Pentax 645 an unusual monkey?

Musicman said:
Paul, hypothetically speaking: if this falls through and you were to post an ad in the Wanted section, I may be able to post some information useful to you and it might avoid issues with the forum rules on trading outside Classifieds.
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cryptic!
 
Got me 645N and it's a beaut! The body has a few minor scuffs and what have you, as described and expected, but functionally spot on and very clean internally where it matters. First impressions very positive, though it is bigger than I expected, having never handled one of these, especially with the monster sized 80-160 zoom on the front of it! Speaking of which, that lens looks like it's never been used. It arrived in the correct Pentax lens case, correct front/rear caps, and absolutely pristine in every way! But did I mention how big and heavy it is!??! Overall though I think I like the way the camera handles - everything nicely laid out and clear, nice big viewfinder with clear LED display of all key info. What's not to like?

Will do some pics at some point.

Anyway, managed to load a film into it with no difficulty so will hopefully get a chance to take it out to do some damage to a few rolls very soon!
 
Well, yes, it's a bit of an animal!

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What this shows you is just how damn big that zoom lens is...honestly not sure I'd dare take it out and about - most passers by would think I was making a movie! :LOL:

Will need to think long and hard about my lens needs with this, definitely will want something wide, but also thinking autofocus etc, means there's a few decisions to make.

Anyway, had a spare hour tonight and put a couple of expired rolls of Portra through it just of pics of the wall etc - largely just to see if things seem to be working as they should - one roll with the 75mm and the other with the zoom, trying out all the apertures/speeds etc.

Obviously need to get out there and take some proper pics, but first impressions are good, especially how easy it is to shoot with - loading film is pretty straightforward when you know how, and it's a novelty for me to use a medium format camera that has auto exposure and motor wind (never mind autofocus, if I get a lens that can). Can see me burning through film in a way that simply isn't possible with a TLR or Fuji GW690!

Part two of this experiment is that the blokey at our local Asda reckons he can dev 120 film - even showed me the gizmo he loads it into - though he's never actually tried, thought it might be worth a go. If so, I'll be getting 120 film dev'd for £2 !!!
 
Well @TheGreatSoprendo I have decided to move on the GS645 which is in classifieds now and will got to the bay if no takers.

I have also done a lot of reading on it on the web and it seems one of those cameras that has no bad feedback.
Apaprently they were in heavy use as wedding cameras due to the ease and quality.

mind you I could imagine that zoom could even be used for nature pics?
 
Too busy today to go shooting with it today, sadly, and now work beckons for the week...

Zoom is about equivalent focal length to about 50 to 100 mm in a 35mm camera, not that long really.
 
@TheGreatSoprendo mines been despatched from Ffordes :-)

Mind you I am 2 nights in to a run of 7 night shifts so no plays on it till next week.
 
Excellent stuff!

I have also taken the plunge on an FA 75mm lens from Japan. Wonder if customs are likely to want their slice....
 
TheGreatSoprendo said:
Excellent stuff!

I have also taken the plunge on an FA 75mm lens from Japan. Wonder if customs are likely to want their slice....
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humm difficult to say, I had some Stax earspeakers through a year ago and not one issue, that was declared @ £200
 
Last time I ordered a lens from Japan for the RB67 it was caught, the RM charge was higher than the VAT charge...
 
I think it seems to make a difference also which courier but it is a bit random.
 
Think it's going with Japanese postal service but they say it arrives via Parcelforce. I'm expecting to get stung but it should still be worthwhile, fingers crossed. Do you get a letter from them which you have to respond to before taking delivery?
 
Nah I just got a card, but for the life of me I can't remember how I paid them...
 
You get a card through the door telling you that to get your item you have to pay any import charges online (+ a £10 'handling fee' to Parcelforce), and then they'll dispatch the item to you. The 'handling fee' actually ended up costing more than the import charge when I brought a lens online from the USA a few years ago!
 
We will see...paid £145 plus postage so even if I end up paying another £50 I'll be happy enough. They cost £500 new.

By the way my test shots came out fine and Asda managed to dev them for £2 a roll! Particularly like having the exposure data on the film edge, though is it correct that only the FA lenses allow imprinting of the lens focal length too? With both the 75mm LS and the 80-160mm A the focal length was shown as a blank.
 
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That's interesting that your Asda can do 120? Are they using a Fuji Frontier dev like most other supermarkets? Might have to take a roll of 120 with me next time I visit mine :0)
 
TheGreatSoprendo said:
Particularly like having the exposure data on the film edge, though is it correct that only the FA lenses allow imprinting of the lens focal length too? With both the 75mm LS and the 80-160mm A the focal length was shown as a blank.
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Exposure data is great - really nice to see what's what when learning the system. I don't know how it works with the FA zooms, but yes, focal length is only printed for the FA primes that I've used. With one exception - my A 55mm definitely printed the focal length. Never seen any other reports of it doing it, but somewhere in the room next door there are negs to prove it!
 
stevelmx5 said:
That's interesting that your Asda can do 120? Are they using a Fuji Frontier dev like most other supermarkets? Might have to take a roll of 120 with me next time I visit mine :0)
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Think so yes. Helps that the fellas who work there are experienced minilab operators, not the usual standard of skill...
 
Cuchulainn said:
Exposure data is great - really nice to see what's what when learning the system. I don't know how it works with the FA zooms, but yes, focal length is only printed for the FA primes that I've used. With one exception - my A 55mm definitely printed the focal length. Never seen any other reports of it doing it, but somewhere in the room next door there are negs to prove it!
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Cheers for confirming this, thought so!
 
Well my 645N with the 75mm FA lens is at my wifes surgery she will be bringing it home tomorrow :-) (thursday)
 
Nice one!

I have also had a pleasant surprise this morning - arrival from Japan of the 75mm FA lens, with no customs involvement - woohoo! And only three days after ordering it!! Will need to wait till tonight to try it on the camera...
 
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@TheGreatSoprendo

Well mine is here as well, my missus drove it from the surgery as a special treat due to a patient cancelation :-)

I just got up from bed (am on nights this week) and big box in kitchen.

Opened up mega well wrapped and popped the supplied batteries in and voila !

first impressions, mint, completely mint.

fits perfect in my hand, FA lens is a peach, AF is nice and slick reminds me of my Nikon F50

viewfinder is a dream, so what I was looking for !!!!

I am a happy bunny :-)
 
Great stuff. My 645 not minty like yours sounds but then it was a bit of a bargain so no complaints at all.

ENJOY!
 
Thanks its loaded with Expired Velvia 100 Slide film for testing, maybe tomorrow afternoon :-)

Just ordered some lugs to make up a strap as mine did not come with one.

also need to visit 7 day shop for a lens shade later
TheGreatSoprendo said:
Nice one!

I have also had a pleasant surprise this morning - arrival from Japan of the 75mm FA lens, with no customs involvement - woohoo! And only three days after ordering it!! Will need to wait till tonight to try it on the camera...
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Woo Hoo !

Did you get a lens hood with yours?

What size is it?
 
Mine has the lugs already and came with a 1980s Nikon strap for some reason - will have to replace at some point!

The lens came with caps but no hood, but all works fine. Have to say the autofocus is a bit crude...considering these cameras were made from 1997-2001 I would have expected better - hunts around quite a lot and needs something especially contrasty to focus on. My 1988 vintage Nikon F4 has more responsive autofocus. In fairness I've only tried it indoors, and in better light it would be quicker I'm sure, but it's a bit '1st generation' autofocus TBH. I suspect it would be even worse with one of the slower f4/f4.5 FA lenses on.

Great camera overall though!

Also noticed that the 75mm FA focuses to 0.6m compared to 0.75 for the manual focus version - which is a bonus.
 
wow must admit my AF seems really quick and thats indoors.

its a lovely bit of kit, cannot wait to go shoot it.
 
Is it the zoom that you're finding slow to autofocus? Wonder if it's an aperture thing as I've also found the focus to be pretty good with the 75mm - it's not lightning quick, but it is very decisive and trustworthy.
 
Cuchulainn said:
Is it the zoom that you're finding slow to autofocus? Wonder if it's an aperture thing as I've also found the focus to be pretty good with the 75mm - it's not lightning quick, but it is very decisive and trustworthy.
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agree mine is quite snappy (ish)

so far I have only played with it on AP and Full Auto
 
No, the 75mm. It's good focusing on something with very clear edges, just not as good as I'd expect. Don't expect anything is wrong with it. Will test properly outside.
 
TheGreatSoprendo said:
Cheers - that interesting! It's probably worth a gamble for the right person...if the film insert is in good nick that alone would be worth £30 or so. But I have too much junk personally!!
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Focus Screen inside as well there £80 to buy :-)
 
Interesting that he would take 10 rolls of film for it too - could get 7dayshop to send him them direct for about £43.

Go on, I know you want to...

If you do I'd take the viewfinder off you for a tenner or so...mines a touch manky!
 
TheGreatSoprendo said:
Interesting that he would take 10 rolls of film for it too - could get 7dayshop to send him them direct for about £43.

Go on, I know you want to...

If you do I'd take the viewfinder off you for a tenner or so...mines a touch manky!
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Gumtree guy never got back to me

I might order a new one for mine from that above if so you can have my old one for some pennies, its close to mint some minute dust particles.
 
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