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Forum: Pentax Medium Format 08-04-2018, 07:35 AM  
Pentax 645Z replacement?
Posted By BrunoL
Replies: 94
Views: 15,224
I make a distinction between the camera and the company. Since purchasing my Z in Aug. 2014, I have been extremely happy with it, so much so that I invested in the system and bought the 28-45mm and 90mm lenses. Outstanding performers. Nothing else to say. I love that camera and those two lenses in particular.

BUT the company itself leaves a great deal to be desired beyond its tight-lipped approach. My biggest gripe is that they have failed to deliver on their lens roadmap. Over the last 4 years, we have seen a revamped 35mm. That's it. Does the company believe in the system and respect those who have bought into the system considering their repeated failures to communicate what the future holds in terms of new bodies, lenses, etc.?

My take is that we aren't going to see a new "Z" any time soon (or new lenses for that matter), and that the recent drop in price is due to the new kids on the block (GFX, X1D) and their new lenses.
Forum: Pentax Medium Format 05-08-2017, 01:11 PM  
New 90mm Macro
Posted By BrunoL
Replies: 7
Views: 1,620
I agree, the most outstanding 645 lens. It rivals the Zeiss Otus 85mm in terms of sharpness, but has less micro-contrast I would say.

Congrats!!
Forum: Pentax Medium Format 03-28-2017, 07:52 AM  
I have returned to the fold. (now, about lenses)
Posted By BrunoL
Replies: 13
Views: 1,716
I own both the 120 and the 90mm. If you're thinking of doing mostly macro, then get the 120, which has its bonuses (greater magnification, etc) and is four times cheaper than the 90mm. The 120 is also very good for portraiture.

Pros of the 90mm: it's the best optics for the 645z bar none. Great micro-constrast, well corrected, sharp, offers shake reduction, is weather-resistant, 2.8, etc.
Forum: Pentax Medium Format 01-20-2017, 06:54 AM  
645Z sensor: DxOMark strikes again ...
Posted By BrunoL
Replies: 25
Views: 3,216
I read the following on the DxOMark website last night regarding their assessment of the RED Helium 8K sensor:

"RED’s prototype Helium 8K sensor has shattered our previous top DxOMark sensor score. With a dramatic jump to 108, it leaps past the only other sensor to have broken the 100 barrier – RED’s own Epic Dragon prototype (101 points)."
https://www.dxomark.com/Reviews/RED-Helium-8K-DxOMark-Sensor-Score-108-A-new...me-high-score2

"the only other sensor to have broken the 100 barrier" ... really? I seem to recall a certain sensor whose results had been published (leaked?) for a few hours a while back that also broke the 100 barrier. I think the 645Z got an overall score of 101 if I'm not mistaken.

I also remember that we were promised a full fledged review of the Z, but we are still waiting for that. Does someone have any news on a forthcoming DxOMark review of the 645Z, or should we just forget about it?
Forum: Pentax Medium Format 11-04-2016, 04:37 AM  
Is the Pentax 90mm f/2.8 D FA 645 Macro really the bees knees when I have the 120 f4?
Posted By BrunoL
Replies: 19
Views: 6,631
I own both the 645 90mm f2.8 and the 645 120mm f4. I asked myself the same question before buying the 90mm.

Aside from the extra stop of light, stabilization, and weather sealing, what stands out for me is the image quality (colour rendition/accuracy, micro contrast, sharpness, etc) of the 90mm. It is the best lens for resolving the outstanding 645Z sensor. I also own the 28-45mm and the 55mm, and the 90mm is the best of the three.

I also own the Zeiss Otus lenses (which I use on the D800E), and the 645 90mm f2.8 is the closest you can get to Otus quality in the Pentax system.

The 645 90mm is expensive and heavy though (which isn't an issue if you do studio work). If you own a 645D/Z and don't intend to jump ship, bite the bullet and see the purchase as a long-term investment.

That said, maybe try renting it first to see if the difference is really worth the extra $$$.
Forum: Pentax Medium Format 10-23-2016, 12:43 PM  
Water-damaged 645Z: not covered by warranty?!?!
Posted By BrunoL
Replies: 63
Views: 7,535
Thanks everyone for your explanations, opinions, and suggestions. Beyond my own personal ordeal, I'm glad to have sparked this discussion if it can help someone else realize that "weather resistant" doesn't mean "weather proofed." For some it might have been obvious, while for others it's a bit misleading considering that Pentax are fond of showing lots of water hitting their cameras in the ads, though they won't cover water damage as stated online.

I'm disappointed in Pentax for a number of reasons (lack of pro support, misleading lens road map (nothing new for us digital 645 users...), etc., etc.), but I do love the Z so I will patiently await its return and treat it like the fragile thing it is when it starts raining from now on. Lesson learned.

Cheers,
Bruno
Forum: Pentax Medium Format 10-21-2016, 05:14 AM  
Water-damaged 645Z: not covered by warranty?!?!
Posted By BrunoL
Replies: 63
Views: 7,535
I was using the DA 645 28-45mm f4.5 lens when that happened, and it's a WR lens.
Forum: Pentax Medium Format 10-21-2016, 04:42 AM  
Water-damaged 645Z: not covered by warranty?!?!
Posted By BrunoL
Replies: 63
Views: 7,535
I'm reaching out to other 645Z/645D owners to ask if they have experienced something similar with Pentax Japan. I was out shooting with the Z about 2 months ago, and it started raining. No big deal, right? The camera is fully weather sealed, and I had shot in the rain before with it, so no cause for concern. Guess again. The camera literally died on me in the field. I turned it off, removed the battery, nothing working. Did that again after a few minutes, still nothing. Went back home to further inspect the camera. I could not see any visible damage inside the camera. The following day I re-assessed the camera: it was "working", but it would take 45 secs to power on; I couldn't go into live view mode anymore, and the camera made a horrible sound and was extremely slow when trying to auto-focus. Time to send it in for repair.

The camera was still under warranty, so I thought things would go smoothly. I live in Toronto, so I sent it to Ricoh Pentax Canada. It took forever to hear back from Japan. When I did, the estimate I received from Sun Camera Service mentioned the following: "Liquid damage not covered by warranty. Complete overhaul, cleaning, and replacement of minor parts." Am I the only one to have thought that this "fully weather sealed" camera would be covered for liquid damage ...? It's not the $542 that I will have to pay to get the camera serviced that annoys me but the fact that Pentax don't stand behind their top-of-the-line camera. Pentax claim to have one of the best - if not the best - weather sealings in the business, but when comes the time to put their money when their mouth is, they don't deliver. It's not like I dropped the Z in the pool or something. Just typical rain we are talking about, yet it's not covered.

Lesson learned: weather sealing means dust, sand, and whatever is not liquid. The camera is still in Japan, and it's been 2 months already.

I would be curious to hear about your experiences a) shooting in the rain (any problems?) and b) warranty claims (any bad experiences there, especially in terms of liquid damage).

Thanks,

Bruno
Forum: Pentax Medium Format 09-13-2016, 06:09 AM  
Which shoulder bag for Pentax 67II + 3 lenses?
Posted By BrunoL
Replies: 11
Views: 2,533
Thanks for the suggestions. I will have a look at the Domke F-2 and the Vanguard Heralder 38.
Forum: Pentax Medium Format 09-11-2016, 05:34 PM  
Which shoulder bag for Pentax 67II + 3 lenses?
Posted By BrunoL
Replies: 11
Views: 2,533
I would like to buy a shoulder bag for the Pentax 67II and the 75mm, 105mm, and165mm lenses.

I was just wondering which bag Pentax 67 shooters have and what they appreciate about it specifically.

Thanks for your suggestions!
Forum: Pentax Medium Format 08-06-2016, 05:26 AM  
Weather-sealing and the Pentax 645z
Posted By BrunoL
Replies: 10
Views: 2,037
I have used the 645z in pouring rain (and I mean pouring rain, not drizzle) on several occasions with the 28-45mm, 55mm, and 90mm (weather sealed lenses). I have also used it in super humid conditions (100% humidity in Guangzhou, China), and can't say I had any issues.

The first time I used the camera in the rain I was a bit nervous, so when I got back to the hotel room I quickly had a look at the camera to see if water had got inside. Not a drop.

If weather sealing is your main concern before you purchase the Z, then worry no more.
Forum: Pentax Medium Format 08-25-2015, 01:16 PM  
Looking for 45mm lens recommendation for 645z
Posted By BrunoL
Replies: 19
Views: 2,736
I know you're looking for a prime, but I must say that you won't find a better lens than the DA 645 28-45mm F4.5 in the current line up if what you want is a 45mm lens. It's tack sharp, it has shake reduction, and it's weather sealed. But I won't lie to you, it's super heavy and very expensive, so it's a big investment in the 645Z system. You won't regret it though if you decide to go down that route. I haven't so far.

I also own the FA 645 45-85mm F4.5. The two lenses can't be compared; it's apples and oranges really.
Forum: Pentax Medium Format 07-27-2015, 04:54 AM  
Pentax FA 645 macro 120mm: what's Lightroom doing to my files?
Posted By BrunoL
Replies: 8
Views: 1,522
Hadn't thought about that. I'm running LR 5.7 on Mac. Will be upgrading soon and hoping that will do the trick, but Kolor-Pikker is saying it's still an issue with LR CC.
Forum: Pentax Medium Format 07-24-2015, 10:42 AM  
Pentax FA 645 macro 120mm: what's Lightroom doing to my files?
Posted By BrunoL
Replies: 8
Views: 1,522
Thanks everyone for the feedback. It's clear there's something wrong with the Adobe profile for the lens when it's shot around f11. I will do the lens correction manually if needed then.
Forum: Pentax Medium Format 07-23-2015, 05:27 PM  
Pentax FA 645 macro 120mm: what's Lightroom doing to my files?
Posted By BrunoL
Replies: 8
Views: 1,522
I thought I would reach out to the community, as I am at my wit's end. Here's the situation: I bought a used Pentax FA 645 macro 120mm a few weeks ago to use with the 645Z. I tested the lens when I received it, and everything about it was great; it was as sharp as everyone describes it online.

Last week, I went outside and took a few pictures with the 120mm. They were well exposed, and when I reviewed them on the camera screen, they were looking great. I got home and started importing the 120mm files in LR ... what a disaster. See the test shot below. You will notice the centre of the image is ok, but the rest of it, my god..., it's all blown out.

Another piece of the puzzle is that LR does that to shots taken outdoors only. If I take a picture inside the house, it's processed normally by LR. Nothing to report.

Any idea why LR does that only to the 120mm files taken outdoors? Why is there such a difference between the well-exposed in-camera file and the one LR imports?

Thanks!
Forum: Pentax Medium Format 04-30-2015, 05:08 AM  
"Card is not formatted" message with 645z
Posted By BrunoL
Replies: 16
Views: 6,738
Thanks, everyone! Problem solved.
Forum: Pentax Medium Format 04-29-2015, 02:56 PM  
"Card is not formatted" message with 645z
Posted By BrunoL
Replies: 16
Views: 6,738
I have owned the 645z for about 8 months now. A few weeks ago I got the following message for the first time when I turned the camera on: "Card is not formatted." I was very surprised, as I had been using the same formatted Sandisk Extreme Pro 64GB SD card in Slot1 for months and hadn't got this message before. So I reformatted the card and lost all the images on it (not a big deal as I always copy my images to the card in Slot2 when I shoot).

I must have shot less than 100 pictures over 2-3 weeks with the reformatted card and today, when I turned the camera on, again I see the same message as before: "card is not formatted."

Have some of you experienced the same issue with the 645z? I don't know what the problem could be. If the card were corrupt, it wouldn't have worked for 2-3 weeks I suppose. The latest firmware update is installed, but beyond that I have no clue what the problem could be. Actually, come to think of it, the first time I got the "card is not formatted" message was soon after I updated to the latest firmware. I used my Mac (a Mac problem?) to update the firmware using the SD card I mentioned above. Could this be related?

Any ideas or suggestions to get to the bottom of this?

Thanks.
Forum: Pentax Medium Format 03-26-2015, 05:39 AM  
Pentax 645 lens resolving power
Posted By BrunoL
Replies: 13
Views: 3,014
My question concerns the 645Z camera vs. FF cameras such as the D810 and the forthcoming 5DS and the currently available lenses for both systems.

I’m curious to hear what digital shooters have to say on the following hypothetical situation. If money weren’t an issue, which of the two systems would you go for:

- Pentax 645Z with current lens lineup (25mm, 28-45mm, 55mm, 90mm) designed for it
OR
- Nikon D810 or Canon 5DS with the Zeiss Otus lenses, which are considered by many to be the best performing lenses in the world as far as resolving power is concerned. AND my question concerns only lens resolving power - not the auto vs. manual question in other words.

D810 or 5DS with the Zeiss Otus lenses:
Only the Otus lenses are said to resolve more than 35MP at the moment... which begs the question how many mega pixels the lenses for the 645Z would resolve if they were tested by dxomark…

Lloyd Chambers (diglloyd) has run a number tests and has come to the conclusion that only the 645 90mm macro comes close to approaching the Otus line. What he says about the 645 55mm is quite disparaging…

The question is an old one: resolving power of outstanding lenses (Otus) on FF, or the 645Z's outstanding sensor coupled with average or slightly above average Pentax lenses (aside from the 90mm macro, which is indeed above average and the best 645 lens).

Even older question: investing in glass or camera body? Most photographers say glass… therefore, the Otus + D810 or 5DS would seem to be the wisest choice moneywise given that FF 50MP cameras are here and that they may indeed be able to resolve over 45MP.

So why would someone invest in the 645Z system in other words given that there are more performing lenses out there and that FF 50MP cameras are just around the corner?

Playing devil’s advocate here …
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 11-08-2014, 11:36 AM  
smc FA 645 45-85mm f/4.5 Lens not autofocusing anymore
Posted By BrunoL
Replies: 2
Views: 889
Thanks, Ole. Problem solved. I guess it shows I'm new to the Pentax system!
Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 11-08-2014, 06:36 AM  
smc FA 645 45-85mm f/4.5 Lens not autofocusing anymore
Posted By BrunoL
Replies: 2
Views: 889
Hi,

Yesterday I was out shooting and my FA 645 45-85mm f/4.5 lens stopped autofocusing for some reason. I didn't drop the lens or anything like that. I know the problem isn't with the camera itself, as my other lenses' auto focus system works just fine on the same body. I also checked if the ring was set to "A" and it was.

Does someone have any tips or suggestions about what I could do to solve this problem ... aside from sending it away to get repaired (it's no longer under warranty).

Thanks!
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