Pentax 645N Review
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- Опубликовано: 29 сен 2024
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The Pentax 645N is a camera that I’ve always been intrigued by and I finally decided to pick one up. In this initial review video, I head out to one of my favourite locations and shoot my first few rolls of film with it. Stay tuned for a long term review at some point in the future.
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Important to know is, that the 645N will confirm focus on any lens, even if you would use the bottom of a bottle. This is a huge advantage over the original 645.
Nice videos Kyle. I'm still using my Mamiya 645 1000s that purchased new back in the very early 80's. I did manage to make an L-bracket out of aluminum bar stock, which does make changing orientation easier. I just wish it had the rotating film back feature of my RZ67...that would have been sweet. Good luck with the Pentax.
your work is amazing Kyle, I enjoy every video you share.
I learned a lot from your youtube channel.
Really happy to hear that, thank you!
Love that camera...bought a second one...(to compensate for no film back)...120 macro is my favourite lens in the lineup
Love this channel, you're doing a great job!
Thank you!
Just ordered this camera and is on the way. I hope, like you, to make it a lighter and more portable addition to the medium format arsenal. I also shoot both 6x7 and 6x9, so the extra shots with the 645 will be welcome. BTW, the used lenses for this camera are a steal compared to the new prices.
I think you'll love it! Never selling mine.
If you don't mind me asking, where did you buy it? And are you happy with the seller? (I'm looking for one now)
@@zonoscopePictures I bought it on ebay from a Japanese dealer. I have had positive experience with most Japanese dealers and have bought most of my film cameras from them.
Thanks, Kyle, love the review and great pictures.
Thank you, Radi.
Dope video as always! I was looking to get the Fuji GA645 as well but after watching this video...I'm really torn! I'm leaning towards the Pentax because I might miss the MF feature. What the song that starts to play from 3:00?
And compare it to the Bronica ETRSI. It's a 645 also and give for aorund the same price
I've heard great things about the Bronica. Maybe one day I'll check it out.
1:57 damn likely one of the best photos i've seen lately
This location is superbly awesome
Thank you!
stunning!
Your work is so good and you create high quality content. On top of that, you’re way more knowledgeable than the other so-called RUclips “experts” spreading misinformation. Keep up the good work!
Thank you, Russell. Really appreciate that. .
These are the kinds of channels I want to see and knowledge I crave. Unlike those douche lords like Peter McKinnon who are basically just marketing poster boys who stopped creating art long ago and want to sell a new product every week.
This awesome camera will also print exposure data on the edge of the negatives if you want it to, plus the manual focus is assisted with a hexagonal green light in the viewfinder when focus is met. I thought I would share these features for those considering a purchase, because I found them to be nice. Thanks for the great review, as always.
I am thinking Mamiya RB67 for landscapes (with both 6x7 and 645 backs) and the 645n for fast paced and indoor events.
The Pentax 645 is a great camera especially for landscape photography! I’ve had mine going on 27 years now and it still shoots like a champ.
I've been shooting one of these for the last few weeks myself. Loving it! I'm playing with it because I'm thinking about possibly getting a 645z for digital down the road. Would be nice to already have the lens system
about one year later (only), I'm looking at eBay and see prices around $700 to over $1,000.....WTF happened??
Word got out?
Please make another video on this camera i just bought one myself
I just found a Pentax 645n at Goodwill with 2 lens, a FA 2.8 45mm & a zoom FA 4.5 80-160mm. $49 for the set, it looks to be in absolutely mint condition. It had batteries in it that expired in 2014, I replaced the batteries and it turned on and I can autofocus, that is all I know at this point. I Don't know a lot about photography but I think I will keep it and learn a bit. Its funny I found it setting on the same shelf that I found a pair of Busnell Rangemaster silver ring (1957 kinda holy grail) binoculars a week earlier.
How's the 645 working? That is an amazing score, I have to say!
Very jealous of your score! Enjoy the camera!
It is probably the the same Goodwill store that has the Leica M3 in mint condition for 25$...
I also started with the original P645 camera, and later got the 645N. I really like the extra features on the N. Its one of my favorite cameras to use for film.
Another big plus for me that I just thought of is that the 645N takes standard AA size batteries. That’s a big plus when you are in fairly remote locations where other specialized batteries would be unavailable.
- dope ass images my man. Insane production too!
Thanks!
Man, Kyle~ this is THE camera I really wanted you to review since I was always curious if Pentax 645 can replace Pentax 67 or can be a strong back up. Good to see you often~~~
I am thinking the same. I was checking on Taobao (yes, I live in China, and we got all those cameras and more), and it is surprisingly not too expensive. So I am really close to buying it, but I have to check my wallet as well.
Radi Renggli me too i live in china
Thanks, Ryan! This is a camera that I'm definitely going to hang on to.
Love my pentax 645!! Love to pick up a n for the 10 second timer, it's a shame the original doesn't have this feature.
I agree, for some reason has very few photographers care about self timers but I shoot so many self-portraits I couldn't buy a camera without one
this question might be dumb but does the auto focus only works w the lens it comes with? are lens still interchangable?
Yes, the lenses are interchangeable-it will work with both autofocus lenses and manual lenses.
Why bother....so many people start their "reviews" by saying, "I haven't really used this camera very much yet." Not interested....
Wow they've gone up a fair bit since this video was made😞
Anybody else spot the cat? 2:39
I sold mine because I always ended up reaching for my 67 but I do miss that little focusing beep, so nice!
It is a nice feature!
I loved the fact that I could go medium format buy just buying the 645Z body and all my 645N lenses work with it.
Please do the Mamiya Universal next, glorious for the huge 6x9 size!!
I just scored a "faulty" 645 body for 200. All it needed was a battery contact cleaner, 6 fresh batteries and it works !!! Now to get a lens...es....
So happy you’re making videos again!
Revisiting this video as I finally bought a 645N today 🙌🏻. So many of these shots feel like album covers waiting to be.
Nice, man! I'm sure you're going to love it.
So wish I could find somewhere that would fix my lens - the autofocus has broken. Lucky the manual focusing still works.
Great video!!
A review of the Fuji gx680 would be really interesting to see, how it compares to the rb67/rz67
Wow so glad to see you with this camera. I dedicated my channel to showcase how good x underrated this system is. I own a 645 original.
Looking forward to seeing more stuff
I totally agree with all of your coments about the pentax. I hugely recomends the pentax 120mm macro lens, the manual focus one. It is a fantastic lens for macro work. Love the photos and the colors.
Hey Kyle, the photos are so beautiful. I always notice that other peoples photos look different using the same camera and even the same film. Can you tell me what you do to make them look so clean and beautiful? Is it your scanning technique? They almost look like some drum scanned images I've seen.
So much of it comes down to the scan. An image shot on colour negative can look a hundred different ways depending on who scans it. And then also how it's processed afterwards.
@@KyleMcDougall are you able to tell me about the scanning method and development you use? I want to be able to make my images look like this without a lab so I have control over my photos.
Honestly you took so much beautiful photographs in this episode. Love your channel and what you do as an artist. Your work is a great source of inspiration to me.
Thanks so much, Thomas. I appreciate that!
Quick question, is the 645N really that diferent from 645? The autofocus for me is kinda of a missmatch since I tend to focus manually. I've found a 645 for a bargain in my city and I'm thinking of buying it
If I had to re-do, I'd probably go for the original 645 for manual focus only.
Well guess what just went up in price
Those detail shots were just too beautiful! as always great work Kyle!
Thanks, Max!
I was looking at this camera earlier, the Data imprint feature is what piqued my curiosity. Mind if you show us a sample?
Can it imprint shutter speed/aperture info behind the slides?
I can post one shortly for you, Jake. Haven't even picked up my negatives from the lab yet since making this video.
started with Pentax 6x7 and bought a 645 with an adapter for the 105mm. However, still couldn't forget the magic of the 6x7, the 645 was never able to compete with his big brother. Sold it eventually. I did like the ergonomics, with that grip.
The 6x7 is magic, for sure. I'm definitely enjoying both worlds right now.
I just ordered a 645N body and am shopping for lenses. At least as far as Ebay goes, there is a huge difference in price between the 75mm and all the other sizes. Why is the 75mm so much more expensive than others? Is it a matter of quality or simply that there is more demand for that size making it more scarce? Thanks for the videos, Kyle! I'll be watching this one again when my camera arrives!
Hey Callie, could be because the high priced versions you are seeing are the AF versions. A lot of the MF 645 lenses are going to be much cheaper. Enjoy the new cam!
I bet I wouldn't find this camera in my country cheaper than $1000
Yo same haha, feel like they spiked a bit over the past year or so as well though.. recently saw a review of a Mamiya 645 where it stated you could get them for around 150$.. these days 350-409 is a fairly regular lol
thanks for this! very informative. so.....almost two years later, do you still have the pentax 645??
Cheers. Don’t own it any longer as I’m not really shooting 645.
Amazing video man. As always.
Thanks, dude. Good to see you here on RUclips!
How did you go on about scanning these negatives? The results are looking very clean.
Thank you. These were lab scans on a Noritsu. Edited afterwards in LR.
@@KyleMcDougall I feared you'd say it was done on a flatbed scanner! Thanks!
In your research are there any significant differences between the 645N vs 645NII? Another steller video btw!
While I haven't used one myself (yet) I believe the main differences are that the NII has mirror lock-up as well as the ability to set and use custom settings. Otherwise it should be identical. Hope this helps. d(^_^ )
Thanks, Justin. As mentioned below, mirror lockup, and a number of custom functions.
645N is a great camera backed up with a decent lens line! I had one with Pentax AF150mm F2.8 - loved it! There are two minor drawbacks: 1. there is no interchangeable back. 2. Due to the mirror movement, 1/60 is the slowest shutter speed you may handheld. it's critical unless you use a tripod or monopod. Contax 645 has a way softer mirror movement, 1/15-1/30 no problem, but it costs 4-6 times as much.
Yep, the Contax is a beauty, but prices are really high on that camera.
I handhold down to 1/30 on the 645n no problem with both the 75 and 150mm lenses
Super great photos and production quality, 1:57 is crazy
Thank you!
Yay my camera!
I love my 645n, but my 75mm lens does a weird effect sometimes where a subject near the camera will have part of themselves out of focus and the background IN focus, almost like the lens is acting like a split diopter? Like, someone standing straight at the camera will have their body in focus, but their feet and calves are soft and the sidewalk behind them is in focus. Dunno what that's about.
But yeah, overwise, good camera.
Tyson L I think this is caused by a faulty film insert, which causes the film to not be held perfectly flat. Try switching out the film inserts and see if it helps!
The surface of all the film to be exposed may not be in same focal plane.
Tight review.
Thank you!
When I use The Auto Focus Feature, how can I recompose without the focus moving. Thats been my only frustration with this system. AF works great if you want your focus dead center frame... But if not as soon as You Recomp, the focus does its own thing. Great Video!!
Sorry, don't own this camera anymore and it's been a while since I've used it. But from what I can remember, can't you lock on a spot and then recompose?
@@KyleMcDougall You can. I realized I i had it Servo mode instead of Single.. So it was basically in Continuous AF instead of Single. Thanks for the response
please never stop uploading. you are by for one of the best channels on this topic. everything you upload is so good!
Thank you!
Bonus squirrel at 2:39
Wonderful video, enjoyed watching it.
Question: Did you edit the output images you are showing in the video, and if so, what ?
Thanks in advance
And thanks for sharing, keep up the good work !
Thank you! Yes, output images were edited in Lightroom. Going to have a video up soon about editing, probably with a few of these images as examples.
@@KyleMcDougall Excellent, looking forward. Thanks for the early reply !!
Those images from the junkyard are fire.
Thanks, man!
Thank you for this video! So helpful! Have you ever tried double exposures on this camera yet? I would love to know your insights on that part too!
Glad you enjoyed. Haven't tried any double exposures with this.
@@KyleMcDougall I did some double exposures on wedding work years ago on my original 645. Worked beautifully.
My favourite medium format camera, great purchase! Man that place you were shooting looks cool, reminds me of "The Last of Us"
Thanks! Have a feeling this will quickly become my favourite as well.
Love my 645J
Really great photos. Does the meter use a common battery type? Also, would that 75mm be the equivalent of a 50mm in 35mm terms?
Thank you. The camera runs off of 6 AA batteries. The 75mm is roughly equivalent to 45mm in 135.
The lack of interchangeable backs killed it for it me, looks nice though. I wonder why Pentax decided to do that?
I had one, great camera. I prefer the Fuji GA645 for 645 shooting though.
Why are you asking if it's your favorite? It's up to you bro, we can't force you to do anything you don't want you
Your photos are so freaking beautiful
Thank you. 🙏
Will portraits be out of focus if you focus and recompose? Or would you just center compose portraits? How would you shoot portraits with this camera?
It would all depend if they fall out of the plane of focus. But in most cases I'd think you'd be fine focusing then recomposing.
got Fuji gs645s after your Fuji GA recomendation. love it and looking for sth better :)
you just made me buy one. im new into medium formats, tried fuji ga645 and loved it. now im experimenting with pentacon six (but probably meh, its old gear) and now this. 6x7 is so much expensive than 645 :(
I’m sure you’ll love this camera, Jakub!
Wish I could buy one liked that as a backup when I purchased my Hasselblad 500 C/M four decades ago. 😊
If I had a grand for the kit and 2 lenses. It's on the dream list. Great shots btw. That and the GF670. Wow, that would be a 120 wet dream. I'll settle for my blad and a very modified holga. My main shooter is a Mamiya zm with an adapter and 645 lenses on 35. But, whatever works, as long as it's working. Right?
Absolutely-whatever works for you is what's best!
Used mine with a 24mm. Pure bliss.
just wondering, i'm also looking at the model on eBay, but there are mostly Japanese sellers, did you also buy it from Japan? if so how is your experience with it?
I purchased this one on eBay from Japan. That's how I buy most of my gear and never have had an issue. Just make sure you buy from someone with decent history and good feedback.
Welcome back Kyle🤘🏻
Thanks!
There is an adapter to pair it with Pentax 6x7 lenses / food for thought :)
and it's amazing. i bought the original 645 just to pair with the 105 lens and it's really on another level.
Nice shots! Great review also. Do you prefer this over Fujifilm GA645? Thank you!
The Fuji GA645 is great, and very close, but for me, I prefer the SLR style of the Pentax over a rangefinder.
You are making me want one🙀! Can you do a review on the Bronica etrsi which is 645? Again awesome stuff brother 👊🏾
Thanks! Always keeping my eye out for a Bronica.
Interchangeable back ... that is why I went with the Bronica ETR when I purchased my 645 camera
If an interchangeable back is a must, then yeah, that's a negative for this camera.
Can you please make a video about how do you record your videos? Which equipment and which presets do you use in post production. It would be so interesting.
Yep. Have plans for this at some point in the future.
What do you shoot your youtube videos with? They look gorgeous and not too affected by youtube compression. Awesome.
Thank you. Most are shot on the Blackmagic Pocket 4k.
How would you compare it with the Fuji GS645s?
Haven't used the GS645s, but I have used the GA645. Both great cameras, but I prefer an SLR over a range finder, so for that reason I'm liking the Pentax better.
Thanks for the video. However, I found the Pentax 645n pretty uncomfortable to focus. Manual focussing is very hard (the viewfinder is bright, yes, but it's hard to tell whether something is in focus or not). And I had some misfocussed shots on mine. More than on the original 645, which I find very easy to focus manually.
Yeah, for me, time will tell how much I enjoy/don't enjoy manually focusing with this camera.
The original 645 was designed for manual focus and comes with a split image screen which makes
focusing easy like most SLR's...if you got the 645n and use manual focus lenses than you can change
the screen to a split image type.
My nII died :( it’s now a brick
sold this camera pretty well for me
Great review and shooting! Also at about 2:40 I think you caught a fox in the background :)
Thank, you!
This camera is awesome, but mine broken the shutter speed dial button when I was using it last week. Take care with that....
Yep, already ran into that once. Super glue seems to do the trick.
Your shots here are perfect 👌 You mentioned that you used the matrix meter so I’m just curious what ISO you metered the film at?
Thank you. If I remember correctly, I believe it was 200.
I have the first gen 645 and I love it, your 67 review made me want to consider upgrading but due to cost of building a whole new kit etc, I think I'll stick with the 645. Thanks for your videos, loving em!
Thanks, Christopher.
Awesome review, thanks for sharing.
Thanks!
Love this review -- helped influence my purchase of a 645N! Curious question -- the one I bought starts the frame counter at 16 and counts down to 1. Not in the traditional start with frame 1 and end at 16. Any idea on how to change?
If you have the N you won't be able to change that. It could only be done by sending it to Pentax back in the days for reprogramming. The NII has a custom menu where you can change from down- to upcounting. Impossible on the N.
@@BillionairesBoysClub actually, the seller I bought the camera from reached out to Pentax and they shared how to change it and it worked!
One of those odd combos of buttons and switches, but worked!
For anyone wanting to solve/change their film roll numbering countdown vs count up :
First, remove the filmback.
Turn the shutter dial into a bulb " B ".
Then, set the metering method switching lever to the spot " ・ ".
In this state, the setting for the number of films changes each time the battery holder is reinserted.
"...he doesn't play for the money he wins..."
16 frames 6x4.5 is standard on 120 film, right? I manage to get an extra frame on the zeiss ikon with manual advance through the red window
On the original Pentax 645 I believe it's 15 frames.
@@KyleMcDougall I see, got me confused. I liked the video, good job
great pictures. Would you mind sharing with us where all these old cars are located exactly? I love shooting old cars!!! yes, the camera is amazing. I have sold mine last year and regretting it. I want another one!
These are at an old junkyard in Ontario, Canada.
@@KyleMcDougall thanks! I would make a trip just for that! If it's not too much asking, could you be more precise?
My guess is: no, but....
Being heavily invested in a Pentax 67 system, for years I was attracted to the idea of adding a Pentax 645 plus the adapter mounting the 67 lenses to the 645 body. In the end, I decided not to do this because I would not be getting optimal lenses for the 645, nor would I be getting the light, portable package which I consider the prime advantage of 645 format generally. Using the 67 system, I experience the negative function of not having interchangeable film backs. That would continue with the Pentax 645. I reluctantly concluded that if I want a system 645, the Bronica ETRSi is the superior choice. Having reached an age where I have limited capacity to carry around a Pentax 67, and looking for an alternative, portable 645, I invested in a couple of Fuji GA and GS645 models.
Don’t forget the various Mamiya 645 cameras too
@@tompoynton Never considered the Mamiya 645. I grew up comparing it with other 645 systems, which back in the day, unlike now, were extensively reviewed and published in mags like Modern Photography. Frankly, the Mamiya 645 non-AF bodies have significant design defects adversely effecting their reliability. Not a big problem then, as repairs where routinely available, which is not the case today. Also, the Mamiya lenses of that day were second rate, like the first series of lenses for the Bronica 645 system. After the first decade or so, the newer lenses were better, but they never touched the quality of the Pentax 645 lenses or the later upgraded Bronica lenses.. If Pentax had designed their 645 system bodies with mid-roll interchangeable film backs like the Bronica, I would have gone whole hog into that system instead of the Pentax 67 system I have now.
Hey Kyle. A great video! The Pentax 645 has been on my radar for a while now in terms of stepping up from 35mm. I love your images from this shoot, especially that they were on the darker side. Did you scan them yourself or is this how they came back from the lab? Cheers Sean
Thanks, Sean. Really enjoying it so far. As for the images, these were edited afterwards. Going to post up a video this week about editing, with a few of these included.
@@KyleMcDougall Thanks Kyle! I saw in a comment below that these were scanned on an Noritsu scanner. I have found that I get better result from an Noritsu vs Frontier except labs don't always density correct properly.
Hey Kyle! Great videos as always. I'm having the hardest time deciding between the Pentax 645N and the Fujifilm GA645 Pro, as someone who's owned both; what would you recommend for walking around architectural and sometimes people shooter?
Hey Evens, I would say it all comes down to if you prefer and SLR over a rangefinder. They're both great cameras and that would be the deciding factor for me. Personally, I'd go for the Pentax, but I like an SLR better.
@@KyleMcDougall Thanks Kyle, I made the choice recently and got my hands on the 645N. Going for a test run with it this week, thanks again for your thoughts and videos.
Love your channel
Sir, you got yourself a new subscriber. Love your work
Thank you.
Gotta have em all.