If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a broken film camera, wondering whether you should try fixing it yourself or leave it to a professional, this post is for you. Today, I’m taking you through my attempt at repairing the shutter button on my Mamiya 645 Super—with absolutely zero prior experience. Spoiler alert: It worked! But not without a few hiccups along the way. (Full Video Here).
Why I Took Matters Into My Own Hands
After putting my Mamiya 645 Super through the ringer, the shutter button finally broke on me. I scoured the internet for a repair shop, but it turns out that finding someone who still services these cameras is nearly impossible. The only person I found who used to work on them no longer services them—but they were kind enough to send me the replacement part.
So, armed with a deep dive into YouTube tutorials and old repair manuals, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I figured, if nothing else, this journey would at least be entertaining. And if you’re facing the same issue, maybe this can help you, too.
The Disassembly Process (AKA: Where Things Got Scary)
I started by taking the camera apart, piece by piece. Here’s a quick rundown of what needed to come off before I could access the shutter button:
Viewfinder – Simple enough. Push down the tabs on both sides, and it pops off.
Film back – Pull down the lever, push the tab, and it slides off.
Lens – Twist after pushing down the release tab.
Winder – Release tab then simple pull and it pops out.
Screws... so many screws – Labeling them was crucial since there were different sizes.
This is where the real challenge began. Some screws refused to budge no matter how many tools I tried. Turns out the screw is a replacement, does not quite fit, and did not want to come out. After a few minor panic attacks (and almost stripping one completely), I finally managed to get the side plate off using a tiny 1.2mm flathead screwdriver.
Installing the New Shutter Button
With the side plate off, I opened the package for the replacement part (which I probably should have done earlier). The key to installing it correctly was aligning everything just right:
There are notches on the replacement part that have to match the orientation on the camera body.
The white square (normal shooting) indicator needed to be in place before sliding it back in.
The assembly order had to be reversed carefully to avoid misalignment.
Moment of Truth: Did It Work?
After putting everything back together, I reinstalled the battery, pressed the shutter button, and… it worked! I felt like a mad scientist—partially because I somehow pulled this off, and partially because I had no idea what I was doing in the first place.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Have to Panic Like I Did)
Label every screw – Trust me.
Use the right tools – A 1.2mm flathead and a 2.5mm Phillips are must-haves.
Be patient – If a screw doesn’t budge, try different sized heads. It also might not have to come out.
Check for video tutorials – I found an invaluable one by MikeN62 on YouTube that helped me understand the side plate removal.
Would I Recommend This DIY Fix?
Yes—but only if you’re comfortable taking things apart. If your Mamiya 645 has a broken shutter button, you can find replacement parts online, and with the right approach, you can fix it yourself. However, if you’re not confident, consider seeking out a specialist (if you can find one!).
Want to see how it all went down, including the struggles, near-failures, and ultimate success? Watch the full video on my YouTube channel!
Click here to watch the full repair process (Repair Video).
If this post helped you or you just enjoyed watching me figure it out, let me know in the comments! And if you attempt this repair yourself—good luck!