is 645z an FF we all were waiting for?

richard balonglong · 05-01-2014, 01:23 AM

"is 645z an FF we all were waiting for?"
The Pentax 645z is a great and a revolutionary camera, but it will never be a replacement for a 35mm full frame format except for photographers who needs or demands more from a 35mm format.
There's going to be a lot of photographers (either hobbyist or professional) around the world that will love the 645z, but the majority would still prefer a 35mm format due to its flexibility and speed, wider choice of lenses and their availability, its size and weight, and also including the price where many can't afford or can't justify to buy it even though it's the cheapest digital medium format camera.
For me, I would love to own a 645z, but considering my current financial challenges and the type and taste of photography that I'm doing, a Pentax digital 35mm full frame system would be the best system for my needs and wants.

And according to Pentax's latest lens road map where a 70-200mm lens showed up in the chart, that's a sign for an upcoming Pentax full frame - I hope so

. A 70-200mm lens is a gem lens for a full frame system, it's also great on cropped sensor but the focal length is perfectly designed for full frame camera.

Cheers...

Last edited by richard balonglong; 05-01-2014 at 03:28 AM.

i83N · 05-01-2014, 09:44 AM - **1 Like**

Ok here is a prof that MF can shoot sports Beautiful Large Format Images Captured at the Sochi Olympics with a 4x5 Camera

normhead · 05-01-2014, 09:53 AM

Given that I intend to keep using my k-3 for wildlife.. and am looking for low light with good dynamic range performance for landscape a 645Z makes any FF camera less desirable. Looking at an FF there will always be that ... ya but it's not as good as a645Z thing happening in the back of my mind. But hey, I'm one guy. I'm guessing the 645Z won't stop most from wanting 36x24 sensor. Me and a few others will though.

ChristianRock · 05-01-2014, 10:01 AM

No, the 645Z is not the FF I have been looking for.
I would buy something in the $2K range. That tells you why I don't even consider the 645Z plus its lenses. Completely out of my price range.
If a Pentax FF came out in the $3K range I probably wouldn't consider it either, and just upgrade to the K-3.

cali92rs · 05-01-2014, 10:04 AM

Originally posted by i83N

Ok here is a prof that MF can shoot sports Beautiful Large Format Images Captured at the Sochi Olympics with a 4x5 Camera

No one said it can't be done...you can shoot sports with an iphone too, that doesn't mean it is the optimal tool for the job.
One thing all those photos have in common is motion blur. That's fine if you are looking at a purely artistic point of view. But if you are a sports journalist that wants to stop the motion of a batter making contact with a baseball, it's not going to happen with that 4x5.

normhead · 05-01-2014, 10:11 AM

Shooting sports, is not a big part of most enthusiasts lives. And stopping baseballs on a baseball bat is not even part of most sports shooters lives... why do people do this insane stuff?

ChristianRock · 05-01-2014, 10:39 AM

Well, I bet there's a lot of us who like to shoot our kids playing sports. We don't need a D4s for that, but I think APS-C is a good sweet spot for that kind of application.
You don't have to shoot professional sports to "shoot sports".

i83N · 05-01-2014, 02:13 PM

Originally posted by ChristianRock

Well, I bet there's a lot of us who like to shoot our kids playing sports. We don't need a D4s for that, but I think APS-C is a good sweet spot for that kind of application.
You don't have to shoot professional sports to "shoot sports".

good point

robthebloke · 05-01-2014, 05:54 PM

Glancing towards my fa 77, I'd say no.

Having had a play on the k-3, I'd say no.

Glancing towards my 645 film body, maybe, but not at that price (for me anyway).

Tbh, if you've ever shot with a 645 or 67, it's easy to ignore the bulk for the joy of using the viewfinder. I guess that's how the canikon users feel

The 645z has become my new fantasy camera, but the k-3 is probably the next camera I will actually buy. If Pentax come out with an ff, I'd be torn.

It's Pentax though, so I suspect they'd probably release a k-3/6x6 (with 24x24mm sensor) before they release FF. I'd buy that for a 10% degradation in corner quality on the 15mm da

tuco · 05-02-2014, 08:07 AM

Originally posted by i83N

Ok here is a prof that MF can shoot sports Beautiful Large Format Images Captured at the Sochi Olympics with a 4x5 Camera

When we say "sports camera" today, the inference is not a pre-setup, pre-focused shot where you wait for the subject to arrive at a certain location. Any camera can do that, right? And I'd say that 4x5 can be shutter speed challenged for freeze-frame and fast moving type shots.

cali92rs · 05-02-2014, 10:35 AM

Originally posted by normhead

why do people do this insane stuff?

Maybe because it looks cool and people don't want pictures of blurry athletes.

philbaum · 05-02-2014, 11:34 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by i83N

Ok here is a prof that MF can shoot sports Beautiful Large Format Images Captured at the Sochi Olympics with a 4x5 Camera

I think we should celebrate the art of photography wherever we find it, and spend less time debating what camera models fall into what categories.

And there's a lot of art in those Sochi shots made by that 4x5 camera. I know a few photographers in my camera club who buy the latest camera year after year. But that isn't art, thats "buying". Show me the art, whether its painted, from film, digital, ect. I must be in the wrong forum, again :-)

jogiba · 05-07-2014, 06:28 AM

Originally posted by i83N

Or should we still for FF?

I think a $1,700 24mp Pentax FF would sell much better since you could use the 25 million full frame K mount lenses out there but the new $8,500 50mp 645Z with ISO Sensitivity Range of 100 - 204,800 is much better than the old 40mp 645D was with an ISO Sensitivity Range of 100 - 1,600 for $10,000 when it came out.

markac · 05-13-2014, 06:58 PM

No. It's a Medium Format camera and unfortunately not even a full frame MF at that. It's also far more expensive than most of us would want to pay for a FF (35mm size) DSLR.

phoebus · 05-14-2014, 02:06 AM - **1 Like**

The major assets Pentax (Ricoh) have against the other suppliers of DSLRs is the large back catalogue of SLR lenses and the in-body image stabilisation. No other supplier offers both.

A FF Pentax K mount DSLR could only have large market appeal by continuing to offer both those features (which seem like a given).

The 645z offers neither... ...so NO!

05-02-2014, 08:07 AM	#40
tuco Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pugetopolis Posts: 11,026	Originally posted by i83N Ok here is a prof that MF can shoot sports Beautiful Large Format Images Captured at the Sochi Olympics with a 4x5 Camera When we say "sports camera" today, the inference is not a pre-setup, pre-focused shot where you wait for the subject to arrive at a certain location. Any camera can do that, right? And I'd say that 4x5 can be shutter speed challenged for freeze-frame and fast moving type shots. Last edited by tuco; 05-02-2014 at 08:13 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Know anyone who died waiting for Pentax FF?	pinholecam	Pentax Full Frame	79	03-28-2014 09:30 AM
We are really tire to wait for Pentax FF.	rlatjsrud	Pentax Full Frame	92	10-15-2013 02:54 AM
Eleven years ago we were attacked so we get to do whatever we want forever!	boriscleto	General Talk	8	10-02-2012 07:07 AM
Nature Remember when we were all like little sparrows...	luftfluss	Post Your Photos!	14	07-05-2012 05:00 AM
Can we just say Pakistan is not an ally	GeneV	General Talk	81	05-30-2012 11:53 AM

05-01-2014, 01:23 AM	#31
richard balonglong Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Baguio City, Philippines Photos: Gallery Posts: 350	*"is 645z an FF we all were waiting for?"* The Pentax 645z is a great and a revolutionary camera, but it will never be a replacement for a 35mm full frame format except for photographers who needs or demands more from a 35mm format. There's going to be a lot of photographers (either hobbyist or professional) around the world that will love the 645z, but the majority would still prefer a 35mm format due to its flexibility and speed, wider choice of lenses and their availability, its size and weight, and also including the price where many can't afford or can't justify to buy it even though it's the cheapest digital medium format camera. For me, I would love to own a 645z, but considering my current financial challenges and the type and taste of photography that I'm doing, a Pentax digital 35mm full frame system would be the best system for my needs and wants. And according to Pentax's latest lens road map where a 70-200mm lens showed up in the chart, that's a sign for an upcoming Pentax full frame - I hope so . A 70-200mm lens is a gem lens for a full frame system, it's also great on cropped sensor but the focal length is perfectly designed for full frame camera. Cheers... Last edited by richard balonglong; 05-01-2014 at 03:28 AM.

05-01-2014, 09:44 AM - 1 Like	#32
i83N Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Lithuania Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,203 Original Poster	Ok here is a prof that MF can shoot sports Beautiful Large Format Images Captured at the Sochi Olympics with a 4x5 Camera

05-01-2014, 09:53 AM	#33
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Given that I intend to keep using my k-3 for wildlife.. and am looking for low light with good dynamic range performance for landscape a 645Z makes any FF camera less desirable. Looking at an FF there will always be that ... ya but it's not as good as a645Z thing happening in the back of my mind. But hey, I'm one guy. I'm guessing the 645Z won't stop most from wanting 36x24 sensor. Me and a few others will though.

05-01-2014, 10:01 AM	#34
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910	No, the 645Z is not the FF I have been looking for. I would buy something in the $2K range. That tells you why I don't even consider the 645Z plus its lenses. Completely out of my price range. If a Pentax FF came out in the $3K range I probably wouldn't consider it either, and just upgrade to the K-3.

05-01-2014, 10:04 AM	#35
cali92rs Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 3,354	Originally posted by i83N Ok here is a prof that MF can shoot sports Beautiful Large Format Images Captured at the Sochi Olympics with a 4x5 Camera No one said it can't be done...you can shoot sports with an iphone too, that doesn't mean it is the optimal tool for the job. One thing all those photos have in common is motion blur. That's fine if you are looking at a purely artistic point of view. But if you are a sports journalist that wants to stop the motion of a batter making contact with a baseball, it's not going to happen with that 4x5.

05-01-2014, 10:11 AM	#36
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	Shooting sports, is not a big part of most enthusiasts lives. And stopping baseballs on a baseball bat is not even part of most sports shooters lives... why do people do this insane stuff?

05-01-2014, 10:39 AM	#37
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910	Well, I bet there's a lot of us who like to shoot our kids playing sports. We don't need a D4s for that, but I think APS-C is a good sweet spot for that kind of application. You don't have to shoot professional sports to "shoot sports".

05-01-2014, 02:13 PM	#38
i83N Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Lithuania Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,203 Original Poster	Originally posted by ChristianRock Well, I bet there's a lot of us who like to shoot our kids playing sports. We don't need a D4s for that, but I think APS-C is a good sweet spot for that kind of application. You don't have to shoot professional sports to "shoot sports". good point

05-01-2014, 05:54 PM	#39
robthebloke Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Sydney Photos: Albums Posts: 844	Glancing towards my fa 77, I'd say no. Having had a play on the k-3, I'd say no. Glancing towards my 645 film body, maybe, but not at that price (for me anyway). Tbh, if you've ever shot with a 645 or 67, it's easy to ignore the bulk for the joy of using the viewfinder. I guess that's how the canikon users feel The 645z has become my new fantasy camera, but the k-3 is probably the next camera I will actually buy. If Pentax come out with an ff, I'd be torn. It's Pentax though, so I suspect they'd probably release a k-3/6x6 (with 24x24mm sensor) before they release FF. I'd buy that for a 10% degradation in corner quality on the 15mm da

05-02-2014, 10:35 AM	#41
cali92rs Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 3,354	Originally posted by normhead why do people do this insane stuff? Maybe because it looks cool and people don't want pictures of blurry athletes.

05-02-2014, 11:34 AM - 1 Like	#42
philbaum Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Port Townsend, Washington State, USA Posts: 3,659	Originally posted by i83N Ok here is a prof that MF can shoot sports Beautiful Large Format Images Captured at the Sochi Olympics with a 4x5 Camera I think we should celebrate the art of photography wherever we find it, and spend less time debating what camera models fall into what categories. And there's a lot of art in those Sochi shots made by that 4x5 camera. I know a few photographers in my camera club who buy the latest camera year after year. But that isn't art, thats "buying". Show me the art, whether its painted, from film, digital, ect. I must be in the wrong forum, again :-)

05-07-2014, 06:28 AM	#43
jogiba Banned Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Millstone,NJ Posts: 6,491	Originally posted by i83N Or should we still for FF? I think a $1,700 24mp Pentax FF would sell much better since you could use the 25 million full frame K mount lenses out there but the new $8,500 50mp 645Z with ISO Sensitivity Range of 100 - 204,800 is much better than the old 40mp 645D was with an ISO Sensitivity Range of 100 - 1,600 for $10,000 when it came out.

05-13-2014, 06:58 PM	#44
markac Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Adelaide Posts: 84	No. It's a Medium Format camera and unfortunately not even a full frame MF at that. It's also far more expensive than most of us would want to pay for a FF (35mm size) DSLR.

05-14-2014, 02:06 AM - 1 Like	#45
phoebus Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Buckinghamshire (UK) / Morbihan (FR) Photos: Gallery Posts: 470	The major assets Pentax (Ricoh) have against the other suppliers of DSLRs is the large back catalogue of SLR lenses and the in-body image stabilisation. No other supplier offers both. A FF Pentax K mount DSLR could only have large market appeal by continuing to offer both those features (which seem like a given). The 645z offers neither... ...so NO!