Pentax 6x7 vs RZ67 Prism

AJ Tedesco · May 16, 2020

I have both a Pentax 6x7 and an RZ67 with WLF's. I want to get a prism finder for some eye level tripod use. My eyes are not what they used to be, so brightness is super important to me. Can anyone tell me what the brightest option might be for either one? I only want to get a prism for one of them. Do not need it to be metered. Thanks!

DREW WILEY · May 16, 2020

?? But Pentax offers some especially bright lenses like the 105/2.4, 165/2.8 etc. A flip-up magnifier also helps. I do know if you can still get screen brighteners.

AJ Tedesco · May 16, 2020

DREW WILEY said:
?? But Pentax offers some especially bright lenses like the 105/2.4, 165/2.8 etc. A flip-up magnifier also helps. I do know if you can still get screen brighteners.

I have the 105 2.5 with the Pentax and the 110 2.8 with RZ. I mostly shoot portraits with them wide open. Most prisms (on other cameras I have) are too dim for me.

voceumana · May 17, 2020

I couldn't decide on a 6x7 camera, so I ended up with a Pentax 67II, an RB67, and a Bronica GS-1, with prisms for all 3. In terms of brightness and as ease of viewing at eye level, the Pentax 67II is by far the best. The Mamiya is probably as good as the Pentax. The GS-1 is too dim for me to focus well. I don't know how the 67II compares to the 6x7 for brightness.

The screen on the Pentax models can make a big difference, apparently.

The rigid focusing hood gets good recommendations for ease of viewing and focus because of its higher magnification, but I do no have one so I can't say from personal experience.

AJ Tedesco · May 17, 2020

Thanks! Will look into getting the Mamiya option.

Alan Edward Klein · May 17, 2020

The RB67 I have has a magnifier that slips onto the viewfinder. It helps in focusing as it magnifies the center section of the viewfinder. The magnifier is on a hinge so you can flip it up and just look through the viewfinder or flip it down to see through the magnifier. Here's a link. Look down towards to the bottom for two pictures that show the magnifier in it two positions. It's in the section called
MAGNIFIER FD701 FOR FE701 AND “MODEL 2” PRISM FINDERS
https://emulsive.org/reviews/camera...easurement-with-the-fe701-and-magnifying-hood

Grim Tuesday · May 17, 2020

This is only hearsay, because I only have a Pentax 6x7 out of these cameras, but I've heard that the original 6x7 has a significantly dimmer screen than the II. If the RZ is as good as the 6x7 II, then it must be very good indeed.

Alan Gales · May 17, 2020

AJ Tedesco said:
I have the 105 2.5 with the Pentax and the 110 2.8 with RZ. I mostly shoot portraits with them wide open. Most prisms (on other cameras I have) are too dim for me.

I used to own an RZ67. I had both the waist level finder and a prism finder. I prefer waist level finders myself and always used that. I didn't have any problem viewing through the prism finder but I did find it heavy. It's a little hassle but you could buy prism finders for both cameras, try them out and then sell the one you didn't want. If you didn't over pay, you would lose very little money if you sold one.

Just out of curiosity, which lens do you prefer, the 105 or the 110? This could help with your decision too.

AJ Tedesco · May 17, 2020

I have heard the prism on the 67ii is much brighter as well. But it is way too expensive to upgrade just for a better prism. For these 2 cameras, I will be using the WLF most of the time. In doing some googling, there were a a few references saying the 6x7 prism is pretty dim. And in thinking about it more, the RZ67 is much more practical when using strobes, which I use about 50% of the time indoors. So factoring that in, I think the RZ67 is the best option for me right now.

voceumana · May 17, 2020

If you are often using strobe, then the RZ is probably the better option.

Pentax 6x7 vs RZ67 Prism

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