[2351HD]

Hi guys,

I am trying to work out a supporting camera system to run side-by-side with my 645Z system.

What is everybody using out there?

Preferably small, but need support for wide angle up to tele photo.

I currently have a Sony Nex6 with the Zeiss Touit 12mm and Sony 35mm OS lenses.

I would very much love to get a FF body that can take my 645 lenses, but I simply cannot find an adapter that will allow me to control the aperture on my D-FA and DA 645 lenses. I have the 28-45, 55, 90 macro and 150 FA.

Any advice and general discussion is most welcome.

Scott

[Thomas]

I know of no adapter that will allow aperture control of the D lenses (who thought it such a good idea to remove aperture rings?). I've had a 645D for four years and have used a 645N as a backup on trips. Yes it uses film, but keeps all the functionality of the lenses. Fortunately I've never needed it. I've seen no reports of how the DA lenses with their reduced image circle behave on 645 film, but the useable angle of view would be at least as large as on the Z. I always have a K-5 or K-3 with me as well. That doesn't solve the aperture problem, but at least it uses the same battery.

When I get a 645Z, I'll keep the 645D as back up. You could likely get a used D for not much more than a top FF system and adapter (if one existed).

[texandrews]

Well, I have an A7R as "backup". Really, I got the A7R in January thinking it would become my main camera, THEN Pentax decides to surprise us all with the Z. Gee, thanks Pentax...But I had to go for it, despite the (considerable) pain. So then I found myself in my current situation.

The A7R does not play well with UWA or sometimes even not-really-UWA, especially rangefinder styles. It does work fine with "full size" lenses. And now Sony/Zeiss have announced a 16-35 FE mount, and *surprise*: Voigtlander has a new M mount 15 optimized for digital. Just saw some shots taken with an A7 on it from Photokina, and things look promising.

I don't do tele, so I can't comment much on that score, but there are no reported problems there, unless a big honking lens hanging off a small camera counts.

I purchased a discontinued model of a Rhinocam , mine was only $99 and just lacking a coupe of things the new one has. This allows for use of various medium format lenses including Pentax, and can be used for stitching.

Then there's this, which I will get next year: the Cambo Actus (I have no affiliation with Capture Integration, but this is just the best rundown I have found). No Pentax mount....yet.

I have been unbelievably busy for the last few months, but in a few weeks my shooting season will start in earnest and I'll be seeing how the A7R and the Z work side by side.

[rcdurston]

I'm on a month long project. I needed a high MP camera to back up my 645z. I thought of a 645d but then it came to me, a lighter, high MP body. . . a Nikon D800. I got the body and 24-70 f2.8 lens for way less than the 645d body and it allowed me a camera that actually HAS auto focus.
So far, so good, we have gone through two bodies and we're working on a legitimate wifi system for previewing and have gone to a Cam Ranger.
Probably not the answer you were looking for but its sort of working for us.

Thanks
Rob

[Lacunapratum]

I use a m43 system together with my 645D. Where the 645d has top resolution, the Olympus system has portability and speed. Some of the m43 systems are amazingly sharp, e.g. the Oly 75 or the Panasonic Nocticron or even the 12-40 zoom, and will give some of the older P645 lenses a run for the money, even though I am probably not allowed to say that here.

[donesteban]

As a backup for the Z, I'd by a used 645D. You get them for a good Price now.


As a small System beside Pentax 645, I'd buy something not depending on the 645 lenses. If no AF is required, the Sony A7 (or A7R, depending on Budget) would be my choice. With Contax G lenses, you cyn get the 28, 45 and 90mm für a bit more than 1000$, the 21mm is more expensive, the 16mm really expensive.

[texandrews]

As a backup for the Z, I'd by a used 645D. You get them for a good Price now.


As a small System beside Pentax 645, I'd buy something not depending on the 645 lenses. If no AF is required, the Sony A7 (or A7R, depending on Budget) would be my choice. With Contax G lenses, you cyn get the 28, 45 and 90mm für a bit more than 1000$, the 21mm is more expensive, the 16mm really expensive.

The Contax G lenses are wonderful, but the wides are questionable on the A7R at least---the 16 and the 21 may project too far back to be safely usable. The 28 has some issues on the A7. I'm getting ready to try one out, though.

The 45 and 90 are splendid. Mixed reports on the 35.

[bull drinkwater]

Hi guys,

I am trying to work out a supporting camera system to run side-by-side with my 645Z system.

What is everybody using out there?

Preferably small, but need support for wide angle up to tele photo.

I currently have a Sony Nex6 with the Zeiss Touit 12mm and Sony 35mm OS lenses.

I would very much love to get a FF body that can take my 645 lenses, but I simply cannot find an adapter that will allow me to control the aperture on my D-FA and DA 645 lenses. I have the 28-45, 55, 90 macro and 150 FA.

Any advice and general discussion is most welcome.

Scott

just buy a 645D, they are cheaper now. you also may find one on the used camera market. a backup should be as close to the main one as possible.

[672]

wouldn't it be great if we could have a pentax "full frame" (24x36mm sensor) body and a great pentax brand adaptor that would allow us to use our dfa and da 645 lenses on the smaller format while retaining auto focus and iris? hello? ricoh?

i would love this combo , because i could use the "normal" focal length lenses from 645 and then get small format lenses for telephoto work.

[Lacunapratum]

wouldn't it be great if we could have a pentax "full frame" (24x36mm sensor) body and a great pentax brand adaptor that would allow us to use our dfa and da 645 lenses on the smaller format while retaining auto focus and iris? hello? ricoh?

i would love this combo , because i could use the "normal" focal length lenses from 645 and then get small format lenses for telephoto work.

Agree with 672. A full-frame with an excellent wide angle zoom and an automated adapter for 645 lenses would be the perfect backup.

[bull drinkwater]

if I was a pro and the 645d was my money maker, i'd either buy another 645d, or a 645z and use the 645d as a back-up.

[hsteeves]

To have an investment in 645 glass and not to be able to use it with back-up bodies kind of defeats the purpose. I can understand the use of a D800 or even an EM1 but if I couldn't get a 645D, I would look at a film body if time was not an element. Process, low-res scan and then go for a hi-res. After all, its only supposed to be for a back-up. A K-series dslr might work but only if you could get a full functioning adapter. A nice used K5IIs. Keeps the same batteries.

[mikeSF]

i too do not quite understand why you would not just buy a second 645D/Z body to use with all the glass you are carrying. Having another complete system at the ready seems bothersome.

[Stan43]

I recently had three systems after purchasing the 645Z and several lenses.
Pentax,cannon and fujifilm. I,m in the process of liquidating my cannon stuff and will stay with the Fuji Xti and E2 plus lenses as backup/street/travel work.

[RonHendriks1966]

Maybe the cheapest back-up would be a 645D that is on sale on some places.