Pentax 645 or 6x7?

ninporkl · 05-25-2016, 11:50 AM

i wanna buy a 645, but someone tell me that me that the pentax 6x7 it's better, what's is your opinion.

pd. there is a way to put lens of the 6x7 on the 645?

**blackcloudbrew** · 05-25-2016, 12:05 PM - **1 Like**

1. It really depends on what you want. For starters they use the same film (120). The 645 gets 15/16 frames per roll and the 6x7 gets 10 on a roll (both get twice as much with a 220 roll). The 6x7 is an older technology but the negative has close to twice the resolution of the 645 and it's also at least twice or more as heavy.

2. With an appropriate adapter, you can mount 6x7 lenses on a 645, you can't go the other way though.

3. Personally, I own both a 645, 645n, and the original 6x7. In the studio, the 6x7 is wonderful, outdoors, not so much. The 645 system is clearly newer tech and - for me - was the cheaper way to get into medium format cameras.

4. I have to say that if you are going to print very large, the 6x7 system will give you better resolution, the rest of the time it will give you headaches...

My advice would be to start with a 645 system and see how you like medium format.

**jrpower10** · 05-25-2016, 12:31 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by blackcloudbrew

1. It really depends on what you want. For starters they use the same film (120). The 645 gets 15/16 frames per roll and the 6x7 gets 10 on a roll (both get twice as much with a 220 roll). The 6x7 is an older technology but the negative has close to twice the resolution of the 645 and it's also at least twice or more as heavy. 2. With an appropriate adapter, you can mount 6x7 lenses on a 645, you can't go the other way though. 3. Personally, I own both a 645, 645n, and the original 6x7. In the studio, the 6x7 is wonderful, outdoors, not so much. The 645 system is clearly newer tech and - for me - was the cheaper way to get into medium format cameras. 4. I have to say that if you are going to print very large, the 6x7 system will give you better resolution, the rest of the time it will give you headaches... My advice would be to start with a 645 system and see how you like medium format.

That's a pretty good summary. I briefly had a 645, then traded it for a 6x7. the 6x7 is a lot heavier and for me was limited to tripod work. Technique with the 6x7 is much more critical, the shutter release can cause movement/vibration issues, particularly at certain shutter speeds (search the threads as there are a couple of good ones regarding limitations of the 6x7 system). It's also LOUD. Think thunderclap. With all that said, the results, when everything comes together, are phenomenal.

ninporkl · 05-25-2016, 12:51 PM

Originally posted by blackcloudbrew

1. It really depends on what you want. For starters they use the same film (120). The 645 gets 15/16 frames per roll and the 6x7 gets 10 on a roll (both get twice as much with a 220 roll). The 6x7 is an older technology but the negative has close to twice the resolution of the 645 and it's also at least twice or more as heavy.

2. With an appropriate adapter, you can mount 6x7 lenses on a 645, you can't go the other way though.

3. Personally, I own both a 645, 645n, and the original 6x7. In the studio, the 6x7 is wonderful, outdoors, not so much. The 645 system is clearly newer tech and - for me - was the cheaper way to get into medium format cameras.

4. I have to say that if you are going to print very large, the 6x7 system will give you better resolution, the rest of the time it will give you headaches...

My advice would be to start with a 645 system and see how you like medium format.

Great thanks , this solve my dilemma , I'm gonna buy the 645

robthebloke · 05-25-2016, 01:28 PM

Like previous posters, I own the 645, 645n, and 6x7. The original 645 is pretty cute with its 1980's Atari interface, but it's a very capable camera indeed. The only slight annoyance is that it gets 15 frames, compared to 16 with the later models. The 645n is a little sleeker to use, and has a layout that's a bit closer to modern cameras.

The 6x7 is a beast of a camera. It weighs a tonne, the controls are very similar to the original K mount cameras and earlier spotmatics. If you do go down this route, make sure the AE metered prism works (trust me, you want one with the light meter, rather than the standard prism). The 105mm f2.4 is a particularly fantastic lens, and the combination delivers the best picture quality I've ever seen. Other lenses (such as the 90mm f2.8, 75mm f4, 165mm f4, or 45mm f4.5) can be picked up very cheaply (the demand for 645 lenses is higher due to the 645z and 645d)

As great as the 6x7 is, I'd probably recommend the 645n with an FA or A 75mm f2.8. If you're on a tight budget, go for the 645 (although the loss of 1 frame per roll will start to eat into the price difference quite quickly). It's easier to use and isn't quite as expensive to run! Make sure the 645 you get comes with at least one 120 film back. Whilst some films are still available in 220 (only portra as far as I know?), you'll probably only end up using 120 film.

As for mounting 6x7 lenses on the 645, it can be done, but the adapters *can* be very expensive (there are some cheaper non-Pentax ones around, which you might be able to snag cheaply). Really though there is the slight humongous size factor to consider - the 67 lenses mounted on the 645 are not exactly portable

Cuthbert · 05-25-2016, 03:46 PM

When I started to explore the 645 system I decided to go with Bronica and Mamiya, to be honest today I think I should have hunted down a 645n.

I would like to have enough money and determination to get a Pentax 67 II.

**Buffy** · 05-25-2016, 04:30 PM

I don't know if it is important to you, but if you want autofocus then you want the 645N or 645NII. I have two of the latter, they're wonderful cameras.

**TomTom** · 05-25-2016, 04:53 PM

Did someone say 67 w/105mm 2.4? AE?

Pentax 67ii + 105 2.4 Lens

JeffB · 05-25-2016, 09:12 PM

Is your goal to capture direct to digital in 645? Or are you talking strictly about shooting film? For digital there is no point in 6x7 as there are no reasonable commercially available backs to capture the full image frame. All the "normal" medium format backs are 645 (or smaller) or you can just go right to the 645D body. As far as the difference in the formats, 645 versus 6x7 is the same relative difference as APS-C versus full 35mm. 645 is a 1.5X crop factor of 6x7. So all commensurate changes in resolution, DOF and perspective apply when comparing one to the other. Look at the lenses you want to shoot. Then see if those are available for you in a given format. Available 6x7 lens selection is much smaller than 645.

klaus123 · 05-26-2016, 05:41 AM

Hello

I have both - 645 and 6x7&67 - and I prefer the 6x7 for several reasons:
- Due to the manual transport and the full manual settings handling is less hectic than 645
- If you scan the negatives gives better resolution on the same DPI-scans. Affortable flat bed scanners can reach app. 1800 DPI - this is sufficient for 6x7 but borderline for 645
- The choice of affortable lens is better for 6x7 (having 11 lens at the moment)
- The 6x7 has the possibility for very shallow depth of field (especially for 105/2,4 and 165/2,8)

I already stared to sell my 645 stuff (Ausrüstung / Hardware-Börse / Pentax 645-Ausrüstung | Klaus-macht-Bilder.de)

Eyewanders · 05-27-2016, 06:46 PM - **1 Like**

I shoot the 67 and the 645Nii all with adapted lenses from the 67... I own no 645 specific glass and have never felt the need to pick any up, personally.

I shoot just about anything with both, but if I shoot casual portraits or anything that has more on-your-toes shooting I choose the 645Nii. If I owned the 67ii that would arguably happen far less...

Both systems are wonderful in my opinion, but I slightly prefer the 67. When I get back developed slide film from that thing its always like Christmas.

05-25-2016, 11:50 AM	#1
ninporkl New Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: guadalajara, jalisco Posts: 6	Pentax 645 or 6x7? i wanna buy a 645, but someone tell me that me that the pentax 6x7 it's better, what's is your opinion. pd. there is a way to put lens of the 6x7 on the 645?

05-25-2016, 01:28 PM	#5
robthebloke Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Sydney Photos: Albums Posts: 844	Like previous posters, I own the 645, 645n, and 6x7. The original 645 is pretty cute with its 1980's Atari interface, but it's a very capable camera indeed. The only slight annoyance is that it gets 15 frames, compared to 16 with the later models. The 645n is a little sleeker to use, and has a layout that's a bit closer to modern cameras. The 6x7 is a beast of a camera. It weighs a tonne, the controls are very similar to the original K mount cameras and earlier spotmatics. If you do go down this route, make sure the AE metered prism works (trust me, you want one with the light meter, rather than the standard prism). The 105mm f2.4 is a particularly fantastic lens, and the combination delivers the best picture quality I've ever seen. Other lenses (such as the 90mm f2.8, 75mm f4, 165mm f4, or 45mm f4.5) can be picked up very cheaply (the demand for 645 lenses is higher due to the 645z and 645d) As great as the 6x7 is, I'd probably recommend the 645n with an FA or A 75mm f2.8. If you're on a tight budget, go for the 645 (although the loss of 1 frame per roll will start to eat into the price difference quite quickly). It's easier to use and isn't quite as expensive to run! Make sure the 645 you get comes with at least one 120 film back. Whilst some films are still available in 220 (only portra as far as I know?), you'll probably only end up using 120 film. As for mounting 6x7 lenses on the 645, it can be done, but the adapters can be very expensive (there are some cheaper non-Pentax ones around, which you might be able to snag cheaply). Really though there is the slight humongous size factor to consider - the 67 lenses mounted on the 645 are not exactly portable Last edited by robthebloke; 05-25-2016 at 01:42 PM.

05-25-2016, 04:30 PM	#7
Buffy Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Greater Boston area, Massachusetts Posts: 389	Re: Pentax 645 or 6x7? I don't know if it is important to you, but if you want autofocus then you want the 645N or 645NII. I have two of the latter, they're wonderful cameras.

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05-25-2016, 12:05 PM - 1 Like	#2
blackcloudbrew Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cotati, California USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,461	1. It really depends on what you want. For starters they use the same film (120). The 645 gets 15/16 frames per roll and the 6x7 gets 10 on a roll (both get twice as much with a 220 roll). The 6x7 is an older technology but the negative has close to twice the resolution of the 645 and it's also at least twice or more as heavy. 2. With an appropriate adapter, you can mount 6x7 lenses on a 645, you can't go the other way though. 3. Personally, I own both a 645, 645n, and the original 6x7. In the studio, the 6x7 is wonderful, outdoors, not so much. The 645 system is clearly newer tech and - for me - was the cheaper way to get into medium format cameras. 4. I have to say that if you are going to print very large, the 6x7 system will give you better resolution, the rest of the time it will give you headaches... My advice would be to start with a 645 system and see how you like medium format.

05-25-2016, 12:31 PM - 1 Like	#3
jrpower10 Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Richland, Washington, USA Posts: 935	Originally posted by blackcloudbrew 1. It really depends on what you want. For starters they use the same film (120). The 645 gets 15/16 frames per roll and the 6x7 gets 10 on a roll (both get twice as much with a 220 roll). The 6x7 is an older technology but the negative has close to twice the resolution of the 645 and it's also at least twice or more as heavy. 2. With an appropriate adapter, you can mount 6x7 lenses on a 645, you can't go the other way though. 3. Personally, I own both a 645, 645n, and the original 6x7. In the studio, the 6x7 is wonderful, outdoors, not so much. The 645 system is clearly newer tech and - for me - was the cheaper way to get into medium format cameras. 4. I have to say that if you are going to print very large, the 6x7 system will give you better resolution, the rest of the time it will give you headaches... My advice would be to start with a 645 system and see how you like medium format. That's a pretty good summary. I briefly had a 645, then traded it for a 6x7. the 6x7 is a lot heavier and for me was limited to tripod work. Technique with the 6x7 is much more critical, the shutter release can cause movement/vibration issues, particularly at certain shutter speeds (search the threads as there are a couple of good ones regarding limitations of the 6x7 system). It's also LOUD. Think thunderclap. With all that said, the results, when everything comes together, are phenomenal.

05-25-2016, 12:51 PM	#4
ninporkl New Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: guadalajara, jalisco Posts: 6 Original Poster	Originally posted by blackcloudbrew 1. It really depends on what you want. For starters they use the same film (120). The 645 gets 15/16 frames per roll and the 6x7 gets 10 on a roll (both get twice as much with a 220 roll). The 6x7 is an older technology but the negative has close to twice the resolution of the 645 and it's also at least twice or more as heavy. 2. With an appropriate adapter, you can mount 6x7 lenses on a 645, you can't go the other way though. 3. Personally, I own both a 645, 645n, and the original 6x7. In the studio, the 6x7 is wonderful, outdoors, not so much. The 645 system is clearly newer tech and - for me - was the cheaper way to get into medium format cameras. 4. I have to say that if you are going to print very large, the 6x7 system will give you better resolution, the rest of the time it will give you headaches... My advice would be to start with a 645 system and see how you like medium format. Great thanks , this solve my dilemma , I'm gonna buy the 645

05-25-2016, 03:46 PM	#6
Cuthbert Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,740	When I started to explore the 645 system I decided to go with Bronica and Mamiya, to be honest today I think I should have hunted down a 645n. I would like to have enough money and determination to get a Pentax 67 II.

05-25-2016, 04:53 PM	#8
TomTom Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Dallas, Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 539	Did someone say 67 w/105mm 2.4? AE? Pentax 67ii + 105 2.4 Lens

05-25-2016, 09:12 PM	#9
JeffB Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: 'Merica! Posts: 209	Is your goal to capture direct to digital in 645? Or are you talking strictly about shooting film? For digital there is no point in 6x7 as there are no reasonable commercially available backs to capture the full image frame. All the "normal" medium format backs are 645 (or smaller) or you can just go right to the 645D body. As far as the difference in the formats, 645 versus 6x7 is the same relative difference as APS-C versus full 35mm. 645 is a 1.5X crop factor of 6x7. So all commensurate changes in resolution, DOF and perspective apply when comparing one to the other. Look at the lenses you want to shoot. Then see if those are available for you in a given format. Available 6x7 lens selection is much smaller than 645.

05-26-2016, 05:41 AM	#10
klaus123 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Germany Posts: 238	Hello I have both - 645 and 6x7&67 - and I prefer the 6x7 for several reasons: - Due to the manual transport and the full manual settings handling is less hectic than 645 - If you scan the negatives gives better resolution on the same DPI-scans. Affortable flat bed scanners can reach app. 1800 DPI - this is sufficient for 6x7 but borderline for 645 - The choice of affortable lens is better for 6x7 (having 11 lens at the moment) - The 6x7 has the possibility for very shallow depth of field (especially for 105/2,4 and 165/2,8) I already stared to sell my 645 stuff (Ausrüstung / Hardware-Börse / Pentax 645-Ausrüstung \| Klaus-macht-Bilder.de)

05-27-2016, 06:46 PM - 1 Like	#11
Eyewanders Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Land of the Salish Sea Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,343	I shoot the 67 and the 645Nii all with adapted lenses from the 67... I own no 645 specific glass and have never felt the need to pick any up, personally. I shoot just about anything with both, but if I shoot casual portraits or anything that has more on-your-toes shooting I choose the 645Nii. If I owned the 67ii that would arguably happen far less... Both systems are wonderful in my opinion, but I slightly prefer the 67. When I get back developed slide film from that thing its always like Christmas.