Is this a good 645N deal?

Charles Hueter · 08-20-2009, 12:33 PM

Pentax 645N
45-85mm f/4.5 w/polarizer & lens caps
two 220 backs
five rolls of color film
3 new camera batteries
"EXCELLENT" condition

Many thanks in advance!

Gooshin · 08-20-2009, 12:35 PM

if you told us HOW MUCH... we would be able to comment..

Charles Hueter · 08-20-2009, 12:39 PM

D-oh! I tried posting my question and the system wouldn't let me until I updated my profile with my home country. Forgot to add in that particular detail after I cut 'n pasted...

$600 for the kit.

Gooshin · 08-20-2009, 01:11 PM

KEH sells a 645N for 400-600 with 1 insert depending on condition

a 220 insert is 30-40

a 45-85 FA (autofocus) is around 350

film is usualy 6-8 bucks a roll

a polorizser that size is around 50 bucks

the only thing that buggs me is the 3 batteries... since it takes 6, lol.

as you can see, the deal IS good.

Charles Hueter · 08-20-2009, 01:16 PM

Yeah, I was wondering about the batteries. Does the 645N take CR-V3 packs like the K100D can use in place of AAs?

Gooshin · 08-20-2009, 01:29 PM

no, because the batteries are loaded into a removable case, like a gun clip, and they are in two rows of 3's with a wall inbetween.

Charles Hueter · 08-20-2009, 01:42 PM

Gotcha. Thanks for your comments.

*Andi Lo* · 08-20-2009, 02:58 PM

I'm wondering what good would having two backs do when you only have a single camera? It's not like you can change backs mid-roll with the 645N...

Pål Jensen · 08-20-2009, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by Andi Lo

I'm wondering what good would having two backs do when you only have a single camera? It's not like you can change backs mid-roll with the 645N...

...no, but you can change film/load quickly....

*Andi Lo* · 08-20-2009, 04:32 PM

"pro" requirement? I guess that does help makes the process faster... thanks

Gooshin · 08-20-2009, 09:54 PM

120 film isnt the easiest to load

hell even 35 film is a pain if you're in a pinch

*Buffy* · 08-21-2009, 09:17 AM

Originally Posted by Andi Lo

I'm wondering what good would having two backs do when you only have a single camera? It's not like you can change backs mid-roll with the 645N...

I have four 120 backs and two 220 backs and I usually load them up before I go out. When time is of the essence (fading light) or when weather perhaps is not ideal (windy, drizzly) it makes loading a new roll quick and easy. It would be awesome to be able to change mid-roll, but, alas ...

Ivan J. Eberle · 08-23-2009, 09:02 AM

"3 new batteries" suggests the present owner doesn't know his/her camera well if at all. The 645s all take 6AAs. Anything beyond that is suspect.

D W · 08-24-2009, 07:57 AM

Your big concern should be that it comes with two 220 back. There is less choice of 220 film emulsions and if the choice for Kodak/Fuji to trim production 220 will get canned first.

Even on ebay many seller sell their 120 back separately for more $$ and sell the body or "kit with 220 inserts.

Charles Hueter · 08-24-2009, 01:15 PM

The owner told me the battery comment was a mistake. She hasn't used the equipment in over a year and got the new AAs she bought for it mixed up in her mind with batteries she bought for another camera. After speaking with her for more than an hour, I'm confident she knows her stuff.

Big Analog

She let me take everything home to test the gear out, which I did Sunday afternoon. The shutter/mirror operation is far less obnoxious than I assumed. In fact, it's the automatic film advance that really grabs your attention. Autofocus was fairly quick and assured. The manual focus and zoom rings on the 45-85mm are uninspiring to operate (certainly not Limited quality) but functional. Bulb mode worked as did the self-timer. I tried all the metering and exposure modes as well as +1 and -1 EV. I think the only things I didn't try were multiple exposures on one frame, exposure bracketing, AF-C, and continuous drive...all things I rarely use.

My single biggest problem is the viewfinder. It does not have an eyecup and the eye relief is rather short. I struggled trying to see the current exposure settings at the bottom in landscape orientation and had trouble seeing the whole frame in portrait. I may ask this in a different thread, but does anyone have any suggestions about how I could improve the viewfinder?

It's certainly a system that's seen use and I wouldn't grade it "excellent." However, nothing is abused or obviously broken. I was more surprised at the bulk of the lens over the bulk of the body.

I dropped off my first roll of Portra 400VC this morning and it should be ready for pick-up tomorrow afternoon! Time to see if my shop can do decent scans.