Thinking of trying a Pentax 67

braxus · Nov 5, 2021

Having both the P67II and Mamiya RZ67, I much prefer the P67. I dont find using it clunky at all, though I could say that about the RZ. Last shoot I did with the RZ, for some reason I just couldnt get the back to rotate for verticals. So I gave up trying. Also using the waste level finder really isn't my preferred way to shoot. I get horizons off a lot and framing things up isn't easy. I know they have a pentaprism for the RZ, but do I honestly want to add 2 more pounds to an already heavy camera setup? Not that I hate the camera, I just prefer using the P67 for most times shooting 67.

abruzzi · Nov 6, 2021

The right hand grip I have was made by a guy in Thailand. Here is his Instagram page that has lots of pictures of the grips:

https://www.instagram.com/snapu/

if you want to contact him via email to see if he’s still making them, PM me and I’ll send you his email.

craigclu · Nov 6, 2021

abruzzi said:
The right hand grip I have was made by a guy in Thailand. Here is his Instagram page that has lots of pictures of the grips:

https://www.instagram.com/snapu/

if you want to contact him via email to see if he’s still making them, PM me and I’ll send you his email.

That looks more functional as it's likely easier to grip than the one I have. I never got along with the left hand, Pentax grip and the right side grip felt more proper for focus, etc.

craigclu · Nov 6, 2021

[QUOTE="Neil Grant, post: 2479940, member: 18487"[/QUOTE]

I believe there are potentially large variations from one example to another. Your 45mm example looks as good as it gets. I had 2 used ones in a row that were a bit soft. I then ordered a new one from Rbt White when their pricing was appealing and it was also not as sharp as I would want. I had some of the 55's go through my hands and they were all very good. Lot to lot variations were apparent in my experience. I also have 75 through 300 in my cabinet and all are very good but they are also the result of a few culls over the years. Haven't actually done much over the years with the 300 but it seems okay. Pretty cheap these days to try things out and cherry pick the keepers....

abruzzi · Nov 6, 2021

craigclu said:
That looks more functional as it's likely easier to grip than the one I have. I never got along with the left hand, Pentax grip and the right side grip felt more proper for focus, etc.

It’s alright. The big negative is it doesn’t relocate the shutter, so the natural way to hold it, doesn’t put your index finger close enough to trigger the shutter. So I hold it normally for focus and compose, but I have to readjust my grip when I’m ready to shoot. The second negative is the grooves for your fingers would be better if they were smoother since you have to adjust your grip when shooting. I still use it and it give my hand better purchase than without, but it’s not as nice as the grip built into the P67II.

mtjade2007 · Nov 7, 2021

The built-in grip on the p67-ii is very nice but the additional left hand side wooden grip makes the 67-ii (and all older p67, p6x7 as well) even better. The left hand grip is a must for security reason. You can walk around even go hiking by grabbing the left hand grip and not worry if the camera will suddenly leave your hand and drop toward the ground.

DREW WILEY · Nov 7, 2021

The hand grip doesn't seem to help me a bit with handheld shooting. But it does make a heavy lens setup easier, and helps to prevent dropping it to begin with. I use mine only with the big 300EDIF lens.

ignatiu5 · Nov 8, 2021

flavio81 said:
I'm open to any grip suggestion. Which lenses do you use?

I got mine from a guy in Poland. His Instagram is: pimp_my_pentax. The two lenses I used the most are the 105/2.4 and the 165/2.8. I also have a late 200/4 and a 55/4.

flavio81 · Nov 8, 2021

Yesterday I tried the P67 grip from a friend (we did a "Pentax 6x7 gang" meet). More comfortable than what I thought, well designed.

However it is big, it adds even more bulk and weight to a bulky camera. I think i'm OK with attaching a pistol grip to the bottom (i use the Nikon pistol grip). The 3D printed left/hand grips out there for sale look like a better option.

I am ordering a 55/4 and 75/4.5, let's see if they're as good as the 90/2.8. The 90/2.8 was the reason I decided to get back to the P67. Fantastic lens.

DREW WILEY · Nov 8, 2021

There are several generations of the 55. Get one of the f/4 later ones, not the old f/3.5. The later 55's, as well as the 75/4.5 are among the very best P67 optics, and really really sharp, probably even better than the 90. But you'll probably need an accessory magnifier for either in dim light unless simply shooting at infinity. Note that the 75 takes 82mm filters, and the 55 takes 77mm (or simply a 77 to 82 step-up adapter).

craigclu · Nov 8, 2021

DREW WILEY said:
There are several generations of the 55. Get one of the f/4 later ones, not the old f/3.5. The later 55's, as well as the 75/4.5 are among the very best P67 optics, and really really sharp, probably even better than the 90. But you'll probably need an accessory magnifier for either in dim light unless simply shooting at infinity. Note that the 75 takes 82mm filters, and the 55 takes 77mm (or simply a 77 to 82 step-up adapter).

Good info.... I was lukewarm on my first 75 and got another on a system buy. It was a later one and was a great lens (and had me not stretching for a 2.8). I never had a 3.5 55 but either lucky or the later ones (had multiples over time) were great. Back when pros were liquidating their gear to go digital, I had good luck buying full sets of P67 gear, testing/culling and selling the items not needed would pay for all or most of the gear bought as a group. Those days seem to have passed.....

mtjade2007 · Nov 11, 2021

75 mm f4.5 lens is the lightest lens among all 67 lenses. If I were limited to only one lens it would be my choice of lens on my 67-ii. Yes, it is extremely sharp.

flavio81 · Nov 11, 2021

mtjade2007 said:
75 mm f4.5 lens is the lightest lens among all 67 lenses. If I were limited to only one lens it would be my choice of lens on my 67-ii. Yes, it is extremely sharp.

The lightest 75mm lens is 580g while the latest 90/2.8 is 480g.

https://web.mit.edu/dennis/www/pentax67/lens-info.html

flavio81 · Nov 11, 2021

DREW WILEY said:
There are several generations of the 55. Get one of the f/4 later ones, not the old f/3.5. The later 55's, as well as the 75/4.5 are among the very best P67 optics, and really really sharp, probably even better than the 90.

So happy to read this. I currently have a 55/4 (early 80s version), 75/4.5 classic SCMT version, and the 90/2.8. The 90/2.8 was the reason i got back to the P67; it is wornderful. The others i haven't even tried yet!

I currently can't decide, for teles, between the 135/4, 150/2.8 and 200/4. Any suggestions welcome.

c t b · Jan 31, 2022

Pentaxes are solid, undervalued !

DREW WILEY · Feb 1, 2022

Well, the P67 system was hardly esoteric. Considerable numbers of them were made, and obviously used by many many professionals. Lots and lots of decent used ones are still available for sale. Now if you want something rare and esoteric, try to find an underwater marine housing for one that still works. They made those too.

moto-uno · Feb 1, 2022

^^ "Undervalued " , I'm sure you're not referring to the P67 ii are you ? Peter

Thinking of trying a Pentax 67

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