Do you shoot 645 and 6x7?

tomfrh · Dec 21, 2016

I have a lot of 35mm cameras and a couple of pentax 645n cameras.

I've just bought a pentax 67 system and am wondering if it will replace my 645n.

I sometimes project 645 slide so maybe this is a reason to keep using it.

Do any of you use both?

Alan9940 · Dec 22, 2016

Don't have a Pentax 645, but I use my Fuji GA645Zi along with my Pentax 67 all the time. I can't imagine I'd ever get rid of the Fuji. Of course, this camera is a whole different thing vs your Pentax 645. One thing that may favor the 645 for you, depending on the project, is 16 vs 10 exposures. Sometimes it's nice having those extra frames.

Alan Gales · Dec 22, 2016

I used to shoot a 645nll and an RZ67. I mostly shot people with both cameras. The Pentax was great for carrying around and shooting hand held. My RZ worked better on a tripod with studio strobes. Owning both was nice.

If you check out the prices on a 6x7 enlarger it will encourage you to keep the 645 for shooting slides.

Shoot both for a while and you will find the answer to your question.

macfred · Dec 22, 2016

I shoot with 6x4.5 (FUJI GA645, GA645Wi, Bronica ETRSi) and 6x7 (FUJI GW670iii) - both formats have their benefits for me. No doubt - I will keep both systems.

MattKing · Dec 22, 2016

I use both - and 6x6 as well. Mamiya 645 Pro, Mamiya RB67 Pro-S and Mamiya C330. As well as a Baby Bessa.
I'm surprised about the comment above respecting 6x7 enlargers, given how many Beseler 67s, Beseler 23C's and a host of other Omega, LPL, Durst and other 6x7 capable enlargers there are around here.
I do shoot and project 6x6 and 6x4.5 slides. I even use a 6x4.5 back on the RB67 for that and other purposes.
The 6x4.5 and 6x7 cameras are sufficiently different that they better serve different needs. But they both are capable of serving well the needs for which the other excels.

Soeren · Dec 22, 2016

I also use both format, Mamiya 645 and RZ67. Both My 6x7 capable enlargers was very cheap, the durst M70 was given to me In man ways tre 645 is my new 35mm exceptionel tre much bitter image quality.

ASA32 · Dec 22, 2016

I use both, but I don't project from either, so I can't comment on that aspect. The 645 is more portable, of course. And the 67, for me, requires a tripod, and is better for setting up for landscapes or studio work. If you can find one, the 67-645 adapter is nice to have, too.

RattyMouse · Dec 22, 2016

I shoot both 645 and 6x7. On rare occasions I might want to make my film supply last longer so then I switch to 645. Also, my 645 camera is my only medium format gear that has a flash so I default to that if flash is needed. I enjoy 6 x 7 the most so that is my normal daily shooting format.

destroya · Dec 22, 2016

shoot em both. for me they are for different purposes. my fuji 645 is like my large point and shoot. travles well, has a great lens and gives size over 35mm. my pentax 67 is for landscape shots that require a tripod. used to shoot it handheld unit i got a mamiya 6 and fuji gw690, both of which now cover the large handheld segment. for me 6x7 is the perfect enlargement negative siez so it gets about 95% B&W. like mentioned above i shoot 645 and 6x6 for slides and B&W.

also mentioned above, beseler 23c enlargers are almost free on craigslist so finding one should be very easy so dont give up on 6x7 enlargements

wiltw · Dec 22, 2016

Think of format size as only one of several characteristics by which one chooses to use Camera A vs. Camera B for a particular event/purpose...

Lenses with faster max aperture for one camera, makes it better for available light work
Smaller and lighter kit makes it more manageable where portability/mobility are important
Rotating film back makes switching back and forth in Portrait vs. Landscape when tripod mounted

Even in the 1990s when I was shooting (outside the studio setting) almost exclusively with 645 for IQ reasons, there were times when I would carry the 135 format kit instead...available light work is a whole lot better with f/1.4 or f/2 or f/2.8 lenses of my Oly kit, rather than f/2.8 or f/3.5 or f/4 lenses of my Bronica kit.

tomfrh · Dec 22, 2016

Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like I'll need a bigger shelf...

Alan W · Dec 22, 2016

I have a Pentax 645n and used to have a Pentax 67.The 67 was too heavy and cumbersome and I sold it soon after I got it.I really like the 645n and use it occasionally,but I use a Mamiya 7 more often than any other medium format camera I have.I also have had,and used,a Mamiya RZ67 and an RB 67.I don't miss either of those cameras either,though I used them a lot in and around the house.The Mamiya 7 is,for me,the ultimate 6x7 camera.A Camera and three lenses are easily carried anywhere.As for enlargers,I would say that they are readily available in any size for extremely reasonable prices.

NortheastPhotographic · Dec 22, 2016

645 was really designed as a speedy system. It's the smallest 120 format and so not ideal for product when a larger negative is perfectly attainable without really effecting workflow. Given that I have a Rollei and a Pentax 6x7, and 35mm bodies 645 just doesn't totally fit in. However for weddings and reportage it's a great format. If Contax 645s were still cheap and more repairable I'd love to be shooting one.

Alan Gales · Dec 22, 2016

Alan Gales said:
I used to shoot a 645nll and an RZ67. I mostly shot people with both cameras. The Pentax was great for carrying around and shooting hand held. My RZ worked better on a tripod with studio strobes. Owning both was nice.

If you check out the prices on a 6x7 enlarger it will encourage you to keep the 645 for shooting slides.

Shoot both for a while and you will find the answer to your question.

Boy, I really goofed on this one. I read Matt's post and it is correct. No problem with 6x7 enlargers. What I meant to say was projectors. Slide projectors for 6x7 can be quite expensive.

Chadinko · Dec 22, 2016

I don't own a 645... never really saw the point, as I have a bunch of 6x6 and figure I want a 6x4.5 I can just crop it in the enlarger or in the scan. I mostly shoot 6x6, but I have three 120 roll backs for my baby Speed Graphic and two of them are approximately 6x7 in aspect ratio and the third is about 6x9, I think. I've been using these more often lately as I managed to hook the rangefinder back up in the camera and it seems to be well enough calibrated to shoot handheld.

paul ron · Dec 22, 2016

Yes. Bronica ETRS and RB67.

dynachrome · Dec 22, 2016

My MF formats are 4X4, 6X4.5, 6X6, 6X7, 6X9 (back for 4X5 camera) and 24X56 (35W back for ETR/S). I find using the Bronica ETR/S cameras hand held with the Speed Grip to be more comfortable than using a Mamiya M645/J/1000S with either a left hand grip or the motorized right hand grip. My Bronica GS-1 cameras can be used hand held, also with a Speed Grip but are heavy. I find using the Mamiya RB and RZ cameras hand held a chore. If I want something light I will use a Bronica SQ-A with a waist level finder and an 80mm or 65mm lens. A nice two lens outfit is a 65 and a 135. If I know I will want a large print of something I'll use a 6X7 camera. If I'm in a square format mood I'll use a 6X6 camera. If I want medium sized prints and not too much weight I'll go to 6X4.5. If I know I will want to use the 35 or the 70/2.8LS or the 300/5.6 I'll use an M645. My widest ETR/S lens is a 50 and my longest is a 250.

brofkand · Dec 22, 2016

I used to shoot 645 and 6x7, nowadays my medium format is 100% 6x6. I like the square format, and I also like the ability to crop a 6x6 negative to a 645 aspect ratio if need be - or keep it square if I want to.

Sirius Glass · Dec 22, 2016

Sperdynamite said:
645 was really designed as a speedy system. It's the smallest 120 format and so not ideal for product when a larger negative is perfectly attainable without really effecting workflow. Given that I have a Rollei and a Pentax 6x7, and 35mm bodies 645 just doesn't totally fit in. However for weddings and reportage it's a great format. If Contax 645s were still cheap and more repairable I'd love to be shooting one.

How can a format, any format, be built for speed. A camera or camera system can be built for speed, but not a format.

Kirks518 · Dec 22, 2016

I shoot 6x4.5, 6x6, and 6x7 in MF. I find I shoot my M645 the most. The size/weight of the RB67 P-SD and an assortment of lenses only get drug out for certain things. The C330 and it's array of lenses are compact and light, but I tend to shoot lots of closer abstract and macro, and the parallax correction is a little of a hindrance. I also really like my 80mm 1.9, and the 120mm macro, so they are most likely the deciding factor on why I choose that camera.

cobbu2 · Dec 26, 2016

I hav a Bronica ETR system and 2 Pentax 67 bodies; for traveling light without a tripod, I use the ETR handheld with the speed grip. Otherwise when travel and mobility circumstances allow, I use the P67s.

ac12 · Dec 26, 2016

As I get older, weight becomes a significant factor in the kit that I carry. I can't carry a loaded 20 pound camera bag, like I used to do when I was in college. I have to be selective in putting together my carry kit, to keep the weight down. It is almost like going back in time to a TLR, with just it's 80mm fixed lens, which happens to be next on my list. In that respect, I would go for 645 for the lighter weight. But that is me, at this point in my life. For me, a RB/RZ-67 would be a studio camera.

As for enlargers, why stop at 6x7? If you are considering a 23c, I would instead keep an eye out for 4x5 enlargers. Then you have the flexibility to print anything up to 4x5, including 6x9. And you will not be looking for a 4x5 enlarger later, after you outgrow the 6x7 enlarger. To keep the cost down, just get the lenses for the formats you shoot. You don't have to get the 4x5 lens until and if you shoot 4x5.
This is the route that I took, with a Durst L-1000. Now, I just need to get my darkroom built.

I've seen 4x5 enlargers (including lenses) on Craig's List going for less than $100 and even a few for free. You have to watch every day and be patient, then JUMP when you see it. Just make sure that you get ALL the parts for the enlarger. Spare parts can be difficult to find and expensive, so get the enlarger as complete as you can. In the US, parts for some enlargers like DURST, can be very hard to find, and very expensive when you do find it. I learned this the hard way, when I had to get the missing parts for my Durst L-1000. I had to buy some of my parts from sellers in Europe. Durst is out of the enlarger business, so there is no factory to get spare parts from. Omega and Bessler enlargers and parts are much more available in the US, but the bits and pieces can get expensive. Again, get the enlarger as complete as you can.

moto-uno · Dec 26, 2016

I can sympathize with you on the weight of gear subject , however, on the other hand I believe the OP was referring to projectors ! Peter

Tony-S · Dec 26, 2016

Bronica GS-1 (6x7) and Bronica RF645 (6x4.5). Love the GS-1 - it's a thing of beauty.

Sirius Glass · Dec 26, 2016

If weight is a problem shoot 6x6 with a Hasselblad.

Do you shoot 645 and 6x7?

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