pentax 6x7 (Page 2): I've been using one for a while now. The 90mm lens is the normal lens for that camera. I tend to use the 105mm len or the 55mm lens most on that camera. --Bob...

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I've been using one for a while now. The 90mm lens is the normal lens for that camera. I tend to use the 105mm len or the 55mm lens most on that camera.
--Bob

OzWizard wrote:

On my way back from software dominated photography. I acquired a thirst of knowledge of the Pentax 6x7, (to share a bag with my Nikon F5). Is the 90 mm lens considered normal? What do the Hedgehoger's think of this system? What would be a good price these days? Seen a few on ebay.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Excellent and informative links, E.L., especially the first one.
--Bob

E.L.. Shapiro wrote:

Had one back in the day. Takumar lenses are excellent. The 90mm is normal for the 2 1/4 x 2 3/4 format. The 180mm is fine for portraits.

Don't drop it on your foot.

Get the grip! You might need a larger "bag"!

Here's a link to some comprehensive information: https://schneidan.com/2016/05/08/year-pentax-6x7/

More info and a list of lenses: http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Pentax_67

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

OzWizard wrote:

On my way back from software dominated photography. I acquired a thirst of knowledge of the Pentax 6x7, (to share a bag with my Nikon F5). Is the 90 mm lens considered normal? What do the Hedgehoger's think of this system? What would be a good price these days? Seen a few on ebay.

I used to own one. Yes, the 90mm would be the normal lens. Same math as for 36x24mm, the good old pythagorean equation to figure the needed image circle. for 6x7cm > 9cm. I think there was a 105mm Pentax lens too. I only had two lenses though, the 135mm Marco and the 45mm Super Wide angle. Had the body not died I would have wanted a 90mm. Like today with digital, I shoot mostly close-ups and landscapes. The camera took excellent images while it worked. I must have gotten the only lemon as I hear they were dependable. Heavy though. 120 film is still readily available. I think about all that is manufactured today is 35mm (135), 120, cut sheet film of 4x5", 5x7", and 8x10". Not sure about 11x14" film in 2021.

I loved the large 6x7cm negatives for printing. Since I processed my own B&W film at that time, format 120 is harder to handle than 135. Color I have always sent out. I so miss Kodachrome and Plus-x films.

Many people prefer the 645 format Maymiya to its larger sibling the 67. Today I might prefer a Maymiya 645 or Rolleiflex TLR to the Pentax 6x7 as those are lighter. But the Pentax 6x7 does handle pretty much like a giant 35mm SLR. If you do acquire one, look for the later model with mirror lock up, and buy the wooden grip. It came with either a plain pentaprism or a meter pentaprism finder head.

I'd suggest using a handheld spotmeter anyway so the prism type is not important. Ah, with exposure meters be sure to Not Get One that uses those obsolete 1.35v mercury batteries that have been banned for years. Newer, say by 1990 vintage models used 1.5v Disc, AAA, AA, or 9v batteries that are still made and common. I have a Minolta Spotmeter F that I use at times. A used Soligar or Pentax Spotmeter would be great too. You may notice say on Ebay that Gossen Luna-pro or Luna-six meters come in various models and price ranges. Avoid the ones under $50 as those are likely the ones needing the Mercury batteries. And the ones over $100 use modern batteries. Unless you know different per the specific seller and the otherwise condition of the meter. It took me a lot of study but now I can tell which is which from a picture of the back of the meter. The "SBC" meters are likely OK. But still be careful of all the variations. Also seems Gossen sold or sells different models in the US, Germany, and Japan. Good luck on your film journeys.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

As an addendum to this post, there are adapters that will allow the use of a commonly available 386 battery which supplies 1.5V approx. One needs to find an MR-9 adapter. The one to purchase is the one with the internal circuitry that regulates the voltage from 1.5V to 1.35V. They cost between $35-$40. I have numerous ones of these for use in my Nikon F and Weston Ranger 9 light meter.
--Bob

lamiaceae wrote:

I used to own one. Yes, the 90mm would be the normal lens. Same math as for 36x24mm, the good old pythagorean equation to figure the needed image circle. for 6x7cm > 9cm. I think there was a 105mm Pentax lens too. I only had two lenses though, the 135mm Marco and the 45mm Super Wide angle. Had the body not died I would have wanted a 90mm. Like today with digital, I shoot mostly close-ups and landscapes. The camera took excellent images while it worked. I must have gotten the only lemon as I hear they were dependable. Heavy though. 120 film is still readily available. I think about all that is manufactured today is 35mm (135), 120, cut sheet film of 4x5", 5x7", and 8x10". Not sure about 11x14" film in 2021.

I loved the large 6x7cm negatives for printing. Since I processed my own B&W film at that time, format 120 is harder to handle than 135. Color I have always sent out. I so miss Kodachrome and Plus-x films.

Many people prefer the 645 format Maymiya to its larger sibling the 67. Today I might prefer a Maymiya 645 or Rolleiflex TLR to the Pentax 6x7 as those are lighter. But the Pentax 6x7 does handle pretty much like a giant 35mm SLR. If you do acquire one, look for the later model with mirror lock up, and buy the wooden grip. It came with either a plain pentaprism or a meter pentaprism finder head.

I'd suggest using a handheld spotmeter anyway so the prism type is not important. Ah, with exposure meters be sure to Not Get One that uses those obsolete 1.35v mercury batteries that have been banned for years. Newer, say by 1990 vintage models used 1.5v Disc, AAA, AA, or 9v batteries that are still made and common. I have a Minolta Spotmeter F that I use at times. A used Soligar or Pentax Spotmeter would be great too. You may notice say on Ebay that Gossen Luna-pro or Luna-six meters come in various models and price ranges. Avoid the ones under $50 as those are likely the ones needing the Mercury batteries. And the ones over $100 use modern batteries. Unless you know different per the specific seller and the otherwise condition of the meter. It took me a lot of study but now I can tell which is which from a picture of the back of the meter. The "SBC" meters are likely OK. But still be careful of all the variations. Also seems Gossen sold or sells different models in the US, Germany, and Japan. Good luck on your film journeys.

I used to own one. Yes, the 90mm would be the nor... (show quote)

MR-9 with voltage regulator
MR-9 with voltage regulator...

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

rmalarz wrote:

As an addendum to this post, there are adapters that will allow the use of a commonly available 386 battery which supplies 1.5V approx. One needs to find an MR-9 adapter. The one to purchase is the one with the internal circuitry that regulates the voltage from 1.5V to 1.35V. They cost between $35-$40. I have numerous ones of these for use in my Nikon F and Weston Ranger 9 light meter.
--Bob

25 Bucks at Amazon. I use it on my old Luna-Six Works well! The $40 one has the regulator and works better with cameras.

Alafoto Loc: Montgomery, AL

Pablo8 wrote:

Although heavier than my Hasselblad, I liked the RZ because of the higher flash sync' speeds. My Bronica S2 was sync' at 1/40 second. Not so good for fill-flash outdoors in sunshine.

Bronica marketed a 110mm leaf shutter lens made by Nikon, as were many of the lenses for the S, S2 and S2a. I still have one in VG condition if anyone is interested.

Alafoto Loc: Montgomery, AL

lamiaceae wrote:

I used to own one. Yes, the 90mm would be the normal lens. Same math as for 36x24mm, the good old pythagorean equation to figure the needed image circle. for 6x7cm > 9cm. I think there was a 105mm Pentax lens too. I only had two lenses though, the 135mm Marco and the 45mm Super Wide angle. Had the body not died I would have wanted a 90mm. Like today with digital, I shoot mostly close-ups and landscapes. The camera took excellent images while it worked. I must have gotten the only lemon as I hear they were dependable. Heavy though. 120 film is still readily available. I think about all that is manufactured today is 35mm (135), 120, cut sheet film of 4x5", 5x7", and 8x10". Not sure about 11x14" film in 2021.

I loved the large 6x7cm negatives for printing. Since I processed my own B&W film at that time, format 120 is harder to handle than 135. Color I have always sent out. I so miss Kodachrome and Plus-x films.

Many people prefer the 645 format Maymiya to its larger sibling the 67. Today I might prefer a Maymiya 645 or Rolleiflex TLR to the Pentax 6x7 as those are lighter. But the Pentax 6x7 does handle pretty much like a giant 35mm SLR. If you do acquire one, look for the later model with mirror lock up, and buy the wooden grip. It came with either a plain pentaprism or a meter pentaprism finder head.

I'd suggest using a handheld spotmeter anyway so the prism type is not important. Ah, with exposure meters be sure to Not Get One that uses those obsolete 1.35v mercury batteries that have been banned for years. Newer, say by 1990 vintage models used 1.5v Disc, AAA, AA, or 9v batteries that are still made and common. I have a Minolta Spotmeter F that I use at times. A used Soligar or Pentax Spotmeter would be great too. You may notice say on Ebay that Gossen Luna-pro or Luna-six meters come in various models and price ranges. Avoid the ones under $50 as those are likely the ones needing the Mercury batteries. And the ones over $100 use modern batteries. Unless you know different per the specific seller and the otherwise condition of the meter. It took me a lot of study but now I can tell which is which from a picture of the back of the meter. The "SBC" meters are likely OK. But still be careful of all the variations. Also seems Gossen sold or sells different models in the US, Germany, and Japan. Good luck on your film journeys.

I used to own one. Yes, the 90mm would be the nor... (show quote)

I have a Soligor spotmeter that I use for landscapes. Uses the ubiquitous 9v battery.

Lucian Loc: From Wales, living in Ohio

I still have my Pentax 6x7 and I loved the fact that it was like using an SLR instead of looking down into my Hasselblad and moving left when I saw a right hand movement in the view finder screen. It was a great piece of equipment, even if it was a monster to hold up. I also have my old Nikon F Photomic so was nice to see the tips previously here, for that battery adapter thingy.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Lucian, just make sure you get the ones with the regulator. Though more expensive, they use rather inexpensive 386 batteries. Those batteries last me over a year in my Nikon F. I change them every Christmas just as a cautionary practice.
--Bob

Lucian wrote:

I still have my Pentax 6x7 and I loved the fact that it was like using an SLR instead of looking down into my Hasselblad and moving left when I saw a right hand movement in the view finder screen. It was a great piece of equipment, even if it was a monster to hold up. I also have my old Nikon F Photomic so was nice to see the tips previously here, for that battery adapter thingy.

brucebc Loc: Tooele, Utah

Have used a 6x7 for 25 years and love its ruggedness. Pentax made an adapter to use 6x7 lenses on 35mm pentax cameras. That really uses the sweet spot of a lens. Does look a bit odd though.

SteveHmeyer Loc: Cincinnati OH USA

The link below is a nice list of Pentax 6x7 or 67 lenses.

I have become addicted to using the P6x7 or 67 lenses on APS-C and FF cameras.

I highly recommend the SMC Pentax-M* 400mm and 800mm lenses - aberrations are so well controlled that I can use both with 2 - 2x Pentax teleconverters (newer Gray series) for incredible moon shots. The 400mm with 2 converters on a Canon APS-C yields an effective focal length of 5232mm. Sample photo attached - just resized no other fine tuning.

On a Pentax 6x7 camera results would be incredible.

Second photo the 400mm with one 2x converter and a Canon 70D.

https://www.antiquecameras.net/pentax6x7lenses.html

(Download)

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Lucian wrote:

I still have my Pentax 6x7 and I loved the fact that it was like using an SLR instead of looking down into my Hasselblad and moving left when I saw a right-hand movement in the viewfinder screen. It was a great piece of equipment, even if it was a monster to hold up. I also have my old Nikon F Photomic so was nice to see the tips previously here, for that battery adapter thingy.

Hasselblad made a variety of prism finders (45 and 90 degrees) for all their C, F, and EL cameras. Together with the latest bright-screen focusing screens, you get an unreversed (left/right) image. There is also a rather rare sports finder that enables focusing on the viewing screen while framing through the sports finder. There was also the "chimney" finder. I rarely used the original collapsable finer. There was even a 45 degree meter finder.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

--Bob

E.L.. Shapiro wrote:

Hasselblad made a variety of prism finders (45 and 90 degrees) for all their C, F, and EL cameras. Together with the latest bright-screen focusing screens, you get an unreversed (left/right) image. There is also a rather rare sports finder that enables focusing on the viewing screen while framing through the sports finder. There was also the "chimney" finder. I rarely used the original collapsable finer. There was even a 45 degree meter finder.

Paul J. Svetlik Loc: Colorado

Lucian I still find the Pentax 6x7 a very useful camera for landscape photography - with even the scanned images giving me a good detail.
For that reason and also for a back-up, is why I keep my 6x9 enlarger.
I like the Pentax medium format family - from 6x7, 645, and 645Z.
Yes, a larger film-size camera or a larger digital-sensor-size camera weighs more.
So do the lenses.
I see the medium and large format photography in Europe is getting probably more popular than in the US?
The prices of high-quality cameras are more affordable. Photographer Steve O'Nion is one of the pioneers with
re-introducing interesting vintage models for the Worldwide community.

On the other hand, if the weight is a problem, I would sincerely suggest to take a cell phone or keep the seen image in your memory instead.
Cheers!

And yes, some people object to its weight - to carry on longer trips, but the weight of the digital Pentax 645Z (I like too) - is about the same? You may prefer to take an exposure meter or a spot meter (like the pioneer of vintage film cameras Steve O'Nion does) and you are ready to go.
It looks to me that the popularity of film cameras in Europe has not decreased much having the prices of top models much lower now?
Anyway, Lucian, it does not matter what tool you use, the image is what really counts.

spaceytracey Loc: East Glacier Park, MT

E.L.. Shapiro wrote:

Had one back in the day. Takumar lenses are excellent. The 90mm is normal for the 2 1/4 x 2 3/4 format. The 180mm is fine for portraits.

Don't drop it on your foot.

Get the grip! You might need a larger "bag"!

Here's a link to some comprehensive information: https://schneidan.com/2016/05/08/year-pentax-6x7/

More info and a list of lenses: http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Pentax_67

Thanks for the links! The 1st one actually has a method for releasing a locked mirror, which I have. W/have to dig out my 6x7 & see if it works.