I bought a 645 and a 75 mm f2.8 lens for about $500 a few years ago from
KEH (before film really started to go away. I checked KEH and you can
do better now. My 645 body was a "bargain" one and it's in great
condition. ("Bargain" is a rating level for KEH) I wouldn't hesitate
to buy one in this condition. I did get an "excellent" lens. My
dealings with KEH have been very good.
Steve
>>> Glen Tortorella <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 9/1/2007 1:11 PM >>>
Thank you for the detailed responses, Adam. The 645 series sounds
like it would be an excellent choice for me. I think I would tend
toward the original 645, as it can be had for less money and it is a
manual focus camera. With the various questions I have asked, you
have been very helpful. You are an asset to the list :-)
Regards,
Glen
On Sep 1, 2007, at 10:13 AM, Adam Maas wrote:
> The handling of the 645N and 645NII are superb (Better than my
> Mamiya's,
> Although I do like the Mamiya 645AFDII even more), the original 645
is
> IMHO compromised by the use of the ME Super 2-button interface (I'm
> not
> a big fan) but still handles well overall. Build is plastic-covered
> metal, which is the norm for 645-format SLR's.
>
> 645's are the weight of a pro 35mm SLR, and only somewhat bulkier.
> They're very handholdable, I regularly handhold down to 1/60th with
my
> old M645, and have tried the 645 Super at 1/30th (roll is still in
the
> camera, so we'll see). The Pentax 645's are every bit as
> handholdable as
> my Mamiya's.
>
> You aren't into tripod-only territory with either of the Pentax MF
> SLR's. Only the Mamiya RB & RZ's are truly tripod-bound (Although
it's
> probably a good idea with a Bronica GS as well)
>
> -Adam
>
> Glen Tortorella wrote:
>> Thank you for your thoughts, Adam. Medium format is an intriguing
>> option. I will continue to ponder the matter. How do you like
>> handling the 645 (i.e. the "feel" of it)? Is it more of a "tripod
>> only" type of camera, or may one take good hand-held shots with it?
>> Does the design include any plastic (like the top plate on my Super
>> Program) or is it all metal?
>>
>> Regards,
>> Glen
>>
>> On Aug 31, 2007, at 8:59 PM, Adam Maas wrote:
>>
>>> Glen Tortorella wrote:
>>>> Hi all,
>>>>
>>>> I went to a somewhat "local" camera shop today to buy film. In
one
>>>> of the used cases sat a Pentax 645. It looked like it was in
nice
>>>> shape, and it came with a lens...I am not sure which one, though.
>>>> Anyway, they are asking $560 for it. I have had at least some
>>>> interest in the medium format domain ever since I saw my friend's
>>>> Hasselblad back in 1997. Since it seems like an expensive
>>>> pursuit, I
>>>> have held out on buying a medium format setup. Any comments,
>>>> folks?
>>>> I know little about this type of photography, and I would
>>>> appreciate
>>>> any comments--either about the features of the 645 itself, or
about
>>>> medium format photography (i.e. associated issues and "things to
>>>> keep
>>>> in mind").
>>>>
>>>> Thanks,
>>>> Glen
>>>>
>>> Nice kit, a bit pricey, unless it's an N or NII(AF body).
>>>
>>> I'm a fan of the 645 format. It's big enough to get a really
>>> noticable
>>> quality boost over 35mm, but the camera's aren't any heavier than
a
>>> 35mm
>>> pro AF body like an F5 or EOS 1v.
>>>
>>> I actually just picked up a Mamiya 645 Super kit today, for
$800cdn
>>> off
>>> a friend. Got the 45/2.8, 80/2.8, 150/3.5, the body, AE prism N,
>>> Winder
>>> N, a standard prism, 2 backs and 3 inserts (2x120, 1x220). Quite a
>>> good
>>> price, and it replaces my older M645 which is back in the shop (I
>>> also
>>> own a 55/2.8 N and another 80/2.8 along with a prism for my older
>>> 645).
>>>
>>> The Pentax units have several features built-in that are
>>> accessories on
>>> the Mamiya and Bronica 645's (Metering prisms, winders, backs).
>>> This is
>>> generally a plus for the metering and winding, but the individual
>>> backs
>>> are a bonus (that's one reason I upgraded to a Super from my M645,
>>> some
>>> Mamiya bodies, including the M645, have integrated backs like the
>>> P645,
>>> the others being increased reliability and the price was right).
>>>
>>> -Adam
>>>
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>>
>>
>
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