Help w/ Pentax 645

Laceann · 10-02-2016, 10:26 AM

Hello!
I recently bought a Pentax 645, and I am very new to medium format film photography! I started with 35mm film, but this is totally different! I finished my first roll of Fuiji 400h 120 film last week but it never finished winding up. I think it was a battery issue, so I changed the battery. I had to manual wind the film, which was interesting! Once I finished, I loaded up my next roll and thought I was ready to go. However, when I look through the viewfinder, everything is black. I think the mirror might be up, but honestly I have no clue! I would really appreciate any advice on how to proceed! Thanks!
Lacey

**seventhdr** · 10-02-2016, 02:47 PM - **1 Like**

Take the lens off and look inside the mirror box to see if the mirror is up.

Grab a copy of the Pentax 645 manual and see what it says about the mirror locking up on low battery.

regards

Chris

**Alex645** · 10-02-2016, 03:35 PM - **1 Like**

If there is a power issue, and you used the manual winder, you have to keep winding. The manual winding not only advances the film, one frame at a time, but it also resets both focal plane curtains and should lower your mirror before it locks. With the manual winder, you can then take another shot and repeat the winding sequence. Itʻs very tedious but itʻs a nice option when youʻre out of power or there is problem with the power grip.

Laceann · 10-02-2016, 05:54 PM

I removed the lens and saw where the mirror is locked up. If I understand correctly I should keeping manual winding until the mirror goes back in place? I looked in the manual and found little information on the subject! Thank you for your help btw!

---------- Post added 10-02-16 at 06:01 PM ----------

okay! I kept manually winding and the mirror came down! Awesome, thank you so much!

**seventhdr** · 10-04-2016, 01:00 AM - **1 Like**

Nice to be of help.

Regards

Chris

10-02-2016, 10:26 AM	#1
Laceann New Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Posts: 5	Help w/ Pentax 645 Hello! I recently bought a Pentax 645, and I am very new to medium format film photography! I started with 35mm film, but this is totally different! I finished my first roll of Fuiji 400h 120 film last week but it never finished winding up. I think it was a battery issue, so I changed the battery. I had to manual wind the film, which was interesting! Once I finished, I loaded up my next roll and thought I was ready to go. However, when I look through the viewfinder, everything is black. I think the mirror might be up, but honestly I have no clue! I would really appreciate any advice on how to proceed! Thanks! Lacey

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
For Sale - Sold: SMC Pentax-A 645 45mm F2.8 (w/caps)	mikeSF	Sold Items	5	05-22-2018 08:25 AM
For Sale - Sold: smc Pentax-A 645 80-160mm F4.5 (w/caps)	mikeSF	Sold Items	10	08-19-2016 04:54 PM
Disassembly help with SMC Pentax-A 645 35mm 1:3.5	Menik	Pentax Medium Format	7	04-18-2016 12:39 AM
Machinery 1954 MG via 1984 Pentax 645 w/Provia	Brad Cloven	Post Your Photos!	4	02-25-2015 03:11 PM
For Sale - Sold: Pentax 645 Body w/120 Insert (Worldwide)	oneill	Sold Items	7	05-02-2010 09:21 PM

10-02-2016, 02:47 PM - 1 Like	#2
seventhdr Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,440	Take the lens off and look inside the mirror box to see if the mirror is up. Grab a copy of the Pentax 645 manual and see what it says about the mirror locking up on low battery. regards Chris

10-02-2016, 03:35 PM - 1 Like	#3
Alex645 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Kaneohe, HI Photos: Albums Posts: 3,526	If there is a power issue, and you used the manual winder, you have to keep winding. The manual winding not only advances the film, one frame at a time, but it also resets both focal plane curtains and should lower your mirror before it locks. With the manual winder, you can then take another shot and repeat the winding sequence. Itʻs very tedious but itʻs a nice option when youʻre out of power or there is problem with the power grip.

10-02-2016, 05:54 PM	#4
Laceann New Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Posts: 5 Original Poster	I removed the lens and saw where the mirror is locked up. If I understand correctly I should keeping manual winding until the mirror goes back in place? I looked in the manual and found little information on the subject! Thank you for your help btw! ---------- Post added 10-02-16 at 06:01 PM ---------- okay! I kept manually winding and the mirror came down! Awesome, thank you so much!

10-04-2016, 01:00 AM - 1 Like	#5
seventhdr Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Christchurch, New Zealand Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,440	Nice to be of help. Regards Chris