What do you think about Pentax 67ii?

sunshine7913 · 11-17-2015, 03:42 PM

Im using Pentax 67 with 3 lenses currently. I love this camera so much except few things.

1. weight: So so heavy.
2. Prism and split screen: It's too dark.
3. Long expose: Battery
and more

Well, I know that 67ii is much much expansive than 67 but I'm def gonna buy 67ii with 55-105mm, 400 or 500mm, and 75mm f2.8 in future.

My color correction skill is still suck but I kept using my own 67 for few projects.

anyway, what do you think about 67ii?

KDD · 11-17-2015, 04:03 PM

I never see 67 camera before. How old is 67 camera? Curious.

Imp · 11-17-2015, 04:07 PM

Originally posted by KDD

I never see 67 camera before. How old is 67 camera? Curious.

its a film camera...

**pentaxus** · 11-17-2015, 09:24 PM

Original 6X7 came out in 1969. Model with mirror lock up and improved transport came out in 1976. The 67II came out in 1998. It has aperture preferred auto exposure along with manual. 67II also has TTL flash with the appropriate Pentax flashes. The viewfinder in the 67II is slightly smaller to accommodate having exposure information readout below the frame. They are big and heavy and take beautiful pictures. Avoid the model without mirror lock up. The 67II has interchangeable focusing screens. The 67 looks like a K1000 on steroids.

**blackcloudbrew** · 11-18-2015, 09:13 AM

I have an original 6x7 (with out mirror lock up). I love medium format and the 6x7 is a great camera. I wish I had the 67II though as its relatively improved features would be helpful. Someday...

tuco · 11-18-2015, 02:18 PM

Put on a folding hood in lieu of the prism on that P67 of yours and you will have both a lighter camera and the battery will last a really long time. Meter with a one-degree spot meter, gain some experience with it and you'll know what your exposure is like before you even take the picture.

robthebloke · 11-19-2015, 02:08 PM

I can't help but think there is something wrong with your prism. I've never looked through a 67 viewfinder and considered it to be dark (except with maybe a 100mm macro tube on it). Having said that though, I only really bother with primes, so I guess if you are using zooms, that may be the cause?

---------- Post added 11-19-15 at 10:10 PM ----------

I have however looked through a 645 and thought it was really dark. It took a couple of weeks before I realised the diopter was off by miles. Once that was all set, everything was awesome

**hsteeves** · 11-19-2015, 09:01 PM

Originally posted by robthebloke

I can't help but think there is something wrong with your prism. I've never looked through a 67 viewfinder and considered it to be dark (except with maybe a 100mm macro tube on it). Having said that though, I only really bother with primes, so I guess if you are using zooms, that may be the cause?

---------- Post added 11-19-15 at 10:10 PM ----------

I have however looked through a 645 and thought it was really dark. It took a couple of weeks before I realised the diopter was off by miles. Once that was all set, everything was awesome

there are not a lot of zooms available for the 67 - two, if I'm not mistaken and they are not small (I have the 55-100 - almost glued onto my 67ii). Compared to some smaller 35mm cameras and some medium format, the 67 - especially the original 67 and 6x7 are dark.

Eyewanders · 11-20-2015, 12:32 PM

Margus (Tsiklonaut) Sootla has a very nice writeup on the 67 here:
...life is - ANALOG - is life...: Pentax 67, a battle tank in body : an artist within mind
and short/excellent comparison to the 67ii here
...life is - ANALOG - is life...: A short Pentax 67ii review

He's owns both and is very experienced with both.

---------- Post added 11-20-15 at 11:37 AM ----------

Originally posted by tuco

Put on a folding hood in lieu of the prism on that P67 of yours and you will have both a lighter camera and the battery will last a really long time. Meter with a one-degree spot meter, gain some experience with it and you'll know what your exposure is like before you even take the picture.

This. ^ ^

You might also consider the above (getting to know a spotmeter intimately) with the non-metering prism. It is much lighter, brighter and slightly smaller.
The waist-level viewfinder (folding hood) is by far the lightest but can be a challenge to use in some situations.

The 67ii is only slightly lighter than the 67 and 6x7. Check out Margus' thoughts on the two.

tuco · 11-20-2015, 12:54 PM - **1 Like**

I've owned my Pentax 6x7 for nearly 30 years and still shoot it. And I can say for the role my P6x7 plays in the shots I take with it, a 67II has no advantage that I can utilize except perhaps the easy focus screen replacement.

If I want to capture action where a prism helps follow the movements instead of a waist level finder, I will use an auto focus camera instead. It does a way better job at catching action. The "advanced" meter in 67II is not nearly as good and "advanced" as my one-degree spot meter, period. And I can't recall the last time I wanted to do a double exposure with it so that feature on the 67II is not very useful to me. So, for a guy like me, the 67II is just a more expensive P67.

desertscape · 11-20-2015, 05:38 PM

Yes, Margus is a fine shooter but I feel there is ample expertise here in this forum to address the questions regarding the 67II. I considered the 67II many years ago when it was released. I already had two Asahi bodies at the time and considered the 67II because of its ability to spot meter but also because it had the option of shooting with 1/2 EV shutter speeds (a custom function). Back then, my landscape and travel shooting business was booming but I could not rationalize the expense of getting the 67II. If I had no medium format system at the time, I would have gone with the 67II. It depends on your individual situation. Either system can get the job done.

ColColt · 12-03-2015, 10:03 AM

I've never held a 67II or even seen one "in the flesh" other than pictures. I've had three 6x7's over the years and down to one now and wouldn't trade it for a 67II, albeit, it would be nice to have it for the ergonomics and brighter screen if nothing else. My current 6x7 has the meter and is most accurate so, I don't think the 67II would offer much more for me. One good point about the 67II is it doesn't use the tiny frail chain the 6x7 uses. take the lens off before removing the meter and you won't have to worry much about breaking that chain.

http://www.salzgeber.at/articles/6x7chainRepair.html

aurele · 12-03-2015, 10:37 AM

Originally posted by sunshine7913

1. weight: So so heavy.

Almost any medium format will be heavy. The only notable exception to me is the Mamyia Press, and the Fuji 690 series.

Originally posted by sunshine7913

2. Prism and split screen: It's too dark.

I have the basic prism (no metering) and the microprism split screen, and it ain't dark. For me it's quite bright even compared to some of the 35mm body.

Originally posted by sunshine7913

3. Long expose: Battery

If you want to avoid that kind of problem : full mechanical MF is the way to go !

klaus123 · 12-06-2015, 10:41 AM

I have a 6x7 and a 67 with 11 Lens from fisheye up to 300mm - I do not realy miss AV mode and PTTL of the 67II and reading across durability of the 67ii seems to be not as good as the older ones. (especialy film transport)

11-17-2015, 03:42 PM	#1
sunshine7913 Guest	What do you think about Pentax 67ii? Im using Pentax 67 with 3 lenses currently. I love this camera so much except few things. 1. weight: So so heavy. 2. Prism and split screen: It's too dark. 3. Long expose: Battery and more Well, I know that 67ii is much much expansive than 67 but I'm def gonna buy 67ii with 55-105mm, 400 or 500mm, and 75mm f2.8 in future. My color correction skill is still suck but I kept using my own 67 for few projects. anyway, what do you think about 67ii?

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11-17-2015, 04:03 PM	#2
KDD Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 403	I never see 67 camera before. How old is 67 camera? Curious.

11-17-2015, 04:07 PM	#3
Imp Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Washington, DC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,749	Originally posted by KDD I never see 67 camera before. How old is 67 camera? Curious. its a film camera...

11-17-2015, 09:24 PM	#4
pentaxus Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 1,312	Original 6X7 came out in 1969. Model with mirror lock up and improved transport came out in 1976. The 67II came out in 1998. It has aperture preferred auto exposure along with manual. 67II also has TTL flash with the appropriate Pentax flashes. The viewfinder in the 67II is slightly smaller to accommodate having exposure information readout below the frame. They are big and heavy and take beautiful pictures. Avoid the model without mirror lock up. The 67II has interchangeable focusing screens. The 67 looks like a K1000 on steroids.

11-18-2015, 09:13 AM	#5
blackcloudbrew Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cotati, California USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,460	I have an original 6x7 (with out mirror lock up). I love medium format and the 6x7 is a great camera. I wish I had the 67II though as its relatively improved features would be helpful. Someday...

11-18-2015, 02:18 PM	#6
tuco Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pugetopolis Posts: 11,019	Put on a folding hood in lieu of the prism on that P67 of yours and you will have both a lighter camera and the battery will last a really long time. Meter with a one-degree spot meter, gain some experience with it and you'll know what your exposure is like before you even take the picture.

11-19-2015, 02:08 PM	#7
robthebloke Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Sydney Photos: Albums Posts: 844	I can't help but think there is something wrong with your prism. I've never looked through a 67 viewfinder and considered it to be dark (except with maybe a 100mm macro tube on it). Having said that though, I only really bother with primes, so I guess if you are using zooms, that may be the cause? ---------- Post added 11-19-15 at 10:10 PM ---------- I have however looked through a 645 and thought it was really dark. It took a couple of weeks before I realised the diopter was off by miles. Once that was all set, everything was awesome

11-19-2015, 09:01 PM	#8
hsteeves Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 256	Originally posted by robthebloke I can't help but think there is something wrong with your prism. I've never looked through a 67 viewfinder and considered it to be dark (except with maybe a 100mm macro tube on it). Having said that though, I only really bother with primes, so I guess if you are using zooms, that may be the cause? ---------- Post added 11-19-15 at 10:10 PM ---------- I have however looked through a 645 and thought it was really dark. It took a couple of weeks before I realised the diopter was off by miles. Once that was all set, everything was awesome there are not a lot of zooms available for the 67 - two, if I'm not mistaken and they are not small (I have the 55-100 - almost glued onto my 67ii). Compared to some smaller 35mm cameras and some medium format, the 67 - especially the original 67 and 6x7 are dark.

11-20-2015, 12:32 PM	#9
Eyewanders Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Land of the Salish Sea Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,343	Margus (Tsiklonaut) Sootla has a very nice writeup on the 67 here: ...life is - ANALOG - is life...: Pentax 67, a battle tank in body : an artist within mind and short/excellent comparison to the 67ii here ...life is - ANALOG - is life...: A short Pentax 67ii review He's owns both and is very experienced with both. ---------- Post added 11-20-15 at 11:37 AM ---------- Originally posted by tuco Put on a folding hood in lieu of the prism on that P67 of yours and you will have both a lighter camera and the battery will last a really long time. Meter with a one-degree spot meter, gain some experience with it and you'll know what your exposure is like before you even take the picture. This. ^ ^ You might also consider the above (getting to know a spotmeter intimately) with the non-metering prism. It is much lighter, brighter and slightly smaller. The waist-level viewfinder (folding hood) is by far the lightest but can be a challenge to use in some situations. The 67ii is only slightly lighter than the 67 and 6x7. Check out Margus' thoughts on the two.

11-20-2015, 12:54 PM - 1 Like	#10
tuco Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pugetopolis Posts: 11,019	I've owned my Pentax 6x7 for nearly 30 years and still shoot it. And I can say for the role my P6x7 plays in the shots I take with it, a 67II has no advantage that I can utilize except perhaps the easy focus screen replacement. If I want to capture action where a prism helps follow the movements instead of a waist level finder, I will use an auto focus camera instead. It does a way better job at catching action. The "advanced" meter in 67II is not nearly as good and "advanced" as my one-degree spot meter, period. And I can't recall the last time I wanted to do a double exposure with it so that feature on the 67II is not very useful to me. So, for a guy like me, the 67II is just a more expensive P67.

11-20-2015, 05:38 PM	#11
desertscape Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,272	Yes, Margus is a fine shooter but I feel there is ample expertise here in this forum to address the questions regarding the 67II. I considered the 67II many years ago when it was released. I already had two Asahi bodies at the time and considered the 67II because of its ability to spot meter but also because it had the option of shooting with 1/2 EV shutter speeds (a custom function). Back then, my landscape and travel shooting business was booming but I could not rationalize the expense of getting the 67II. If I had no medium format system at the time, I would have gone with the 67II. It depends on your individual situation. Either system can get the job done.

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12-03-2015, 10:03 AM	#12
ColColt Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 196	I've never held a 67II or even seen one "in the flesh" other than pictures. I've had three 6x7's over the years and down to one now and wouldn't trade it for a 67II, albeit, it would be nice to have it for the ergonomics and brighter screen if nothing else. My current 6x7 has the meter and is most accurate so, I don't think the 67II would offer much more for me. One good point about the 67II is it doesn't use the tiny frail chain the 6x7 uses. take the lens off before removing the meter and you won't have to worry much about breaking that chain. http://www.salzgeber.at/articles/6x7chainRepair.html

12-03-2015, 10:37 AM	#13
aurele Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Paris, France Photos: Albums Posts: 3,217	Originally posted by sunshine7913 1. weight: So so heavy. Almost any medium format will be heavy. The only notable exception to me is the Mamyia Press, and the Fuji 690 series. Originally posted by sunshine7913 2. Prism and split screen: It's too dark. I have the basic prism (no metering) and the microprism split screen, and it ain't dark. For me it's quite bright even compared to some of the 35mm body. Originally posted by sunshine7913 3. Long expose: Battery If you want to avoid that kind of problem : full mechanical MF is the way to go !

12-06-2015, 10:41 AM	#14
klaus123 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Germany Posts: 238	I have a 6x7 and a 67 with 11 Lens from fisheye up to 300mm - I do not realy miss AV mode and PTTL of the 67II and reading across durability of the 67ii seems to be not as good as the older ones. (especialy film transport)