Pentax 645 or Mamiya 645 ??

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Adalbert - 17 Nov 2003 23:04 GMT

I am interested in purchasing either of these systems - used. Pentax
645 or Mamiya 645. Older rather than newer since cost is a concern. I
have been checking them out on ebay.ca Yes, I'm in Canada so a
Canadian perspective re service/repairs would be appreciated!
I have no experience of 645 equipment, only 35mm. I own a Leica M4,
and a Nikon F and mostly shoot landscapes on canoe trips etc. I want
to go to larger format to be able to make larger prints, from
digitally scanned negs or slides.
Which of these 2 cameras is best for durability, optics etc.
Thanks for any help!

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Art Begun - 18 Nov 2003 02:29 GMT

There are many, many Mamiya 645 models. If you want a camera most
like a modern 35 I would go for the Pentax. They are dirt cheap on
ebay these days. Yesterday someone had a Buynow price for a 645N with
autofocus lens and insert for $650. Ridiculously low price. Not
many N's that low but the plain 645 is even cheaper.

> I am interested in purchasing either of these systems - used. Pentax
> 645 or Mamiya 645. Older rather than newer since cost is a concern. I
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> Which of these 2 cameras is best for durability, optics etc.
> Thanks for any help!

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Norman Worth - 18 Nov 2003 09:27 GMT

I have a Pentax 645 (the original), and it has been a sturdy and reliable
friend. It's disadvantages, compared to the Mamaiya, are the lack of
interchangeable film magazines (ability to change film in mid roll),
somewhat less versatility, and maybe a bit less sharp lenses. The big
advantage is that it costs a lot less. Support is probably a bit better for
the Pentax, but not a lot.

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Wilt W - 19 Nov 2003 04:30 GMT

<<Pentax
645 or Mamiya 645.>>

Have you HELD each one in a store? My opinion of the Pentax is that it is
horribly balanced when you put a long lens onto the body. The handle grip is
positioned at the back edge of the body, causing ALL of the weight of the body
and lens to create a torque in the hand.
The Pentax is the most like modern 'automagic' 35mm SLRs in the sense of
the electronic knobs and menus as controls.

--wilt

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stacey - 19 Nov 2003 05:04 GMT

> <<Pentax
> 645 or Mamiya 645.>>
> The Pentax is the most like modern 'automagic' 35mm SLRs in the sense
> of
> the electronic knobs and menus as controls.
>

Yuck!!

Signature

Stacey

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Frank Pittel - 20 Nov 2003 05:29 GMT

: > <<Pentax
: > 645 or Mamiya 645.>>
: > The Pentax is the most like modern 'automagic' 35mm SLRs in the sense
: > of
: > the electronic knobs and menus as controls.
: >

: Yuck!!

I'm not sure what I think about the idea of a fully automatic MF camera but
I wouldn't do without autofocus or the matrix metering of my 35mm!! The best
part is that I can always override the setting the camera sets to. I can also
turn it all off if I choose.

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Keep working millions on welfare depend on you
-------------------
fwp@deepthought.com

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stacey - 21 Nov 2003 01:12 GMT

> The best part is that I can always override the setting the camera sets
> to.

How many screens/menus do you have to scroll through to do that?

> I can also turn it all off if I choose.

But again what do you have to do to then set things manually? Most aren't
designed to work in "manual mode" easily as very few users would ever do
that.

I agree sometimes "auto" cameras would be useful, I've personally just never
run into a situation that I've felt I needed one.

Signature

Stacey

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Frank Pittel - 21 Nov 2003 07:00 GMT

: > The best part is that I can always override the setting the camera sets
: > to.

: How many screens/menus do you have to scroll through to do that?

With my Canon EOS3 there are no menus. I press the button labeled "mode" and
turn the main dial until I get an "M" on the screen. It sounds more complicated
then it is and it took you longer to read that sentence then it takes to do. On
my Canon A2E I turn the "command dial" (also the power switch) until the letter "M"
lines up with the white line on the body next to the dial. Again you spent more time
readin the instructions how then it takes to do. :-)

: > I can also turn it all off if I choose.

: But again what do you have to do to then set things manually? Most aren't
: designed to work in "manual mode" easily as very few users would ever do
: that.

The Canon cameras work just as well in full manual as they do in any of the semi or fully
automatic mode. At least on the two cameras I have there are even two dials. One for the
aperature the other for the shutter speed. My first 35mm camera was a Pentax spotmatic and
the MF cameras that I actually use are Mamiya 645s. Both models are full manual all the time.

: I agree sometimes "auto" cameras would be useful, I've personally just never
: run into a situation that I've felt I needed one.

I actually use my 35mm's in "program" mode most of the time. I let pick the initial shutter
speeds and aperature. I can then either offset the "suggested" exposure by up to three stops
although the internal metering has never been that far off. Or if I prefer another aperature
or shutter speed I can shift the exposure. This increase or decreases the shutter speed and
the camera adjusts the aperature to provide a correct exposure. I can even use both at the same
time. This adjustments can be made for a single shot or left for the next exposures. These shifts
are done by the two dials on the camera and the shifts are indicated on the display in the view
finder. I can do this without ever taking the camera from my eye.

Until I got my A2E I was an "all manual, all the time" type like yourself. Now I wouldn't want to
do without the automatics. :-) I don't know how the Nikons, etc work but the mmi (man/woman machine
interface) is very well thought out on Canon cameras.

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Keep working millions on welfare depend on you
-------------------
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Lourens Smak - 23 Nov 2003 10:12 GMT

> > <<Pentax
> > 645 or Mamiya 645.>>
> > The Pentax is the most like modern 'automagic' 35mm SLRs in the sense
> > of the electronic knobs and menus as controls.

> Yuck!!

Exactly my reaction when I first held the H1 and tried to find all the
tiny knobs and switches. No surprise, the Pentax 645-2 has returned to
"normal" dials and knobs. (I would bet a future H2 will have that too,
only the lenses don't have an aperture ring so it's impossible.)

Rollei is the only manufacturer who kept it nice and simple. aperture
ring has an extra "A", shutter dial has an extra "A". That's it, no mode
switch or other settings to change, and total flexibility.

Lourens

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Norman Worth - 20 Nov 2003 04:03 GMT

Yes, you need to use your left hand under the lens to balance things
properly. But you usually need your left hand there anyway - to focus when
using the older Pentaxes. I have no problems with the 200mm lens, but I
haven't tried anything longer. Longer lenses really need a tripod, anyway.
As for electronic gimickry, it's not too bad. At least it's pretty
logically arranged. The use of just two small buttons to adjust ISO,
shutter speed, exposure compensation, and program mode takes a little
getting used to, though. If I have a major gripe about my older Pentax 645
it has to do with the metering. The meter on the original Pentax 645 was
quite basic, and you have to be very much aware of how it sees the scene and
compensate accordingly.

> <<Pentax
> 645 or Mamiya 645.>>
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> --wilt

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