Since I received my Mamiya 645e film camera, I’ve been shooting with it almost exclusively. Now while that may sound like a lot, it isn’t actually. So far I’ve shot 3 1/2 rolls of film, or about 52 shots. 
Most of them were shot at Folly Beach, SC. The reason that it hasn’t been out more is that it has been raining a lot and this camera is not weather sealed like my D300.
There is an air of eager anticipation. I’ve not seen anything out of this camera so, in reality, I don’t even know if it works, but I would assume so. It is in mint condition, the shutter sounds good, and I have no reason to doubt it.
Today I went to the Morris Island Lighthouse. I’ve seen pictures of this lighthouse dozens of times and they almost always look the same. Postcard plain. I met a nice man, Tom, and his son who were fishing. I tried to work them into the overall scheme. They were very willing to be in the shots. Hopefully, I did it some justice. I’ll wait to let the pictures talk.
It’s interesting to come home with just the camera and no pictures. It reminds of back in the day, although back in the day I’d come in, give my mother a brief hello, a peck on the cheek, then I’d head straight to the darkroom to process the rolls that I shot. Soon I’ll be doing that here. My daylight tank and chemistry should arrive by Friday … just in time for me to go back to Charlotte! 
I’ve already brought my scanner from Charlotte, so as soon as the negatives are dry, I’m good to go! I decided to develop myself rather than spend money on processing and postage 2 ways. It will reduce my cost and increase my enjoyment.
Yesterday, as I was standing near the Ashley river, film camera in hand or rather on the tripod, I noticed a deer across the river contentedly munching on some leaves. My first impulse was to ditch the film camera, run back to the car, get the D300 and the 200-500 and hope to get some shots, but I just stayed, watched, and took a few shots with 645e. It only has a normal lens on it, 80mm. When I develop them, if I remember, I’ll have to crop to see if I can see the deer.
It’s been great fun and I’m eager to pull out those developed negatives and have a gander! It’s been a while since I’ve had to use center weighted metering and no instant gratification. It’s cool!
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8 Responses to “Anticipation”
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Really a wonderful choice Paul. First off that camera is wonderful put in the right hands such as yours I can’t wait to see some results.
I can’t believe how inexpensive the lenses are right now for this. I found a fav, the 120 Macro APO. Amazing portrait lens but butt kicking macro as well. I’d be more then glad to send it down to you if you’d like.
Enjoy. (and spend a few moments with mom)
Paul… A request for “someday”
As you likely recall, I have a whole lot of old 35mm B & W photos (negatives) (hey, you where there when I took a couple hundred or so of them!).
Could you give some advice on how to obtain/use a scanner to bring them to a digital image?
–Rob
Hey good for you! I think you’ll enjoy developing them yourself much more anyway.
As you are, we’re looking forward to seeing some of the photographs from this new/old camera!
I know what’s really going on here: you are just enjoying teasing us with the promise of pictures to come…eventually. Seriously, I look forward to seeing the pictures and reading your reflections on a return to the wet darkroom.
I bet you will be like a kid on Christmas morning waiting and watching as the images start to appear from the film. Will you be making prints? Or just developing the film and scanning it?
@Laurie: More than likely just developing and scanning, but you got the kid on Christmas morning part right.
I agree with you that shooting with my 645e was like a breath of fresh air. Want the mirror up? No problem, my friend, here’s the switch. It’s just a box with great lenses, and sometimes that’s all you need. What lenses did you get with it?
@Chris: I have one lens. It is the standard, 80mm, that comes with the kit.