Who's taken the 645 plunge?

**Rorschach** · 01-29-2009, 01:52 AM

Ron, do you think the L-brackets and plates that RRS makes for the 67 & 67II also work with the older brethren, i.e. 6x7? I guess they should work if body dimensions and the placement of the tripod screw socket didn't change between the 6x7 and 67.

Ben_Edict · 01-29-2009, 03:32 AM

Originally posted by david13

The two tripod sockets is a brilliant idea.

How do I get to use my 35mm in portrait mode on a tripod - especially with a heavier lens? It won't stay still, it is forever slipping down. I am afraid to tighten the screw any more for fear of ripping the bottom out of the camera.)

David, this is an old problem. You could, as Ron wrote, use an L-bracket. But they are somewhat big and I personally use it only with the 4x5 press camera, where size doesn't matter too much. For my 35mm and DSLR bodies I have quick release plates permanently attached. A good QR plate will not only be attached via the central tripod screw, but usually has some additional means to prevent rotation. Some specialised camera plates simply go around the bottom of the camera and others have additional small screws, which give hold to the camera. With my old Manfrotto RC0 hexagons, there is simply no rotation, when the small screws are fixed.

Ben

scottk13 · 02-15-2009, 07:31 PM

I "upgraded" from 35mm to a 645 in 2006. Since then I've bought a second body, all but one of the prime lenses, and the 80-160 telephoto. I've found the 645 system to be very versatile. The camera is well balanced and easy to use. I think the Pentax 645 lenses have exceptional color and contrast reproduction. I have found using a manual medium format camera has helped me improve my photography skills.

Here in Portland, there are several places to get 120 film developed at a reasonable price, so I don't expect to be leaving my Pentax 645 system anytime soon. It was a good decision for me!

Stevopedia · 02-15-2009, 08:01 PM

The KEH catalog has the original 645 plus 120 insert for $199. Now's the time to be getting into MF, that's for sure... if only I had the money...

ltdstar · 03-05-2009, 11:17 PM

I just got an original 645 in BGN condition with couple of lenses...i have no idea how to operate it but i love trying to figuring things out and will surely post some silly question in this forum.

**fs999** · 03-06-2009, 03:39 PM

I just bought a 645N and a SMC-FA 75mm f:2.8 AF to give a smile at my old Mamiya C220

Ira · 03-07-2009, 06:58 AM

Originally posted by Photomaximum

When it comes to film cameras I never felt the jump from good 35mm to 645 was worth it.

35mm users will shoot a ton of pics. MF and LF users slow down and create the images carefully so shooting a ton is not an issue.

Speak for yourself--that was MY problem! (Just joking.)

I had a Mamiya 645 in the stone ages, and the economies of scale are a killer. (Plus, handheld, forget it. A PITA.) Yes, MF shooters slow down to be more careful about each image because of the cost and practicalities of film loading, but the basic rule of photography still applies:

The more frames you shoot, the better your chances of getting more great ones.

Erasmo · 05-09-2009, 12:50 PM

Just loaded my first roll of film... When i put my 645 on it makes a sound(transport i guess) but it does it every time when i put on my camera. I am not planning to us one of my precious frames until tomorrow but is this normal?

Ben_Edict · 05-10-2009, 12:52 PM

Originally posted by Ira

Speak for yourself--that was MY problem! (Just joking.)

I had a Mamiya 645 in the stone ages, and the economies of scale are a killer. (Plus, handheld, forget it. A PITA.) Yes, MF shooters slow down to be more careful about each image because of the cost and practicalities of film loading, but the basic rule of photography still applies:

The more frames you shoot, the better your chances of getting more great ones.

Your last sentence may perhaps be true for the few sports photogs among us. But in general I would really disagree. The number of shots taken has no fixed proportion to the number of shorts that were worth taking. Especially these days, when digital images cost nothing at all, people replace composition and looking for the right moment with machine gun photography - and the outcome surely is not a high amount of "great ones".

Also, I don't agree with your second paragraph. I use my Mamiya 645 very often handheld. At the end of the day, it is not that much heavier, than an K20+ grip + QR plate + lens. But indeed with longer focal length lenses, I long for the tripod earlier, than I do with 35mm or APS-C digital.

Ben

patrickhh · 05-12-2009, 08:00 AM

I have a Mamiya 645 1000s. The sekor 80/1.9 kicks ass.

Ben_Edict · 05-12-2009, 01:32 PM

Originally posted by patrickhh

I have a Mamiya 645 1000s. The sekor 80/1.9 kicks ass.

Yes, that lens is a gem. I also love the humble 55-110 zoom very much. It is an astonshingly good lens for such an old zoom design.

Ben

jmbradd · 05-12-2009, 03:09 PM

Originally posted by scottk13

I "upgraded" from 35mm to a 645 in 2006. Since then I've bought a second body, all but one of the prime lenses, and the 80-160 telephoto. I've found the 645 system to be very versatile. The camera is well balanced and easy to use. I think the Pentax 645 lenses have exceptional color and contrast reproduction. I have found using a manual medium format camera has helped me improve my photography skills.

Here in Portland, there are several places to get 120 film developed at a reasonable price, so I don't expect to be leaving my Pentax 645 system anytime soon. It was a good decision for me!

pro photo supply is awesome! we're very lucky to have a store like that in town.

I plan on purchasing a 645n either as a graduation present to myself (an excuse to spend money lol) or tax season.

**yurihuta** · 05-14-2009, 09:14 AM

This does not sound normal at all. There should be no noise, other than the noise the switch makes to turn the camera on.

Are you certain that the film was loaded correctly?

Originally posted by Erasmo

Just loaded my first roll of film... When i put my 645 on it makes a sound(transport i guess) but it does it every time when i put on my camera. I am not planning to us one of my precious frames until tomorrow but is this normal?

Erasmo · 05-15-2009, 10:36 AM

Originally posted by yurihuta

This does not sound normal at all. There should be no noise, other than the noise the switch makes to turn the camera on.

Are you certain that the film was loaded correctly?

It wasn't loaded correctly...

Anyway, i've shot 4 rolls, used the 150mm lens for 2 of the images and the 45mm for the rest.

Erasmo · 05-21-2009, 03:21 AM

I have the contact prints of my first 4 rolls, friday or saturday i'll pik up the prints and the negs

02-15-2009, 07:31 PM	#63
scottk13 New Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Pacific Northwest, USA Posts: 20	I "upgraded" from 35mm to a 645 in 2006. Since then I've bought a second body, all but one of the prime lenses, and the 80-160 telephoto. I've found the 645 system to be very versatile. The camera is well balanced and easy to use. I think the Pentax 645 lenses have exceptional color and contrast reproduction. I have found using a manual medium format camera has helped me improve my photography skills. Here in Portland, there are several places to get 120 film developed at a reasonable price, so I don't expect to be leaving my Pentax 645 system anytime soon. It was a good decision for me! Last edited by scottk13; 03-23-2009 at 12:41 AM.

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01-29-2009, 01:52 AM	#61
Rorschach Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Kuusamo, Finland Photos: Gallery Posts: 652	Ron, do you think the L-brackets and plates that RRS makes for the 67 & 67II also work with the older brethren, i.e. 6x7? I guess they should work if body dimensions and the placement of the tripod screw socket didn't change between the 6x7 and 67.

01-29-2009, 03:32 AM	#62
Ben_Edict Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SouthWest "Regio" Photos: Albums Posts: 3,309	Originally posted by david13 The two tripod sockets is a brilliant idea. How do I get to use my 35mm in portrait mode on a tripod - especially with a heavier lens? It won't stay still, it is forever slipping down. I am afraid to tighten the screw any more for fear of ripping the bottom out of the camera.) David, this is an old problem. You could, as Ron wrote, use an L-bracket. But they are somewhat big and I personally use it only with the 4x5 press camera, where size doesn't matter too much. For my 35mm and DSLR bodies I have quick release plates permanently attached. A good QR plate will not only be attached via the central tripod screw, but usually has some additional means to prevent rotation. Some specialised camera plates simply go around the bottom of the camera and others have additional small screws, which give hold to the camera. With my old Manfrotto RC0 hexagons, there is simply no rotation, when the small screws are fixed. Ben

02-15-2009, 08:01 PM	#64
Stevopedia Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: South Carolina, USA Posts: 273	The KEH catalog has the original 645 plus 120 insert for $199. Now's the time to be getting into MF, that's for sure... if only I had the money...

03-05-2009, 11:17 PM	#65
ltdstar Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: AZ Posts: 285	I just got an original 645 in BGN condition with couple of lenses...i have no idea how to operate it but i love trying to figuring things out and will surely post some silly question in this forum.

03-06-2009, 03:39 PM	#66
fs999 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Luxembourg Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,638	I just bought a 645N and a SMC-FA 75mm f:2.8 AF to give a smile at my old Mamiya C220

03-07-2009, 06:58 AM	#67
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	Originally posted by Photomaximum When it comes to film cameras I never felt the jump from good 35mm to 645 was worth it. 35mm users will shoot a ton of pics. MF and LF users slow down and create the images carefully so shooting a ton is not an issue. Speak for yourself--that was MY problem! (Just joking.) I had a Mamiya 645 in the stone ages, and the economies of scale are a killer. (Plus, handheld, forget it. A PITA.) Yes, MF shooters slow down to be more careful about each image because of the cost and practicalities of film loading, but the basic rule of photography still applies: The more frames you shoot, the better your chances of getting more great ones.

05-09-2009, 12:50 PM	#68
Erasmo Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 191	Just loaded my first roll of film... When i put my 645 on it makes a sound(transport i guess) but it does it every time when i put on my camera. I am not planning to us one of my precious frames until tomorrow but is this normal?

05-10-2009, 12:52 PM	#69
Ben_Edict Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SouthWest "Regio" Photos: Albums Posts: 3,309	Originally posted by Ira Speak for yourself--that was MY problem! (Just joking.) I had a Mamiya 645 in the stone ages, and the economies of scale are a killer. (Plus, handheld, forget it. A PITA.) Yes, MF shooters slow down to be more careful about each image because of the cost and practicalities of film loading, but the basic rule of photography still applies: The more frames you shoot, the better your chances of getting more great ones. Your last sentence may perhaps be true for the few sports photogs among us. But in general I would really disagree. The number of shots taken has no fixed proportion to the number of shorts that were worth taking. Especially these days, when digital images cost nothing at all, people replace composition and looking for the right moment with machine gun photography - and the outcome surely is not a high amount of "great ones". Also, I don't agree with your second paragraph. I use my Mamiya 645 very often handheld. At the end of the day, it is not that much heavier, than an K20+ grip + QR plate + lens. But indeed with longer focal length lenses, I long for the tripod earlier, than I do with 35mm or APS-C digital. Ben

05-12-2009, 08:00 AM	#70
patrickhh Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Hamburg Posts: 70	I have a Mamiya 645 1000s. The sekor 80/1.9 kicks ass.

05-12-2009, 01:32 PM	#71
Ben_Edict Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SouthWest "Regio" Photos: Albums Posts: 3,309	Originally posted by patrickhh I have a Mamiya 645 1000s. The sekor 80/1.9 kicks ass. Yes, that lens is a gem. I also love the humble 55-110 zoom very much. It is an astonshingly good lens for such an old zoom design. Ben

05-12-2009, 03:09 PM	#72
jmbradd Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Portland, OR Photos: Albums Posts: 325	Originally posted by scottk13 I "upgraded" from 35mm to a 645 in 2006. Since then I've bought a second body, all but one of the prime lenses, and the 80-160 telephoto. I've found the 645 system to be very versatile. The camera is well balanced and easy to use. I think the Pentax 645 lenses have exceptional color and contrast reproduction. I have found using a manual medium format camera has helped me improve my photography skills. Here in Portland, there are several places to get 120 film developed at a reasonable price, so I don't expect to be leaving my Pentax 645 system anytime soon. It was a good decision for me! pro photo supply is awesome! we're very lucky to have a store like that in town. I plan on purchasing a 645n either as a graduation present to myself (an excuse to spend money lol) or tax season.

05-14-2009, 09:14 AM	#73
yurihuta Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Washington DC, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 632	This does not sound normal at all. There should be no noise, other than the noise the switch makes to turn the camera on. Are you certain that the film was loaded correctly? Originally posted by Erasmo Just loaded my first roll of film... When i put my 645 on it makes a sound(transport i guess) but it does it every time when i put on my camera. I am not planning to us one of my precious frames until tomorrow but is this normal?

05-15-2009, 10:36 AM	#74
Erasmo Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 191	Originally posted by yurihuta This does not sound normal at all. There should be no noise, other than the noise the switch makes to turn the camera on. Are you certain that the film was loaded correctly? It wasn't loaded correctly... Anyway, i've shot 4 rolls, used the 150mm lens for 2 of the images and the 45mm for the rest.

05-21-2009, 03:21 AM	#75
Erasmo Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 191	I have the contact prints of my first 4 rolls, friday or saturday i'll pik up the prints and the negs