Ok I want to get into some "portable" medium format again. I don't have the funds to get what I want, a Mamiya 6 or 7, so have been looking at alternatives. I know pentax have a pretty good rep for lens quality but just wondering about the body? has anyone owned one of these before and can give some feedback on them? Weight, usability, things to look out for?
I’ve had a few Pentax 67s over the years (and also the Mamiya 6 and 7ii). Bought and sold them for something else, but always came back to the 67. I love the format, the lens quality and the prices are still reasonable (apart from the 67II body and 105mm lens, which for me isn’t worth the money when the 90 is so good).
Fit a metered prism, handle and 105mm lens, and yes, they are heavier than a Hasselblad or Bronica SQ. But remove the handle, swap the prism for a WLF and fit the 90 or 45mm lens, and you can easily carry them all day. I usually keep the handle attached and carry mine in an F-Stop backpack.
Positives: Stunning image quality. Excellent and flexible lens selection (my favourites are 45, 55 f4, 90 and 165). Full system with macro tubes, bellows, different finders, shift lenses etc…you can do almost anything with it. The handle makes them a lot easier to hold than a Hasselblad (for me). Fast f2.8 lenses available at a reasonable price. I’ve owned four different bodies, and never had a single issue, despite one being an absolute beater which I only bought for the attached lens. Aftermarket panoramic kits turn it into a ‘big, cheap Xpan!’
Negatives: Weight. No interchangeable film back (but neither do the Mamiyas or Plaubel)
For me, the only thing the Mamiya 6 and 7 beat the 67 on was the weight…and the 6 beat it on size when folded. The Mamiya lenses may technically be higher resolution, but I didn‘t see a difference when scanning or in the enlarger, so it’s irrelevant to me. Ditto my 67 vs Hasselblad Zeiss negatives.
I’ve hand-held shots at 1/30 loads of times, and I recall one at 1/15 (inside a submarine factory!) I’ve always come away with perfectly useable negatives. Rubbish photos, but great negatives!
Holding the 67 against the stomach with a WLF attached is the way to go. I doubt it would work as well with the prism at eye level.
Note: ‘6x7’ is a bit of a misnomer. The negatives are 56mm x 70mm, I.e. 4x5 ratio, so they’re perfect for printing on standard papers.
If you want a camera to potter around on holiday with, I’d advise against the 67 (although I‘ve done that with mine, it wasn’t ideal). If I want medium format when walking around a city all day, I take a Rollei TLR because they’re only 900-1100g. I’ve never owned the Plaubel so can’t comment, but they look perfect as a lightweight medium format travel camera. Then again, you lose the flexibly and need to be careful with the bellows.
It’s always a tricky trade-off with medium format. You always have to compromise.
