Pentax 67 (not 6x7) with no MLU

irvirv · 03-29-2018, 01:33 PM

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I'm wondering if I'm missing something completely obvious. I just bought a Pentax 67 and I see the little button to release the mirror but no MLU slide as shows in the manual and online (photo attached). Did the 67 versions sometimes not have mirror lockup? Or were some 6x7 models labeled "67"? Or...

Thank you!

Attached Images

Silent Street · 03-29-2018, 03:53 PM

Not all Pentax 67 cameras were fitted with mirror lock-up, but it is more common to find the Pentax 67 (around 1989, the newer model that replaced the 1969-vintage Pentax 6x7) with this feature available. It has definite advantages for tripod-mounted work where low speeds are involved and there is a necessity to separate the shutter/mirror inertia that gives rise to blurry images (not always obvious at tiny postcard photos, but extremely irritating to look at in large prints!). The finder fitted to this camera is from an earlier Pentax 6x7 body (the newer finder of circ. 1989 has just PENTAX on it). MLU is used with all of my exposures as my prints are around 80cm to 1 metre across and any unsharpness caused by blur/movement will be patently obvious (and embarrassing!).

I cannot be certain at all from looking at this photo, but the leatherette there on the side looks kind of like it has been interfered with; by some wild stretch of the imagination I thought at some time in the past the MLU button had been removed (!)

tuco · 03-29-2018, 04:17 PM

I've never seen a 67 without MLU but I can't say if they exist or not. It seems like it would be impractical to make two versions of this generation given its usefulness. Or, perhaps, it has been worked on from salvaged parts. Just a wild guess.

Paul Ewins · 03-29-2018, 04:46 PM - **2 Likes**

This is an older 6x7 body that has had it's winder repaired using the assembly from a 67. You will see all sorts of variations as repairers fix cameras with the parts that are available and in some cases upgrade older cameras with features from newer bodies.

Generally speaking, the serial number is the most reliable way of telling which body you have. The non MLU went from 4000000 to around 4060700, the MLU went to around 4159850 and then the 67 went from there to about 4220000.

irvirv · 03-29-2018, 05:13 PM

Thanks everyone! Paul, that makes sense and I think mystery is solved! The serial number is 4035227.

Silent Street · 03-29-2018, 05:55 PM

Add serial details/comments to the Pentax 67 database:
Pentax Serial Number Database - PentaxForums.com

desertscape · 03-31-2018, 04:00 PM

Originally posted by irvirv

The serial number is 4035227.

One of my 6x7s is a 403xxxx serial number. It's actually a great camera. They are harder to load due to the film spool pins being longer than the newer versions but can be modified.

weverka · 05-13-2021, 12:50 PM

Here is another with the same issue.
[Excellent+++] Pentax 67 LATE Model Medium Format Camera Body only from JAPAN | eBay
It is being sold as a late model 67, but it has no MLU

03-29-2018, 01:33 PM	#1
irvirv New Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 2	Pentax 67 (not 6x7) with no MLU Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. I'm wondering if I'm missing something completely obvious. I just bought a Pentax 67 and I see the little button to release the mirror but no MLU slide as shows in the manual and online (photo attached). Did the 67 versions sometimes not have mirror lockup? Or were some 6x7 models labeled "67"? Or... Thank you! Attached Images

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03-29-2018, 03:53 PM	#2
Silent Street Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Castlemaine, Victoria, AUS Photos: Albums Posts: 1,151	Not all Pentax 67 cameras were fitted with mirror lock-up, but it is more common to find the Pentax 67 (around 1989, the newer model that replaced the 1969-vintage Pentax 6x7) with this feature available. It has definite advantages for tripod-mounted work where low speeds are involved and there is a necessity to separate the shutter/mirror inertia that gives rise to blurry images (not always obvious at tiny postcard photos, but extremely irritating to look at in large prints!). The finder fitted to this camera is from an earlier Pentax 6x7 body (the newer finder of circ. 1989 has just PENTAX on it). MLU is used with all of my exposures as my prints are around 80cm to 1 metre across and any unsharpness caused by blur/movement will be patently obvious (and embarrassing!). I cannot be certain at all from looking at this photo, but the leatherette there on the side looks kind of like it has been interfered with; by some wild stretch of the imagination I thought at some time in the past the MLU button had been removed (!)

03-29-2018, 04:17 PM	#3
tuco Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pugetopolis Posts: 11,030	I've never seen a 67 without MLU but I can't say if they exist or not. It seems like it would be impractical to make two versions of this generation given its usefulness. Or, perhaps, it has been worked on from salvaged parts. Just a wild guess.

03-29-2018, 04:46 PM - 2 Likes	#4
Paul Ewins Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Melbourne, Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 274	This is an older 6x7 body that has had it's winder repaired using the assembly from a 67. You will see all sorts of variations as repairers fix cameras with the parts that are available and in some cases upgrade older cameras with features from newer bodies. Generally speaking, the serial number is the most reliable way of telling which body you have. The non MLU went from 4000000 to around 4060700, the MLU went to around 4159850 and then the 67 went from there to about 4220000.

03-29-2018, 05:13 PM	#5
irvirv New Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 2 Original Poster	Thanks everyone! Paul, that makes sense and I think mystery is solved! The serial number is 4035227.

03-29-2018, 05:55 PM	#6
Silent Street Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Castlemaine, Victoria, AUS Photos: Albums Posts: 1,151	Add serial details/comments to the Pentax 67 database: Pentax Serial Number Database - PentaxForums.com

03-31-2018, 04:00 PM	#7
desertscape Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,272	Originally posted by irvirv The serial number is 4035227. One of my 6x7s is a 403xxxx serial number. It's actually a great camera. They are harder to load due to the film spool pins being longer than the newer versions but can be modified.

05-13-2021, 12:50 PM	#8
weverka Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Boulder CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 133	Here is another with the same issue. [Excellent+++] Pentax 67 LATE Model Medium Format Camera Body only from JAPAN \| eBay It is being sold as a late model 67, but it has no MLU