Pentax 645 Thoughts?

[Daniel W.]

Well a great deal on a 645+lens came up, but can I justify it?

I'd like to upgrade the laptop (but the desktop is sufficient).
Then a new prime (50/1.4?)
Then a new body (5D II)

But I love shooting film. Oh... I love it. The time I've had with a Kiev and some cheap film are enthralling. I looked at my 35mm contact sheets last night and it just wasn't the same.

In the long run, in a year - I'm hoping to be attending RIT (submitted my application Monday), which has an impressive availability of gear. Would it be a farce to buy it, only to end up at a college where I could check out a Hassy (or settle for a Mamiya ) daily?
Thoughts?

[tropicpine]

Waht do you think of this?

[Daniel W.]

That's funny because I have a 1000s at the school that was donated sans lens and film cassette and for the most part I'm sure it's kaput.

But that'd be too much to justify currently, the 645 is...loooow priced. Thanks though, I'll make sure to keep it in mind if someone is looking for a nice system. I got to play with a working 1000s and m645, and they were quite posh.

I guess the argument I'm having in my head now is keep or sell my Russian collision of defunct engineering that is a camera, buy a decent auto-ish 645 (sans focus). Or just keep the Russian collision, wait a year or so and have my heart's whim of gear. Oh shucks. (Don't worry, if I don't get my 1st choice of RIT, OhioU, which has already accepted me has a constantly updated supply of Mamiya and Nikon gear).

[venchka]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm..........sounds like maybe you should put your money into film. Or fuel to take your cameras places. If you will have access to OPS (other people's stuff), why buy? On the other hand, there is something to said for having your stuff & suplement with OPS. That would indicate owning a brand that the school owns.

[zebulus]

Nope, dont buy it...cuz im trying to buy the same exact 645 :)

[venchka]

Every time the Pentax 645 vs. Mamiya 645 debate surfaces, something about the Pentax seems to sway the argument toward the Mamiya. I wish I could remember what it was.

I say, "Go Big or go home."

[zebulus]

Again, waaaay overkill for me.

[venchka]

Nope. Just right.

[zebulus]

Ive got my heart set on a pentax 645, if not this one I will find one eventually.

[PIC]

Originally Posted by venchka

Every time the Pentax 645 vs. Mamiya 645 debate surfaces, something about the Pentax seems to sway the argument toward the Mamiya. I wish I could remember what it was.

I say, "Go Big or go home."

LOL.
Bigger is Better and 4 out of 5 Commerical Photogs use 645 as 1st choice.
The Mamiya 645 AFD is also what Phase One uses as camera.
Iff you going to stay film ... try to have 120 / 220 film back modified to 15 / 30 exposures for sharper images ... or shoot fast and stopped down.
Roller produces film detent in as low as a minute and effects sharpness.
The 15 / 30 modification puts detent in between frames. SMART TIP !!!
But the real way to go is Phase One P+61 Digi back - I have 2 of them.

PS - Good Luck at RIT. I would not recommend it today in today's senaio.
The only thing that has changed in 30 years since I graduated there is Digital, further fallout of the pro market, and 21st Century mass ass of amatures that "envade" the pro market.
You really need your own equipment and cant count on the 3rd floor photo Cage.
But I know a 19 yr old horni girl there from S.F. ..

[henrysamson]

Originally Posted by Daniel W.

In the long run, in a year - I'm hoping to be attending RIT (submitted my application Monday), which has an impressive availability of gear. Would it be a farce to buy it, only to end up at a college where I could check out a Hassy (or settle for a Mamiya ) daily?
Thoughts?

Hi Daniel,

Things may have changed a lot in the 30 some years since I was as RIT and back then the equipment available for checkout sounded impressive but almost never seemed to be available when you needed it. It was WELL used and as such was not always in tip top shape.

But Wayne mentions getting the equipment the school has and that is a good point. When I was there they had tons of canon 35 mm and lots of students used canon (owned their own body and a lens or two) because they could checkout almost any lens or accessory made by canon. The lenses and accessories were usually in good shape but who wanted to be at the mercy of a used body with unknown issues. So you may want to find out what they have now.

Also, checkout was 24 hours except for weekends and holidays. But like I said, things may have changed. Good luck with you application. I had a great time there while it lasted!

Hank

[Daniel W.]

Zeb, take it. You're without medium format, and the more suffering of the two of us.

Please, before I tear up by the thought of a man with film and no camera!

Thanks Hank! Glad to know there's an RIT grad here. I have a working digital kit (5D, zoom from 17 to 200, and primes) that will suffice, and I'm sure I can supplement. I've been told much of it has been converted to digi, but there is still Dektol and D76 "on tap." That itself makes me giddy! Fingers crossed.

[henrysamson]

Originally Posted by Daniel W.

Thanks Hank! Glad to know there's an RIT grad here. I have a working digital kit (5D, zoom from 17 to 200, and primes) that will suffice, and I'm sure I can supplement. I've been told much of it has been converted to digi, but there is still Dektol and D76 "on tap." That itself makes me giddy! Fingers crossed.

I don't want to make you wish for the old days but when I was there we had the following "on tap":

D72 (similar to dektol)
selectol soft
D76
DK50
fixer
hypo clear
28% acetic acid (for stop)
lith developer (a & b)
tanning developer (a & b for dye transfer matrices)
color print chemistry (dev, blix and stabilizer)

I may be missing something but this is the stuff that I used at one time or another. Like I said before, I had a great time! Did I mention the 200 some darkrooms? When I was there we had to have a 4x5 with a 90 and 210 for the second year (in my program). The first year was a little 35mm and then all 4x5 and all B&W.

Hank

[Daniel W.]

Holy smokes. But I know I would never utilize each of those. I'm a "find what words and stick with it." And... I can definitely make what's there work ha ha.

[zebulus]

FYI Daniel, I just bought a Yashicamat 124G yesterday, so I am no longer in need of the 645. Its still up for grabs.