Pentaxian Registered: February, 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,272 | | Review Date: September 18, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $610.00
| Rating: 9 |
|
Asahi Pentax 6x7 MLU
Pros - it is as solid and well built as the Leicaflex cameras
- several finder options
- stronger mounting for long lenses (outer bayonet)
- accurate averaging TTL meter when using gray card
- system has full array of lens focal lengths ( 30 different optical designs)
- many focusing screen options
- can handle bumps and small drops and survive
- reliable for at least 15,000 frames
- no film flatness issues
- outstanding field camera
- can be used for portraits or weddings in a pinch, especially with the 165mm LS lens
- long history of Pro users- a proven camera
- affordable lens line up when compared with other 67 cameras
- the top 10 lenses of the system can easily compete in sharpness with any 67 camera
- 2 tier lens quality-- (Takumar/Pentax plus the higher quality/price M*)
- extensive macro and close up equipment available
- having the shutter in the camera body instead of the lenses, keeps the cost of the lenses low.
Cons- I would have preferred to have the MLU be mechanical like the KX, so that one
could take the mirror down without wasting a shot.
- no half speeds----when you need to have a certain f-stop but the speeds can't get you
into the right exposure, a sacrifice of that f-stop is required. So having half
speeds would solve this.
- outer bay lens mount connectivity to the TTL has been an issue (no meter reading is seen with some bodies.)
- delicate film advance mechanism
- shutter vib at certain speeds affects longer lens sharpness.
I have been using this camera for 21 years now with 10 being professional. The Asahi Pentax 6x7 MLU has all the attributes necessary for the pro shooter to succeed. The only limitation is the shooter himself.
| |
Pentaxian Registered: February, 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,272 | | Review Date: September 14, 2009 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: N/A |
|
There should be a distinction made in this camera review section about the early non lock up Honeywell. It was made for the US market and was cosmetically different from the MLU Asahi that followed. The Honeywell had some design differences as well. The most noticable were the film spool pins; being longer than the MLU version. This made film loading very difficult because the spools just would not go into place easily. Many Honeywell owners have filed the pins to shorten them for a better fit. The non-USA version of this camera was called Asahi Pentax, so that is why there are some Asahi bodies with no MLU. The non-USA Asahi had bolder lettering on the finder when compared with the later Asahi MLU version. Besides the pin difference on the Honeywell, it also had a different film guide on the film door than the newer models. It would also shoot 21 frames when using 220. It is rare however that one could get 21 shots out of a 220 roll because part of the frame would be cut off. This is why Pentax changed their newer models to just 20 shots. The film guide roller near the take up spool was flat black instead of chrome. Only one film start mark is seen inside the body. Battery door and lens release slider are two tone; black and silver.
| |
;)
;)
