Pentax 645 advice? I so love eBay! In a recent posting, I referred to a recent eBay purchase of a Pentax 645 camera. Well, it arrived last night via USPS. What a freakin' beast! This...

VTMatwood Loc: Displaced Vermonta in Central New Hampsha

I so love eBay! In a recent posting, I referred to a recent eBay purchase of a Pentax 645 camera. Well, it arrived last night via USPS. What a freakin' beast! This thing has to be 7 pounds if it is an ounce. With the Pentax-FA 45-85 f/4.5 and a grip full of AA batteries, this sucker is not for the weak :)

Came in nearly perfect condition and, as far as I can tell, works like a champ... all for about $250.

Being mostly new to MF film photography (I am replacing a very old Voightlander Bessa that I used sparingly), but having seen hours worth of videos on YouTube and searched thru the UHH archives, is there any sage advice from the group here for MF film photography in general or for shooting with the 645 (other than working out more to build upper body strength lol)?

I plan to take it out in the next few days and run it through its paces with a few rolls of Ilford HP5+

hankm1 Loc: Mount Prospect IL

I had a Pentax 645 for years. You'll love it! (And your chiropractor
will love it even more!!) Have fun with it.

tbpmusic Loc: LaPorte, Indiana

There's nothing like 10 pounds of steel and glass to make you feel like a real photographer............

Wanderer2 Loc: Colorado Rocky Mountains

VTMatwood wrote:

I so love eBay! In a recent posting, I referred to... (show quote)

You should be able to find lots of info and advice on Pentaxforums medium format forum, and also elsewhere on the website, depending on the subject (such as lenses etc.).

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/48-pentax-medium-format/

drmike99 Loc: Fairfield Connecticut

I too am a recent adopter of 645 format. I bought a Bronica ETRSi and have the 75mm and a 50mm for it. But I have had a Pentax 6x7 since I bought it new in 1979 and have 3 lenses for that: 105mm, 75mm wide angle and 150mm. The Bronica feels heavy because it is small and has that dense feeling, but the 6x7 is VERY heavy. I have learned to use it handheld. Congratulations on your 645 find. It won't take you long to love Pentax MF. And like me you'll have no sympathy for those wimps who complain how "heavy" their DSLRs are.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

VTMatwood wrote:

I so love eBay! In a recent posting, I referred to... (show quote)

I do not find that camera heavy at all, it is in fact very light weight and handles just like a SLR, I've got other MF cameras, and they weigh easily 3 times the weight of that little Pentax! Have fun with your new toy, its a nice camera!

VTMatwood Loc: Displaced Vermonta in Central New Hampsha

hankm1 wrote:

I had a Pentax 645 for years. You'll love it! (And your chiropractor
will love it even more!!) Have fun with it.

Thanks Hank! I am hopeful that this weekend is nice weather. After all the family leaves, i'll head out to have some fun.

VTMatwood Loc: Displaced Vermonta in Central New Hampsha

tbpmusic wrote:

There's nothing like 10 pounds of steel and glass to make you feel like a real photographer............

LOL... my 35mm film camera is quite heavy as well. I guess that makes me a real photographer 2x :)

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

I used the Pentax 645 at a former job. Handled like a 35mm. Loved it!
Have fun with it!
My Mamiya RB 67 was heavier.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Have fun with that. Love my Fujinon 645GSW.

Robert Bailey Loc: Canada

I used to work as a school photographer- I still own six Pentax 645 cameras in the 3 configurations that they produced over the years. (Which body did you get?) I'm amazed that you got the body and a zoom lens for only $250!
I would think that that combination would have been worth about $7,000 (Canadian) when it was new (depending on the body).

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Robert Bailey wrote:

I used to work as a school photographer- I still own six Pentax 645 cameras in the 3 configurations that they produced over the years. (Which body did you get?) I'm amazed that you got the body and a zoom lens for only $250!
I would think that that combination would have been worth about $7,000 (Canadian) when it was new (depending on the body).

Check KEH. Lots of medium format cameras available for less than $500 USD.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

VTMatwood wrote:

I so love eBay! In a recent posting, I referred to... (show quote)

The Pentax 645 is what Salgato mostly used for his "Genesis" book .....A GREAT camera ! ( I do have one)

VTMatwood Loc: Displaced Vermonta in Central New Hampsha

drmike99 wrote:

I too am a recent adopter of 645 format. I bought ... (show quote)

LOL... it does make my D7100 with the 400MM feel a little less significant

VTMatwood Loc: Displaced Vermonta in Central New Hampsha

Robert Bailey wrote:

I used to work as a school photographer- I still own six Pentax 645 cameras in the 3 configurations that they produced over the years. (Which body did you get?) I'm amazed that you got the body and a zoom lens for only $250!
I would think that that combination would have been worth about $7,000 (Canadian) when it was new (depending on the body).

I got the straight up 645 with a 104xxx S/N. The lens is what amazes me... it is the FA 45-85 f/4.5 and it is in immaculate condition as far as I can tell. That lens goes for ~$500 on KEH used. Reviews of the lens tell me that it is one of the better lenses for this camera. hopefully my skills as a photographer can do it justice!