Pentax 645z review

Gyroscope · 12-28-2015, 08:00 PM - **2 Likes**

I've just done my first ever camera review. The subject is the Pentax 645z which I purchases this year for exclusively landscape photography use. I've given my thoughts with my point of reference being a move from a Canon 5D3 system. Any thoughts or criticisms welcome! Thanks for looking.

Pentax 645z: The best landscape camera in the world? ? Morden O'Hare | Photography

hcc · 12-28-2015, 08:10 PM

Nice review in my opinion. Very complete personal account from a professional perspective. I personally like very much the write-up style.

An your shots are outstanding...

Thank you for sharing.

JinDesu · 12-28-2015, 08:11 PM

I found the review to be very well thought out and very nicely presented. Some may comment on the remark about the Canon vs Pentax menu system, but you were used to Canon so it makes sense that the Pentax system is unfamiliar and likely less efficient for now. Great images and comparisons of the dynamic range shots.

gavincato · 12-28-2015, 08:59 PM

nice write up, thanks. I like your editing, so many landscape guys are going crazy over the top editing wise these days.

**darylk** · 12-28-2015, 09:13 PM

I thoroughly enjoyed your review. I've been waffling between the 645z and the upcoming K1 from Pentax. You make a great point that the z with a quality lens should take care of needs for a long long time, which is something I've pondered as well. Landscape photography is my main passion darylkottwitzphoto, so many of your points resonated with me, particularly the issue of huge dynamic range to work with.

A couple of minor comments:
1. For me, the link provided for the lens just went to a general Ricoh Imaging web page, not to a page specifically related to the lens.
2. In your sentence, "On an extended trip somewhere it is nice to be able to have to large cards fitted to capture all those huge files" it should read "...two large cards fitted..." (nit picky I know, but something I noticed).

btnapa · 12-28-2015, 09:27 PM

Originally posted by Gyroscope

I've just done my first ever camera review. The subject is the Pentax 645z which I purchases this year for exclusively landscape photography use. I've given my thoughts with my point of reference being a move from a Canon 5D3 system. Any thoughts or criticisms welcome! Thanks for looking.

Pentax 645z: The best landscape camera in the world? ? Morden O'Hare | Photography

Thank you for the review. It is very informative and your images are fantastic... what a treat.

mikeSF · 12-28-2015, 10:31 PM

I like it. Thanks!

Gyroscope · 12-28-2015, 10:52 PM

Originally posted by darylk

I thoroughly enjoyed your review. I've been waffling between the 645z and the upcoming K1 from Pentax. You make a great point that the z with a quality lens should take care of needs for a long long time, which is something I've pondered as well. Landscape photography is my main passion darylkottwitzphoto, so many of your points resonated with me, particularly the issue of huge dynamic range to work with.

A couple of minor comments:
1. For me, the link provided for the lens just went to a general Ricoh Imaging web page, not to a page specifically related to the lens.
2. In your sentence, "On an extended trip somewhere it is nice to be able to have to large cards fitted to capture all those huge files" it should read "...two large cards fitted..." (nit picky I know, but something I noticed).

Thanks for the corrections I've sorted these out now.

In terms of the longevity of the camera I just feel that we are at a point with camera technology now that improvements in image quality are becoming every more incremental. I really feel that the Pentax 645z is a contender for a serious long term commitment in a body in a way that digital bodies haven't been up until recently - more like the film camera's of old. It leaves no excuses for the landscape photographer.

---------- Post added 12-28-15 at 10:54 PM ----------

Thanks for comments and kind words all. I've been checking out the websites of those that have posted and enjoying looking at the great work others are doing too. Cheers!

TheDocAUS · 12-28-2015, 11:17 PM

Thanks for the review. You have joined a growing list of Australians with the 645Z!

Billk · 12-29-2015, 05:06 AM

Awesome shots! Central Oz and the Kimberley?

Gyroscope · 12-29-2015, 05:55 AM

Thanks Billk. The 'red rock' ones are from karijini national park (Pilbara area) and others are sandunes near Cervantes WA and general Southwest WA coastal.

rullrich · 12-29-2015, 08:00 AM

Though I'll probably never own a 645Z Your review was a joy to read. Well done!

**Madaboutpix** · 12-29-2015, 08:09 AM

A polished, thorough, and practical evaluation of the amazing 645Z from a landscape photographer's point of view. Due focus on its capabilities as a photographic tool, and, unlike the usual review fare, accompanied by stunning images illustrating your points and showcasing your skill as a photographer. Pleasantly readable and engaging writing style, too. Ricoh Imaging couldn't hope for a better unaffiliated ambassador, I think.

CDW · 12-29-2015, 09:50 AM

Well done. When I went from a Canon 5D2 to a 645D almost five years ago, I had similar feelings. When I upgraded to the 645Z I knew I had a tool that would last for the foreseeable future of my photography. If the Pentax FF delivers 70-80% of the performance of the Z, they will make an amazing pair.

sunshine7913 · 12-30-2015, 12:19 PM

What do you think about DR? I was using Pentax before but due to my college, I have to use either Canon or Nikon and I don't know about Pentax's DR range. For canon, I always shoot +1 over since canon have better DR for highlight.

12-28-2015, 08:00 PM - 2 Likes	#1
Gyroscope Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 166	Pentax 645z review I've just done my first ever camera review. The subject is the Pentax 645z which I purchases this year for exclusively landscape photography use. I've given my thoughts with my point of reference being a move from a Canon 5D3 system. Any thoughts or criticisms welcome! Thanks for looking. Pentax 645z: The best landscape camera in the world? ? Morden O'Hare \| Photography

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12-28-2015, 08:10 PM	#2
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,002	Nice review in my opinion. Very complete personal account from a professional perspective. I personally like very much the write-up style. An your shots are outstanding... Thank you for sharing.

12-28-2015, 08:11 PM	#3
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	I found the review to be very well thought out and very nicely presented. Some may comment on the remark about the Canon vs Pentax menu system, but you were used to Canon so it makes sense that the Pentax system is unfamiliar and likely less efficient for now. Great images and comparisons of the dynamic range shots.

12-28-2015, 08:59 PM	#4
gavincato Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: NSW, Australia Posts: 247	nice write up, thanks. I like your editing, so many landscape guys are going crazy over the top editing wise these days.

12-28-2015, 09:13 PM	#5
darylk Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Blue Hill, Nebraska Photos: Gallery Posts: 494	I thoroughly enjoyed your review. I've been waffling between the 645z and the upcoming K1 from Pentax. You make a great point that the z with a quality lens should take care of needs for a long long time, which is something I've pondered as well. Landscape photography is my main passion darylkottwitzphoto, so many of your points resonated with me, particularly the issue of huge dynamic range to work with. A couple of minor comments: 1. For me, the link provided for the lens just went to a general Ricoh Imaging web page, not to a page specifically related to the lens. 2. In your sentence, "On an extended trip somewhere it is nice to be able to have to large cards fitted to capture all those huge files" it should read "...two large cards fitted..." (nit picky I know, but something I noticed).

12-28-2015, 09:27 PM	#6
btnapa Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 1,615	Originally posted by Gyroscope I've just done my first ever camera review. The subject is the Pentax 645z which I purchases this year for exclusively landscape photography use. I've given my thoughts with my point of reference being a move from a Canon 5D3 system. Any thoughts or criticisms welcome! Thanks for looking. Pentax 645z: The best landscape camera in the world? ? Morden O'Hare \| Photography Thank you for the review. It is very informative and your images are fantastic... what a treat.

12-28-2015, 10:31 PM	#7
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,620	I like it. Thanks!

12-28-2015, 10:52 PM	#8
Gyroscope Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 166 Original Poster	Originally posted by darylk I thoroughly enjoyed your review. I've been waffling between the 645z and the upcoming K1 from Pentax. You make a great point that the z with a quality lens should take care of needs for a long long time, which is something I've pondered as well. Landscape photography is my main passion darylkottwitzphoto, so many of your points resonated with me, particularly the issue of huge dynamic range to work with. A couple of minor comments: 1. For me, the link provided for the lens just went to a general Ricoh Imaging web page, not to a page specifically related to the lens. 2. In your sentence, "On an extended trip somewhere it is nice to be able to have to large cards fitted to capture all those huge files" it should read "...two large cards fitted..." (nit picky I know, but something I noticed). Thanks for the corrections I've sorted these out now. In terms of the longevity of the camera I just feel that we are at a point with camera technology now that improvements in image quality are becoming every more incremental. I really feel that the Pentax 645z is a contender for a serious long term commitment in a body in a way that digital bodies haven't been up until recently - more like the film camera's of old. It leaves no excuses for the landscape photographer. ---------- Post added 12-28-15 at 10:54 PM ---------- Thanks for comments and kind words all. I've been checking out the websites of those that have posted and enjoying looking at the great work others are doing too. Cheers!

12-28-2015, 11:17 PM	#9
TheDocAUS Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 126	Thanks for the review. You have joined a growing list of Australians with the 645Z!

12-29-2015, 05:06 AM	#10
Billk Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Posts: 349	Awesome shots! Central Oz and the Kimberley?

12-29-2015, 05:55 AM	#11
Gyroscope Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 166 Original Poster	Thanks Billk. The 'red rock' ones are from karijini national park (Pilbara area) and others are sandunes near Cervantes WA and general Southwest WA coastal.

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12-29-2015, 08:00 AM	#12
rullrich Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Berlin Posts: 122	Though I'll probably never own a 645Z Your review was a joy to read. Well done!

12-29-2015, 08:09 AM	#13
Madaboutpix Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: North Rhine-Westphalia Posts: 1,440	A polished, thorough, and practical evaluation of the amazing 645Z from a landscape photographer's point of view. Due focus on its capabilities as a photographic tool, and, unlike the usual review fare, accompanied by stunning images illustrating your points and showcasing your skill as a photographer. Pleasantly readable and engaging writing style, too. Ricoh Imaging couldn't hope for a better unaffiliated ambassador, I think.

12-29-2015, 09:50 AM	#14
CDW Site Supporter Join Date: May 2011 Location: Big Island, Hawaii & Utah Posts: 457	Well done. When I went from a Canon 5D2 to a 645D almost five years ago, I had similar feelings. When I upgraded to the 645Z I knew I had a tool that would last for the foreseeable future of my photography. If the Pentax FF delivers 70-80% of the performance of the Z, they will make an amazing pair.

12-30-2015, 12:19 PM	#15
sunshine7913 Guest	What do you think about DR? I was using Pentax before but due to my college, I have to use either Canon or Nikon and I don't know about Pentax's DR range. For canon, I always shoot +1 over since canon have better DR for highlight.