Pentax 645 [pdf]

Re:Pentax 645 [pdf] by dale_glass on Wednesday March 08, 2023 @03:49AM (#35066748)

They also make a digital version: Pentax 645Z, which is cheap as far as medium format digital cameras go.

Unfortunately Pentax seems to be barely holding on these days, which is a pity. They make decent cameras.

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Re:Pentax 645 [pdf] by azalemeth on Wednesday March 08, 2023 @05:23AM (#35067296)

They make excellent cameras and have committed to DSLRs, perhaps foolishly, but it is so wonderful to not have to worry about the battery. I've been blown away by mine. If I had a spare $lots burning a hole in my pocket, I'd definitely buy their newest APSC or full-frame DSLR.

My understanding is that the 645Z is widely used in studio photography, but I might be totally wrong there.

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Re:Pentax 645 [pdf] by Zak on Wednesday March 08, 2023 @08:06AM (#35068512)

> have committed to DSLRs, perhaps foolishly

I don't think it's foolish. There are countless examples of a successful niche player giving up their niche to go after a slice of the larger mainstream pie, predictably producing a middling product with little hope of attracting buyers from larger brands, and failing miserably.

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Re:Pentax 645 [pdf] by funstuff007 on Wednesday March 08, 2023 @08:31AM (#35068743)

I agree. Once you have an SLR with a real pentaprism (not 5 mirrors), it's hard to go leave.

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Re:Pentax 645 [pdf] by radiowave on Wednesday March 08, 2023 @10:46AM (#35070407)

There probably are some people using it in the studio, but among the notable features of the 645Z (and the 645D before it) are that it's weather sealed, and shoots in landscape format. So I'd say it's aimed more at field use than in the studio.

Still very happy with my K3 (Mark 1) for its combination of ergonimics, durability and image quality. (Of course, you wouldn't want to use it for video. Picking horses for courses.)

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Re:Pentax 645 [pdf] by hcarvalhoalves on Wednesday March 08, 2023 @10:48AM (#35070444)

I have both film and digital Pentax, excellent cameras, unfortunately it seems after Ricoh bought the brand they are increasingly niche and don’t seem to care to sell outside their fanbase in Japan.

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Re:Pentax 645 [pdf] by ekianjo on Wednesday March 08, 2023 @06:31AM (#35067754)

its not really medium format size captor though.

if you want true medium format digital camera you need to buy digital backs for twin lenses cameras

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Re:Pentax 645 [pdf] by masterbit on Thursday March 09, 2023 @02:05AM (#35078922)

… is there such a thing? For a Rolleiflex?

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Re:Pentax 645 [pdf] by Tkuivamaki on Wednesday March 08, 2023 @07:46AM (#35068333)

Pentax are actually working on brining some new film cameras on the market https://youtu.be/ilBbVpgLP_0

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Re:Pentax 645 [pdf] by hcarvalhoalves on Wednesday March 08, 2023 @10:45AM (#35070403)

The 645z is at a discounted price lately, arguably because it’s older technology already w/ a CCD instead of CMOS sensor, although it still has enough resolution and colors to take excellent photos in adequate light. Not sure if Pentax will update it or discontinue medium format entirely and they haven’t announced anything lately.

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Re:Pentax 645 [pdf] by dd82 on Wednesday March 08, 2023 @11:31AM (#35071082)

https://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/products/645z/

says a 51MP CMOS sensor, and has been CMOS since 2015.

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Re:Pentax 645 [pdf] by hcarvalhoalves on Wednesday March 08, 2023 @07:40PM (#35076847)

You’re right the 645z is already CMOS, the 645d is CCD. The z is almost the same camera w/ newer generation sensor, but kinda old already.

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Re:Pentax 645 [pdf] by vr46 on Wednesday March 08, 2023 @11:55AM (#35071433)

Nah, the sensor is gobsmackingly-good, even DXO think so: https://www.dxomark.com/pentax-645z-sensor-review/

I have a Q2 and the Pentax compares favourably, even if not all the lenses are as modern. The 645Z is a crazy bargain second-hand.

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