Is 645 Film Worth Shooting?! (A Road Trip with the Pentax 645)

In this video I'm taking a road trip down highway 395 with my Pentax 645 to shoot some snapshots along the way and revisit the first medium format film size I ever used

[codyhoyt]

Your first mamiya 645 video was what got me into medium format and just diving deep into the world of film shooting even more. Thank you!

[MH-zdsi]

Thanks Willem, I did a roadtrip up Highway 395 this year with my Pentax 645 - sweet memories. Pentax 645 and its Lens Line-Up criminally underrated

[filmbyalim]

I love this camera, I bring it to every wedding where I'm shooting film. Such a joy to use, and it feels great in the hand. I've never considered using it as a road trip camera, thanks for the inspiration Willem!

[kartoffeltree]

I just saw last week that pretty much the biggest camera store chain in Switzerland now has Long Weekend products in store, which made me really happy for you two. Congrats!

[fotoralf]

Maybe things are different nowadays with DSLR scanning, but when I was shooting 645 there was no real advantage over 35 mm when scanning. 35 mm in a decent Nikon or Minolta film scanner gave better resolution than 645 on a Epson 700. To really have an advantage, one would have had to shell out for a Nikon Coolscan 9000 which by far eliminated the cost advantage of 645.

Had a Mamiya 645 Pro for a while but we never got to like each other. Only later found out that I took some of my best photos with it. Given the choice, I'd always prefer 6x6 over 645. None of the awkward contortions to do a portrait shot and in landscape it's 645 with a built-in 'virtual' shift function.

P.S.: That first piece of music was really horrible.

[jolijnsnijdersss]

The last set of images of the landscape with the river and then the scene with the pool were all incredible!!! Great job willem ❤

[paulschumacker]

The Pentax 645 is indeed an incredible camera, with reasonably priced lenses with high quality optics. I’ve used mine a lot, but because it’s a bit bulky and heavy most of my shots have been with a tripod. I’m glad I already have one, since the demand and price are likely to increase after this video! Which included a bunch of really nice shots. The music - not so much… Thanks!

[CurryIsNasty]

The Action Bronson track with the footage was such a vibe

[ethankish]

i did not expect it to be this refreshing to watch a film video that doesn’t use jazz music lol

[okyeabuddyguy]

645 Rocks!!

I love the aspect ratio, to me it's the perfect dimensions to be suitable for landscape or portrait. 3:2 feels too wide or thin sometimes and 6x7 can feel too square.

15 shots is way better in this economy compared to 6x7 or 6x9.

It's a big jump over 135 in quality, like massive leap, and still competes well with 6x6 and 6x7. If you are doing web stuff or prints under 14x20 then 645 is more than good enough.

It's way more compact and the cameras and lenses are way cheaper!!

If you shoot vertical portraits in vertical with the camera then the quality is the same as 6x6 and damn close to 6x7. The only issue really is when you start cropping 645, but still a good scan with 645 gives you decent crop potential. Hell of a lot more than 135 anyways.

[acarrascoy]

I feel the first set of photos were too lo-fi to do justice to the medium... In the second half they're much punchier and rich in tonality. It would be nice to know which film, development and grading were used for each 😄 (my guess is the second half photos were shot in Ektar, I loved that film)

[mitch-lawless]

8:55 so simple, yet so ferociously powerful. Absolutley love that shot. The dark forboding hues are enchanting.

[shadyman]

Yoo! I met you in 2017 in LES and this was the camera you were rocking at the time! Glad you kept it!

[TheLogicalphycopath]

found a thrifted mamyia 645 with 80mm lens and grip at my local thrift shop they wanted too much i talked them down as it needed light seal replacements etc. got her all cleaned up and im in love!!

[briangaroutte]

Hey Verb! FYI - you can convert that 220 back to work with 120 with a simple procedure, unscrew a little plastic guide and reverse it: as shown in this vid below.


By the way, I’ve been shooting 645 a while and have owned and used most of the SLR style 645s out there, I love that Pentax, and since I shoot the 67, I use a simple adapter to use the 67 lenses on the 645. Great system, def slept on, caveat is the N and Nii are much better for user interface but come with a steeper price, still worth it imo.

[tedphillips]

It is easy to convert a 220 back to a 120 back. All you need is a small screw driver & a video on YouTube on how to convert it. I have done several & it works perfectly. No more missed shots.

[alexwahoski]

I think the budget factor is huge for me. I love getting a few extra frames to try to combat the price of the film.

[warren]

Thanks for the great clip & sharing a great travel destination. 

The first music track however was hideous. The last thing anyone needs is some clown yelling & cursing at us while we go along on your journey.

[kucken]

I got a Mamiya 645 Pro last year because of your old video. Absolutely love that thing.

[fratta]

The street lamp perfectly fitting the shape of the mountain in the background at 8:02 😌🤌🏼