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

[@Codydownhill]

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!

[@SeeMick1]

Me too. First film photography video I remember watching. Wild that that was 5 years ago.

[@TheFreeShooterDetroit]

Will was deff one of the ones that got me in back in the start of 2020. Welcome to the tribe fam! Happy shooting!

[@arsalanalim]

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!

[@mitch-lawless]

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

[@kartoffeltree4065]

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!

[@frattamusic]

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

[@randallstewart1224]

From 1959, I shot 35mm because that's what we had available. In the early, 1980s, I bcgan exploring various medium format options, settling on 6x7cm with the Pentax 67 system. Shooting landscapes on a tripod for the most part, this maximized image quality at the cost of relative bulk and weight. Around age 70, my will to haul a Pentax 67 system off road or trail failed to the point where I started shifting to several Fuji 645 cameras, primarily the GA645Zi, which proves to be a good match to my declining physical abilities. I retain the three bodies and 12 lenses of the Pentax 67 system, but that's more a matter of nostalgia than necessity. I expect to wake up one morning and say, today is the day for a toy closet liquidation.

[@MH-zd6si]

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

[@ethankish]

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

[@hank7838]

seriously dude it slapped

[@hank7838]

hard asf

[@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.

[@billybolang7052]

The lexus is beautiful! reliable AF

[@ambattistella]

As a mom this is my favorite film camera. Gotta have the auto focus for the littles!

[@stevenzhangzhang1130]

literally, I enjoy the word "peace" so much at the end of the video!!! thanks for the great video always!

[@advanturemagazine]

We shoot on the Pentax 645N and publish images in print. It's a wonderful camera and there truly is a difference between 35mm and 645. Looking forward to many more shoots on this setup :)

[@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 ❤

[@garthwalker1025]

Huge fan of the channel. Please do a video on "how to use a light meter" - instructional on day/night shooting, Reflected or incidental light etc...

[@sheelios]

645 is half frame 6x9 and its goat

[@CurryIsNasty]

The Action Bronson track with the footage was such a vibe

[@Meowwentthedino]

I had a few 6/7 lenses that I adapted to my 6D2 canon and they produce some of the nicest images possible. For them in Japan and for so cheep, sometimes you find the best thing in older gear, something about your photos having a vibrant but matte look are so endearing, you are I'd have to say my top photographer of all time!

[@shadyman7821]

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

[@thommysaraceno2862]

5 years rocking the Maymia 645 - I love it, and only rarely wanna cheat on it and get something else.

[@billybolang7052]

Mamiyamigos

[@GimmeSomeAdventure]

I’ve only shot 645 and I enjoy it, the resolution compared to 35 is insane, I hear it doesn’t quite get that “medium format” look of 6x6 and again I haven’t shot 6x6 or 6x7 to know but I love that I get 15 frames per roll,

[@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!!

[@barrycockburn4448]

I've been watching your videos for a long time and enjoy them and always look forward to the next one. I live in the UK and love seeing all different parts of America you photograph. I was however disappointed with the song choice in this video. I hate hearing foul language in any song so please could you not include them in future videos? Keep posting the amazing videos. You have inspired me in your style of photography and helped me fall in love again with film photography.

[@alebo0]

Jeez, how do you go outside when you can’t stand “foul language” in songs?

[@charleyfolkes]

This particular camera is my absolute favorite camera. I shoot it mostly with the 35mm f3.5 and the 645/1 like you have has a perfect blend of manual and automatic controls and the lenses are very nice. You got some great shots there, and the burgers at Mono are great! Coffee across the street at El Mono is killer. ( bought one of your Long Weekend bags btw ) Thanks for the video !

[@gregmarcus3064]

Your Mamiya RZ67 has a 645 back available. You can make video about that. The OG camera that I equate with you. That Pentax is dope and it just got more expensive because of you.😅

[@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.

[@Coal354]

The image at 9:54 is insane Willem, chefs kiss

[@adamsears4532]

That shutter sound 😍 great video man

[@pdiseris]

645 aspect ratio fits magazine pages best. Resolution wise, totally worth it. I use a 645 film back for the RZ67 and I like having those extra 6 frames.

[@kucken64]

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

[@theangrymarmot8336]

The original Pentax 645 was my first Medium format (I also own a Fuji GS645W and a Bronica EC (6x6)) and still probably my favorite. The reliability, price, and quality of lenses and bodies can't be beat.

[@camerachica73]

I love my Contax 645 - I don't shoot weddings anymore, but have used the camera for travel photography and it's done an amazing jobs at both portraits, landscapes and details with the standard 80mm f2 lens. It's not exactly light, so I don't carry it around with me, but it will be a tortuous wrench when I eventually come to sell it.

[@paulschumacker9901]

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!

[@jasongold6751]

music is crap! Awful! watched without sound..

[@mqblowe]

Agreed - music was bloody awful. First of his videos with the sound off.

[@chriscorey5164]

Sadly, I had to mute the sound as well.

[@gideoncreates]

Amazing shots as always!

[@JumpinHobbies]

So glad to hear some Bronson on this!

[@tedphillips2951]

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

[@tosha3873]

I have a Pentax 645 and Mamiya 67 PRO SD. The 645 is much lighter so I often use it for my family trip.

[@jasongold6751]

When I lived in So-Cal, met a lady who used the 645 format. With 220 film, then available, had almost as many exposures as 35mm! But larger format, giving higher rez. and better color! Her opinion! I still preferred 35mm for easier use!On my wedding shoots, was using a Canon AE-1 with all Canon original lenses. I preffered it's use to my Leica M analogue!

[@TommyGrisselFilms]

Yessir some Bronson

[@angelinagaleana850]

Currently have "On the Sunny Side of the Street" but would want these in a new book also! Cant wait to see other work(:

[@nelsonm.5044]

Also 645 camera are lighter to carry around, it does make a difference after a few hours. It's the kind of camera you can still carry strapped around your neck or slinged and it will still be confortable after a few hours, 6 x 7 maybe not

[@JonathanPetersonlisten2EITS]

Cool vid, Willem! Your work keeps inspiring me to take out the gear I have instead of lusting after the latest tech for marginal gains.

[@husshardan3511]

Excellent! Your P645 looks so much smaller than my Hasselblad H1. Which makes it much nicer to travel with.

[@anihilistsweetpotato9535]

For me 645 is much better than 35, however if someone is just getting into it I have a hard time recommending it over 6x6 or 6x7. If you’re going to invest in a medium format camera, I think it makes sense to go for the giant negatives (I’ve printed 6x6 and 6x7 to giant sizes in the darkroom, and while that’s possible with 645 I just think the larger formats grant you more control and flexibility.) That being said, the areas where 645 really excel for me are weddings and other fast paced work since the cameras are small and fast compared to others.

[@glenkhumalo2193]

So true 645 is great but for 50% less image quality of 67 for 5-6 frames more its not worth it, the portability and ease of use will cost you in the long run when is time for prints and expanding an image its not the greatest in my opinion sometimes falling apart quicker than 35mm when cropping

[@JadenWhite]

Great video! Honestly been looking for a 645 to replace my Pentax 6x7… might go with a mamiya 645 1000s

[@michaelnewmanphotography]

Love this format!

[@andremanfrinigarcia6628]

Coming from 35mm, i've been loving shooting with my Mamiyia 645, the quality is so much better, and i find 15 frames to be a good amount for the price of 120mm film.

[@RM.TokyoPhotographer]

I actually enjoy the 645 format compared to the 35mm since compared to 36 exposures...which I have a hard time using one roll in a day....while the 645 honesty makes you a better photographer since it takes much more time to load and it forces you to think more compared to 35mm which is like flexible, more faster pace which appeal for some people.

[@photog1529]

My first MF camera was a Mamiya 645 bought back in the 80's...still have it and use. Also have the RZ67 as well. But if you really want to burn through film, shoot the 120 in a 6x17 camera...4 shots per roll, so it does make you work a bit slower and focus on your metering. I use a Shen Hao 6x17 and really like the format, and its nice to have the flexibility of all three cameras with a single film stock.

[@fotoralf]

Have done 617 for a while. It's a diffrent world altogether, actually it's large format in many aspects as you have to stop down to f45 to get decent sharpness across the whole frame. That's when you'll find that even on a sunny day something as slow as an inland river barge will be fast enough to suffer from motion blur. 🙂

[@briangaroutte7233]

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. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJi8Zn15apaBnrssi=VVoWfbme3035jf-q 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.

[@trippwilsonphoto]

Bottom line yeah. I still would pick my Mamiya 6 over something like the ga645 or a pentax 645 but the resolution and form factor is still great, I really only pick 6x6 over 645 is because I prefer square. I don't think resolution should be why you pick a format over one or the other. You just need to find a camera that works for you and stick with it.

[@shallenfoto]

putting in that work muh guy

[@jw1864]

2:10, can anyone tell me where this is? its beautiful

[@chriscorey5164]

I believe that it is on the road to June Lake.

[@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)

[@JakeWilliamCapistran]

It's a 9:54 from me dawg. Beautiful.

[@warren4261]

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.

[@retrospective77]

Imagine getting upset about a song you don’t like. Life must be really boring on your end brother. God bless, may he have mercy on your motherfucking soul.

[@IsThatYouSimon]

Willem it would be nice to shoot medium format for reportage/stories with people in frame. Thats for me the real game changer of the MF.

[@osalossa]

Baklava cookin🔥

[@jacobogden2688]

Here for all J Mac clippies.

[@pauliusberenis6300]

My favourite camera

[@woodenhifi]

Great video. Not sure about the melonfarmer language

[@Finn-jy3bq]

i just got my hands on my pentax645 a couple weeks ago, however, the metering system seemed off, i've shot three rolls of kodak gold 200, and i set the iso as 100, but the negatives are stil underexposed at least two stops, even though the camera feels pretty good, though a lot bit heafty, but i just can't found a reason to keep it.

[@juanlatorre8939]

Great video as always! I just got a Pentax 645 and loving it ❤. My question is: The LCD screen won’t turn off when the camera is switched off. Shutter does not fire and the led light meter in the view finder are correctly off, but the lcd is on, and you can even change modes. Is that ok and normal? Thank you !

[@Four2SevenFilms]

Just grabbed a Zenza B ETRSi today!

[@wm1573]

Put on some old school j dilla instrumentals for these videos 😍

[@szabi_nagy]

Dr baklava and photography. My worlds are colliding

[@DLivingston]

I love and miss 645 since going 6x9.

[@garrettmain3712]

Fuji 690?

[@DLivingston]

@@garrettmain3712 yes

[@mechaben]

Sweet video. Love the action Bronson music. Great separation from every film video with lofi!

[@jeffjarboe3634]

If you typically shoot 6x6. And print to standard sizes, you are cropping. If you shooting 645 you’re not losing resolution. You do lose cropping flexibility when printing

[@edwardcrockett]

Ayyy I see you whipping the GX 😤

[@schmellywittleidiot]

I was gagged that you can shoot 120 in the 220 back, did you have any film flatness or focus issues? I've been thinking of modding my 220 back to 120 but it seems maybe there is no need to??

[@coopwithacamera]

Kind of unrelated, but does the 645 camera body fit in the long weekend sling/crossbody bag you’re wearing? Beautiful images by the way!

[@mahoutie]

Really could have done without the music tbh. Super distracting.

[@guirob]

Hi Willem, in your last videos we saw you use thé Sekonic l308 light meter. Is it precise enough ? It measure all the light scene, is it right ? Maybe a topic for a new video 😅 I don't know wich model to buy. Thanks, love your job (YT and photography 😉) ❤

[@rex9912]

Love me some 645

[@DB-dx4vg]

What lens are you using in this video?

[@SteveKleinheider]

Nice photos and video!

[@birdmandan9524]

The tenacious Bam Bam Baklava

[@KillerTacos54]

Love it

[@rusty936]

I was hoping you talked about that Lexus GX a bit

[@jacksonjohnson-maccurdy1388]

Contrary to what others have said I quite enjoyed the music! Great video Willem!

[@hypeyeast.mp4]

YO IS THAT DON CHEADLE IN THE CAR ⁉️

[@justinkingery2489]

Does this video have a VHS filter on it or something? Looks right out of 2000.

[@marcmarinosf]

Rockin' the Dr. Baklava. Hell ya.

[@moviebufftexas5277]

Negative is more than 3x the size of 35mm (for the non-mathematically inclined that is NOT just a little bigger) - plus it has the delicious 3x4 aspect ratio. Plus of course more shots per roll. It is a great compromise. Gotta say - not happy with the music. I have younger grandkids that watch you. Disappointed.

[@CarlosCarreter]

6x45 is 2.7 times bigger than 24x36. It's way bigger.

[@pedrofachada3355]

+1 for Action Bronson

[@zip5644]

have you ever tried 6x9?

[@oantonioooo]

Wow the pool scene *chefs kiss*

[@alifeinheadphones]

It’s a banger

[@weeniehut4703]

This video comes out after I sold my M645 to get the RB67 LOL

[@glenkhumalo2193]

you made the right choice 5-6 frames at less res is not worth it

[@chiefdispatcher]

I would look at a 6x9 camera

[@larrainlsd6546]

mamiya 645 vs pentax 645?

[@cadencaptures]

I very much want to purchase this camera

[@CrnaInBela]

Are these photos camera scanned or flat bed?

[@andysignergy]

Ini pertama kalinya aku komplen terhadap kontenmu. Musiknya betul betul buruk . Jika kamu lelah istirahatlah...

[@rjk778855]

Action, a Pentax, and a GX460 is a vibe

[@AdrianIII]

Hate the hip-hop music. Or should I say, "music."

[@larrywilliams5708]

Dude, I’ve been traveling the East side/395 for over sixty and love it…not so much the rap! ☹️

[@ficholasnields]

video was amazing and i love the music, idk what that guy is talking about !

[@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.