Pentax 645N - My favourite Medium Format camera

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►CHAPTER MARKERS
00:00 - Intro
00:58 - Key advantages
03:32 - Balance of features
04:12 - Sponsor
05:45 - Why I bought mine
06:18 - More use-cases
07:39 - Drawbacks
09:06 - The 645 format advantage
10:05 - Conclusion

#pentax645n #mediumformat #filmphotography

[randallstewart]

A couple decades ago, I lost my 35mm kit in a home burglary. I shopped at the time and planned to replace it with the Pentax 645N, already having a full Pentax 67 kit which had lens cross-compatibility. However, the thief wasn't very good at his trade, got caught selling my stuff to a local photo store, and I got it all back. He was on parole at the time for...you guessed it, so they added a couple more years to his unserved term and he when back to prison, until next time. I got my stuff back, so no 645N. Today, because of lack of interchangeable backs for the 645N, I'd buy a Bronica 645 system instead, were I in the market. No one in their right mind would start fresh into a Pentax 645 system because they could use larger, heavier, more expensive, and less capable 67 system lenses on it. Particularly so for the 645N, as you'd loose the auto-focus function as well.

[TwinIonEngines]

I didn't even know Pentax made a 645 like this and with so much tech built in, extremely cool. Definitely a "If I find it at an amazing deal" sort of camera.
My Bronica ETRS 645 with an AEii and speed grip has been my 120 workhorse for when I just want to go out and about and snap things up, and the affordability of parts, lenses and film backs is just way too hard to beat with it.
If I want to go higher for a specific outing, nothing really beats my Pentax 67, its a brick but man... I love bricks lol. The IQ you get out of it is just, insanely addicting.
And then if I have an EXTREMELY special shoot, or a pre-planned framing trip, I'll take out the Fujica GW690 and absolutely devour all that light up. With ISO 100-200 film its like you took a digital photo, its just that crisp and beautiful. And surprisingly compact, lightweight and mechanically simple for what it is and what it does. Just make those 8 shots count!

For a daily "street" body? Ye ol' Reliable 35mm Pentax ES and the massive range of M42 SMC Takumar lenses. Nuff said.

[thijskennis]

The shot with the palm tree in the forrest is a real banger. Wauw!

[bobdots]

Thanks for another great video Hashem. I've worked with all formats from 5x4 down to 35mm half frame over the years and I've always loved 6x4.5 for its image quality combined with convenience in camera size. I bought my Pentax 645 (no 'N') just over twelve months ago and - like you - I was lucky to get it for a great price with four lenses. I've slowly added most of the 'standard' system accessories (including the reflex viewfinder recently) and the camera has never disappointed me.

Now for the elephant in the room issue - the mirror slap/shutter sound on all the Pentax 645 range. OK, if you wanted to be 'covert' and not draw attention then maybe this isn't the right camera for that purpose. However, as far as weddings go, I used to work most weekends photographing weddings with the Mamiya 645 and Nikon 35mm cameras many years ago (I worked for a photo lab/studio way back when). No one even turned their heads when the camera 'clunked' through frame after frame (and that Mamiya was not quiet either). I suspect that people's expectations may have changed now, thanks to the almost total market penetration of 'silent' digital cameras. For me though, I take comfort in the beautiful, mechanical sounds of the Pentax 645 - it reassures me that all the analogue components of a finely crafted machine are still working in harmony every time I make an image.

[JeremyOClair]

No doubt, it is one of my favorite cameras - for many of the reasons you described. I bought the 645nii and I loved it immediately. In fact, I liked it so much, I bought a second body, the 645n. Thanks for the video.

[filmhowyalike]

Great video. Also, for anyone in the GFX system or considering jumping in, the 645n lenses adapt amazingly well. I love my Pentax 645n.

[AndrewKaiserPhotography]

Thank you for the video. I just purchased a 645n about a week ago for a great price and I'm really enjoying it. I've been a Hasselblad 500c/m user for decades and I'll always love that camera, but having autofocus and auto exposure is incredibly useful for street photography in particular. It's only been a week but I think this camera is going to get a lot of use from me.

[markstabler]

Another great video. I’ve had the 645N for a while and take it out with me along with digital when doing landscape work. Great camera and format. Whilst looking at your photos, I noticed the red Renault 12TL. I had one as my first car which my dad gave me many years ago here in the uk. Good memories.

[Nedumgottil]

I own a 645n as well. I agree that’s is very easy to travel with, using commonly found batteries is nice too. I’ve had other cameras both digital and film who have batteries that have died during the middle of the day on a trip. With this you can pop in to any local convenience store and you’re good to keep capturing the trip

[benjaminneoh]

Nice vid, Hashem. Your experience with the channel and videography definitely shows in this video. Has a nice Australian Docu TV show feel to it, ha. I think you'd make a good tv segment presenter. I've owned the Mamiya 645 Pro TL before, and that was great to use. Amazingly easy to focus, sharp lenses, a joy to use, and the ratio of the frames was always nice too. Biggest thing was that it's beefy and I didn't have auto wind, so I'd always recommend a good grip and the autowinder for greater convenience, though the winding was a fun novelty, it's just much slower. I also had the better eye level focusing prism on it too, which made it so nice to use. Nice to see you back, been a while since an upload. Look forward to the next one.

[KingJvpes]

Let’s gooo!!! Amazing video as always brother

[sshadmani]

The production quality of this video 💯

[behindeachfilmgrain]

The Pentax medium format system for me has been as great camera specially the 67.

The quality you get from both platforms and quality of frames make choosing my shots very easy and deliberate.

This is a great video Hashem! Always good seeing you grow.

[jw]

I love the Pentax, but my issue is reliability. I have owned two, both with mint appearance. The first body flat out died, the second, two of the buttons started to fail.

I ended up opting for the ETRSI as a replacement and I feel like that system is a more solid option. I replaced the focus screen with an Oleson screen and it's now as bright as the Pentax and has a split image.

The P645 is excellent though, and I totally agree it's underrated.

Cheers.

[brianentz]

I can’t believe I have never heard of this camera before. Something new to crave.

[AnalogueDiaries]

Pentax 645 is a great camera and often overlooked. I have the original one and it was my first medium format camera. I like how relatively portable it is, if comparing with other systems. Also it’s a “run and gun” type of MF. The lens selection is quite wide and some of them are inexpensive, yet it’s still good quality glass.
I once shot a metal concert with my 645 😅

[nelsono]

Thank You so much for this video. I had been eyeing the 645N and this video helped me make up my mind. I was able to find one in near mint condition with a 55mm lens for under $1000 pre-tax. I am just getting back into film and have some experience with medium format. While in the Army I got to use a Mamiya RZ 6x7 and a Hasselbald. At one time I owned the Pentax 6x7. Always loved medium format. I think the Pentax 645N will serve my needs quite nicely. Thanks again for an excellent video.

[extremelydave]

I have dreams of a Pentax wake up to the nightmare of NOT having one. I still love film, but this camera has all the goodness of medium format with the ease of use/getting the image on the computer that I could want. Another awesome video Mr. M.

[chriscorey]

Thank you for this. Your photos with this camera are stellar. Love my 645n, though I have had some difficulties with the auto wind not working properly. I have had it repaired (twice by the same shop), and am really hoping it’s finally fixed because I like it for all of the reasons you called out in your video.

[tedphillips]

Definitely agree the Pentax 645n is a winner with image quality, 16 frames per roll & very good lenses. The lenses are still affordable but unfortunately for me growing in popularity,