Pentax 645 longevity

**kaseki** · 12-26-2021, 09:19 AM

Didn't someone here report on doing that several months ago? There was also a report on using 9V batteries, as I recall.

Rekusu · 01-19-2022, 08:47 AM

Originally posted by Alex645

The two things that I know of that can fail are the battery holder (broken plastic or corroded contacts)

Bingo!!!! Have the same problem. I know nothing about 3d printing but surely it would not be possible to incorporate the battery contacts.

Apart from finding a replacement,which are thin on the ground, is there a solution?

Great shame that Pentax under-engineered this item.

**DonV** · 01-19-2022, 02:25 PM

Would the external battery pack suffice?

ynnek · 03-19-2022, 04:13 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Rekusu

Bingo!!!! Have the same problem. I know nothing about 3d printing but surely it would not be possible to incorporate the battery contacts.

Apart from finding a replacement,which are thin on the ground, is there a solution?

Great shame that Pentax under-engineered this item.

I am currently building battery holders if you are still in need.

---------- Post added 03-19-22 at 04:16 PM ----------

Originally posted by rpjallan

I guess if you got one with a good battery holder you could get a 3D printed copy made. Would that be a possibility?

This is not so simple. Sourcing and installing the battery contacts has proved to be the real challenge.

Burlington05401 · 03-25-2022, 05:35 AM

Originally posted by rpjallan

Hi Everyone.

I have been shooting digital exclusively since I bought my *ist D when it first came out in 2003 but I have been thinking lately about getting back into some film photography. I have a Pentax MX (which I bought new in 1979!) and a Pentax Z1 but I’m thinking if I’m going to bother with film these days it needs to be medium format. My dad had a Yashica MAT 124G years ago, which I used to borrow and recently looking at some photos from it, I was really impressed. However, I have been thinking about a Pentax 645. I have seen some around for a pretty reasonable price but my question is, considering their age, how reliable are their electronics going to be.

Anyway, I would be interested in any thoughts anyone has…

Seems that 645 battery case is the only problem, with over ( guess) many thousands of mechanical parts. Its going to keep going as long as my 1960s Nikon s. It’s mind boggling to read the repair manual and wonder how it could be manufactured at a reasonable cost.

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12-26-2021, 09:19 AM	#16
kaseki Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2017 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,138	Didn't someone here report on doing that several months ago? There was also a report on using 9V batteries, as I recall.

01-19-2022, 08:47 AM	#17
Rekusu Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 39	Originally posted by Alex645 The two things that I know of that can fail are the battery holder (broken plastic or corroded contacts) Bingo!!!! Have the same problem. I know nothing about 3d printing but surely it would not be possible to incorporate the battery contacts. Apart from finding a replacement,which are thin on the ground, is there a solution? Great shame that Pentax under-engineered this item.

01-19-2022, 02:25 PM	#18
DonV Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Near Charlotte NC Photos: Albums Posts: 695	Would the external battery pack suffice?

03-19-2022, 04:13 PM - 1 Like	#19
ynnek Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2018 Posts: 26	Originally posted by Rekusu Bingo!!!! Have the same problem. I know nothing about 3d printing but surely it would not be possible to incorporate the battery contacts. Apart from finding a replacement,which are thin on the ground, is there a solution? Great shame that Pentax under-engineered this item. I am currently building battery holders if you are still in need. ---------- Post added 03-19-22 at 04:16 PM ---------- Originally posted by rpjallan I guess if you got one with a good battery holder you could get a 3D printed copy made. Would that be a possibility? This is not so simple. Sourcing and installing the battery contacts has proved to be the real challenge.

03-25-2022, 05:35 AM	#20
Burlington05401 New Member Join Date: Mar 2022 Posts: 8	Originally posted by rpjallan Hi Everyone. I have been shooting digital exclusively since I bought my *ist D when it first came out in 2003 but I have been thinking lately about getting back into some film photography. I have a Pentax MX (which I bought new in 1979!) and a Pentax Z1 but I’m thinking if I’m going to bother with film these days it needs to be medium format. My dad had a Yashica MAT 124G years ago, which I used to borrow and recently looking at some photos from it, I was really impressed. However, I have been thinking about a Pentax 645. I have seen some around for a pretty reasonable price but my question is, considering their age, how reliable are their electronics going to be. Anyway, I would be interested in any thoughts anyone has… Seems that 645 battery case is the only problem, with over ( guess) many thousands of mechanical parts. Its going to keep going as long as my 1960s Nikon s. It’s mind boggling to read the repair manual and wonder how it could be manufactured at a reasonable cost.