I bought an M645 1000s with prism finder a few months ago and I love the quality of the camera and the pictures it produces. I also bought a left hand grip which I have not found to be very helpful as it adds too much to the bulk of the camera, and a right-angled viewfinder which I carry with me when shooting. This is not as easy to use as a waist level finder but it's handy to have when you want to shoot from a really low viewpoint - it's also a lot less expensive than a waist level finder.
I've really grown to love the 645 format and now I'm looking to pick up a 645 format folder to be my everyday carry.

I have a similar outfit to yours. I also bought a waist level finder and soon discovered that the metered prism is really heavy. The camera body, w-l finder and 2.8 lens makes a surprisingly light weight kit. Also, that glass pentaprism makes the camera top heavy and awkward. If you just want to rely on your external meter, the waist level finder is the way to go. Use the sports-finder that comes with the W-L for portrait configuration.

3/23/26  I purchased the Mamiya 645 new back in 1980 because of it size, weight and that it took 15 photos on a roll off 120 film, plus the format was similar to a 135mm SLR, but about 2 1/2 times the film negative size for a set up I own 2 645 bodies with the 80mm 2.8 lenses but mine came with a rubber lens hoods, I have the same metered view finders, plus it came with the vertical lens hood one you would like to own. Other items I own is a left hand flash holder handle with a grip making it easier to hold with or without the neck strap and a shutter release button that links to the one on front of camera.  a  Mamiya-Sekor C 210mm f 4 lens, and a 2X auto tele lens converter. What I like about the frame format is it prints to about a 8 x 10 print format  in an enlarger.  The light meter I find to be very accurate, the negatives very sharp and detailed, the camera easy to focus, the camera built solid. The size and weight easier to handle indoors or outdoor a photo shoot. The big minus for me was/is that the whole film roll must be shoot, the camera does not have a separate film back like it later models, and the camera can get heavier with the well made hand grip with a flash, and longer lens add size and weight. Now with film being more expensive the cost per image get right up there slowing you down to frame, focus, and compose hopefully making you a better photographer.  I do wish there was a medium format digital back  that would great increase the value of still having more uses in todays digital world.

I would wholeheartedly recommend getting a grip if you're using a prism finder, it removes the weird hand positioning, and has a shutter trigger mechanism (sort of). Only thing with that is its on the left, rather than the right which takes some getting used to.
I get what you mean about rotating the camera for portrait, having shot with my RB, but coming mostly from 35mm, its a fairly natural thing for me

dont forget to take full advantage of the mirror lock up feature on these cameras it makes slow speed photos turn out so much better

Hi!! Recently bought my Mamiya 645 as my first film camera. Love the feeling of it so much, the waist-level finder is such a cute thing. Loved your video, hope to see more in the future about this camera and more

Love my 1000s mate, it's the best, bought a couple of other lenses and bought a waste level finder a few months ago (they are a little pricey though so if you see one for a decent price... Snap it up!!)

Actually, it's quite easy to solve the problem of the light leak (which is not rare for this body). You just need to change the seal foam on the upper side of the back (near the lock).

I miss my M645 1000s. Unfortunately after decades of use, the shutter speeds were no longer reliable, film advance unreliable, and needed constant upkeep. I miss it, but it was time.

The AE finder I have has a meter reading scale shown on the top of the view, the meter also has an on/off switch where you have the metering button, which means that the meter is on all the time and needs no further input to use meter, which does mean I do not have to do the hand gymnastics on yours. Enjoy.

Great content indeed, interesting! Like to thank you. But the music .... Why?