tmrawshooter Loc: Tampa, FL

I purchased a Pentax 645 Kit (medium format) with several high quality lenses a few years ago and unfortunately, have only used it once or twice with moderate results. I was just starting to learn how to use it when I had to relocate overseas for a few years. I decided to pack it away in storage where its been sitting idle in a closet ever since. I'm no longer working overseas and wondering if anyone reading this is familiar with the P-645 or a similar camera system. Should I pick it up and start using it again even though I'm shooting RAW with a Canon 5D MK II kit or get rid of it? I'm not shooting professionally but do enjoy shooting lots of nature/outdoor type scenes for personal pleasure. What do you think? Thanks in advance.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Are you talking about the Pentax 645D (digital) or the film version?

Photog8 Loc: Morriston, FL

Film or digital Pentax?

mikegreenwald Loc: Illinois

I have but don't use a Mamiya 645, because I have moved to digital, now using Canon EOS 5D Mk3 and EOS 1DsMk3. Rarely, I use a Mamiya7, a 6x7 film camera, because some shots seem to be better suited to Fuji Velvia 50 Film, but that is rare.
My take then is that digital is so much superior to film, and so much cheaper, plus the huge advantages of modern post-processing, that I'd sell the Pentax and get a good Post Processing program to work with your digital photos.

Still, there are some advantages to the medium format camera, It is possible, if you purchase a good negative scanner, to take advantage of digital manipulation while using the Pentax. That will take an increased skill level (read learning curve), and add complexity though.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

I still shoot with a pair of Pentax 645's as I got very used to them back in the 1990s and love medium format. I use mostly Fuji Provia or Fuji Velvia film in them these days, but its gotten quite expensive to buy and to process, there is no lab left in this entire part of the country doing E-6 processing. I have to send my film to Denver or California to get it processed properly anymore.
My advice is to shoot it, you cannot get much money selling it anymore.

tmrawshooter Loc: Tampa, FL

The original - Film version. Thanks for asking.

tmrawshooter Loc: Tampa, FL

Scanning is an excellent idea. I'll have to do some testing to see if my Canon 9000F MK II combination flatbed/35mm film/slide Scanner can handle the medium format size film or (here we go again)...upgrade to something more suitable. Any suggestions for a medium format scanner? I'd like to keep playing with the 645 for a little while longer because as you say, I probably isn't worth much in terms of cash value these days. Thanks for your feedback.

hfb Loc: Northwestern Louisiana

Epson Perfection V700 Photo. It has a simple easy to use plastic frame to hold the Negatives strips, and the included Epson Software is easy to use. Try Epson Refurb department Web site for a good price. I use it for a 645 S1000 Mamiya And Canon AE1 35mm. I shoot Black and white. Simple and cheap to develop. Color is not that hard to home develop. A good thermometer and a good sized water tank for holding a stable temp are the key points..

aaronwolf

In addition to shooting 35mm film cameras for over 52 years I have owned and used a Pentax 6x7 camera in the 1980's and a Pentax 645 (model with autofocus) in the 1990's. The thing I loved most about the 645 was that the ergonomics resulted in the best handling camera of any camera I have ever owned (have owned about 30 different cameras over the years). Pentax optics for the medium format are excellent and cheap. Some photographers who still shoot color transparencies are used to the look of the output prints.
The mediocre results you got in the past can be potentially improved vastly with Photoshop (I use CS6) using digital files from a scanner. It comes at a high price however. The film and processing is costly and as you know you don't get 36 images from a roll of 120 film. With regards to the idea of possibly buying a scanner which can do medium format (I owned both Nikon 35mm scanners in the past as well as a Minolta Dimage which does medium format) I would suggest the following plan. The best people to get your scans done professionally is called Scan Café (scancafe.com). The do exceptional scans for cheaper than anyone else because the scanning is done in India where labor is cheap. The cost of a 35mm scan is $0.29 cents and medium format is ($.99). What I would suggest you do is shoot a couple rolls of 120 film (

aaronwolf

My message got cut off in mid- sentence so here is the finish. My suggestion is to shoot a roll of 120 or 220 film and have it processed and scanned. A roll of 120 in your camera is 16 images so you are looking a $16 for the scanning, quite pricey. I suggest you shoot the exact same subject with your digital camera at the same time and compare the final prints. If you prefer the digital prints then don't purchase a scanner. If you prefer the film and plan to shoot 50 rolls of 120 film in the coming year or two you would end up paying $800 for the scanning and you can certainly find a good used scanner for that amount of money. There is a learning curve but I didn't find it difficult when I did my scans in the past. Lastly I would like to point out that many pros feel that black and white images from film are superior to digital.

tmrawshooter Loc: Tampa, FL

Apologies for the late response "HFB" but getting ready for big Christmas dinner with family coming over - first family gathering in years at my place so lots of cooking, cleaning, etc. Anyway, thanks for the excellent feedback - I esp. liked your idea about shooting and developing monochrome (BnW) which I’ve played around with my Canon 5D MK II (digital) using “Silver Efex Pro.” It’s a Photoshop Plug In and mighty good stuff if you haven’t tried it by the way. Easy to use and loaded with a basket full of presets, film grains, sepia tones, filters, dodge, burn, vignette, burned edge frames…if you like shooting BnW you’ll LOVE Silver Efex Pro. Guess I’ll have to try it using my Pentax 645 and Epson V700 scanner, assuming I can find one within my currently limited, “shoe string” budget! Thanks for the tip!

tmrawshooter Loc: Tampa, FL

Greetings Aaronwolf:
I really like your idea about shooting with both the Pentax (film) and my digital (Canon 5D MK II) and comparing the results. I've recently fallen in love with my Canon (9000F Mk II) flatbed scanner that does an amazing job scanning photos but haven't done much with 35mm slides or negs yet. It definitely can't handle 120/220 so I appreciate the info concerning overseas (India) scanning & pricing. In time, however, I’ll most likely take your advice and end up purchasing another (120/220 capable) scanner because I’d rather be in complete control of the process from start to finish (translated, exposure to print) rather than relying on the time, money and questionable practices of others in the photographic food chain. Thanks a million f-stops for your excellent information and here’s wishing you and yours Happy – Happy Holidays!

Alan1729 Loc: England UK, now New York State.

Use it That format of film is great for landsacpes and buildings. So much detail. I don't know this camera but have used 120 film in a Roliflex with a 2.8 Zeiss planar, colour is expensive to process but if you shoot B&W and process your own, scan in and you should have some damn good images to work with. If that don't float your boat send the camera to me and I could really enjoy making pictures.

tmrawshooter Loc: Tampa, FL

Alan,
All things considered, your recommendation to shoot B&W, process & scan most certainly does "float my boat"! Should I find it sinking some time in the future, however, I'll be sure to give you first dibs on purchasing the (Pentax 645) outfit. Have a GREAT Christmas & thanks for the feedback. Cheers, Terry

amehta Loc: Boston

It doesn't really hurt to use it a bit, right? Give yourself $100 of film and developing and see how you feel about it. B&W and Velvia are the two films I got for my Mamiya RZ67, they stand out as being different from digital.