Pentax 6x7 ..what am I looking at?

D4rknezz · 05-30-2017, 12:06 PM

Am I looking at a ...digital back? What am I looking at? I am not familiar with medium format, but why is there a digital preview of the image on the pentax 6x7?

Thanks....

---------- Post added 05-30-2017 at 03:13 PM ----------

So it looks like its...a focussing screen. Does that come standard? Do all pentax 6x7 top come off to reveal this screen?

aremmes · 05-30-2017, 12:20 PM - **1 Like**

That's what it looks like with the view finder removed. See also the Wikipedia article about waist-level finders.

tuco · 05-30-2017, 12:20 PM - **1 Like**

It's an optical preview. ;-)

Try shooting that camera with a waist level finder (aka folding hood) now and then. It's not a bad strategy really and can be done with success on a lot of pictures you would do handhold with that camera. You'll lighten the load, get rid of that hand grip, have exposures that can have more of your style in them and your camera's battery will last a long time.

Adam · 05-30-2017, 12:25 PM - **1 Like**

I think that's what it looks like without any viewfinder attachments.

Pentax 6x7 Viewfinders - Pentax Camera Accessory Review Database

Adam
PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide | Site Help | My Photography)

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tuco · 05-30-2017, 12:37 PM - **1 Like**

No thinking about it. That's what it looks like without a viewfinder. And that's also what you'd see if you use a WLF.

D4rknezz · 05-30-2017, 12:39 PM

I see. Thanks guys. Looking at adam's link, looks like there are a LOT of viewfinders that can be attached to the Pentax 6x7. Does this waist level finder come default? As in, if i remove the viewfinder of a Pentax 6x7 , do i find this waist level finder underneath it, or is it something i have to buy and install separately?

---------- Post added 05-30-2017 at 04:15 PM ----------

Ok, i think i got confused because the camera without a viewfinder looks ALMOST like the camera with a waist level finder....

Here it is without the viewfinder (notice the 3 contact points) from the for sale section by filmamigo

---------- Post added 05-30-2017 at 04:16 PM ----------

and with a waist level finder :

Silent Street · 05-30-2017, 03:49 PM - **1 Like**

Pentax 6x7 / Pentax 67 = analogue (film), not digital (which makes pictures by mathematical algorithm).
Not all finders are universally useful for all situations, particularly in portrait orientation (e.g. camera tilted on its side) — particularly waist-level and chimney finders.
A lot of photographers actually remove the prism/finder to focus the way you have discovered, just that even more photographers don't have perfect eyesight — that's where finders with dioptric correction are very handy!

garywakeling · 05-30-2017, 05:38 PM - **1 Like**

Ok now to really mess with your thinking , take the prism off the Pentax LX and you have the same view in 35mm, harking back to the original Asahiflex cameras. Ah history ignore it at your peril

sbjornda · 05-30-2017, 07:03 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by D4rknezz

I see. Thanks guys. Looking at adam's link, looks like there are a LOT of viewfinders that can be attached to the Pentax 6x7. Does this waist level finder come default? As in, if i remove the viewfinder of a Pentax 6x7 , do i find this waist level finder underneath it, or is it something i have to buy and install separately?

*Whew*. I was wondering whether you were drunk or just trolling. Now I know. Thanks for the joy, O Veteran Member since 2009.

**pentaxus** · 05-30-2017, 10:30 PM - **1 Like**

A word of warning. If you remove the meter prism you MUST take the lens off before putting the meter prism back on. Not doing so will break a meter coupling chain that will be hard to replace.

D4rknezz · 05-31-2017, 06:47 AM

Originally posted by sbjornda

*Whew*. I was wondering whether you were drunk or just trolling. Now I know. Thanks for the joy, O Veteran Member since 2009.

I joined in 2009 as one of those bratty snot-nosed digital only pentaxian

.

I am just going through the known pentaxian phases right now, so at this moment i am looking at film processing.....i think thats stage 3 of the addiction, stage 2 being LBA.

---------- Post added 05-31-2017 at 09:48 AM ----------

Originally posted by pentaxus

A word of warning. If you remove the meter prism you MUST take the lens off before putting the meter prism back on. Not doing so will break a meter coupling chain that will be hard to replace.

Did you mean for LX, or for the 6x7 , or both? Cuz I was actually looking at the LX yesterday before I accidentally look at the 6x7.

aremmes · 05-31-2017, 08:20 AM

Originally posted by D4rknezz

Ok, i think i got confused because the camera without a viewfinder looks ALMOST like the camera with a waist level finder....

This is not an accident. With the waist-level finder you only have a hood that surrounds the focus screen -- either way you end up looking at the focus screen directly.

D4rknezz · 05-31-2017, 08:30 AM

Originally posted by aremmes

This is not an accident. With the waist-level finder you only have a hood that surrounds the focus screen -- either way you end up looking at the focus screen directly.

these things go for $200 on ebay, they are only a plastic hood without glass?

Maybe i should just use a piece of cardboard if I decide to get a 67

tuco · 05-31-2017, 08:59 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by D4rknezz

these things go for $200 on ebay, they are only a plastic hood without glass?

My folding hoods ( 6x7 and 67 generations) are made of metal and also have a magnifying glass that can pop up for critical focus. You can see the microprisims easily with it. But otherwise its just a hood around your viewfinder when you pop it up.

Silent Street · 05-31-2017, 05:47 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by D4rknezz

Did you mean for LX, or for the 6x7 , or both? Cuz I was actually looking at the LX yesterday before I accidentally look at the 6x7.

The advice applies to the Pentax 6x7 and Pentax 67 (1969 and 1989 versions). There are other idiosyncracies for these cameras that should be read up on.
The LX is a 35mm camera.

05-30-2017, 12:06 PM	#1
D4rknezz Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,196	Pentax 6x7 ..what am I looking at? Am I looking at a ...digital back? What am I looking at? I am not familiar with medium format, but why is there a digital preview of the image on the pentax 6x7? Thanks.... ---------- Post added 05-30-2017 at 03:13 PM ---------- So it looks like its...a focussing screen. Does that come standard? Do all pentax 6x7 top come off to reveal this screen?

05-30-2017, 12:20 PM - 1 Like	#3
tuco Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pugetopolis Posts: 11,024	It's an optical preview. ;-) Try shooting that camera with a waist level finder (aka folding hood) now and then. It's not a bad strategy really and can be done with success on a lot of pictures you would do handhold with that camera. You'll lighten the load, get rid of that hand grip, have exposures that can have more of your style in them and your camera's battery will last a long time. Last edited by tuco; 05-30-2017 at 12:29 PM.

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05-30-2017, 12:20 PM - 1 Like	#2
aremmes Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Philadelphia Photos: Albums Posts: 217	That's what it looks like with the view finder removed. See also the Wikipedia article about waist-level finders.

05-30-2017, 12:25 PM - 1 Like	#4
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594	I think that's what it looks like without any viewfinder attachments. Pentax 6x7 Viewfinders - Pentax Camera Accessory Review Database Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

05-30-2017, 12:37 PM - 1 Like	#5
tuco Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pugetopolis Posts: 11,024	No thinking about it. That's what it looks like without a viewfinder. And that's also what you'd see if you use a WLF.

05-30-2017, 12:39 PM	#6
D4rknezz Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,196 Original Poster	I see. Thanks guys. Looking at adam's link, looks like there are a LOT of viewfinders that can be attached to the Pentax 6x7. Does this waist level finder come default? As in, if i remove the viewfinder of a Pentax 6x7 , do i find this waist level finder underneath it, or is it something i have to buy and install separately? ---------- Post added 05-30-2017 at 04:15 PM ---------- Ok, i think i got confused because the camera without a viewfinder looks ALMOST like the camera with a waist level finder.... Here it is without the viewfinder (notice the 3 contact points) from the for sale section by filmamigo ---------- Post added 05-30-2017 at 04:16 PM ---------- and with a waist level finder :

05-30-2017, 03:49 PM - 1 Like	#7
Silent Street Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Castlemaine, Victoria, AUS Photos: Albums Posts: 1,151	Pentax 6x7 / Pentax 67 = analogue (film), not digital (which makes pictures by mathematical algorithm). Not all finders are universally useful for all situations, particularly in portrait orientation (e.g. camera tilted on its side) — particularly waist-level and chimney finders. A lot of photographers actually remove the prism/finder to focus the way you have discovered, just that even more photographers don't have perfect eyesight — that's where finders with dioptric correction are very handy!

05-30-2017, 05:38 PM - 1 Like	#8
garywakeling Moderator Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,759	Ok now to really mess with your thinking , take the prism off the Pentax LX and you have the same view in 35mm, harking back to the original Asahiflex cameras. Ah history ignore it at your peril

05-30-2017, 07:03 PM - 1 Like	#9
sbjornda Junior Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 33	Originally posted by D4rknezz I see. Thanks guys. Looking at adam's link, looks like there are a LOT of viewfinders that can be attached to the Pentax 6x7. Does this waist level finder come default? As in, if i remove the viewfinder of a Pentax 6x7 , do i find this waist level finder underneath it, or is it something i have to buy and install separately? Whew. I was wondering whether you were drunk or just trolling. Now I know. Thanks for the joy, O Veteran Member since 2009.

05-30-2017, 10:30 PM - 1 Like	#10
pentaxus Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 1,313	A word of warning. If you remove the meter prism you MUST take the lens off before putting the meter prism back on. Not doing so will break a meter coupling chain that will be hard to replace.

05-31-2017, 06:47 AM	#11
D4rknezz Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,196 Original Poster	Originally posted by sbjornda Whew. I was wondering whether you were drunk or just trolling. Now I know. Thanks for the joy, O Veteran Member since 2009. I joined in 2009 as one of those bratty snot-nosed digital only pentaxian . I am just going through the known pentaxian phases right now, so at this moment i am looking at film processing.....i think thats stage 3 of the addiction, stage 2 being LBA. ---------- Post added 05-31-2017 at 09:48 AM ---------- Originally posted by pentaxus A word of warning. If you remove the meter prism you MUST take the lens off before putting the meter prism back on. Not doing so will break a meter coupling chain that will be hard to replace. Did you mean for LX, or for the 6x7 , or both? Cuz I was actually looking at the LX yesterday before I accidentally look at the 6x7.

05-31-2017, 08:20 AM	#12
aremmes Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Philadelphia Photos: Albums Posts: 217	Originally posted by D4rknezz Ok, i think i got confused because the camera without a viewfinder looks ALMOST like the camera with a waist level finder.... This is not an accident. With the waist-level finder you only have a hood that surrounds the focus screen -- either way you end up looking at the focus screen directly.

05-31-2017, 08:30 AM	#13
D4rknezz Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,196 Original Poster	Originally posted by aremmes This is not an accident. With the waist-level finder you only have a hood that surrounds the focus screen -- either way you end up looking at the focus screen directly. these things go for $200 on ebay, they are only a plastic hood without glass? Maybe i should just use a piece of cardboard if I decide to get a 67

05-31-2017, 08:59 AM - 1 Like	#14
tuco Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pugetopolis Posts: 11,024	Originally posted by D4rknezz these things go for $200 on ebay, they are only a plastic hood without glass? My folding hoods ( 6x7 and 67 generations) are made of metal and also have a magnifying glass that can pop up for critical focus. You can see the microprisims easily with it. But otherwise its just a hood around your viewfinder when you pop it up.

05-31-2017, 05:47 PM - 1 Like	#15
Silent Street Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Castlemaine, Victoria, AUS Photos: Albums Posts: 1,151	Originally posted by D4rknezz Did you mean for LX, or for the 6x7 , or both? Cuz I was actually looking at the LX yesterday before I accidentally look at the 6x7. The advice applies to the Pentax 6x7 and Pentax 67 (1969 and 1989 versions). There are other idiosyncracies for these cameras that should be read up on. The LX is a 35mm camera.

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