charjohncarter
Veteran
I think it will work, but you might have to stop down (or maybe not) and use a hand meter. After all the bodies work fine without the meter prism.
Pentax 6x7 vs 67 vs 67ii
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I think it will work, but you might have to stop down (or maybe not) and use a hand meter. After all the bodies work fine without the meter prism.
Correct; the only function of the chain is to help transfer the lens aperture setting to the meter prism for open-aperture metering. FWIW, the 67II does it differently, no chain!
As to screens, I've put grid screens in all mine (two each 6x7 and 67II, all metered), though one 67II has the grid with split image combo screen, BJ-61, a lucky find at KEH. The other 67II has a BG-60 grid. The non-MLU 6x7 got a Pentax grid with course-ground center circle, and the newer 6x7 has a Beattie Intenscreen grid with horiz. split image. FWIW, no adjustment to the meter was needed after the Beattie screen was in.
I became really fond of the 6x7, 67, 67II line of cameras, but have not shot film for some time. I do use some of the lenses on another camera though.
jwicaksana
Jakarta, Indonesia
Dear John and Doug, thanks, much appreciated. 😀
I'm halfway between a Pentax 67 and a Mamiya RB67 Pro S. Anyone care to share an experience/thought? Sorry for being off topic.
I'm halfway between a Pentax 67 and a Mamiya RB67 Pro S. Anyone care to share an experience/thought? Sorry for being off topic.
Jonathan, that was exactly my position when I was shopping for medium format. I was inclined toward the Pentax, but the RB was clearly in the running. I was familiar with 35mm Pentaxes, and the 6x7 was essentially the same layout and would be used in the same way.
The Mamiya ergonomics are quite different, its strengths in use are different. Its more of a tripod camera, more of a studio camera, so I had to think about what I wanted to do in medium format. So, I found my way to a local camera store and arranged a brief tryout with the Mamiya... bought a roll of film, learned how to load it, put it on a tripod and took it out onto the sidewalk in front and tried to do a wide variety of types of shots in 10 exposures.
Then I thought about it while I admired the processed prints. I am not a studio photographer; I like to be out in the field, mostly hand-held. I have a real aversion to waist-level finders, having used a variety of them before. Like Hasselblads and others, the Mamiya can be fitted with an eye-level prism, but the cameras are just not shaped to be used comfortably that way. With its rotating back, the Mamiya RB is large and bulky.
The Pentax isn't exactly tiny either, but it's smaller. While it can be fitted with a waist-level flip-up finder, I think this configuration is awkward. It's clearly designed for eye-level handling, like a bigger 35mm SLR. The big Pentax is a superb field camera. Ultimately, that made the difference for me, and I knew I could be comfortable using it.
I found a pro realigning his gear, and bought his used P6x7. This was 1976, the year Pentax introduced the new mirror lock-up feature, but mine predated this. That's ok, I never missed the MLU. My next step was a meter prism and 200mm lens.
So, that was my decision, based on my preferences at the time. It was the right decision for me, which I later followed up with a second used 6x7 (with MLU), and then again later with a pair of 67II. Your preferences and priorities might well point you in a different but equally valid direction.
The Mamiya ergonomics are quite different, its strengths in use are different. Its more of a tripod camera, more of a studio camera, so I had to think about what I wanted to do in medium format. So, I found my way to a local camera store and arranged a brief tryout with the Mamiya... bought a roll of film, learned how to load it, put it on a tripod and took it out onto the sidewalk in front and tried to do a wide variety of types of shots in 10 exposures.
Then I thought about it while I admired the processed prints. I am not a studio photographer; I like to be out in the field, mostly hand-held. I have a real aversion to waist-level finders, having used a variety of them before. Like Hasselblads and others, the Mamiya can be fitted with an eye-level prism, but the cameras are just not shaped to be used comfortably that way. With its rotating back, the Mamiya RB is large and bulky.
The Pentax isn't exactly tiny either, but it's smaller. While it can be fitted with a waist-level flip-up finder, I think this configuration is awkward. It's clearly designed for eye-level handling, like a bigger 35mm SLR. The big Pentax is a superb field camera. Ultimately, that made the difference for me, and I knew I could be comfortable using it.
I found a pro realigning his gear, and bought his used P6x7. This was 1976, the year Pentax introduced the new mirror lock-up feature, but mine predated this. That's ok, I never missed the MLU. My next step was a meter prism and 200mm lens.
So, that was my decision, based on my preferences at the time. It was the right decision for me, which I later followed up with a second used 6x7 (with MLU), and then again later with a pair of 67II. Your preferences and priorities might well point you in a different but equally valid direction.
jwicaksana
Jakarta, Indonesia
Hi Doug, thank you for sharing your experience. My existing medium format camera is a Rolleicord III with a Xenar lens. A friend offered me his RB67 Pro S with a 50mm, good condition, and another friend is selling his 6x7 and 105 2.4 lens in mint condition. The Mamiya is not only less than half the price of the Pentax, it also came with a wide angle lens which offers a different FOV than the 'Cord. I'm meeting him tomorrow, will do exactly like you did, I'll do a test roll, see if I like it with my shooting style. I do most of my photography around friends and families, on the streets, during travels, not much of a studio guy. But many here vouch the RB/RZ can be handholdable too, so I thought why not give it a try, right? 😉
Again, thanks! This thread and the Pentax 67 Gas thread are very poisonous. In a good way of course.
Again, thanks! This thread and the Pentax 67 Gas thread are very poisonous. In a good way of course.
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