Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

Reply
Show Printable Version Search this Thread
08-20-2014, 02:25 PM   #1
Veteran Member
dcBear78's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Gladstone, QLD
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 823
Should I buy a 67?

Going through a bit of a camera collection phase right now. Bought my first film Pentax, a Super ME, quickly followed with a K1000. Both of which I am yet to receive.

Now the 67 has me intrigued. It will mostly be a collection item but I will definitely use it too (should I get one). I like tbh e idea of using medium format if I am going to shoot film.

Probably a stupid question considering where I am posting this...

08-20-2014, 03:13 PM   #2
Veteran Member
Na Horuk's Avatar

Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Slovenia, probably
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 11,186
at least wait until you get those film cameras. 67 is pretty complex, as far as i know. Take it slow, but definitely keep an eye out on 67 bodies and lenses, and maybe snag one if you see a good price
08-20-2014, 03:25 PM   #3
Veteran Member




Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Michigan
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 2,207
I have been learning about medium format for about 2 years now.
with little collection of vintage Takumar and Graflex stuff.

If cost is a consideration, you could look at the Mamiya RB series.
About 1/3 of the Pentax 67 costs and probably of a similar (high) standard from various forum sellers and dealers like KEH.
08-20-2014, 03:44 PM   #4
Site Supporter
Site Supporter




Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Albuquerque
Posts: 1,129
I love my 6x7s. Please don't get one to put under glass and never use!

I only have the waist level finder, which I personally find conducive to MF landscape and close-up shots. Have yet to do portraits--not enough skill or confidence I guess, given the over $1/frame cost. But it is so fun and so different than digital, and 35mm film for that matter.

If you shoot B&W, most reels/developing tanks handle 135 and 120 film, which is nice. I don't have a darkroom and so digitize all my negs at home. If you're planning on digitizing at home, formats larger than 135 can require special equipment (dedicated scanners, or in my case, a jerry-rigged DSLR digitizing setup).

I find with 6x7 that I am happier with less. I have a wide (45mm), normal (105mm), and short tele (150mm). Sometimes I get the urge to replace the 150mm with a 165mm, or to supplement the 105mm with the almost-pancake 90mm...but other than that I am currently satisfied.

For some reason I salivate over all different kinds of lenses for APS-C and 35mm, but am content with what I have for 6x7. Go figure.


Last edited by filoxophy; 08-20-2014 at 04:15 PM. Reason: Added stuff
08-20-2014, 04:31 PM   #5
Inactive Account




Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: LONDON
Posts: 136
QuoteOriginally posted by filoxophy Quote
I love my 6x7s. Please don't get one to put under glass and never use!

I only have the waist level finder, which I personally find conducive to MF landscape and close-up shots. Have yet to do portraits--not enough skill or confidence I guess, given the over $1/frame cost. But it is so fun and so different than digital, and 35mm film for that matter.

If you shoot B&W, most reels/developing tanks handle 135 and 120 film, which is nice. I don't have a darkroom and so digitize all my negs at home. If you're planning on digitizing at home, formats larger than 135 can require special equipment (dedicated scanners, or in my case, a jerry-rigged DSLR digitizing setup).

I find with 6x7 that I am happier with less. I have a wide (45mm), normal (105mm), and short tele (150mm). Sometimes I get the urge to replace the 150mm with a 165mm, or to supplement the 105mm with the almost-pancake 90mm...but other than that I am currently satisfied.

For some reason I salivate over all different kinds of lenses for APS-C and 35mm, but am content with what I have for 6x7. Go figure.

If you use an aps-c to 'scan' the 6x7 do you not end up being at the mercy of the APS-C sensor making using MF futile ?
08-20-2014, 04:51 PM   #6
Site Supporter
Site Supporter




Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Albuquerque
Posts: 1,129
QuoteOriginally posted by chaza01 Quote
If you use an aps-c to 'scan' the 6x7 do you not end up being at the mercy of the APS-C sensor making using MF futile ?
I don't make giant prints, so no I am not. A 16mp reproduction is more than acceptable for my use. If you're talking about the MF "look" or shallow DOF or what have you, that was captured in the negative. Certainly the quality of my digitizing process is a bottleneck for ultimate quality, but in my personal experience it is sufficient for my uses.

Also, as I tried to convey, shooting 6x7 for me is just a different thing. I take different pics with 6x7 than I do with my K-5II or my SLRs. Whether it's the WLF, the film cost, the size of the body...whatever it is, it's a different (and enjoyably so) experience. YMMV
08-20-2014, 04:57 PM   #7
Inactive Account




Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: LONDON
Posts: 136
QuoteOriginally posted by filoxophy Quote
I don't make giant prints, so no I am not. A 16mp reproduction is more than acceptable for my use. If you're talking about the MF "look" or shallow DOF or what have you, that was captured in the negative. Certainly the quality of my digitizing process is a bottleneck for ultimate quality, but in my personal experience it is sufficient for my uses.

Also, as I tried to convey, shooting 6x7 for me is just a different thing. I take different pics with 6x7 than I do with my K-5II or my SLRs. Whether it's the WLF, the film cost, the size of the body...whatever it is, it's a different (and enjoyably so) experience. YMMV
I understand . I'm interested in a 35mm scanner - are there any decently priced ones you know of?

08-20-2014, 05:29 PM   #8
Site Supporter
Site Supporter




Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Albuquerque
Posts: 1,129
The Pakon 135 has its fans. Available used on the bay. My all in one printer has a 135 film holder for scanning, but I haven't got satisfactory results. Would love to get a Nikon 9000 or Epson 700 or such, but we'll see. Some other MF scanners are available new as well, which maybe someone can chime in on. Anyway, back OT...
08-20-2014, 06:12 PM   #9
Veteran Member




Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Michigan
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 2,207
QuoteOriginally posted by filoxophy Quote
Some other MF scanners are available new as well, which maybe someone can chime in on.
Oh Yes, If you are going to scan medium format C41, which is almost the only way these days,
with the concept of "spread functions'or " weakest links", it is daunting to go through all the rigmarole of setting up a 67 kit and learning how to use it, only to end up with junk scans.

I went through all that and now have a PrimeFilmPro120 scanner for the 6x7 and 35mm.
That scanner cost as much as a 35mm dslr, and so it is not justified rationally.

But 6x7 C41, while old technology, is challenging and fun, we don't have to rationalize our hobbies do we?
08-20-2014, 06:21 PM   #10
Senior Member




Join Date: Feb 2013
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 140
I just bought a 6x7 with the 135mm Macro, the 90mm f2.8, wood grip and TTL meter. It's a beast, literally.
08-20-2014, 07:13 PM   #11
Veteran Member




Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Michigan
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 2,207
QuoteOriginally posted by Drake Avenue Quote
It's a beast, literally.
In comparison to the latest main brand 35mm dslrs?
We went to a beach wedding last weekend where the photographer and his 2 assistants were all armed with enormous dslrs. Assistant #2 had a milky filter on hers and was using it as an incident meter near the bride's face, and calling numbers to the chief. From some reading later, I think they were setting manual WB as the sun went down.
Well if that works I am in favor of it in preference to post processing.

I later tried that on the K-01 and it can only say the color temp via the raw, not available on the camera lcd.
08-20-2014, 08:09 PM   #12
Senior Member




Join Date: Feb 2013
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 140
I believe with the TTL meter, wood grip, and 135mm it weighs somewhere around ten pounds. It dwarfs my K5iis with grip and FA* 85mm f1.4
08-20-2014, 08:26 PM   #13
Site Supporter
Site Supporter




Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Saskatchewan
Posts: 256
QuoteOriginally posted by Drake Avenue Quote
I believe with the TTL meter, wood grip, and 135mm it weighs somewhere around ten pounds. It dwarfs my K5iis with grip and FA* 85mm f1.4
I do believe the 10 lbs story is bit much or else you need to get that bathroom scale re-calibrated( I could say something here but won't ;-). The Pentax 67 is not any more difficult to operate than any 35mm camera, except film loading is a bit more fiddley. Negative quality will be amazing if you get things right - no histograms or blinkies to help you I'm afraid. For decent MF scans, get an Epson 600 or a Canoscan equivalent.
08-20-2014, 09:24 PM   #14
Senior Member




Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Newcastle, AU!
Posts: 276
Get a 67. Any of them. Shoot slide film. It's the single greatest photographic thing to look at. Then want bigger
08-21-2014, 09:15 AM   #15
Veteran Member
LFLee's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Southern California
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 2,292
No, don't buy a P67.... I made that mistake.
because like me, you will want a P67II, a 6x7, then you will look into P645, P645N, P645NII....

before you know, those money can buy you a FF DSLR....
Reply

Bookmarks
  • Submit Thread to Facebook Facebook
  • Submit Thread to Twitter Twitter
  • Submit Thread to Digg Digg
Tags - Make this thread easier to find by adding keywords to it!
35mm, 6x7, build, camera, collection, film, films, medium format
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Should I buy SMC 100mm if I got Pentax-A 35-105/3.5? malenisjaj Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 8 04-26-2014 11:29 AM
Why should I buy a prime? ecruz Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 45 01-03-2014 10:55 PM
Should i buy a used Phoenix 100-500mm? shark7 Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 5 07-09-2013 08:32 AM
Should I buy this laptop to speed up my workflow or buy a new lens? crossover37 Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 26 09-24-2010 09:41 AM
Should I be a good Pentax choirboy and buy a DA 15 Limited or buy the Sigma 10-20mm? tokyoso Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 42 03-14-2010 04:54 PM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 02:20 AM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top