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07-21-2010, 01:14 PM   #1
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Pentax 67II and/or LF 4x5

I'm contemplating buying a Pentax 67II or a 4x5 large format camera. Or both.

I'm photographing all kinds of stuff (sports, nature, macro, studio, urban, though not street photography).

I have a K-x for birding and sports, and everything else now. But I'm interested in the Pentax 67II for the other things, and the 4x5 for mainly urban and nature.

How is the Pentax 67II for studio with a flash setup? I haven't seen any LF lenses for 67, only 645, but will it still work, maybe in a dark studio with 1/30th flash sync?

And for macro? I know you can change the view finder with a waist level 'viewfinder', which I'd expect to be good for macro where your camera is at a lower to the ground.

07-21-2010, 01:54 PM - 1 Like   #2
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I used a 6x7 for years in a studio with real studio strobes (Norman and Photogenic). The 1/30 second flash sync is a non issue.
For landscape work I prefer 4x5 for the increased depth of field that can be obtained. Shots that are routine with 4x5 are impossible with the 6x7 because of limited DOF.
07-21-2010, 02:05 PM   #3
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Tuco will likely weigh in here. He is the king of the Pentax 67 and also shoots with a Wisner 4x5. As Wheatfield said, with larger formats, DOF becomes extremely dear. The view camera's movements allow for some compensation of that.


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07-21-2010, 02:13 PM   #4
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QuoteOriginally posted by Wheatfield Quote
I used a 6x7 for years in a studio with real studio strobes (Norman and Photogenic). The 1/30 second flash sync is a non issue.
For landscape work I prefer 4x5 for the increased depth of field that can be obtained. Shots that are routine with 4x5 are impossible with the 6x7 because of limited DOF.
I figured the 1/30th to be a none-issue in a studio setting. Good to hear it's well possible to use the camera in a studio environment.

QuoteOriginally posted by stevebrot Quote
Tuco will likely weigh in here. He is the king of the Pentax 67 and also shoots with a Wisner 4x5. As Wheatfield said, with larger formats, DOF becomes extremely dear. The view camera's movements allow for some compensation of that.


Steve
The movements of the 4x5 is of course handy. That and the size of the format is why I want it for what I mentioned.

I'm figuring going with Pentax 67II first, then later add a 4x5 if I still feel the need (which I expect I will). I have a nice offer on a 67II system which is complete for what I want it for and is used carefully, so still in good shape.

Thanks you both for the replies. Appreciated =)

07-21-2010, 02:23 PM - 1 Like   #5
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there are two leaf shutter lenses for the 6x7, although on the review section I can only find the 4/165mm LS (now listed by B&H). But I'm pretty sure there's a second (shorter) one and also that there's some sort of difference between the two, not just in focal length. Should be on this forum. I'm rubbish in searching the forum....
07-21-2010, 02:44 PM   #6
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QuoteOriginally posted by Smolk Quote
there are two leaf shutter lenses for the 6x7, although on the review section I can only find the 4/165mm LS (now listed by B&H). But I'm pretty sure there's a second (shorter) one and also that there's some sort of difference between the two, not just in focal length. Should be on this forum. I'm rubbish in searching the forum....
Ok, I'll have a look. I saw through the lists of 67 lenses and saw none, so I obviously oversaw it. Thanks for the info.

Last edited by netrex; 07-21-2010 at 02:45 PM. Reason: Adding a quote, I thought Quick Reply did that.
07-21-2010, 11:25 PM - 1 Like   #7
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The SMC Takumar 90/2.8 is a leaf shutter lens, but the later SMC Pentax 90/2.8 is not. It is easy to tell the difference in a photo as the LS lens has the shutter speeds and flash contact around the front rim of the lens.

07-22-2010, 01:36 AM   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by Wheatfield Quote
I used a 6x7 for years in a studio with real studio strobes (Norman and Photogenic). The 1/30 second flash sync is a non issue.
For landscape work I prefer 4x5 for the increased depth of field that can be obtained. Shots that are routine with 4x5 are impossible with the 6x7 because of limited DOF.
I agree, I have used 8X10 format in the studio and I have found it more flexible than cameras with a fixed lens/film plane. however, the application of tilt/shift lenses on 35mm cameras shouldn't be overlooked. however these lenses are very expensive and you could probably get one for the same price that you could purchase a decent monorail 4X5.

For studio work, it depends on what lens you are using. the most common is the copal these days with the prontor and compur being used for specialised/or just-being-used-for-the-hell-of-it work.
07-22-2010, 02:49 AM   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by Digitalis Quote
I agree, I have used 8X10 format in the studio and I have found it more flexible than cameras with a fixed lens/film plane. however, the application of tilt/shift lenses on 35mm cameras shouldn't be overlooked. however these lenses are very expensive and you could probably get one for the same price that you could purchase a decent monorail 4X5.

For studio work, it depends on what lens you are using. the most common is the copal these days with the prontor and compur being used for specialised/or just-being-used-for-the-hell-of-it work.
Yeah, I've been waiting for the Hartblei 35mm 2.8 tilt shift to get into stock again, but they say it's out of production now, so the Arsat 35mm tilt shift (which is cheaper, and not as agile as the Hartblei) is the only one I know of that can be used on K-mount that's fairly new.

It's a bit sad, the Hartblei is truly great. This is what they say about it:
"The TS-PC Hartblei lens has Super-Rotator mechanism which allows both shift (10mm) and tilt (8°) in any directions. Each Shift and Tilt feature has its own independent rotating plate."

So I guess I'll be going for the Arsat to get tilt shift for my K-x.

PS: I forgot the price. It's almost 600 USD, so it's not THAT expensive IMO. http://www.hartblei.com/price_list.htm
07-22-2010, 04:44 AM   #10
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Hartblei by zeiss offer a 40mm 80mm and 90mm TS lenses, though the prices for these as all glass with the "zeiss" logo on it have a three fold price hike due to the Zeiss tick of approval. and bear in mind that the k-7 has shift ability built in, Via sensor shift capability. I don't know if the K-x has this feature.

From taking a look at the hartblei catalogue you were using, I would recommend the 80mm f/2.8 (though it is a matter of taste) my reason is that these tilt/shift lenses are usually pretty big and having a large intimidating lens is not the best tool for getting natural portraits. I prefer to have some distance between me and my models.
07-22-2010, 07:04 AM   #11
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I can't see a lot of use for T/S lenses with small format digital unless one is doing tabletop macro work. Generally, there is ample DOF available anyway, and perspective can be corrected in post as easily as it can be corrected at time of shooting.
07-22-2010, 07:14 AM - 1 Like   #12
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If you want tilt and shift in a portable 6x7, you are better off buying a baby Graflex or a(nother) field camera with an RB67 back.
07-22-2010, 08:00 AM - 1 Like   #13
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Fuji GX680

A Fuji GX 680 might be an inbetween option. A Fuji GX 680 body and film back is quite a bit bigger than my Pentax 6x7 body, but start adding lenses and it gets closer, although the GX 680 is still significantly bigger overall. The Fuji GX 680 is somewhat smaller than my Speed Graphic with its bellows extended, but heavier.
The right angle finder and ability to tilt and shift is a great feature of the GX 680 (the "s" versions do not offer tilt shift from what I understand).
07-22-2010, 09:47 AM   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by Digitalis Quote
and bear in mind that the k-7 has shift ability built in, Via sensor shift capability. I don't know if the K-x has this feature.
I did not know that the K-7 had this, thanks for the tip; does this mean the 645D shares the capability?
07-22-2010, 06:58 PM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by Smolk Quote
I did not know that the K-7 had this, thanks for the tip; does this mean the 645D shares the capability?
unfortunately no, it doesn't,There is no in body IS on the 645D. Which is what makes this sensor shift capability possible on the k-7.
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