Fast, Light, Crisp images (NPS160 NPH400)
Tack Sharp Zooms

None except the usual magazine interchangability but I have 2 bodies so I don't care.

Great Camera. Done 50 weddings with it. Great Zooms 80-160 &45-85. Recommend Metz Flash 40 MZ3 and Stroboframe Pro RL Bracket.

Customer Service

None as yet..

Similar Products Used:

Hassey 503cw&cxi
Bronica 645 ETRSI
Maymiya 645 ProTTL

A all around great camera for Wedding Photography. Fast autofocusing, Bright viewfinder, easy to use control and light weight. Just a Joy to use. Not a battery hog like other Autofocus cameras. It can also inscribe the shooting info on the edge of the film including the lens you use.

The only thing that this camera needs are removable film backs to be able to change film mid role

One of the best cameras I have ever had the pleasure of using. This is coming from someone who
has used the best. In fact I am getting ready to sell my F5 and F4s Nikons because the camera is so easy to use plus the neg. is alomst 3x larger than the 35mm and I can shoot weddings with it as well. I do own a brand new Hasselblad 501cm kit still in the box and have not used it as yet because I just love this camera. Be on the lookout for a really good sale!!!!I would have gave it all 5 stars but they need to improve the film problem for us Wedding photographers who do double exposers in the camera.

Customer Service

Not needed yet

Similar Products Used:

Nikon F5, F4s, Mamiya 645 and RB67, Hasselblad
501cm and the DS-515A Fujix/Nikon Autofocus Digital

cheap lens, but provide good optical quality. AF is very convenient for taking outdoor portrait photo. Lens are light in weight.

No mirror lock up, it would be a problem when using 300mm or longer lens at dim condition.
No interchangable film back may not convenient, but it is easy to consume 16 films per roll, so not a big deal

It is suitable for outdoor photography coz of the light weight lens, similar or even less weight compared with some pro 135 lens. The flare control of lens is excellent. The sharpness of lens and colour reproduction are very good and should be no problem to for photo enlarge up to 20X24 inches. Good quality lens and cheap price lens makes it a good choice for new beginners of 120 system.

Customer Service

haven't come across malfunctions, so no experience.

Similar Products Used:

Rollei 6008, Mamiya 645pro, Pentax 67II

Simple, intuitive operating controls
Bright, clear viewfinder image
Light enough to carry all day long
Easy to attach & use flashes
Relatively less expensive than Mamiya, others
Backs off guys with F-5's

Non-interchangeable backs
No digital backs yet
Viewfinder doesn't show all of film image
Manual ASA setting required
Fairly noisy focal plane shutter
Loading film holders is tedious

For 35 years I've been a 35mm SLR user, first Pentax, and now Nikon. 35mm cameras are relatively light, take exposures quickly, have cassetted film, and have relatively manageable
telescopic lenses. Nikons in addition have matrix metering which is superb. However, when one starts enlarging negatives to 11"X14" or larger, the large negative cameras come into their own. At 16"X20", there is really no comparison if image resolution is any kind of issue in the picture.
View cameras are nice, but one needs really expensive lenses and any kind of action or macro is a real challenge. For landscapes, architectural work, and any images where I'm going to 16X20 or larger, I really like this little camera and the autofocus is a nice bonus. Besides, when you're around pros who are using high dollar 35mm rigs, this little guy says "I'm serious."

Customer Service

Not required

Similar Products Used:

None

1. PRICE: cheap system compared to other MF systems (Mamiya AF, Contax AF, Bronica ETRsi, Hassy, Rollei)

2. ERGONOMIC: the best hand held system on the market. Excellent for field work. Viewfinder is very bright, Auto-focus is fast and smooth. Auto-focus is faster than the Mamiya AF and the Contax AF. The Mamiya AF also start out with grinding sound before focusing.

3. SIZE: Small and light for a MF system (exclude Rangefinder). The size of the metering prism is about 1/3 the size of other metering prism. The Pentax prism although not removable is about .75 inch tall, while the other MF metering prism is about 2 inches tall. Next time you’re in the store, compare the Pentax prism and other metering prisms (Bronica, Mamiya, Contax, Hassy) and you know what I am talking about.

4. LENS: Excellent lens and affordable, Optic is on par with other system. I can’t tell the different between pictures taken with this camera and other MF cameras. It’s doubtful if you or especially your clients tell different.

5. DURABILITY: well built and dependable. The 645(manual focus) has been on the market since 1984, and the 645N overall structure is exactly the same the 645 with some new features. The camera is a workhorse and battle proven for many years. You wouldn’t hear too many problems on this camera, unlike the Contax AF. By the way, the Contax AF batteries only last between 2-7 rolls of film.

6. METERING: center-weighted, spot and twelve-segment(matrix) metering. I don’t think Mamiya, Contax, Bronica or other has matrix metering.

7. MIRROR “BRAKING SYSTEM”: Other may complaint about the lack of Mirror lock-up, but it does have the “Braking System” which reduces noise and mirror vibration. No other MF on the market has this features. With the “braking system”, it’s almost like having mirror lock-up at all time. Let me ask an average user this question. When was the last time you use mirror lock-up?

8. NO INTERCHANGEABLE BACK: Yes! You hear me right. I am the only user that had mentioned it as a positive point and here is why. Many users see this feature as a negative point, but not me. Since the camera doesn’t have interchangeable back, the base/frame of the camera is built from ONE piece of solid aluminum, unlike other systems which are modular. As a result, the camera is more solid and rigid because of one-piece structure design. This also allows engineers to move the handle toward the back of the camera. Because of the interchangeable back, Mamiya and Contax handles are more toward the front of the camera. It’s easier to carry a camera with the handle built toward the back of the camera. Besides, how long does it take to burn 16 frames for picture? You can also buy extra inserts which make changing film quicker. Pentax film inserts are cheap ($134).

Pentax designers are well awarded that the 645N doesn’t have interchangeable back, and that how they wanted it to be. The camera was intended as the bridge between top-end “PRO” 35mm cameras and high-price modular MF systems. It fills the niche very nicely. It handles like 35mm camera, but with larger negatives. According to Pentax president, the 645N is Pentax’s answer to Nikon F5 and Canon 1N. Since Pentax doesn’t have any “PRO” 35mm camera, the 645N is target toward serious enthusiasts, SOME professionals and first time MF users who do not care about interchangeable back. How many 35mm cameras have interchangeable back? NONE.

the only negative thing I have is the sync speed 1/60 sec

To sum it up. I love this camera. This Pentax 645N is the best value in MF. I paid little for a new kit (body + 75/2.8 lens + 120 back). Buy import(grey) from a reputable mail order can save a lot of money. Additional lens wouldn’t break my bank account. Just for comparison, little can get you one Contax lens.

If you’re an enthusiast on a budget looking to get into MF or a professional who do not care about removable back, this is the camera for you. For some wedding photographers who absolutely need to change film at mid-roll, this camera might not fit their needs.
However, for the rest of us (90%), who only shot 1-2 rolls per week, this is almost a perfect MF camera system. It’s cheap, durable, ergonomic, fun and easy camera to use.

Customer Service

no experience yet.

Similar Products Used:

Pentax 67
Nikon F100, N70
Contax G2
Rollei QZ35T

Data imprint on film edge

Ability to mount horizontal or verical without tripod changes.

Great ergonomics, DOF lever in front, ML button right where thumb can reach it.

Ability to use both manual and auto lenses and still be able to use the in focus indicator.

Can learn the controls without having to read the manual!

Very economical compared with similar cameras.

No digital Back

No tilt shift lenses

Easy to use, easy to handle, easy on the wallet

Customer Service

Elecronic exposure compensation died after 1 year and one week (thats right, one year warranty was up). They fixed it in about 6 weeks. No hassles. works fine now.

Similar Products Used:

No MF but various 35mm

Reliability, build quality, lens quality, light weight, exposure accuracy, tripod socket on side for verticals.

Flash synch (1/60),no interchangeable backs, AF a tad slow.

This a great camera for the pro. I have photographed hundreds of weddings with one and it has never missed a shot. It is very battery efficient compared to the Contax 645. We print 24x20 inch wall portrait prints with consistently excellent results. After 200+ shots at a wedding the AF is a blessing. A real workhorse. My choice over all 645 cameras.

Customer Service

Not needed.

Similar Products Used:

Contax 645AF, Hasselblad 503CW, Bronica ETRS

Ergometrics, and usable with existing lenses. Find just like the original Pentax 645 that inserts verses changable backs are an asset. Hated dealing with dark slides and back alignment. At the price of backs can afford more then on body.

Have to get use to knobs rather then old buttons. Occasionally forget which camera I am using

Love the camera, uses all my old lenses with no problem. Found autofocus alert a great feature, for verifying focus under problem conditions. Bought the 645N, wanted to have better bracketing and my eyes are starting the have problems focusing (getting old)

Customer Service

None, orginal Pentax 645's are still working after 15 years. Cleaning and check by authorized repair station - no problem so far.

Similar Products Used:

Pentax 645, Nikon FM2, F3,N90, Canon EOS 1, various 4X5, 5X7, 8X10 cameras

The auto focus in even low light is good and picture quality is very good. Mettering is accurate.

To slow in low light or fast action shooting

It's the best I have used --- Ilove it.

Customer Service

Did not need any

Similar Products Used:

I have a few but the 645n wins out

Great quality photos, so easy to use under all lighting condition,
Extremly accurtate meter.

The camera started out making a whining noise when the film advanced, after about 25 rolls the camera was completly
broke, would not advance the film at all

I wish it would have been as reliable as my old P645,it was fun to use and the eye focus was great and so accurate, the standard 75mm gave almost a fish eye look when taking close ups "bridal dance" photos, that was very disappointing and customers noticed, this is not like the old 75mm which is a great sharp lens. to give it a rating would be hard because Im sure I just got a defective camera, but I saved a fortune by returning it and continuing with my old P645!

Customer Service

Pentax Im sure would have serveced it but since I had it for only 2 weeks I deceided to wash my hands of the who;le thing and stay with my old pentax 645 "old reliable"

Similar Products Used:

I have owned the Pentax 645 for years, great dependable camera