Blaspheming the Pentax 6x7 for 10 minutes
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- Опубликовано: 5 июл 2024
- Watch the culmination of 6 months of struggle trying to review the Pentax 6x7 non MLU ... Through a parade of repairs, breakages, and some truly nice photos! I give it a go with the Pentax 105mm 2.4, probably one of the most popular medium format film camera lenses of all time. Does it live up to the hype? See my images made on Kodak Gold 200, Kodak TMAX 100, expired Kodak Portra 160NC, Fujifilm Velvia 50, Kodak Ektachrome 100 and ... whew.
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See Marina's channel at @AnalogueDiaries !
Music by Mike Gutterman: mikegutterman.bandcamp.com/ (Sorry I talk over it so much in this episode!)
0:00 Meet the Pentax 6x7
2:32 Troubles Ahead
8:02 Conclusions
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Nice snaps! I enjoyed the Velvia images.
Thank you! I definitely need to pick up some more Velvia ASAP.
My favorites for this episode are: 6-10-12-17-19-22 -25-32-34-36-37- 39-43-47 & 52. And my top 5 are: 37 - 12 - 25 - 43 & 39. I think some cameras need a lot of time to get used to their quirks and routines, and you need to love the results to get over the initial frustration. If you can't or want is better, just change, despite the fame or reputation of that piece of equipment.
I agree! I've gotten a bit more comfortable with the Pentax, but I only want 6x7 frames occasionally, so it's been nice to figure out how I'm feeling about things through actual experience. Thank you!
I liked the images from each of the shoots you showed, great compositions each time. I too switch between shooting pano and regular shots, but do it without an adapter. If you keep having focusing issues, make sure the pressure plate is back on 120 when not doing pano.
Thank you! I appreciate the hint, and I *might* have figured out what was throwing off the focus. I'm going to give it a try early next week.
Great video Jamie! I saw that you briefly covered the Nikon DK-17C -2.0 Correction Eyepiece could you elaborate a little on the benefits and drawbacks? I was only aware of the P67 diopters and was planning on getting one down the road, but they are expensive. But for $20 is it worth it?
Thank you! The Nikon eyepiece works great, and the only drawback is that it sits in the Pentax in a way that you can’t have the rubber protective cover on it and have it screwed in far enough, which is why I have tape on the top part of the ring, since I’m attempting to protect my glasses. Considering it’s half the cost of any Pentax solutions I found, I thought it was a decent trade off. I hope that helps!
When you shot the 35mm pano's did you have the "mask" that clicks into the 6x7 opening? When I bought my 35mm pano kit I made sure that was included. You don't get sprocket holes exposed, but I think it helps to keep the film taut to avoid focus issues.
Yeah, and it seems to fit flush and well, and I love that it crops the frame properly, too. Which is why I'm so mystified that I'm having the focus issue. All I can think of is that somehow the ground glass is getting thrown off, which might lead me to trying a thinner mask on the viewfinder next. Thank you for the input!
I’ve been using the P67 for 8 years now. Not that you’re asking but The 2x magnifier is a big help for focusing. The 105 is even better for portraits if you use a #1 extension tube on it. I think the 55mm and the 135mm are also wonderful lenses, and as I am sure you know the 75mm f2.8 is also legend. I shoot a lot of pano stuff with it and I think the 55mm is just great for that application.
All very good things to know, actually! I'll look up the tube, and someone else has mentioned the magnifier, too. Definitely my cue to go hunting. Thank you!
My P67 has been nothing but anvil reliable for 20 years.
One Cla, but only because I suspected that the shutter might have been 1/2 a stop slow at one point.
Not sure it needed it, as I changed light meters while it was out for a tune up.
Try the 105 on your gfx, it’s nice.
I went down the “shallow depth of field” rabbit hole and adapted film projector lenses to the P67, and honestly think it’s hard to tell if it’s medium or large format by looking at the finished image when using the projector lenses.
For focusing, go both ways.
Go past, then come back.
I mentally put a clock hand on the lens.
Out of focus at 11:55, and again at 12:05?
Turn your hand to noon, if that makes sense.
That's a great method for keeping up with the stops! The 105 is definitely lovely, and I've recently lucked into an MLU I'm hoping can be less problematic. I'd love one of the late models, too. Also, have several lenses to try, but am still very interested in adapting a projector lens, I just have to figure out which one I can get and how to best adapt it. Thank you for watching, commenting, and for the thoughts!
I have the RB67 and while I love the format my Hasselblad 503CX is my favorite camera when I need bullet proof camera on a shoot. The 35mm pano sounds like a alignment/tension/pressure plate problem. Most people say if you absolutely have to have Pentax get the 67II. Last version and just about all the bugs had been worked out
Agreed on the Hasselblad vs. Mamiya front! 6x7 is wonderful, but everything about Hasselblads works so well for me. I think I've tracked down the pano focus issue, though I have to confirm with a test roll this week. And I'm definitely looking very closely at trading into a 67II ... thank you for watching and commenting!
It can definitely be hard to focus with this camera. I’ve got the 105 f2.4 and a 55 f4 and the 105 is noticeably brighter through the finder.
I can definitely see why the 105 is as popular as it is, though. It's an absolutely stunning lens.
I actually quite like the "soup photos". Frame number 42 is stunning!
Thank you! It would be nice if I could make it happen on purpose. 😂
Nice video Jamie! I have lots of thoughts on this because I've been a P67 shooter since the 90"s. But to distill it down, as much as I love the system it isn't the camera for everyone. Mostly I've seen portrait shooters like yourself struggle with it because of the Pentaprism. It's not the same as looking down into a square format camera ground glass or one with a rotating MF back also light is lost in the prism so the finder isn't as bright. However if you're into landscapes, travel and lifestyle type photography the P67 excels in those situations. The lenses are mostly fantastic but you can't compare them all to something like Mamiya 7 glass in terms of sharpness. The 55/4 and 135/4 however are very sharp lenses and you should try that 135 on portraits. The rest of the lenses are plenty sharp and more about the look they give than stats on paper. And yes you should buy the newest body you can find and have it serviced. It's going to cost money, it's part of the game at this point. Also if you have the metal "Fieying" adapter and are using the metal finder mask the mask may be stopping the prism from seating fully. It has to go all the way down against the ground glass.
Thank you for the insight, especially from years of experience! it's really helped me appreciate the time put in with a single system instead of just playing the field, which I'm sure is one reason I am connecting even more strongly with Hasselblads. I'll definitely check out those other lenses, and I'm pretty sure I'm going to keep at least one of these 6x7s around, or maybe sell/trade them up to a 67 or 67II. Also, good call on the mask! I realized the inserts may have actually been pressing the ground glass down too far, too. So I'm going to experiment with faint wax/grease lines as a composition aid and I think it's going to do the trick. I'm glad to get some confirmation on that theory!
I love mine. I have two, a 6x7 MLU and a late model 67. Personally I could care less about doing portraits so the sync speed doesn’t mean anything to me. Also the whole mirror slap rumors are just that. I’ve rarely been in a situation where the mirror caused any issues. Actually you’ll notice that when the mirror and shutter open it’s not the point that causes the most vibration. After the mirror comes down it is felt in your hand but by that time the shutter has already closed. I have one metered prism and one non metered prism and In my experience the camera is more friendly with the non metered prism, It’s lighter and the viewfinder is a little brighter than the TTL version so I just carry a hand held meter and rarely use the TTL prism. As far as the lenses are concerned In my opinion the lenses are top class lenses that have excellent rendering character and are as sharp or sharper than anything out there for a 6x7 system. the late model lenses are better because many of them had updated designs in the late 80’s/early 90’s most of them are are improved optically with modern coatings as well as lighter which makes the whole system more walk around friendly. Some of the designs remain the same but the updated lens bodies are much lighter than the super takumar versions. I believe strongly that the SMC Pentax lens coatings have quality and character that is parallel to Zeiss T* lenses. The camera isn’t for everyone but I feel that the limitations with the body are far overpowered by the excellent lenses. A few personal favorite lenses of mine are the late model SMC 90mm f2.8, the late model SMC 75mm f4.5 and the late model SMC 55mm f/4. The 55 and 75 are definitely two of the sharpest lenses in the lineup although slower than some options. People love the 105 and I won’t talk badly about it I just like the late 90mm 2.8 a lot more. The last thing I’ll say is the price can’t be beat for what you get with a Pentax 67 system. Between the 3 lenses I have and the two bodies I spent less than 2500$ and everything is mint.
Hello, and thank you! I'll have to check out those lenses for sure. And I've been eyeing maybe consolidating into a 67 or 67II. I thought the mirror felt somewhat dampened! I know people were super skeptical about the lack of MLU on the 645N, but I am a believer in whatever tech they said they have that reduces that. (I definitely miss that camera.) I am definitely spending more time with this camera to settle in with it, because I see the potential for it to be a very useful tool. Thank you for watching and commenting!
@@JamieMPhoto here is the deal. the 67II is expensive and honestly can be problematic because of all the electronics inside. The 67II isn’t easily repairable if it dies. The 6x7 MLU and 67 are the most reliable.
Images 41 and 42 are stunning!! Love your content Jamie. Have you tried Kodak Gold for portraits yet?... that's also really nice. I also like Ektachrome.... although stay away from strong reflected light from foliage... turns skin GREEN!!! 🤣
Thank you!! I appreciate that. There are a few shots on gold on here that I should have labeled, but I do love it for portraits! Good skin tones and saturation. I never have luck with Portra 400, and I like 160 much more, but find it too desaturated. And yeah, Ektachrome is beautiful! And a film that color accurate makes all kinds of reflections challenging! I’ve had to deal with odd shirt color reflections, too. Ha. Definitely time for the negative fill on foliage. :) Thank you again!
Now I am stressing about the rolls I have pending development :D It was quite interesting to see you figuring few things out and improving the shots accordingly. I can understand the frustration but if you keep the improvement trajectory you are pretty close. I wonder if the famous fashion photographers who used the Pentax shot that much wide open. With lighting around, I would think they were often around 5.6.
Agreed! I need to see what I think of it at f/4 and 5.6. It's so nice wide open, but how many times can that be used without it getting old? I rarely shoot my Hasselblad lenses wide open anymore, and I've not been bothered by it in the least. And yeah ... I definitely see the appeal of maybe getting a 67 or 67II, though. A little stability and newer functions might make the experience really nice. And thank you!
The Pentax 645n works really well for me. It just feels right & in my opinion takes wonderful photos!
I was super impressed by that camera! I had to sell mine after losing my job to 2020's parade of awfulness, but it's definitely one of them I'm interested in re-buying. I need to get an autofocus lens this time, though.
@@JamieMPhoto I have been able to focus fairly well with the manual focus lenses & auto would be nice but price is a concern.
I watched your Fuji GA645 before this video because I have a mamiya rangefinder and I was kinda considering getting that or the 6x9 Fuji because I wanted one of those two formats. I also wanted this camera as I'm a Pentax fanboy. I must say, you sound like you have a lot of issues with this camera and it sound like a long time standing love hate relationship with it. It makes me glad I didn't buy it lol. All in all your shots were still pretty good despite the fighting with it. I especially like a lot of the shots with the second model Natalia in Ektachrome. The colors were very nice and flattering. Does she have any socials or links on hiring her?
Thank you! The 6x7 at least delivers really wonderful photos for the headaches that can come with it. I can definitely live with that if the format really fits what I want to do. I do love 645 cameras, though. Still lots of extra detail and separation, but a slightly looser shooting experience. Natalia is a friend I asked to model, but I'll definitely see if she's thinking about branching out. Thank you for watching and commenting!
i love the images but as someone who also has trouble focusing (bad eyes) with slr type focusing I can understand the frustration there! its why i love rangefinder patches. images are lovely though on my screen!! aww hopefully the next month is less frustrating!
Thank you!! I do love a really nice rangefinder patch, and it's definitely one of the best things about using a Leica, for example. I always told people I could probably work faster with a rangefinder than AF if I put in enough practice. On the upside, I think I finally got my panoramic focusing thing solved!
@@JamieMPhoto yay!!!
I own all three p67 models and 9 lenses. I prefer my RB67's any day of the week!
Wow! Yeah, I have grown slightly more comfortable with the Pentax, but still strongly prefer my Hasselblad.
Yep the Pentax 6x7 is beast of a machine, yep I feel you, it has it's issues but 105 is a legend!
Agreed! I need to give the other lenses another chance, too.
Yeah I stopped buying the cinestill kits because of a number of issues.
I hate that the slide chemistry is so finicky ... The C41 kits are perfect. I have high success rates with standard E6 kits, but still put up with the rigor when I want to get a slightly different look out of the slides. I dumped all the chemistry (correctly) and mixed a new set and had solid results. I rinse a lot, but maybe there was cross-contamination?