Pentax 67II questions

DanielStone · Jul 13, 2009

hey all,

I gots a guy who've I've been assisting for for a while, and he's asked me if I'd be interested in buying his Pentax 67II off of him, since he has gone all dig!t@l . As I've worked for him for a while, he's offering me a sweet deal, I might just do some trade work for him if he'll allow, but I have some questions before replying back to him. I currently have a RZ67 II with a series of lenses, all of which are beautiful, and in my opinion, 2nd to none. I've worked for him on jobs a year or so back when he used the Pentax last, but never saw the final results other than the Polaroids he shot while on set.

What is the quality of the glass in the Pentax lenses (all of which are less than 10 years old i believe). He has the 105 2.8(i think its 2.8), the 55 and the 165? He also has a 2nd 67II body with a Pola back on it for an extra $400 if i wanted it. Both have been serviced twice yearly(up until a year ago when he used it last), and as stated before, are in top shape.

they're all in top shape, and he's offering it all to me for a grand, but right now thats a good bit o change to me, while at school especially. I might just have to sell me left nut for it

opinions or personal experience would be appreciated

keithwms · Jul 13, 2009

The pentax 67 lenses are very highly regarded - among the best. The p67 is also a very fine piece. The only complaint that comes up with regard to the p67 is the slap. Mostly for this reason and its effect on handholdability, its principal competitor is the Mamiya 7/7ii.

DanielStone · Jul 13, 2009

keithwms said:
The pentax 67 lenses are very highly regarded - among the best. The p67 is also a very fine piece. The only complaint that comes up with regard to the p67 is the slap. Mostly for this reason and its effect on handholdability, its principal competitor is the Mamiya 7/7ii.

i've used that one as well, very nice camera. the only thing is, my brain can't really use rangefinders in a faster-paced shooting environment. i started out with an slr at the beginning, and i think i'll have to stay with it.

i like the 'less than 3 feet' capabilities of slrs such as the rz and the p67 for those instances where close-ups are necessary.

if mamiya made a polaroid back for the mamiya 7 it would make me take another look though

bu that's not likely to happen any time soon though

thanks

-dan

Herzeleid · Jul 13, 2009

I have bought a P 6x7 few months back. I like the system, really the lenses are good. I picked Pentax 6x7 system over mamiya because it feels similar to 35mm slr, very easy to use.
If you do lot of flash photography don't forget Pentax have 1/30 flash sync speed, but if that 165mm lens is a leaf shutter lens (there are 2 versions of 165mm) you can sync at other speeds as well.
I recall there are only 2 leaf shutter lenses available 90 and 165. Mirror slap is really something to consider when shooting hand held. Changing films is tricky, and of course you can't change in midroll. +1 for Mamiya on that.

It will be hard to decide while owning another 6x7 system.

some info about lenses if you are interested
Dead Link Removed
http://www.narrowbandimaging.com/pentax_6x7_lens_tests_page.htm

Willie Jan · Jul 13, 2009

I worked with the 67 for some time. It's hard to shoot out of the hand, remind that. You will need a tripod for most things or use more 400 iso films.
But if using 400 films, the benefit for the larger neg is gone..

It's heavy but some people like this.

But maybe the most important question to yourself is what are you going to use it for and is it the best solution for that...

I used the 67 and the 6/4.5. After comparison with a hasselblad i eventually went for the hassy. I found the image just a tack sharper/nicer. But that is my opinion.
Besides that I thought that a complete manual camera (hassy 501 cm) without electronic, will last longer than an electronic camera. But that is also my opinion.
Where i live these cameras are quite cheap, so search for prices before you buy it.

No Digital · Jul 13, 2009

I have two P67II and my shots are done mostly with these cameras; I use them with slow films too without a tripod and I don't have problems (of course if can use it it's better, but it's true with a 35mm too...).
Lens quality is excellent and, generally, lenses are cheap, cheaper than RZ ones... the 55mm is probably the sharpener of the WA lenses of the 67 system; look for a 165/4 or a 90/4 with LS shutter if you use flash light.

GraemeMitchell · Jul 13, 2009

In my experience the Achilles heal of the Pentax 67 system is the film transport system. Sooner or later (sooner if you shoot it a lot and don't baby it) it will break. Costs about $350 to have repaired I believe. Such failure is concern enough that when I rent one I usually rent 2 bodies, in case one craps out.

With that, at a good price, I'd certainly suggest getting one if it suits your shooting style and you like the glass (which is rather unique), as all cameras have one thing or another that tends to fail sooner rather than later if you use them a lot.

Chazzy · Jul 13, 2009

I've wanted one of these for years. The problems everyone seems to talk about are vibration and the low flash synch speed, but I suspect that the former has been overblown, and supposedly the 67-II made improvements in that area.

Herzeleid · Jul 13, 2009

Chazzy said:
I've wanted one of these for years. The problems everyone seems to talk about are vibration and the low flash synch speed, but I suspect that the former has been overblown, and supposedly the 67-II made improvements in that area.

67II and 6X7 have same flash sync speed.I've heard that 6x7II has better and sturdy components especially in film winding mechanism. My pentax had a problem with the winding gears but it was repaired. I've read that it is a common problem with 6x7 and previous 67.

keithwms · Jul 13, 2009

DanielStone said:
i like the 'less than 3 feet' capabilities of slrs such as the rz and the p67 for those instances where close-ups are necessary.

If closeup and speed and handholdability are big issues for you, then let me suggest also taking a close look at the p645nii and the mamiya 645 afd.

On the subject of flash synch, well the mamiya 6/6/7/7ii all synch to 1/500 ... with all the lenses But yes, closeup is the (only?) weak point of the mamiyas. Okay, one other possible weak point, if you believe that one camera should be able to do everything (I do not!) is that the mamiya RF lenses are not fast enough for available light work or conventional SLR-esque, portrait-style isolated focus work. They excel at travel, documentary, environmental portrait, landscape, street, that kind of thing, where you want a bit more contrast and mostly front-to-back sharpness.

PhotoJim · Jul 13, 2009

The 105 is f/2.4, which is one of the fastest medium format lenses available.

I inherited a 67-II system from my father-in-law when he died (which has the 105 as well as the 55/3.5) and I really like it. The only feature it's really missing is interchangeable film backs. The 6x7 format is a nice format, and fits standard photographic papers quite well.

I added a 200/4 to it and I expect I'll get a lot of usage out of it.

Whether you need it given that you already have medium format gear is another question.

eworkman · Jul 13, 2009

I still use the 6x7 and have lugged a set of several bodies and lenses in Europe and China, shooting handheld VP FP4 PX various Echromes, even a roll or two of Kodachrome, and when using longer lenses TriX. I didn't take the 500 and got rid of it cuz I didn't shoot with it all that much, and I DID use a tripod with it, but not with the 300. It is the pinnacle of hand-held camera for action shots , but perhaps the Speed Graphic shooters will disagree, until the interchangeability of lenses comes into the question. I have not had a problem with film advance. And if I were to do the tripod thing I'd shoot 4x5 from a ground glass, upsidedown and backwards.
Problems-
I still fumble when changing film- the fingerspace is just too small, or something.
The coupling chains that couple the lens aperture to the meter break and are too small for me to see and grasp to fix- another used body would now be cheaper than a real fix I suppose.
The focal plane shutter can get out of whack and work at what looks like 1/5000, or vary across the frame from 1/300 to 1/5000- and it took me a long time to figure out what the ???? was going on, since the problem can be quite intermittant. I've not seen reports by others who have experienced this, and again, another body is probly cheaper than repair. As my income stream turns into a dribble I am loath to expend cash on what I have, so two shutter-challenged bodies await cannibalization and I use two with broken coupling chains in "sunny 16" mode. I am fortunate to be on the cooler portion of the sunny central west coast only 3 hours from the sunny Mojave, so it works for me; B&W and a smattering of color transparency.

econley · Jul 13, 2009

I have the 67II with the 165/2.8 and 55/4 lenses. The mirror flap issue is vastly overblown. I handhold all the time with great results with my lenses. If I can, I'll use the MLU feature. The focal plane shutter is loud, but won't affect your exposures. If you already have a Mamiya, I'm not sure why you'd want the Pentax too. The only benefit is that used Pentax lenses are cheaper. If you need a ton of lenses, you might be better off in the long run.

Don't worry about the camera back for switching films. Frankly a second Pentax 67 is about the same price as a film back.

jeroldharter · Jul 13, 2009

The Pentax lenses are excellent. I have the Pentax 67 and also I bought a used 67II to go with the 45, 90, and 165LS lenses. They are great cameras. I agree that they are not good for hand holding for lengthy amounts of time, but they are manageable. I have managed to take some good shots from an airplane window for example. Sometimes a monopod is helpful if you needn't be too active. But a tripod with mirror lockup is the ideal way to go. I have had no technical problems ever although I am a relatively light user.

Something that I have been doing lately: I can store the body with one lens attached and a second lens in the bottom of an insulated, barn shaped lunch box similar to this:

Lunch Box

I can put film and filters up above. This works very well and is considered like a purse for carry on luggage. Seems very ultralight compared to my large format gear.

Venchka · Jul 14, 2009

Jerold,

The lunch box link is incomplete. Can you share the correct one? Thanks!

jeroldharter · Jul 15, 2009

Venchka said:
Jerold,

The lunch box link is incomplete. Can you share the correct one? Thanks!

http://www.amazon.com/Igloo-PolarMax-Travel-Cooler/dp/B000L9JA4W/ref=pd_sbs_a_13

See if this works.

borisdeswan · Jul 21, 2009

If you give into your lust for that deal consider this: Pentax lenses are extremely good and they last a lifetime. PENTAX 6X7 II has a metering system that is very very accurate, and works very well for chromes. Therefore using extension tubes is easy too, for macro work. It has been my experience that money comes and goes but a deal like you're describing, is not so frequent.GOOD LUCK.

JRJacobs · Jul 21, 2009

I use both a Pentax 67ii system and a Mamiya RZ system.

In short answer, the Pentax lenses are better than the Mamiya - if you have the SMC lenses.

I handhold mine regularly without problem - it is far easier to handhold than the Mamiya.

Mirror slap is not an issue any more than it is in a Hasselblad, an RB, or a Bronica.

cmo · Jul 21, 2009

If you like 6x7 a Bronica GS-1 is a very good alternative to a P67: exchangeable magazines, exchangeable finders and screens, AE prism, MLU, flash sync up to 1/500, excellent lenses incl. macro lenses, ca. same weight as a P67 system. And they are cheap.

Pentax 67II questions

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