real world 645D and 645Z comparison

acarlay · 08-21-2014, 07:26 AM - **1 Like**

I own both cameras and have owned the 645d since 2011 and I have close to a month of experience with the Z. Now that I've settled down with the Z i decided to do a writeup between the D and the Z. Here you can read on blogpost and let me know what you think.

Comparing Pentax 645D and 645Z – Part I | AL CARLAY

texandrews · 08-21-2014, 07:53 AM

Originally posted by acarlay

I own both cameras and have owned the 645d since 2011 and I have close to a month of experience with the Z. Now that I've settled down with the Z i decided to do a writeup between the D and the Z. Here you can read on blogpost and let me know what you think.

Comparing Pentax 645D and 645Z – Part I | AL CARLAY

Hey everybody, check this one out---quick and good, with some very interesting results.

JinDesu · 08-21-2014, 07:59 AM

Yep, very well done. The Z looks worth it, but the D ain't no slouch.

Royce Howland · 08-21-2014, 08:39 AM

Great report, Al. Lots of work involved and more to come; thanks for sharing your initial thoughts. As another D + Z owner, I hope to do something similar in my area of work. But it's a real investment of time to document this stuff and I just haven't had the free cycles to do it yet.

Ryan Tischer · 08-21-2014, 08:55 AM

Thank you for sharing this!

acarlay · 08-21-2014, 08:57 AM

thanks guys.. yes it's hard work to document these things.. it requires full time resource. I am blown away by the Z and how much more usable the camera is that i plan to blog about it every week..yes the D is no slouch but it is looking a little old compared to the Z.. but the kodak ccd sensor does give natural results that would be a hard thing to let go off.

btw i did "First Look" blog post here..

First look at Pentax 645z | AL CARLAY

btnapa · 08-21-2014, 10:17 AM

Thank you for doing the test. Your results are telling and I appreciate getting to know the camera without having the camera myself.

I own a pair of K3s but I am saving up to get the 645. I have purchased a 120 macro (manual) and a 200 f4 (auto focus) in preparation for the arrival of the 645. My intended use would be for nature and landscape photography. The extra dynamic range of the Z is a welcomed advantage. However, my questions is that if the Z would give the extra resolution for large blow ups (40"x60" range).

In another words, is the Z worth the extra money in the resolution department. I know that spec wise it is a superior camera to the D but just purely for nature shots which you need detail, would it be worth the extra money?

Is there anyway you could shoot an outdoor image (trees and branches with lots of detail) to show the resolving power of the Z vs. D

Thanks,
Boris

acarlay · 08-21-2014, 11:05 AM

Originally posted by btnapa

Thank you for doing the test. Your results are telling and I appreciate getting to know the camera without having the camera myself.

I own a pair of K3s but I am saving up to get the 645. I have purchased a 120 macro (manual) and a 200 f4 (auto focus) in preparation for the arrival of the 645. My intended use would be for nature and landscape photography. The extra dynamic range of the Z is a welcomed advantage. However, my questions is that if the Z would give the extra resolution for large blow ups (40"x60" range).

In another words, is the Z worth the extra money in the resolution department. I know that spec wise it is a superior camera to the D but just purely for nature shots which you need detail, would it be worth the extra money?

Is there anyway you could shoot an outdoor image (trees and branches with lots of detail) to show the resolving power of the Z vs. D

Thanks,
Boris

yes i can take a nature shot for you to see the resolution vs the D..

isaacimage · 08-24-2014, 08:05 PM

Originally posted by acarlay

I own both cameras and have owned the 645d since 2011 and I have close to a month of experience with the Z. Now that I've settled down with the Z i decided to do a writeup between the D and the Z. Here you can read on blogpost and let me know what you think.

Comparing Pentax 645D and 645Z – Part I | AL CARLAY

Hi acaray
are you using 75mm AF lens or it's a manual focusing ?
And BTW how does it compare to a new 90mm F2.8 ?
Tanx
George

acarlay · 08-25-2014, 06:23 AM

hi isaacimage.. i have the FA 75 but only use manual focus on this lens. The new 90/2.8 is a nice lens but it's heavy and it's kinda long with the hood so carrying it around for snapshots can be a little intimidating. I prefer the 75/2.8 over the new 90/2.8. Honestly I think the 90/2.8 is overpriced and you can get similar shots with the 75/2.8 and 120/f4 for much much less.

isaacimage · 08-25-2014, 06:31 AM

Originally posted by acarlay

hi isaacimage.. i have the FA 75 but only use manual focus on this lens. The new 90/2.8 is a nice lens but it's heavy and it's kinda long with the hood so carrying it around for snapshots can be a little intimidating. I prefer the 75/2.8 over the new 90/2.8. Honestly I think the 90/2.8 is overpriced and you can get similar shots with the 75/2.8 and 120/f4 for much much less.

Thank you for the fast reply.
And how is the manual focusing experience compared to canon 1dx for example with 645Z viewfinder? is it bigger ?
did you changed the focusing screen or you are using the stock one ?
Tanx

Royce Howland · 08-25-2014, 07:11 AM

The 645Z viewfinder (as with the 645D before it) is larger and brighter than any 35mm camera. This effect is described in pretty well every review of the camera, and it's a pretty useful thing for manual focusing. I manual focus by eye through the viewfinder quite frequently, using old manual focus lenses. I don't find it too difficult, as long as I'm not shooting some kind of action situation. I use the stock focusing screen.

acarlay · 08-25-2014, 08:54 AM

the 645Z viewfinder (stock) is brighter than the 645D and easier to do manual focus as Royce said..

isaacimage · 08-25-2014, 09:34 AM

Thank you dear friends for the detailed answer.
Still debating 645Z vs D810

… tough choice when you trying to save

bull drinkwater · 08-28-2014, 12:23 AM

when I look at your comparison, I find nothing to dispute. I am not learned enough to worry about the difference, so i'll stick with my "D" and learn more camera settings.i have taken about 500 pics in my last three outings, as l look over my work , I see I have a lot more to learn about the camera I have now.

08-21-2014, 07:26 AM - 1 Like	#1
acarlay Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 90	real world 645D and 645Z comparison I own both cameras and have owned the 645d since 2011 and I have close to a month of experience with the Z. Now that I've settled down with the Z i decided to do a writeup between the D and the Z. Here you can read on blogpost and let me know what you think. Comparing Pentax 645D and 645Z – Part I \| AL CARLAY

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08-21-2014, 07:53 AM	#2
texandrews Moderator Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Baltimore Photos: Albums Posts: 3,390	Originally posted by acarlay I own both cameras and have owned the 645d since 2011 and I have close to a month of experience with the Z. Now that I've settled down with the Z i decided to do a writeup between the D and the Z. Here you can read on blogpost and let me know what you think. Comparing Pentax 645D and 645Z – Part I \| AL CARLAY Hey everybody, check this one out---quick and good, with some very interesting results.

08-21-2014, 07:59 AM	#3
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	Yep, very well done. The Z looks worth it, but the D ain't no slouch.

08-21-2014, 08:39 AM	#4
Royce Howland Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Calgary, Alberta Posts: 275	Great report, Al. Lots of work involved and more to come; thanks for sharing your initial thoughts. As another D + Z owner, I hope to do something similar in my area of work. But it's a real investment of time to document this stuff and I just haven't had the free cycles to do it yet.

08-21-2014, 08:55 AM	#5
Ryan Tischer Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Duluth, Minnesota Photos: Albums Posts: 458	Thank you for sharing this!

08-21-2014, 08:57 AM	#6
acarlay Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 90 Original Poster	thanks guys.. yes it's hard work to document these things.. it requires full time resource. I am blown away by the Z and how much more usable the camera is that i plan to blog about it every week..yes the D is no slouch but it is looking a little old compared to the Z.. but the kodak ccd sensor does give natural results that would be a hard thing to let go off. btw i did "First Look" blog post here.. First look at Pentax 645z \| AL CARLAY

08-21-2014, 10:17 AM	#7
btnapa Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 1,614	Thank you for doing the test. Your results are telling and I appreciate getting to know the camera without having the camera myself. I own a pair of K3s but I am saving up to get the 645. I have purchased a 120 macro (manual) and a 200 f4 (auto focus) in preparation for the arrival of the 645. My intended use would be for nature and landscape photography. The extra dynamic range of the Z is a welcomed advantage. However, my questions is that if the Z would give the extra resolution for large blow ups (40"x60" range). In another words, is the Z worth the extra money in the resolution department. I know that spec wise it is a superior camera to the D but just purely for nature shots which you need detail, would it be worth the extra money? Is there anyway you could shoot an outdoor image (trees and branches with lots of detail) to show the resolving power of the Z vs. D Thanks, Boris

08-21-2014, 11:05 AM	#8
acarlay Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 90 Original Poster	Originally posted by btnapa Thank you for doing the test. Your results are telling and I appreciate getting to know the camera without having the camera myself. I own a pair of K3s but I am saving up to get the 645. I have purchased a 120 macro (manual) and a 200 f4 (auto focus) in preparation for the arrival of the 645. My intended use would be for nature and landscape photography. The extra dynamic range of the Z is a welcomed advantage. However, my questions is that if the Z would give the extra resolution for large blow ups (40"x60" range). In another words, is the Z worth the extra money in the resolution department. I know that spec wise it is a superior camera to the D but just purely for nature shots which you need detail, would it be worth the extra money? Is there anyway you could shoot an outdoor image (trees and branches with lots of detail) to show the resolving power of the Z vs. D Thanks, Boris yes i can take a nature shot for you to see the resolution vs the D..

08-24-2014, 08:05 PM	#9
isaacimage New Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Toronto Posts: 3	Originally posted by acarlay I own both cameras and have owned the 645d since 2011 and I have close to a month of experience with the Z. Now that I've settled down with the Z i decided to do a writeup between the D and the Z. Here you can read on blogpost and let me know what you think. Comparing Pentax 645D and 645Z – Part I \| AL CARLAY Hi acaray are you using 75mm AF lens or it's a manual focusing ? And BTW how does it compare to a new 90mm F2.8 ? Tanx George

08-25-2014, 06:23 AM	#10
acarlay Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 90 Original Poster	hi isaacimage.. i have the FA 75 but only use manual focus on this lens. The new 90/2.8 is a nice lens but it's heavy and it's kinda long with the hood so carrying it around for snapshots can be a little intimidating. I prefer the 75/2.8 over the new 90/2.8. Honestly I think the 90/2.8 is overpriced and you can get similar shots with the 75/2.8 and 120/f4 for much much less.

08-25-2014, 06:31 AM	#11
isaacimage New Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Toronto Posts: 3	Originally posted by acarlay hi isaacimage.. i have the FA 75 but only use manual focus on this lens. The new 90/2.8 is a nice lens but it's heavy and it's kinda long with the hood so carrying it around for snapshots can be a little intimidating. I prefer the 75/2.8 over the new 90/2.8. Honestly I think the 90/2.8 is overpriced and you can get similar shots with the 75/2.8 and 120/f4 for much much less. Thank you for the fast reply. And how is the manual focusing experience compared to canon 1dx for example with 645Z viewfinder? is it bigger ? did you changed the focusing screen or you are using the stock one ? Tanx

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08-25-2014, 07:11 AM	#12
Royce Howland Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Calgary, Alberta Posts: 275	The 645Z viewfinder (as with the 645D before it) is larger and brighter than any 35mm camera. This effect is described in pretty well every review of the camera, and it's a pretty useful thing for manual focusing. I manual focus by eye through the viewfinder quite frequently, using old manual focus lenses. I don't find it too difficult, as long as I'm not shooting some kind of action situation. I use the stock focusing screen.

08-25-2014, 08:54 AM	#13
acarlay Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 90 Original Poster	the 645Z viewfinder (stock) is brighter than the 645D and easier to do manual focus as Royce said..

08-25-2014, 09:34 AM	#14
isaacimage New Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Toronto Posts: 3	Thank you dear friends for the detailed answer. Still debating 645Z vs D810 … tough choice when you trying to save

08-28-2014, 12:23 AM	#15
bull drinkwater Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: pontiac mi. Posts: 392	when I look at your comparison, I find nothing to dispute. I am not learned enough to worry about the difference, so i'll stick with my "D" and learn more camera settings.i have taken about 500 pics in my last three outings, as l look over my work , I see I have a lot more to learn about the camera I have now.