Just bought my first Pentax 67! Need advise

Danlo · Mar 2, 2010

Hi everyone!

I´ve been shooting Hasselblad for a few years but I´ve always dreamt about the 6x7 format and a medium format camera that does not feel like something alien from outer space in my hands (hasselblad)..

So I finally bought a really nice used Pentax 67 body from a journalist in my town

So now Im hoping for some advise regarding lenses and what I can and cannot do with the Pentax 67.

Im used to shoot with 55mm and 28mm lenses on my 35mm camera, what 67-lenses would fit me?

Does it matter when I change the shutter speed dial? Must I change the shutterspeed dial only after the film lever has been advanced?

What battery should i use in the camera? I´ve read somewhere about a battery-drain problem with the 67-models.. Is there any way to fix this with a different choice in battery?

Common problems that can occur with this camera?

I already know about the handholding mirror-shake problem

Thankyou!

Venchka · Mar 2, 2010

1. Learn to use the mirror up switch while hand holding the camera. It can be done. All the rumors you hear are just that. Rumors.
2. The 45mm lens is absolutely fabulous. It has cured me of Hasselblad SWC lust.
3. The 105 & 150 lenses are good. Fast. Cheap. Add up all the postives & they are probably the medium format lens bargains of all time.
4. The latest version of the 55mm may be better than the 45mm. It can't hurt to own both.
5. Don't forget that the camera takes 220 film. I have had good luck scoring 220 film cheap.
6. The 55mm & 105mm lenses will equal your 28-55 experience.

Welcome to the club.

Twirl the shutter speed dial whenever you please.

jovo · Mar 2, 2010

This link will give you a nice overview of the P67, and even includes some Hassie vs P67 discussion.

http://www.photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/index-frameset.html?AsahiPentax67.html~mainFrame

Ironically, I've been fighting Hassie lust for a few years, but still feel that the P67 is just as good a system though different. I'm going to save the bucks, though and continue to resist the 'blad. When I want square format, I just compose with the assumption that I'll ignore the i/2 mm on either side of the central image.

As to battery life, I've never ever had an issue with it. I keep a spare for when it eventually dies, but each lasts a very long time. The battery life becomes an issue, however, if you're doing very long exposures as the Pentax shutter is electronic, and not a mechanical leaf shutter as in the 'blad. So...keep your Hassie if you're doing those kinds of exposures, but use the Pentax for everything else.

BobD · Mar 2, 2010

Uses a PX28 battery. I've never noticed a drain problem with mine but
lots of long exposures might be a drain. You can buy these batteries
for less than $1 each on eBay and probably elsewhere.

If you have the metered finder:
Attach the finder before mounting a lens.
If you attach the finder while a lens is already mounted the meter will not
work until you remove the lens and re-mount it. This is normal.

The meter switch is spring loaded. Just move it to the ON position and let it
spring back. Don't try to force it beyond its stop point.

The so-called shutter vibration problem is greatly exaggerated and would only
be noticeable at slow shutter speeds if at all. Just use a tripod and lock up the
mirror when using slow speeds as you would with any SLR.

There is a trick to firing the shutter when no film is loaded. Open the back
and manually advance the frame counter past #1 and close the back. The
shutter will then cock and fire without film. Pentax also made a little tool
to do the same thing. It looks like a coin with a prong attached.

If you fire the shutter with no battery or a dead battery it will partly
cycle and then the camera will appear to be locked up or dead even
after inserting a good battery. If this happens just press the reset
button on the front of the body and all will be well.

Using a P67 hand-held is no big deal. Just like a Spotmatic -- only, uh,
bigger.

CBG · Mar 2, 2010

For your "28mm equivalent" wides the 55/4 lens is very good. The old 55/3.5 wasn't supposed to be quite as good, and took monster - not very standard - 100mm filters really limiting your options. The newer 55/4 takes more reasonable 77mm accessories.

I think the 45/4 is even better. Very sharp, and considering the overall size of the P67, relatively compact. If I had only one lens for the P67 it would be the 45. No question, even though it takes big filters - 82mm - I'm utterly in love with it.

For "50ish equivalent" normal lenses, the 90/2.8 and 105/2.4 are very good also.

Check out the following link which has a good list of the basic properties of newer and older P67 glass. www.antiquecameras.net/pentax6x7lenses.html Pentax seems to have tended to improve P67 lenses whenever they redesigned the optical formulas.

Chazzy · Mar 2, 2010

Someday I would like to have a 6x7 SLR, but I have a hard time deciding between the Pentax 67 and the RB/RZ67. Maybe the answer is to buy one of each?

whlogan · Mar 2, 2010

Well, I am taking my second 67 out negative hunting in Monument Valley next month with a 55mm, a 75mm, and a 105mm, and a 2x converter, plus a Bronica SQa and 8 lenses to 250mm and the SL66. The 6x7 negative is a desired animal out there. I hope to mount a few of these on return. This discussion has been helpful to me. Thanks..... oh, and a Bronica GS1 with 4 lenses to 250mm, too.... should be fun, huh?
Logan

Venchka · Mar 2, 2010

That's quite an inventory.

Joachim_I · Mar 2, 2010

Congratulations, Danlo, it's a great camera. As others have said, the 55mm and 105mm lenses give you (horizontally) the same impression as your 28mm and 55mm lenses for 35mm film. However, I also would recommend having a look at the 45mm lens. It is the widest wide angle lens you can get for any 6x7 SLR (Mamiya, Pentax, Zenza Bronica) and was a main reason that I went for the P67 system. The 90mm lens gives you a considerably higher magnification at close focus distance than the 105mm lens. If you like close-ups, go immediately for the 100mm macro lens. I do 90% of my shots with the 45mm and 75mm lenses. Since I got the 2.8/75mm lens I've never used the 2.8/90mm lens again.

dpurdy · Mar 4, 2010

A theory about the battery drain you have heard of: I believe the older metered prism has an on off switch and if you leave it on it drains the battery. I own the 67 version with a temporary switch so I don't have the problem and my battery lasts a very long time.

The 75mm lens is my favorite due to it's perspective. (beating out my 55,90,105,135 and 165)
Dennis

herb · Mar 4, 2010

Pentax 67

I would second the motion. I have the 67II, which I must say is a j oy to use instead of the Blad. My whole blad system is up for sale soon. As to the RZ, or RB, I think they are just as difficult to use as the blad. I had one years ago when I could wear it around my neck I am old and not too feeble, but I don't wear the 67 around the neck-shoulder strap works fine.
I think the eye level shooting makes it a great MF shooter.

Danlo · Mar 4, 2010

Thankyou for all your answers!

But Im sorry to inform you that there is something wrong with my camera.. The mirror hangs.. I have tried three differnent brands of 4LR44 batteries but nothing works.. the mirror hangs on 1/30 and slower times.. It falls down if I bang gently with my hand on the prism.. But thats not how its supposed to work right? Im so disapointed.. I thought that I would be able to use it for my commercial shoots.. but if it does not work properly I cant work with it..

Fact is that I have had a similar problem with an old Minolta srt 101. I sent it to a repairshop twice.. but they could not fix or didnt think it was a problem.. Please, do someone now how to fix this problem?

Thanks

dpurdy · Mar 4, 2010

Pentax 67 bodies are known for being very durable, built like a tank. Also now they are very cheap used on ebay. Probably less than the cost of a repair.

domaz · Mar 4, 2010

99% of all Pentax 6x7 bodies have probably been used professionally at some point. That means they are likely to need repair at some point in the future. Mine also has a "quirk" it never stops winding even after the roll is complete like it is supposed. I suspect someone "fixed" it to do that after the mechanism that stops the advance started failing.

Joachim_I · Mar 4, 2010

I am sorry to hear this, Danlo. I saw lots of recommendations for the Pentax Camera Service operated by Eric Hendrickson in Tennessee. Maybe worth a try.

jeroldharter · Mar 4, 2010

I have a Pentax 67MLU with a standard prism and think its great. I have the 45, 90, 165LS, and 135 macro lenses. They are all excellent. I have used the 300mm lens and it is good too. The system is a great bargain. I use mostly large format B&W now, but the 6x7 Velvia chromes always looks great. If you like the P67 you will inevitably long for a P67II which is less of a bargain but the spot metering and automation are excellent.

tleirtro · Mar 5, 2010

The manual for the camera can be downloaded from here: http://www.pentaximaging.com/support/manuals-and-literature/

Thor Egil

herb · Mar 5, 2010

Pentax problems

Danlo, there is a pentax users group site, and Eric Hendricson is on ebay advertising his services. he fixed a AE prism for me, looks brand new, charged $100 including shipping, and there were some parts. Contact him and tell him what's going on. he can probably help without looking at the camera, and the dudes on the Pentax users group are quite a vocal bunch.

Just bought my first Pentax 67! Need advise

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