Thinking of trying a Pentax 67

Acere · Oct 26, 2021

I'm considering buying one these beasts and would like to hear from those own them. I've owned Mamiya 645 Pro and Mamiya RB67 when I used to do Weddings and Portraits back in the 90's.
Recently got back into 35mm film and was considering a P 67 for medium format.

chris77 · Oct 26, 2021

and what is your question ?
yes, the pentax 67 is great!

Alan9940 · Oct 26, 2021

If you've owned a Mamiya RB67, then you're certainly familiar with the size/weight involved; as you said, the P67 is a chunk of camera! I use the 55-100mm and 90-180mm zooms on my P67 II which REALLY adds to the weight, but, since I'm always tripod mounted, my only concern is how far I can haul it. Many years ago, I did a direct comparison between several P67 lenses (all primes at the time) and Zeiss glass I had for the Hasselblad 500C/M. In any size enlargement that I would typically make I couldn't see any difference between the two.

abruzzi · Oct 26, 2021

The P67 is a great system, and has a huge number of great lenses. In the end I found I feel better with the more compact "hassleblad style" cameras, so I bought into the Bronica GS system. I still have my P67 but will probably eventually let it go. Nonetheless, it hard to part with since they are so well made, and I love some of the lenses. (also when you consider how cheap some of the lenses sell for today.)

Acere · Oct 26, 2021

chris77 said:
and what is your question ?
yes, the pentax 67 is great!

I don't know, I guess I'm just trying to convince myself to buy one

Alex Benjamin · Oct 26, 2021

Got mine a couple of weeks ago and finally had time this weekend to develop the first picks. Couldn't be happier. I've been looking for quite a while for a medium format camera that would suit my needs, that could be versatile enough to use in many different situations, i.e., from walking around town and using it hand-held when I want better detail than what the 35mm will give me to doing landscape when I don't feel like carrying the 4x5. Went through quite a few these past years, including a Hasselblad, Fuji GW690iii and Mamiya C330. The Pentax 67 works for me best in that it's the perfect compromise. The quality of the lenses is stunning - got the 55mm, 75mm and the 90mm (LS) and will get the 105mm to complete the set.

Only drawback - but expected - is the weight. Did 5 rolls hand-held of Kodak e100 and absolutely no mirror shake at 1/125. But since I like to shoot low ISO films, I'll probably need to get a light tripod for my walking trips in town. There were a few picks on a very cloudy day that would have needed a speed of 1/30 and I didn't dare waste them.

Paul Howell · Oct 26, 2021

I looked at a Pentax 6X7 in the early 90s for event work, but the weight and without interchangeable backs I decided to stay with my Kowa Super 66 and 66. If I wanted to larger negative Mamiya Universal.

flavio81 · Oct 26, 2021

I had a mint Pentax 67. Shutter shake was too much. Handheld, even at 1/60 and 1/125 you could get motion-induced blur that robbed the image of the high quality detail medium format should be used for.

The Mamiya RB67 had none of this issue and could be used down to even 1/15 with confidence. Thus, I sold my P67 and kept the RB67.

However, i didn't have the big, huge wooden handle accessory. The people who use this accesory seem to be very satisfied. So get it! (I didn't because it made the machine even bigger).

Dusty Negative · Oct 26, 2021

Acere said:
I'm considering buying one these beasts and would like to hear from those own them. I've owned Mamiya 645 Pro and Mamiya RB67 when I used to do Weddings and Portraits back in the 90's.
Recently got back into 35mm film and was considering a P 67 for medium format.

I have two Pentax 6x7 (the precursor) as well as a Mamiya RB67.

I find the quality of the negative on the RB67 slightly better, but I find the manual handling of the 6x7 easier than the RB67. Yes, both are 'beasts,' but the 6x7 / 67 is literally just a larger SLR ... and the brilliant wooden grip (they're easy to get) makes it relatively effortless to hand hold, even at low speeds, compared to an RB67.

Dusty Negative · Oct 26, 2021

flavio81 said:
I had a mint Pentax 67. Shutter shake was too much. Handheld, even at 1/60 and 1/125 you could get motion-induced blur that robbed the image of the high quality detail medium format should be used for.

The Mamiya RB67 had none of this issue and could be used down to even 1/15 with confidence. Thus, I sold my P67 and kept the RB67.

However, i didn't have the big, huge wooden handle accessory. The people who use this accesory seem to be very satisfied. So get it! (I didn't because it made the machine even bigger).

Not sure about 1/15, but I frequently hand hold (with that big, beautiful, wooden grip) as low as 1/30 and have had zero shutter-shake issues. I have no idea if that's related to the 6x7 v 67 variable....

flavio81 · Oct 26, 2021

Dusty Negative said:
Not sure about 1/15, but I frequently hand hold (with that big, beautiful, wooden grip) as low as 1/30 and have had zero shutter-shake issues. I have no idea if that's related to the 6x7 v 67 variable....

It's the grip. It steadies out the camera against the shutter vibration...

DREW WILEY · Oct 26, 2021

I don't recommend it for handheld exposures except at relatively high shutter speeds if you expect to do a significant degree of enlargement. It's a wonderful aerial camera, and yes, I have done a fair amount of handheld shots myself with the system. But for reliable high-quality work, have along a serious tripod and use the mirror lock-up feature; it's there for a reason !

Otherwise, even if a tad heavy, the P67 is just about the best system I can think of for a combination of quite reasonable pricing, excellent reliability, and a big selection of really good lenses. It's ergonomic in a manner more box-shaped MF SLR's simply are not. It was designed as a big brother to the handling quality of 35mm SLR's. No, you don't want to hang one around your neck unless you're contemplating self-lynching; but with a decent shoulder bag, it's easy to get around with one.

Acere · Oct 26, 2021

I was thinking about using it with the waist level finder to keep it steadier and so I don't have to lift it to my eye since I have limiting shoulder injuries.

Dusty Negative · Oct 26, 2021

Acere said:
I was thinking about using it with the waist level finder to keep it steadier and so I don't have to lift it to my eye since I have limiting shoulder injuries.

Well, to each his own, but that would seem (to me, at least) to work against the whole point of the 6x7. My RB67, without the cast iron eye-level viewfinder, and just using the waist-level finder, is probably close to the same weight as the 6x7. Maybe even a feather lighter, but that's just from memory.

braxus · Oct 27, 2021

I've owned the original Pentax 6x7 and now I own the Pentax 67II. The version 2 is lighter then the older model, but its also way more expensive. I also have a RZ67 and that camera was considerably more heavy then the Pentax. I prefer shooting with the Pentax over the Mamiya. The only thing with the Pentax system, is you must finish the roll before using another one, which is something you dont need to worry about with the Mamiya. So as long as you don't need to change rolls mid roll, go for it. The Pentax 67II is also harder to repair. I found only two places in North America that will even accept them for repair. And there is no guarantees it can be fixed, being an all electronic camera. The older models are easier to repair and more places will accept them for repair. Advance Camera in Portland Oregon still repairs the P67II. They fixed mine and its working well.

250swb · Oct 27, 2021

I'd be sceptical of using any of the heavy cameras or 'box' cameras like Hasselblad at low shutter speeds hand held. Sure enough the inertia of weight helps, just like it's easier to hand hold a Nikon F steady than a more modern polycarbonate SLR. But is steadiness absolutely repeatable, no it isn't, and considering the number of shots you get on MF means banker shots soon eat into the roll. So if you want to use slow film or don't live under year round sunshine then accept a tripod is going to be needed, or choose a camera that is more amenable to being hand held.

I think the easier to hold cameras with any type of film or daytime conditions are more or less self evident, almost any of the TLR breed, the Fuji 'Texas Leica' range, and folders in general. The Fuji GW GWS rangefinder cameras are hard to beat, they have outstanding lenses, and they are either 6x9 or the rarer 6x7. That said I always use my TLR or Fuji cameras on a tripod a) because I don't live in California, b) what's the point of MF if you don't go for quality, and c) blasting through film isn't practical, so I accept I work slower and can afford to set the camera and tripod up and quietly contemplate the scene before pressing the shutter. And if I had a Pentax 67 I'd most definitely use that on a tripod, it would be a default decision. It's worth remembering what they were most often used for, studio work, often they could be hand held, but either way with a lot of light around. So look out the window and ask yourself if there as much light as a studio flash, no, get the tripod out.

Paul Howell · Oct 27, 2021

Acere said:
I was thinking about using it with the waist level finder to keep it steadier and so I don't have to lift it to my eye since I have limiting shoulder injuries.

Have considered a 6X4.5 system? Pentax or Mamiya with waist level finder would be a light with a good selection of lens, not as many issues with mirror slap.

Acere · Oct 27, 2021

Yes, I'm aware i used to shoot 645 Pro and RB67 back in the 90's but always with prism finders

pbromaghin · Oct 27, 2021

Why on earth would you not buy one?

Acere · Oct 27, 2021

its a long story but basically health issues. Was on dialysis for 7.5 years and got my transplant while on my death bed a year ago. Very rough recovery and it looks like i'll be limited to what i can do. The love of photography and equipment is one of my main therapies. Only do it as a hobby now but it helps keep me sane IYKWIM

Paul Howell · Oct 27, 2021

Acere said:
its a long story but basically health issues. Was on dialysis for 7.5 years and got my transplant while on my death bed a year ago. Very rough recovery and it looks like i'll be limited to what i can do. The love of photography and equipment is one of my main therapies. Only do it as a hobby now but it helps keep me sane IYKWIM

I would consider another 645 or a Mamiya 220 with WL finder and a few lens.

Alex Benjamin · Oct 27, 2021

Acere said:
The love of photography and equipment is one of my main therapies. Only do it as a hobby now but it helps keep me sane IYKWIM

I think we should start a thread on the therapeutic value of photography. I haven't gone through what you have, but "It helps keep me sane" is also the reason why I'm doing so much of it these days. Hope it does bring you joy.

Regarding the Pentax, if a waist-level viewfinder is essential for physical reasons, I would suggest another camera. The Pentax is an oversized SLR, and ergonomically, I think you'd find uncomfortable using it with the waist-level finder. It wouldn't sit well in the hand as a RB67, Hasselblad or Bronica SQ would, and seems to me pressing the shutter release would become awkward.

pbromaghin · Oct 27, 2021

Acere said:
its a long story but basically health issues. Was on dialysis for 7.5 years and got my transplant while on my death bed a year ago. Very rough recovery and it looks like i'll be limited to what i can do. The love of photography and equipment is one of my main therapies. Only do it as a hobby now but it helps keep me sane IYKWIM

Haha. I ask why not and you tell us all the greatest reasons in the world why you should.

GO FOR IT!

But seriously, if you are limited in the use of one hand, then a TLR might be better. Mamiya TLRs can be operated one-handed - with either hand, unlike a Rollei. I hang the Mamiya on my chest, high enough to just bend my neck to focus, then trigger the shutter via a cable release with no hands on the camera. It's almost as good as a tripod.

But if your deep desire is to experience a Pentax 6x7, that outweighs all practical considerations.

flavio81 · Oct 27, 2021

250swb said:
I'd be sceptical of using any of the heavy cameras or 'box' cameras like Hasselblad at low shutter speeds hand held

Surely you can, at least with the RB67 which has a mirror governor to slow down the mirror speed. I have done shots even as low as 1/4, handheld, with good results.

The Hasselblads, i can't comment, i don't really care for them.

flavio81 · Oct 27, 2021

Acere said:
its a long story but basically health issues. Was on dialysis for 7.5 years and got my transplant while on my death bed a year ago. Very rough recovery and it looks like i'll be limited to what i can do. The love of photography and equipment is one of my main therapies. Only do it as a hobby now but it helps keep me sane IYKWIM

Consider the Pentax 645.

Thinking of trying a Pentax 67

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