Summary: This camera was my first experience with meduim format and I must say it has been great. The controls are easy to learn, the camera has good balance, takes common size (AA) batteries, is rugged but is not as heavy as it looks.
The manual Pentax lenses are faily cheap on the used market selling for $200-$400 each. Not bad considering the prices for new autofocus lenses. This camera DOES have mirror lockup. You have to take the lens off the camera (or camera off lens if I'm using my Pentacon 500mm) and move the mirror up by hand, then it will lock into place.
The viewfinder is bright except for some macro shots. The depth-of-field preview is a bit noisy but is extreamly valuable. The film backs can't be changed midroll but I find I go through 15 shots fast enough that I don't need to.
Since the image area for a 645 camera is 2.5x larger than 35mm, you could make a print well over 2' by 2' and have a crisp image.
For the cost of a new 120 camera and one lens I have built a system with 5 lenses and a ringlight flash. Take that to the bank.
Strengths: Relativly cheap
Rugged build, balanced
Easy to learn
I still drool over my Velvia 50 slides!
Weaknesses: Film winding and DOF button a bit noisy.
Can't change film midroll.
Maintenance not the cheapest, take good care of it.
Customer Service: Sent to lab twice for maintenance (don't carry camera and soda at same time!) and the only problem I had was with merchant fibbing about turnaround time. This was the same merchant that has overcharged me and have its staff look down on me for using film, not very Christian Photo of them.
Summary: First of all, I never shoot digital (and I don't see I will in the coming 10 years...). The insert desing is just fine for me. I like the overall ergonomics of the camera. I choose this over the new Mamiya 645E for the following reasons:
1) side grip built-in (I don't need to pay extra)
2) motorized film advance (I just like it...)
3) Flash TTL (It's primitive, yet useful if needed)
4) Dual tripod socket (you don't need an L -bracket, just get two QR plates. I use RRS and Kirk plates).
It doesn't not have MLU, and so far I don't see motion blur due to mirror vibration. Some complain the push-button control. I believe it's just something I get used to. In some sense, I try not to apply what I learned from my Canon EOS 3 manual to this camera. I simply learn the camera from scratch.
TTL is just so accurate!! I use spot meter constantly for landscape and I find that the TTL meter is very reliable.
Used lenses are avaialble at very reasonable price and they are all superb performers!!
Strengths: - Price at used market
- Built-in prism, side grip, and motorized film advance.
- Dual tripod socket
Weaknesses: - diopter get moved very easily (minor)
Similar Products Used: Kiev 60 (not recommended unless you like to fix cameras by yourself...)
Summary: Now that DSLRs are here, medium format cameras are cheap on the used market. That's good for people like me who want to dabble with 645.
For a hobbyist like myself, no better cheaper way into medium format SLR interchangeable lens photography.
I knock off a couple of stars for the push buttons and the lack of an AE lock. But if not for the cheap used prices on this camera, I couldn't afford medium format SLR photography so it's a f5 stars for value.
Strengths: Excellent build quality compared to new Mamiya 645e, even though the Pentax is 10+ years old.
Used lenses are sharp and cheap.
Reliable, not much heavier than a Nikon F5 and gives you 3 times the image size.
Weaknesses: Push button shutter speed selection is a pain -- buttons too small.
Lack of AE lock send you into manual all the time.
Inserts instead of film backs, but at this price you can buy another body for the price of most hassy, Contax, or Mamamiya backs.
Takes 6 AA battereies and battery holder is just a little tricky to use.
Rating Reviewed by: Peter Arthur(Unregistered User)
(Professional)
Review Date October 21, 2003
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Value Rating 5 of 5
Used product for 3 Months to 1 year
Review 4 of 17
Price Paid:
$1500.00
from Ebay/Adorama
Summary: Fantastic camera no buts about it. I have been shooting all over the world for almost 20 years and after owning this camera for less then a year I love it and have parked all the rest. Beautiful lenses, very sharp and dream outdoor shots on Velvia. Am selling several Nikon pieces to continue adding to the Pentax system. Had a top of the line instamatic die in the field in cold weather, the Pentax 645 on the other hand just kept going. Wonderful for just about every photo situation, compact and easy to handhold. 645 transparencies are gorgeous and digital cannot even remotely compare yet.
Strengths: Size, weight, lenses, meter, film format, cost.
Weaknesses: No mid roll film change (so what)
Similar Products Used: Hassleblad (most all models), Rollei.
Summary: An excellent camera for outdoor photography with a few week spots. Overall good optics at reasonable price. Easy to handle, not too heavy. Technically a bit outdated, but who cares - it does a good job.
I own 5 lenses, 4 backs, 2 flashes and a lot of accessories.
Strengths: Durable, easy to use, reliable
Weaknesses: No spot metering available
No fully changeable film cassettes ( only film holders can be changed )
Similar Products Used: Rollei 66, Hasselblad, Mamiya RB 67 and RZ67
Customer Service: never needed, I have this camera for about 5 years now and no service needed yet
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