Pentax 645Z Hands-On Field Test - The Camera Store

**interested_observer** · 07-16-2014, 07:09 AM - **2 Likes**

You Tube

philbaum · 07-16-2014, 10:33 AM

Thanks for posting this video. I really like the videos the Camera Store does, i think they're fair in pointing out the weaknesses, strengths and putting them into perspective.

**jpzk** · 07-16-2014, 10:36 AM

I believe this is the same as : https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/48-pentax-645d-medium-format/268157-tcstv...est-video.html
if I am not mistaken?

Na Horuk · 07-16-2014, 11:44 AM

Looks like this camera has similar weaknesses as Pentax always had with video. Maybe a firmware upgrade will help with that..
But Pentax specializes in stills, and the 645Z seems to be doing well in that regard

mikeSF · 07-16-2014, 11:46 AM

wow, that handheld macro shot!
This camera looks like a winner.

RonHendriks1966 · 07-16-2014, 12:08 PM

Originally posted by tuco

It looks like a conflict between video and stills is forming in one camera. The video guys said they would like to see higher base ISO for video. More in line with the current crop of high-end video cameras in the ISO 800-1000 range. Landscapers doing stills typically want lower ISO for dynamic range. Assuming a camera with a base ISO of 800-1000 does not have as good of dynamic range as one much lower, I don't see this video/still camera combo working for the best of both worlds.

I think they mean they want cleaner output on hi iso settings. Also with Canon you can use hi iso settings above iso3200 and not with Pentax.

Hakusan · 07-16-2014, 06:13 PM

Originally posted by mikeSF

wow, that handheld macro shot!
This camera looks like a winner.

??? You can do handheld macro shots with the 645D and a whole bunch of other cameras as well.

---------- Post added 07-16-14 at 09:17 PM ----------

Originally posted by tuco

Yes by making the base ISO higher. Are still photographers going to want that? I don't know because I can't say if the DR would still be the same if the base ISO is higher.

It does not really matter. Signal would be higher and that would be enough of a reason to go to a lower ISO even if DR does not increase. But considering other Sony sensors, the "base" ISO would be around 100 ISO, where 50 ISO would give the same DR, but with better signal.

itshimitis · 07-17-2014, 12:49 AM

Originally posted by Hakusan

??? You can do handheld macro shots with the 645D and a whole bunch of other cameras as well.

---------- Post added 07-16-14 at 09:17 PM ----------

It does not really matter. Signal would be higher and that would be enough of a reason to go to a lower ISO even if DR does not increase. But considering other Sony sensors, the "base" ISO would be around 100 ISO, where 50 ISO would give the same DR, but with better signal.

I'm no technician in any sense (the charts bore me!) but isn't the ISP 50 on a D800/5D3 simply an amplified ISO 100? If you made the base ISO 1000, wouldn't everything below it be amplified? I could be wrong, but wouldn't still shooters lose something here? I've always seen advice to always shoot at the cameras base ISO.

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07-16-2014, 10:33 AM	#2
philbaum Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Port Townsend, Washington State, USA Posts: 3,659	Thanks for posting this video. I really like the videos the Camera Store does, i think they're fair in pointing out the weaknesses, strengths and putting them into perspective.

07-16-2014, 10:36 AM	#3
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	I believe this is the same as : https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/48-pentax-645d-medium-format/268157-tcstv...est-video.html if I am not mistaken?

07-16-2014, 11:44 AM	#4
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Looks like this camera has similar weaknesses as Pentax always had with video. Maybe a firmware upgrade will help with that.. But Pentax specializes in stills, and the 645Z seems to be doing well in that regard

07-16-2014, 11:46 AM	#5
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,620	wow, that handheld macro shot! This camera looks like a winner.

07-16-2014, 12:08 PM	#6
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	Originally posted by tuco It looks like a conflict between video and stills is forming in one camera. The video guys said they would like to see higher base ISO for video. More in line with the current crop of high-end video cameras in the ISO 800-1000 range. Landscapers doing stills typically want lower ISO for dynamic range. Assuming a camera with a base ISO of 800-1000 does not have as good of dynamic range as one much lower, I don't see this video/still camera combo working for the best of both worlds. I think they mean they want cleaner output on hi iso settings. Also with Canon you can use hi iso settings above iso3200 and not with Pentax.

07-16-2014, 06:13 PM	#7
Hakusan Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Maine Posts: 51	Originally posted by mikeSF wow, that handheld macro shot! This camera looks like a winner. ??? You can do handheld macro shots with the 645D and a whole bunch of other cameras as well. ---------- Post added 07-16-14 at 09:17 PM ---------- Originally posted by tuco Yes by making the base ISO higher. Are still photographers going to want that? I don't know because I can't say if the DR would still be the same if the base ISO is higher. It does not really matter. Signal would be higher and that would be enough of a reason to go to a lower ISO even if DR does not increase. But considering other Sony sensors, the "base" ISO would be around 100 ISO, where 50 ISO would give the same DR, but with better signal.

07-17-2014, 12:49 AM	#8
itshimitis Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: All over the place Posts: 3,535	Originally posted by Hakusan ??? You can do handheld macro shots with the 645D and a whole bunch of other cameras as well. ---------- Post added 07-16-14 at 09:17 PM ---------- It does not really matter. Signal would be higher and that would be enough of a reason to go to a lower ISO even if DR does not increase. But considering other Sony sensors, the "base" ISO would be around 100 ISO, where 50 ISO would give the same DR, but with better signal. I'm no technician in any sense (the charts bore me!) but isn't the ISP 50 on a D800/5D3 simply an amplified ISO 100? If you made the base ISO 1000, wouldn't everything below it be amplified? I could be wrong, but wouldn't still shooters lose something here? I've always seen advice to always shoot at the cameras base ISO.