Who's taken the 645 plunge?

pentkon52 · 07-22-2008, 07:27 AM

Originally posted by filmamigo

Yeah, having 120 processed and scanned in Toronto is no harder than 135. At my favourite lab (Downtown Camera) processing of either is $5.50, scanning the whole roll at 6 megapixels is $5.00. Plus, I'm looking to put in my own B&W darkroom.

Is this just colour at Downtown, or B&W as well.??Do they do any B&W prints at all. I need to find a new place to do B&W in 35mm and 120, develop and prints.

I looked at 645 equipment in 2001, i think, and decided on the 6x7 with ML instead.
It just felt better.

Dave

**Pål Jensen** · 07-22-2008, 07:59 AM

Originally posted by ChrisPlatt

Compared to 35mm, all 645 SLR cameras and lenses are large and heavy.
Chris

Not compared to a pro Nikon or Canon. It is not even that large compared to a K10D!! The 645NII is only a few mm wider than the K10D; they have the same height. The 645D is deeper though...
The lenses are about the same size as Canon L EF mount lenses...

clawhammer · 07-22-2008, 11:54 AM

The 645 is significantly deeper than any 35mm body. Take two EOS 1D or Nikon D3 bodies, put them together, and you'll get an idea for the size of the 645N

**WJW** · 07-22-2008, 01:40 PM

Originally posted by clawhammer

The 645 is significantly deeper than any 35mm body. Take two EOS 1D or Nikon D3 bodies, put them together, and you'll get an idea for the size of the 645N

I'm more familiar with the Mamiya M645 which doesn't take up much more volume than a large 35mm. In practice, I use my 35mm bags for the M645 kit with minor re-arraging of the the dividers. Since I use a waist level finder, I find the boxy shape easier to hold than using a side-mounted grip.

Bnack · 07-24-2008, 03:07 PM

I would strongly suggest taking a look at a 67 body. I got one about a year ago, and I love it. I know everyone will tell you what a tank it is... but it's really not as bad as people make it sound. It's more portable than any other 6x7 SLR (thus not counting the Mamiya 7). I carry it around to take pictures quite frequently... and hopefully I'm in better shape for it.

**Rorschach** · 07-24-2008, 10:43 PM

Not the 645 but I did take the 6x7 plunge. A couple days ago I secured a MLU 6x7 body and yesterday ordered a TTL prism + wooden handle from Adorama, both in demo condition. The stuff should arrive next week. Still looking for an affordable wide angle for it (45 or 55 mm). Also a sturdy tripod and a cable shutter release wil be needed.

Best regards,
Boucicaut

Ben_Edict · 07-26-2008, 06:50 AM

I used different versions of the Pentax 645 over the years and found it to be a classy and sturdy camera with good lenses. Nevertheless, I never bought one. I decided, I prefered a camera with waist level finder to concentrate better on composition. So I bought into the Mamiya 645. Today, seeing the prices tumbling for medium format, I would go for a Hasselblad 503 - shooting in portrait orientation with a waist level finder is pain and the Hasselblad wouldn't force me to that. Also it quite lightweight and the mechanics are wonderful.

The Pentax 645's handling is very similar to a 35mm camera – and I find, I have enough of those... I f I need a larger format, than 35mm or APS-C digital, I prefer the slower and more concentrated work with the waits level finder or go for large format...

Ben

**WJW** · 07-26-2008, 09:29 AM

Originally posted by Ben_Edict

shooting in portrait orientation with a waist level finder is pain

That's why my other medium format is an RB67.

Jeff

Ben_Edict · 07-26-2008, 11:53 AM

Originally posted by WJW

That's why my other medium format is an RB67.

Jeff

That sure is another good option - though for me that beast would be too big... The Bronica SQA/SQB would be my preferred choices after the Hasselblad...

regards Ben

dantuyhoa · 08-09-2008, 10:21 AM - **1 Like**

I have the 645N very happy with it ! It's chick ice breaker

Got a few rolls yet to scan . Will come back and post them for you guys later

Tran

Erasmo · 08-10-2008, 11:50 AM

Quick question, is €150 for a 67 body a good deal?

filmamigo · 08-11-2008, 12:47 PM

Originally posted by pentkon52

Is this just colour at Downtown, or B&W as well.??Do they do any B&W prints at all. I need to find a new place to do B&W in 35mm and 120, develop and prints.

Downtown does C41 and E6 colour, as well as traditional B&W. I have had great luck with their B&W, I actually prefer their prints and scans to what I got from Toronto Image Works.

If I recall, B&W us $7 for 135 and $8 for 120. Scans are the same price as colour.

Blue · 08-14-2008, 03:35 PM

Originally posted by ryno

I've had a twin lens for many years, lots of fun. Just bought a mamiya 645 setup from a coworker. It's big and heavy, and with a digital kit, and a 35mm film kit, I don't know how much I'll ever use it. You really have to commit to a system like that. I've never seen large format slides, but 120 slides are wonderful.
Ryan

I know this particular post is a month old. But I have some large format 8X10 slides and they are amazing. I used the old over head projectors to display them. I made these in 1992. One of my colleagues one said "over head" presentations could never compete with regular slides much less PowerPoint. I whipped out my 8x10 slides and his jaw bone hit the floor.

WendyB · 08-16-2008, 09:01 PM

Originally posted by erasmo

quick question, is €150 for a 67 body a good deal?

"absolutely"

Mike Cash · 08-16-2008, 11:03 PM

I came damned near taking the plunge last night. A 645 with 75/2.8 and 120 back auction was finishing just minutes after a Super Takumar 85/1.9 auction that I was bidding on. The prices weren't that much different and I had pretty much decided that if I lost on the Takumar I would jump on the 645.

I won the Takumar.

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07-22-2008, 07:27 AM	#16
pentkon52 Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: York Region Canada Posts: 641	Originally posted by filmamigo Yeah, having 120 processed and scanned in Toronto is no harder than 135. At my favourite lab (Downtown Camera) processing of either is $5.50, scanning the whole roll at 6 megapixels is $5.00. Plus, I'm looking to put in my own B&W darkroom. Is this just colour at Downtown, or B&W as well.??Do they do any B&W prints at all. I need to find a new place to do B&W in 35mm and 120, develop and prints. I looked at 645 equipment in 2001, i think, and decided on the 6x7 with ML instead. It just felt better. Dave

07-22-2008, 07:59 AM	#17
Pål Jensen Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Norway Photos: Albums Posts: 4,371	Originally posted by ChrisPlatt Compared to 35mm, all 645 SLR cameras and lenses are large and heavy. Chris Not compared to a pro Nikon or Canon. It is not even that large compared to a K10D!! The 645NII is only a few mm wider than the K10D; they have the same height. The 645D is deeper though... The lenses are about the same size as Canon L EF mount lenses...

07-22-2008, 11:54 AM	#18
clawhammer Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Logan, Utah Photos: Gallery Posts: 971	The 645 is significantly deeper than any 35mm body. Take two EOS 1D or Nikon D3 bodies, put them together, and you'll get an idea for the size of the 645N

07-22-2008, 01:40 PM	#19
WJW Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Central Texas Posts: 383	Originally posted by clawhammer The 645 is significantly deeper than any 35mm body. Take two EOS 1D or Nikon D3 bodies, put them together, and you'll get an idea for the size of the 645N I'm more familiar with the Mamiya M645 which doesn't take up much more volume than a large 35mm. In practice, I use my 35mm bags for the M645 kit with minor re-arraging of the the dividers. Since I use a waist level finder, I find the boxy shape easier to hold than using a side-mounted grip.

07-24-2008, 03:07 PM	#20
Bnack New Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 20	I would strongly suggest taking a look at a 67 body. I got one about a year ago, and I love it. I know everyone will tell you what a tank it is... but it's really not as bad as people make it sound. It's more portable than any other 6x7 SLR (thus not counting the Mamiya 7). I carry it around to take pictures quite frequently... and hopefully I'm in better shape for it.

07-24-2008, 10:43 PM	#21
Rorschach Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Kuusamo, Finland Photos: Gallery Posts: 652	Not the 645 but I did take the 6x7 plunge. A couple days ago I secured a MLU 6x7 body and yesterday ordered a TTL prism + wooden handle from Adorama, both in demo condition. The stuff should arrive next week. Still looking for an affordable wide angle for it (45 or 55 mm). Also a sturdy tripod and a cable shutter release wil be needed. Best regards, Boucicaut

07-26-2008, 06:50 AM	#22
Ben_Edict Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SouthWest "Regio" Photos: Albums Posts: 3,309	I used different versions of the Pentax 645 over the years and found it to be a classy and sturdy camera with good lenses. Nevertheless, I never bought one. I decided, I prefered a camera with waist level finder to concentrate better on composition. So I bought into the Mamiya 645. Today, seeing the prices tumbling for medium format, I would go for a Hasselblad 503 - shooting in portrait orientation with a waist level finder is pain and the Hasselblad wouldn't force me to that. Also it quite lightweight and the mechanics are wonderful. The Pentax 645's handling is very similar to a 35mm camera – and I find, I have enough of those... I f I need a larger format, than 35mm or APS-C digital, I prefer the slower and more concentrated work with the waits level finder or go for large format... Ben

07-26-2008, 09:29 AM	#23
WJW Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Central Texas Posts: 383	Originally posted by Ben_Edict shooting in portrait orientation with a waist level finder is pain That's why my other medium format is an RB67. Jeff

07-26-2008, 11:53 AM	#24
Ben_Edict Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SouthWest "Regio" Photos: Albums Posts: 3,309	Originally posted by WJW That's why my other medium format is an RB67. Jeff That sure is another good option - though for me that beast would be too big... The Bronica SQA/SQB would be my preferred choices after the Hasselblad... regards Ben

08-09-2008, 10:21 AM - 1 Like	#25
dantuyhoa Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: California Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,245	I have the 645N very happy with it ! It's chick ice breaker Got a few rolls yet to scan . Will come back and post them for you guys later Tran

08-10-2008, 11:50 AM	#26
Erasmo Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 191	Quick question, is €150 for a 67 body a good deal?

08-11-2008, 12:47 PM	#27
filmamigo Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 797 Original Poster	Originally posted by pentkon52 Is this just colour at Downtown, or B&W as well.??Do they do any B&W prints at all. I need to find a new place to do B&W in 35mm and 120, develop and prints. Downtown does C41 and E6 colour, as well as traditional B&W. I have had great luck with their B&W, I actually prefer their prints and scans to what I got from Toronto Image Works. If I recall, B&W us $7 for 135 and $8 for 120. Scans are the same price as colour.

08-14-2008, 03:35 PM	#28
Blue Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Hill Country Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,377	Originally posted by ryno I've had a twin lens for many years, lots of fun. Just bought a mamiya 645 setup from a coworker. It's big and heavy, and with a digital kit, and a 35mm film kit, I don't know how much I'll ever use it. You really have to commit to a system like that. I've never seen large format slides, but 120 slides are wonderful. Ryan I know this particular post is a month old. But I have some large format 8X10 slides and they are amazing. I used the old over head projectors to display them. I made these in 1992. One of my colleagues one said "over head" presentations could never compete with regular slides much less PowerPoint. I whipped out my 8x10 slides and his jaw bone hit the floor.

08-16-2008, 09:01 PM	#29
WendyB Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan Posts: 189	Originally posted by erasmo quick question, is €150 for a 67 body a good deal? "absolutely"

08-16-2008, 11:03 PM	#30
Mike Cash Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,950	I came damned near taking the plunge last night. A 645 with 75/2.8 and 120 back auction was finishing just minutes after a Super Takumar 85/1.9 auction that I was bidding on. The prices weren't that much different and I had pretty much decided that if I lost on the Takumar I would jump on the 645. I won the Takumar.