Pentax 67 or 645 for < $1k budget

[PBrendanC]

Looking to upgrade my Yashicamat to something more flexible - primarily for Landscape/Tripod shooting. Plan to scan and print and make darkroom B&W prints. Would like to keep the initial investment to < $1000.


Any thoughts/comments - TIA.

 

[maliha]

Pentax 6x7 sells for less than 300 with 80mm lens on eBay. I'm using one right now and it's a great quality camera built like a 35mm (not boxy like Bronica or Mamiya). It's good for either tripod or handheld because of it's built.

 

[Jeff Kubach]

Look up KEH, they might help out some.

Jeff

 

[pentaxuser]

For that kind of money in the U.K. you can get a P645N( autofocus) with an FA 75mm lens plus another FA just about. If you are sure that autofocus isn't important then a P645 and three non FA lenses might be possible. The P645 is more "boxy" than the P67 but very handholdable.

Unless you have massive prints in mind a 645 neg will be all you need

pentaxuser

 

[CGW]

For 6x7 format, the Mamiya RB67 is a bargain now. The rotating back is so much easier for tripod shooting than shifting and steadying the huge bulk of a Pentax 67 from landscape to portrait orientation. That's what made me fall out of love with a P67 I had for a couple of years. The Mamiya's interchangeable backs are nice, too.

 

[2F/2F]

Are you only open to Pentax cameras? Not that they are bad, but with that budget, you could go in lots of different directions. For example, I'd be leaning toward a really nice Bronica SQ kit myself, if I were in your position, or maybe even a Hassy (though it would be far less of kit for the $1,000). The Bronica is basically a Hasselblad in terms of basic design and ability, and it is a huge bang for the buck.

 

[Bob-D659]

There is a Pentax 645 in the classifieds here, under 300 I believe.

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

 

[CGW]

Are you only open to Pentax cameras? Not that they are bad, but with that budget, you could go in lots of different directions. For example, I'd be leaning toward a really nice Bronica SQ kit myself, if I were in your position, or maybe even a Hassy (though it would be far less of kit for the $1,000). The Bronica is basically a Hasselblad in terms of basic design and ability, and it is a huge bang for the buck.

Seems the OP already has a 'Mat for 6x6. I love my Bronica SQ-B lots, though my lenses are limited to an 80/2.8 PSB and a sweet 105/3.5 S. I just snagged an extra NOS 120 back but only after many months of hunting. The SQ system seems to be appreciating as the sole 6x6 SLR alternative to Hassies. Clean bodies and lenses outside 80mm and 150mm are pricey and sometimes damned hard to find. Still looking for the cool close-focus 180mm--maybe that's next!

 

[olleorama]

I have a rb, and think the lenses for the pentax 67 are better. Maybe just a case of 'the grass is always greener...'

 

[PBrendanC]

Thx for all the feedback - lots of food for thought. I'm certainly open to considering other mf camera's but am extremely impressed by Ian Cameron's Pentax 67 images (I also know it's not the camera) - but he has some beautiful images on his site and his workshops are something I'd love to attend). Check out his website.

http://www.transientlight.co.uk/page/about/

While I've considered a Hassy the problem that Hassy glass/lenses are still expensive vs Pentax/Bronica. I'm not in any hurry and I think the best approach here is to remain flexible re the specific make/model (maybe renting a few MF camera first) and then looking for a deal that includes a body and a couple of lenses from someone who is going digital.

 

[PaulMD]

They're very different cameras (disclosure: I own the 67). The 645 has better mirror damping (the 67ii is good too) and is much more electronic/automatic. You can even get autofocus lenses. It's also about 1/2 the price of the 67 nowadays. The 67 has a much larger negative (which will help you print bigger) and some vibration problems from about 1/30 to 1/4 (solve with the mirror lockup and a good head(!)+tripod). The 67 is extremely heavy, it can be shot handheld (I do) but be prepared and get one with the grip. The late 55/4 and the 75/4.5 are both top-flight lenses, I would shoot wide open with them any day. The 105/2.4 and the 150/2.8 are good but not superfluous. Sometimes it's a pain to deal with but the negatives are worth it.

If you're going to do lots of tripod shooting (or need multiple film backs or fast flash sync), you might consider the RB67, but be prepared to do things like adjust the floating element and wind/cock separately. The 67 is just a big 35mm SLR.

$1000 is a pretty good start in any medium format system, you should be able to get what you want.