True, but you can still use a regular threaded shutter release in the shutter button (on both models).The 645NII seems a more refined camera to me. Only drawback I can think of with the NII is the rarity of accessory cable releases. The NII uses a proprietary release that it shares with the 35mm Pentax MZ-S and no other cameras I'm aware of.
I should have mentioned I have a 645n and lenses already.
I'm looking to replace the body because the electronics are malfunctioning a bit.
Timer no longer works, nor manual shutter speeds below 1/15.
In fairness to Pentax these electronic faults did show up after I dropped the camera some distance onto a concrete pavement...
Well, "age-related faults" are hardly more common with Pentax than with other brands. Nothing lasts forever, and age catches up will all of us and our film cameras irrespective of brands or nationality. As a precaution I have secured myself two Pentax 645N cameras (one an N II), as they are fairly cheap, and three Pentax 6x7 plus on Pentax 67 II, but they all continue to function flawlessly, so it seems that I have been over-cautious.You will find that the older the bigger MF Pentax cameras are, the more common age-related faults are .... Looking after the old cameras is probably the best insurance you can have, but age will eventually catch up with all of them.
You might take a look at the Mamiya 645 cameras. I think they are still making one that takes film and digital backs.
The 645AFDIII is discontinued in the US, though you can still find new bodies in Japan. The most recent versions of the camera, the 645DF and 645DF+, do not accept film backs.
I should have mentioned I have a 645n and lenses already.
I'm looking to replace the body because the electronics are malfunctioning a bit.
Timer no longer works, nor manual shutter speeds below 1/15.
In fairness to Pentax these electronic faults did show up after I dropped the camera some distance onto a concrete pavement...
So, how easy is it for anyone to do what you did ? It sounds disturbingly easy to accidentally press the shutter while changing a lens. Is it as simple as that and will one such mistake ruin the camera as it appears to have done in your case? I have a 645N and I am now worried. I can't recall reading any stern warning or indeed any warning in the handbook that under no circumstances should you have your finger anywhere near the shutter button when changing a lensRe: the repair issue: I ended up with my 645NII because I fried my 645N. I accidentally tripped the shutter while changing a lens and it was cooked. I sent the 645N to Pentax Canada but they said they couldn't repair it. Likely it needed a new circuit board and I doubt that anyone in the world has spares anymore..
I have to agree. I use extension tubes all the time. I even use an adaptor to use P6 mount lenses which have no electronics whatsoever. Maybe if you crossed the contacts with something metal at the exact moment you fired the shutter, but I would consider that a very rare possibility.Having used extension tubes and manual lenses on a 645NII I can't imagine any way firing the body without a lens attached would damage the shutter.
That's like looking for SUV and an 18-wheeler is suggested as an option.I don't know if it is your first medium format camera I may look for a nice 6x7 II.
This is an old thread but I can't really add anything more to it. I was changing lenses outdoors and accidentally tripped the shutter button. I think it happened while the lens was still partly attached and maybe it shorted cross the contacts. I smelled electrical smoke and immediately pulled the batteries out of the camera. That was it, he's dead Jim. Pentax told me they couldn't fix it.
I have never heard of anyone else doing this so I was probably just super unlucky. I ended up selling the 645NII I bought to replace it because I was worried about keeping an electronic camera operational. Shame because I absolutely loved those cameras.
That's like looking for SUV and an 18-wheeler is suggested as an option.
No questions abut 67 vs. 645 negative size and ultimately more refined outcome, just that 67 is a monster size overall compared to 645N.Concerning the tonal gradation, ease of cropping the negative from 6x7 to 645, perhaps availability of good serviceable 6x7 cameras made me to suggest a 6x7.
I was stunned when I first print a 6x6 negative and compared it to the prints made with 135.
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