4 ms·

They also make a digital version: Pentax 645Z, which is cheap as far as medium format digital cameras go. Unfortunately Pentax seems to be barely holding on th

They also make a digital version: Pentax 645Z, which is cheap as far as medium format digital cameras go. Unfortunately Pentax seems to be barely holding on these days, which is a pity. They make decent cameras.

azalemeth 4y ago
They make excellent cameras and have committed to DSLRs, perhaps foolishly, but it is so wonderful to not have to worry about the battery. I've been blown away by mine. If I had a spare $lots burning a hole in my pocket, I'd definitely buy their newest APSC or full-frame DSLR. My understanding is that the 645Z is widely used in studio photography, but I might be totally wrong there.
- Zak 4y ago
  > have committed to DSLRs, perhaps foolishly I don't think it's foolish. There are countless examples of a successful niche player giving up their niche to go after a slice of the larger mainstream pie, predictably producing a middling product with little hope of attracting buyers from larger brands, and failing miserably.
- funstuff007 4y ago
  I agree. Once you have an SLR with a real pentaprism (not 5 mirrors), it's hard to go leave.
- radiowave 4y ago
  There probably are some people using it in the studio, but among the notable features of the 645Z (and the 645D before it) are that it's weather sealed, and shoots in landscape format. So I'd say it's aimed more at field use than in the studio. Still very happy with my K3 (Mark 1) for its combination of ergonimics, durability and image quality. (Of course, you wouldn't want to use it for video. Picking horses for courses.)
- hcarvalhoalves 4y ago
  I have both film and digital Pentax, excellent cameras, unfortunately it seems after Ricoh bought the brand they are increasingly niche and don’t seem to care to sell outside their fanbase in Japan.
ekianjo 4y ago
its not really medium format size captor though. if you want true medium format digital camera you need to buy digital backs for twin lenses cameras
- masterbit 4y ago
  … is there such a thing? For a Rolleiflex?
Tkuivamaki 4y ago
Pentax are actually working on brining some new film cameras on the market https://youtu.be/ilBbVpgLP_0 https://youtu.be/ilBbVpgLP_0
hcarvalhoalves 4y ago
The 645z is at a discounted price lately, arguably because it’s older technology already w/ a CCD instead of CMOS sensor, although it still has enough resolution and colors to take excellent photos in adequate light. Not sure if Pentax will update it or discontinue medium format entirely and they haven’t announced anything lately.
- dd82 4y ago
  https://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/products/645z/ https://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/products/645z/ says a 51MP CMOS sensor, and has been CMOS since 2015.
  - hcarvalhoalves 4y ago
    You’re right the 645z is already CMOS, the 645d is CCD. The z is almost the same camera w/ newer generation sensor, but kinda old already.
- vr46 4y ago
  Nah, the sensor is gobsmackingly-good, even DXO think so: https://www.dxomark.com/pentax-645z-sensor-review/ https://www.dxomark.com/pentax-645z-sensor-review/ I have a Q2 and the Pentax compares favourably, even if not all the lenses are as modern. The 645Z is a crazy bargain second-hand.

azalemeth 4y ago

They make excellent cameras and have committed to DSLRs, perhaps foolishly, but it is so wonderful to not have to worry about the battery. I've been blown away by mine. If I had a spare $lots burning a hole in my pocket, I'd definitely buy their newest APSC or full-frame DSLR. My understanding is that the 645Z is widely used in studio photography, but I might be totally wrong there.

Zak 4y ago
> have committed to DSLRs, perhaps foolishly I don't think it's foolish. There are countless examples of a successful niche player giving up their niche to go after a slice of the larger mainstream pie, predictably producing a middling product with little hope of attracting buyers from larger brands, and failing miserably.
funstuff007 4y ago
I agree. Once you have an SLR with a real pentaprism (not 5 mirrors), it's hard to go leave.
radiowave 4y ago
There probably are some people using it in the studio, but among the notable features of the 645Z (and the 645D before it) are that it's weather sealed, and shoots in landscape format. So I'd say it's aimed more at field use than in the studio. Still very happy with my K3 (Mark 1) for its combination of ergonimics, durability and image quality. (Of course, you wouldn't want to use it for video. Picking horses for courses.)
hcarvalhoalves 4y ago
I have both film and digital Pentax, excellent cameras, unfortunately it seems after Ricoh bought the brand they are increasingly niche and don’t seem to care to sell outside their fanbase in Japan.

ekianjo 4y ago

its not really medium format size captor though. if you want true medium format digital camera you need to buy digital backs for twin lenses cameras

masterbit 4y ago
… is there such a thing? For a Rolleiflex?

Tkuivamaki 4y ago

Pentax are actually working on brining some new film cameras on the market https://youtu.be/ilBbVpgLP_0 https://youtu.be/ilBbVpgLP_0

hcarvalhoalves 4y ago

The 645z is at a discounted price lately, arguably because it’s older technology already w/ a CCD instead of CMOS sensor, although it still has enough resolution and colors to take excellent photos in adequate light. Not sure if Pentax will update it or discontinue medium format entirely and they haven’t announced anything lately.

dd82 4y ago
https://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/products/645z/ https://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/products/645z/ says a 51MP CMOS sensor, and has been CMOS since 2015.
- hcarvalhoalves 4y ago
  You’re right the 645z is already CMOS, the 645d is CCD. The z is almost the same camera w/ newer generation sensor, but kinda old already.
vr46 4y ago
Nah, the sensor is gobsmackingly-good, even DXO think so: https://www.dxomark.com/pentax-645z-sensor-review/ https://www.dxomark.com/pentax-645z-sensor-review/ I have a Q2 and the Pentax compares favourably, even if not all the lenses are as modern. The 645Z is a crazy bargain second-hand.