Pentax 67 Tips

Carry lots of extra batteries! I have an older model 6×7 that I’ve really enjoyed, but it seems like I only get 8-10 rolls per battery. One thing that will suck juice is the mirror lock up, esppecially if it engages while the camera is in the bag. Pentax makes a 45mm f4 lens that is way cool.

Enjoy,
Dan

Get the wood handle, if you haven’t already. It makes carrying the beast a whole lot easier, plus you’ll have a few good conversations about it, which can serve as an ice breaker in some situations.

Check the foam padding strips on you prism, if it’s old and flat it’ll let the prism wobble around when you shoot vertically and give you a wrong idea about your framing. You can get replacement padding from Pentax in Denver, costs 70 cents.

I’d tape the ‘fp’ sync cable receptor (unless you need to use it, of course), I have plugged the sync cable in to the wrong receptor and ruined some shots once. If your screen is stock, I’d consider replacing it with a Brightscreen, it’ll make a world of difference, the stock screen is mighty dark.
www.brightscreen.com

The 55mm lens rocks!
I have been using the 6×7 for 10 years now, and I love it.
Enjoy yours!

Do you know that the Pentax 67 has been discontinued?I just got mine after some searching because they have been pulled.”Because of digital” they say.I am surprised considering that it is the most widely used camera for commercial,fashion,etc.
I Used it twice before in Paris and decided to get one because of its handeling and that its about the same weight and size as my Canon 1ds.
Any more tips from a long time user are warmly welcomed.

Hi there

Thanks for all the good information and hope I can put it to good use. Really surprised at the news they have been discontinued….

I had the wooden handle as part of the package when bought it, which was great as they are quite pricey, and this seems to balance the whole thing pretty well.

I dont find the weight too much of a problem really when compared to a EOS and a 300 2.8 ,but I think that the idea of a brighter focussing screen appeals greatly.

The wider lenses of 45 and 55 look like being a very interesting option and are available pretty reasonably secondhand – maybe it;s time to sell a digital camera!!! anyone for a well cared for D60 plus extras??

Thanks and keep those tips coming

All bests

FIndlay

Hi Findlay, just be aware that there are several versions of many 67 lenses, from early SMC Takumars to SMC Pentax. Although the development of 67 has pretty much stalled few years ago with the advent of digital, some of the newer lenses are great from what I saw. Especially the 75/2.8 AL, for a normal to wide ~35mm equivalent focal length, with well balanced photo quality (smooth but sharp). Check the used prices, I think 67 equipment has fallen a bit. One thing to check on the body is the chain that connects to the metered prism for open aperture metering. The wooden grip is certainly cool :) If you have / want to get the metered prism, check that you have / get the spacer ring that connects shutter speed dial on the body with the prism dial – some used prisms are sold without it making them quite useless. Although I think 67 is more usable with just the plain non-metered prism, for a smaller and lighter body.

Hi there

There do seem to be many different versions of the Pentax lenses!!! To complement the 105 I’m looking at the 55/f4 at the moment which I think would be the equivalent of a 28mm in 35mm.

I agree that the camera would be better used without the TTL prism – if one is used to a hand-held meter this seems to be the way forward.

Also there appears to be some form of quick focussing lever which is similar to the focussing tab of the Leica lenses – anyone used one of these which could be an interesting combination with the wooden handle!!

All bests

Findlay