Pentax 67 vs 67ii Light Meter

Brae Hunziker · Jun 8, 2021

Hello there,

I am wondering if anyone knows if there is a significant difference in the accuracy and consistency of the built in light meter on the Pentax 6x7 vs Pentax 67ii?

Thanks!

johnha · Jun 8, 2021

The meters are built-into the metering prism finders. The P6x7 and P67 metered finders are interchangeable, but not with those of the 67ii and vice versa. The 67ii finder is much more capable, offering Av, centre weighted, spot and matrix options and uses much more modern electronics.

The original 6x7 (usually 'Asahi/Honeywell' branded) and later P67 (usually branded 'Pentax') finders only offer manual exposure and average metering. These had various updates to the electronics over the years. EarlIer ones are less reliable due to aging of the electronics, but they're all so old it's a moot point.

Given the price difference between the 6x7/67 compared to the 67ii, it's probably not worth the difference for the meter improvements alone.

Brae Hunziker · Jun 8, 2021

johnha said:
The meters are built-into the metering prism finders. The P6x7 and P67 metered finders are interchangeable, but not with those of the 67ii and vice versa. The 67ii finder is much more capable, offering Av, centre weighted, spot and matrix options and uses much more modern electronics.

The original 6x7 (usually 'Asahi/Honeywell' branded) and later P67 (usually branded 'Pentax') finders only offer manual exposure and average metering. These had various updates to the electronics over the years. EarlIer ones are less reliable due to aging of the electronics, but they're all so old it's a moot point.

Given the price difference between the 6x7/67 compared to the 67ii, it's probably not worth the difference for the meter improvements alone.

Thank you for this reply, helps a lot!

Randy Stewart · Jun 9, 2021

The closest basis for comparison is the averaging mode of the 67II and the 67/6x7 meter prism. The 67II mode functions much as the center weighted metering pattern in most 35mm cameras. The prism meter for the 67 averages the entire viewfinder. it is not weighted. This tends to give problems to users used to center weighted meters in that you have to take the lighting on the entire image into consideration with the 67. Ex., bright skies will tend to cause under exposure if no allowance is made.

Alan9940 · Jun 9, 2021

Personally, I could never got on with the meter prism on my P67. I find the matrix metering of the 67II provides more reliable exposure information.

Disconnekt · Jun 13, 2021

Pentaxforums has alot of info on the various Pentax 67 cameras:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/camerareviews/pentax-6x7-medium-format-c4.html

MFstooges · Jun 15, 2021

Alan9940 said:
Personally, I could never got on with the meter prism on my P67. I find the matrix metering of the 67II provides more reliable exposure information.

+1

mtjade2007 · Jun 17, 2021

P67-ii prism has a unique feature I am not sure if it exists in 6x7 and p67's prism. The feature is an adjustable diopter eye piece. It makes the 67-ii prism so much better.

abruzzi · Jun 19, 2021

mtjade2007 said:
P67-ii prism has a unique feature I am not sure if it exists in 6x7 and p67's prism. The feature is an adjustable diopter eye piece. It makes the 67-ii prism so much better.

the 67 doesn’t have an adjustable diopter, but it does have a screw-on diopter, so, if you know how much adjustment you need, you can find a matching screw in diopter ring.

DREW WILEY · Jun 22, 2021

I strongly prefer a Pentax handheld Spotmeter instead. So it makes no difference to me whether the meter-prism is in place, or the un-metered one. I have both, plus their chimney and folding finders.

mtjade2007 · Jun 24, 2021

abruzzi said:
the 67 doesn’t have an adjustable diopter, but it does have a screw-on diopter, so, if you know how much adjustment you need, you can find a matching screw in diopter ring.

I think there is one. Please see this: https://www.manualslib.com/manual/121756/Pentax-67ii.html?page=35

abruzzi · Jun 24, 2021

mtjade2007 said:
I think there is one. Please see this: https://www.manualslib.com/manual/121756/Pentax-67ii.html?page=35

that manual is for the 67ii, not the 67. The 67ii does have an adjustable diopter, but the 67 simply has a place to screw in an eyepiece, and you could get the eyepiece with different diopters.

EDIT: here is a pic of the eyepiece on a 67:

mtjade2007 · Jun 24, 2021

You're right. P67 does not have a diopter. I mistaken you were talking about p67-ii. My apologies.

DREW WILEY · Jun 24, 2021

If you really want a deluxe adjustable diopter along with bright viewing too, the chimney hood is the way to go. But that is very clumsy for vertical compositions or handheld use. You have to look down into it.

Pentax 67 vs 67ii Light Meter

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