Pentax 645 vs. Fuji GW670II?

[JLMoore3]

I have a Fuji GW670II at present, and while I like the camera I find it's a little bit limiting with the fixed lens. I am considering selling/trading it for a Pentax 645 so that I can get a couple extra shots out of a roll & have the flexibility of a couple of lenses (wide & telephoto). This would be used mostly for color street photography, since I use my 4x5 & 8x10 for B&W photos.

Anybody have experience with these cameras & can provide a bit of feedback? I'll post the camera for sale/trade on the Classifieds section later.

 

[clogz]

Excellent camera. Great glass and handling. And as you are going to use it for colour film only you won't miss the changeable filmbacks.(This will keep this thread short)

Regards
Hans

 

[papagene]

I have the fuji GW670II and really like it. The lens is tack sharp. A few of my photos in my gallery here were taken with that camera.
But as much as I like the camera, the Pentax is a nice camera also and it flexibility may suit your needs more appropriately.
Good luck with your decision.

gene

 

[waynecrider]

I think that it is a smart move. My buddy D. Deimel voices his complaints as well aboout his II....

Consider a Pentax with metering as it should make that street shooting a little faster.

 

[Lee Shively]

I bought a used Pentax 645 several months ago. It's the original manual focus model. I love using the thing. It handles like a big boxey 35mm SLR. Better than the handling is the results from the Pentax lenses. The 75mm normal lens is outstanding. I think you will be happy with the Pentax if you need a more versatile but relatively quick handling camera.

 

[Phillip P. Dimor]

I've been using my P645 for about three years now. It's an awesome camera.
Mine was used and in very rough shape. It's never had a hitch and i'm glad that I bought it. Sometimes I do wish I could change the finder or swap backs in mid-roll but I can live without this.

The 75mm lens is definitely outstanding.. There isn't a bad lens in the whole lineup. The camera is quick.. It's a big spotmatic with an led viewfinder. The AA batteries last for atleast 150+ rolls and I change them once a year out fear.
Also, used lenses sell for a reasonable amount. Are you sure you want/need to sell or trade your fuji? Having both the fuji and pentax would definitely round out your outfit... Just my thoughts. The pentax is great IMHO.

 

[bjorke]

Yes, definitely give me the Fuji, I need one.

 

[JLMoore3]

Thanks All!

Yes, definitely give me the Fuji, I need one.

Oh, okay... where do I send it?

Seriously, though, I do want to thank everyone for their input. I may be able to afford keeping the Fuji, if my Zone VI 4x5 sells (over in the classifieds). I'm going to drop into my local shop & see if the owner will let me run a roll through his Pentax. He's the one that got me all fired up on using the Pentax, since he likes his so much.

 

[Willie Jan]

The pentax lenses are super to! And there are a lot of 645 lenses available for reasonable prices. I own the 35/75 and 120 macro. Also use the lenses with a adapter on my 35mm system.

 

[127]

If you're keeping the Fuji 670, you could go with a 645 fuji to give you the choice of formats and lenses. The fuji 645zi doesn't have much of a zoom, but if you look on the zoom as just an added bonus, the rest of the package is probably way less than a pentax, and is a perfect street shooters camera (AE, AF, zoom, motordrive - even an onboard flash).

Ian

 

[titrisol]

Pentax 645 is an awesome camera. I used the normal version for a while, still lusting after one!
Tje 75mm takumar is superb!

 

[Wouter from Brazil]

Both are great, but isn´t the issue more about format ? The 6x7 is such a nice format. I have a GW670III, plus some other - complementary - cameras. Don´t sell the fuji, save for a pentax.
wouter