dazedgonebye
Veteran
Obviously, I need better meds.... :bang:
So...yesterday...minding my own business...just kinda browsing evilbay....
Somehow I'm now the owner of a "user" Pentax 6x7 w/105mm f2.4 lens and a non-functioning ttl meter prism (from the pics, I'd say KEH bgn grade).
I really have no idea how it happened. I have checked my paypal account and I am indeed $288.01 lighter than I was the day before, so I'm not dreaming.
Ok guys, tell me how much I'm going to love it or hate it.
So...yesterday...minding my own business...just kinda browsing evilbay....
Somehow I'm now the owner of a "user" Pentax 6x7 w/105mm f2.4 lens and a non-functioning ttl meter prism (from the pics, I'd say KEH bgn grade).
I really have no idea how it happened. I have checked my paypal account and I am indeed $288.01 lighter than I was the day before, so I'm not dreaming.
Ok guys, tell me how much I'm going to love it or hate it.
julianphotoart
No likey digital-phooey
A similar thing happened to me a few years back. First, don't worry about the meter not working. After my first roll, I stopped relying on the prism's meter; it's just too inexact and with big negatives like you're going to get its better to use your own meter. Second, Pentax made a number of different lenses and new GAS might develop. For example they made a 75mm shift lens that's pretty cute. Third, you might soon find out that with a Pentax-built adapter you will need to get a Pentax 645 body so that you can mount your 6x7 lenses on the 645. Fourth, your post doesn't mention if the Pentax body is "MLU" or not. I sure hope it has mirror lock-up because for longish exposures that huge mirror slapping up can cause a stir. Fifth, this Pentax 6x7 gear is pretty heavy and ungainly to carry around. I have it all in a huge backpack that weighs a ton and I have ended up using the whole outfit much less because a Mamiya 7 (even with far fewer lenses) is so much easier to deal with.
kully
Happy Snapper
I've _just_ sold mine.
It is very satisfying to use, the shutter sound makes me giggle with boyish joy every time it goes off (and birds and little old ladies take flight).
The 105/2.4 is gorgeous.
Let us know what you think when it's in your hands.
I wouldn't worry too much about the condition, I bought my 6x7 after seeing how the utterly battered, brassed, dinged 6x7 at college still worked fine (they bought it new in the 70s).
It is very satisfying to use, the shutter sound makes me giggle with boyish joy every time it goes off (and birds and little old ladies take flight).
The 105/2.4 is gorgeous.
Let us know what you think when it's in your hands.
I wouldn't worry too much about the condition, I bought my 6x7 after seeing how the utterly battered, brassed, dinged 6x7 at college still worked fine (they bought it new in the 70s).
dazedgonebye
Veteran
It does have MLU...though honestly, I plan on using it as a daytime/outdoors camera and around here, there's pretty much always enough light for reasonable shutter speeds.
I recently bought a hefty tripod and ball head though that will come in handy for other kinds of shots.
I'm not too concerned about the meter. I'll likely take it apart to see if it is just a loose wire or something. If not, I have handheld/cold shoe/spot meters as needed.
I've been reading up on available lenses. I'm particularly interested in the 45mm. I could also find a use for either the 75mm or the 90mm.
Now that you mention the Pentax 645...I'd actually been on the verge of buying one of those when this 6x7 accident occured. Sharing lenses is a very good thing. I guess I'm not out of the 645 market after all.
I recently bought a hefty tripod and ball head though that will come in handy for other kinds of shots.
I'm not too concerned about the meter. I'll likely take it apart to see if it is just a loose wire or something. If not, I have handheld/cold shoe/spot meters as needed.
I've been reading up on available lenses. I'm particularly interested in the 45mm. I could also find a use for either the 75mm or the 90mm.
Now that you mention the Pentax 645...I'd actually been on the verge of buying one of those when this 6x7 accident occured. Sharing lenses is a very good thing. I guess I'm not out of the 645 market after all.
charjohncarter
Veteran
Steve, I have one, I immediately sent it to Eric Hendrickson for the works. The meter was $120 to fix, and I think CLA was around $100.
charjohncarter
Veteran
nikon........, everybody calls it MLU, but you are right it comes down after each exposure.
Steve, be sure to look at the 55mm F4 too. It is around a 28mm equivalent. Mine is really great.
Steve, be sure to look at the 55mm F4 too. It is around a 28mm equivalent. Mine is really great.
BillBingham2
Registered User
My Nikkormat has a mirror lock up that works well......
You will enjoy the 6x7, kind of like a Texas Nikon, BIG. MF negatives are fun to work with. Not sure why, but they just feel deeper. I loved doing late night shots with a tripod and a MF camera. The 105 is a great lens but beware, MF GAS hurts worse!
B2 (;->
You will enjoy the 6x7, kind of like a Texas Nikon, BIG. MF negatives are fun to work with. Not sure why, but they just feel deeper. I loved doing late night shots with a tripod and a MF camera. The 105 is a great lens but beware, MF GAS hurts worse!
B2 (;->
dazedgonebye
Veteran
I'm not worried about condition. Functional is all that matters to me. In fact, beat up and ugly sort of fits my personal style. It'll look right at home on the front seat of my high mileage, rear-ended, '98 Neon.
I'm actually counting on the mirror slap noise to keep the rattlesnakes away on my desert walks.
I'm actually counting on the mirror slap noise to keep the rattlesnakes away on my desert walks.
charjohncarter
Veteran
Good point about the rattlesnakes, I came across one in Cave Creek, AZ. But luckily, I had two women with me, their screams chased it away. My 6x7 Pentax is pretty shabby, too. I turns off the bad guys.
Arvay
Obscurant
one of my favourite images taken by it. 
It'a great cam with great lenses. I used one before i moved to Rollei.
I had 45, 55, 75, 90LS and 135 macro. Then I sold out 55 and 90.
Travelled with this set. Slides are really great. It's a little bit heavy but the result worth it.
Have nice pictures. I'm sure you'll love the optics.
Forgot to say: look closely to the waistlevel instead of prism. It will make the cam lighter and bring you more joy
It'a great cam with great lenses. I used one before i moved to Rollei.
I had 45, 55, 75, 90LS and 135 macro. Then I sold out 55 and 90.
Travelled with this set. Slides are really great. It's a little bit heavy but the result worth it.
Have nice pictures. I'm sure you'll love the optics.
Forgot to say: look closely to the waistlevel instead of prism. It will make the cam lighter and bring you more joy
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jan normandale
Film is the other way
Carter and Arvay.. wonderful shots. I've been tempted by these things but so far, like Julian, I've stuck to my Mamiya. But the urge is there.
Don't forget to post some images Steve.
Don't forget to post some images Steve.
dazedgonebye
Veteran
Refering to Arvay's image....
How much is medium format slide development I wonder? Can't be cheap.
Can you get rich colors like that from negatives?
How much is medium format slide development I wonder? Can't be cheap.
Can you get rich colors like that from negatives?
sweathog
Well-known
I've fancied one of these for a while.
I've been told by people who don't have them that they're terrible, and by those who do that they're fantastic.
can't wait to see your shots!
I've been told by people who don't have them that they're terrible, and by those who do that they're fantastic.
can't wait to see your shots!
venchka
Veteran
Carter: I wish my Pentax 6x7 made photos like that. I'm in awe.
The 45mm lens is sharp. A real handful to use right. It's W I D E. The extension tube set is a very handy accessory for the longer lenses. Inspect the lightseals. The foam can go bad. I had to have mine replaced. Using 220 film is a nice bonus for those times when you want to shoot a lot of film but not have to carry so many rolls.
Enjoy!
The 45mm lens is sharp. A real handful to use right. It's W I D E. The extension tube set is a very handy accessory for the longer lenses. Inspect the lightseals. The foam can go bad. I had to have mine replaced. Using 220 film is a nice bonus for those times when you want to shoot a lot of film but not have to carry so many rolls.
Enjoy!
venchka
Veteran
120 E6 processing
120 E6 processing
I just had a roll of E-6 Velvia RVP processed for $5.95 USD. I also had a roll of C-41 processed for $1.95 USD. Kodak Portra 160VC looks good to me.
120 E6 processing
I just had a roll of E-6 Velvia RVP processed for $5.95 USD. I also had a roll of C-41 processed for $1.95 USD. Kodak Portra 160VC looks good to me.
monochromejrnl
Well-known
astounding glass (as good as anything out there in the MF world)... my main gripe with it was the size... sure, it can be handheld but the large negative advantage couldn't outweight the size and weight issue for my type of shooting..
dazedgonebye
Veteran
Great shots Mono. Love the puppy.
I'm not giving up my 35mm, that's for sure. I can't see hauling out a 6x7 for shots at famlily gatherings.
Wayne,
I just noticed you're from East Texas. I was born in Marshall, TX. and grew up in Shreveport, LA.
I'm not giving up my 35mm, that's for sure. I can't see hauling out a 6x7 for shots at famlily gatherings.
Wayne,
I just noticed you're from East Texas. I was born in Marshall, TX. and grew up in Shreveport, LA.
charjohncarter
Veteran
monochromejrnl, you are right about the size. It is a problem. But the large negative does outweigh its size, There is nothing like it.
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venchka
Veteran
Born at Barksdale AFB
Born at Barksdale AFB
I was born at Barksdale. Left shortly thereafter. I've been wandering across Texas most of my life. It took Katrina to blow me to Texas fulltime. We have a home in Wood County north of Tyler. I spend most of my time working in Houston. I'll be free of Houston in a few years.
My mother graduated from Fair Park H.S. and I attended Byrd H.S. for a year.
For several years in the 70s all I had was MF gear. I have a lot of family pictures in 6x7. They are really nice.
Born at Barksdale AFB
I was born at Barksdale. Left shortly thereafter. I've been wandering across Texas most of my life. It took Katrina to blow me to Texas fulltime. We have a home in Wood County north of Tyler. I spend most of my time working in Houston. I'll be free of Houston in a few years.
My mother graduated from Fair Park H.S. and I attended Byrd H.S. for a year.
For several years in the 70s all I had was MF gear. I have a lot of family pictures in 6x7. They are really nice.
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dazedgonebye
Veteran
I went to Southwood HS.
I joined the Navy insted of the Air Force for fear they'd stick me at Barksdale and I'd never shake that area from my feet.
I joined the Navy insted of the Air Force for fear they'd stick me at Barksdale and I'd never shake that area from my feet.