Pentax 645

[Mike Kennedy]

There is one for sale locally.What should I be looking for in terms of potential faults? I know 35mm cameras and what to ask.This system is a new kettle of fish.

Thanks

 

[Rob Skeoch]

There are three models..... which one is it.
Does it come with a 120 or 220 insert... 220 are of little value since there are few films.... 120 are more money and you might need to buy one.

Is it auto focus... is the lens auto focus.

but really it's a rather basic camera... although a dream to work with.

-Rob

 

[mikeryan]

Take off the lens and look at the mirror. Is there any residue on the edges? There is a foam strip in the body of the camera that is to dampen the mirror and they go bad and get gunky. Replacement is around 60 bucks if it's bad. And, they all go bad.

 

[Mike Kennedy]

Good things to ponder.Would replacing the mirror foam bumper be similar to that of a 35mm?

 

[Katier]

60 bucks for a foam strip? You sure? You can get a kit that re-seals about 6 cameras for about 10 and I don't see any reason it wouldn't work on a 645 ( works on most MF and 35mm for sure ).

 

[katphood]

I have the 645N.

The basic 645 had a somewhat less than ergonomic button-based interface and no AF. Here is a decent writeup about the oldest 645: http://www.kenrockwell.com/pentax/645/645.htm.

Here's one about the 645N: Dead Link Removed

 

[mikeryan]

60 bucks for a foam strip? You sure? You can get a kit that re-seals about 6 cameras for about 10 and I don't see any reason it wouldn't work on a 645 ( works on most MF and 35mm for sure ).

Have you ever tried one on a Pentax 645? And, it's not 60 bucks for a foam seal, it's labor also.

 

[Katier]

No I havn't but the kits are DIY so no labour.

 

[mikeryan]

Well, it's not like working on a Canon AE1 I can assure you.

 

[Phillip P. Dimor]

For the 645; Check the eyepiece, make sure it isn't too jiggly. They loosen with age, the diopter WILL move at some point, probably in the middle of a shoot and the shots you thought were in focus won't be.. A strip of plastic as a wedge (I used a piece from a table tennis ball) and some hot glue will fix this.

Check that the lens stops down, check the battery compartment for corrosion. That's really about it, there isn't much to go wrong with these.