus and aperture priority exposure. I feel like *I* am "making" a photo again, instead of the latest whiz bang digital SLR doing all the thinking for me. Film loading is easy, and developing of the 120 format film can be done relatively cheaply if you shop around. This camera supports no type of through the lens flash exposure, so you will either have to do your flash f stop settings based on guide number, or get a flash with auto exposure built into the flash. Metz makes an inexpensive unit that works well. I use this camera for my own personal pleasure. It is NOT a camera you would want to use for weddings or fast moving sports. For that type of situation, a good DSLR is still hard to beat, but if you want the immense pleasure of feeling like a real photographer and the wonderful quality of medium format film, this camera is about as good as it gets. The multi exposure capability allows some really creative photo compositions. Also has mirror lock up, and it is VERY necessary at slower shutter speeds, as the mirror slap is VERY loud and intense. No being discrete with this camera! Get it and have FUN with true photography again rather than an excercise in electronics.