Pentax 645N - My favourite Medium Format camera

[@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.

[@bobdots5974]

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.

[@pushingfilm]

Thanks! Yes, I think people were probably acclimatised to to hearing the repetitive sound of shutters going off... a paradigm that has really changed in the last decades. I too don't mind the sound when it's just myself 😁

[@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.

[@dan-le-brun]

Great point. I find the same adapting Mamiya 645 manual lenses to GFX. Such a great pairing.

[@pablovi77]

If you own a 645N and have FA and A Lenses for it, you can buy a 645D for around $1,000 USD and use the same lenses. Or the 645Z for around $2,500 with the same sensor as the GFX.

[@pushingfilm]

Would have loved to try that when I borrowed a GFX! maybe one day...

[@thijskennis8757]

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

[@markstabler864]

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.

[@pushingfilm]

Thanks! Haha yeah, those old Renaults and Fiats were so common to see when I was in Lebanon (where I took that shot), it was a treat!

[@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

[@pushingfilm]

Yep! I bought some lithium AAs and they've been lasting for years now!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@pushingfilm]

Thanks as usual, Ben! Haha it did feel a bit like that type of doco while editing this one.

[@chriscorey5164]

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.

[@pushingfilm]

Glad you liked it! That's a real bummer about the auto wind though. Hopefully it's fixed for good this time!

[@chriscorey5164]

@@pushingfilmSent it back again this morning for the same issue! Fingers crossed that it gets fixed this time.

[@KingJvpes]

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

[@pushingfilm]

Thanks man!

[@randallstewart1224]

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.

[@sshadmani15]

The production quality of this video 💯

[@nelsono4315]

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.

[@pushingfilm]

Hey, glad this helped you pull the trigger! Hope you enjoy it

[@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.

[@pushingfilm]

Thanks Lang! Hope you've been well man 🙂

[@behindeachfilmgrain]

@@pushingfilm I’m doing well my friend. Wedding and commercial photography has picked up this year. How about you?

[@kristoffergo6294]

The Images are a treat to see.

[@pushingfilm]

Thanks!

[@jw48335]

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.

[@pushingfilm]

Sorry to hear! Bronica is a great option too

[@andersblomster]

Got to love the Pentax 645. I had the previous version but sold it for some stupid reason. Always on the look out for a new one. Great video, as always.

[@pushingfilm]

Thanks!

[@brianentz2785]

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

[@extremelydave]

I have dreams of a Pentax 645Z......then 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.

[@pushingfilm]

Thanks Dave!

[@trooperfilms]

thank you, the details in this has help me decide between the 645 and 645n

[@pushingfilm]

Glad it was helpful! 🙂

[@flowermaze___]

Have an original 645 in the post! Can’t wait to shoot it. I imagine it’s much the same experience / results to the 645N? I have an ETRS also, such a great camera!

[@pushingfilm]

Congrats! Yeah results should be the same, usage would mainly differ with the physical controls.

[@kylewood8327]

Nice video…I’ve had a Pentax 645 since 1991. Great camera.

[@kribomon]

Another great video Hashem, I've always wanted to try 645 format and wanted the Mamiya but I'll stick to square format with my one and only medium format camera

[@pushingfilm]

Thank you!

[@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 😅

[@pushingfilm]

Haha that's awesome, did you have to rely on a flash?

[@AnalogueDiaries]

@@pushingfilm nope. I had Cinestill 800T pushed to 3200. Surprisingly it made one decent print 😲

[@pushingfilm]

@@AnalogueDiaries sweet, having one winner makes it all worthwhile 😁

[@tedphillips2951]

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,

[@birdboy92]

Got mine for £200! Love it.

[@terryhopkins8059]

I shot 35mm film for about 35 years before going digital. Once I went digital I didn't touch film for almost 20 years. But in 2023 I pulled out my Nikon F100 and remembered how much I liked it. So, purchased some film and shot with it. In love again. But, I'm wanting to try 645 and noticed most 645 cameras shoot vertical. I mainly shoot landscapes, what cameras do you recommend that the camera shoots landscape like 35mm cameras do?

[@jdsd771007]

Awesome video! You make some very good points (especially 645 format/cost effectiveness). I love my 67 and neglect my Mamiya 645, but have been thinking about getting an eye level viewfinder to make it a little quicker to shoot!

[@pushingfilm]

Thanks! Yeah eye-level makes it quite a different experience :-)

[@MM-mo9hn]

i got a split prism for it from ebay, it worked perfect but i just prefered the clear image of the default. With the beep and visual focus its pretty easy anyway.

[@pushingfilm]

Nice. I remember getting an aftermarket one on eBay too, but it was darker and too textured through the whole screen so I returned it

[@MM-mo9hn]

@@pushingfilm yeah seems like we got the same one, the beauty of the mirror finder is reduced. Thanks for the video.

[@Developing_Monochrome]

I absolutely agree with this camera. With my eyesight getting worse but still loving the medium format and extra frames you get compared to the pentax 6x7 this camera is a great choice and will be in my collection for a long time👍🏻

[@Filippo-Parisi]

Got a ZB ETRSI vith AE-II and very happy with it and Zenzanon PE and EII lenses

[@andrewwilkin1923]

Hi Hashem, agree the 645 format is under-rated. Treated myself to a Bronica ETRSi in 2019. Built up a good system with interchangeable backs and prism viewfinders.

[@pushingfilm]

Nice, they're great (and even more underrated!)

[@thomasg.1738]

Hi Hashem, you might try one of Rick Oleson‘s bright screens for an alternative screen with focusing aids. I use them for my Bronicas and they are really good without costing a fortune. Thomas

[@pushingfilm]

Thanks! I think they are not too far in price from an original... but they do look great!

[@SalvadorJaramillo-u3y]

I own a Hasselblad H3 , and i downgrade it to H2 for film only camera, and is great , more lenses options and more Film Backs

[@hogggyyyy]

I recently managed to get one of these cameras with a 75mm and 35mm lens for about $450AUD in a second hand shop recently, have never been able to afford to shoot medium format before so have been really happy to find such a bargain

[@pushingfilm]

nice!

[@gerardneedham]

Nice shots at the stock dunes mate need to check it out, you had a 4wd?

[@h.walker1332]

I don't think I'll ever buy another medium format camera, my Bronica ETRS does everything I need but I cant say some of the features this camera has would make my life a lot easier haha.

[@finn4240]

0:28 wow how did you make this shot??? Awesome video work Hashim

[@pushingfilm]

Thanks! Mainly just a few layers and masks in DaVinci resolve :-)

[@victordesabata]

645 is a great compromise but I personally I just can't come to like 4:3 aspect ratio so much...am more biased towards 6x7 or 4x5.

[@taylormccutchan5110]

Would LOVE to see more about this with on-camera flash (7:08). I think that's a super underrated tool. Also do you mind sharing which flash you on on it? I'm going to be picking one of these up soon and would love to use it with a flash

[@pushingfilm]

Hey! for most the shots shown I used the Godox Lux junior, which I've reviewed in a separate video.

[@taylormccutchan5110]

@@pushingfilm Dope, good to know. Thanks man!

[@grainybrews]

I haven't used a medium format camera I could truly say I loved, but the Hasselblad 500CM was pretty nice to look at and use. A shame it's square format...

[@luiskaj2434]

To each his own...I have a 1955 Mamiyaflex TLR, and absolutely LOVE the square format

[@AbeShoots]

I have been trying to sell my RZ67 for awhile now and looking for a nice Mamiya 645 instead. The Rz67 is such a hassle to drag along that I often just skipped it entirely.

[@tonyfoulkes9289]

What flash is best suited for Pentax 645. Your presentation was great.

[@pushingfilm]

I've only used third party ones like the Godox Lux, but want to eventually get a Pentax AF500FTZ flash or similar. I think that's the way to go if you don't mind the size.

[@koby1960]

That is the (small) downside of getting the 645n with the non AF lens...it was obviously meant to be used with AF lenses and came fitted with the AF focusing screen as standard.

[@JackKelley-z1n]

Can you tell me more about the backpack you use when traveling and taking pictures with you 645N? It looks like the perfect size. 20 liter? Thank you for your hard work putting your videos together. Very inspiring sir.

[@pushingfilm]

Hey, it's the Brevite Jumper (linked in the video description). The one I use is the Large size, which is 22L. Glad you like the video, thanks for the feedback!

[@ethaneng8723]

Great video hashem! Im new to film photography I was curious if these pictures are edited in lightroom or editing software?

[@pushingfilm]

Thanks! I usually do some light editing to my film scans in lightroom.

[@NikkoSalgado]

105mm f/2.4 on 6x7 is equivalent to 52.5mm f/1.2 on FF. So if I were to find a full frame lens similar to that 52.5mm spec, the photos should look nearly identical when it comes to what’s in frame and also the bokeh right? Like there’s no need to stitch photos together to get the medium format look? Thanks

[@pushingfilm]

To some degree... but there's a certain look medium format creates despite the matter of f-stop. But yeah, finding an "equivalent" lens should bring you close.

[@robdixon5016]

Love the video. I have a 645N with 4 lenses as well as a Fuji GSW690III. The images on slide film from both is amazing, but the 690 has such huge images its hard not to love it a it more. However the 645N is more practical so I tend to use it a bit more. Both great cameras.

[@HualalaiEvents]

Excellent video. Curious as to what your favourite lenses with the system are?

[@pushingfilm]

Thanks! I like the 75 and 45mm stock lenses, but also love adapting the Takumar 105 67 lens :-)

[@saldanakev]

Where is thissss???? Beautiful scenery !

[@pushingfilm]

"The Big Drift" in Victoria

[@MrMattCow]

dude how were you able to shoot the image at 2:46 on this camera? 😦 - did you use a light meter close to the window? it came out so crisp for such low light.

[@pushingfilm]

Hey, I can't remember how I metered this one (probably just the built-in meter). Using a tripod helped it stay crisp/sharp. The cinema film also helps retain a lot of range and detail.

[@sebvz89]

what about reliability?

[@From_the_mil]

How’s this camera for travel?

[@From_the_mil]

How’s the weight?

[@thorstenjaspert9394]

In standard holding the pentax works in portrait alignment. For landscape photography you have to hold it upright. It's like a half frame camera of 35mm film. Doesn't it suck it?

[@Owwliv]

I recently noticed that all my favorite pictures are in portrait alignment... one compelling reason Im interested in 645

[@pushingfilm]

Hey, that's not the case with this camera. It works normally

[@corri3.tiff_]

Great video! How were you able to shoot 35mm film on this camera?

[@pushingfilm]

Thanks! I haven't shot 35mm on it.

[@monsieurgolem3392]

What flash works with this?

[@ayenoppa4717]

I have 645N n really like the camera but just not much of a fan of 75mm, don't think I get the result that I really like compare to the 105mm on 67 or mamiya 6 lenses. which lens you use? Cheers

[@pushingfilm]

Yeah it doesn't have as much character as the 105 and other lenses out there, but the 75 is still the one I use most.

[@jojuanwinfrey3702]

my uncle just gave me one sitting in his garage for years. my first film camera. idk what to do

[@pushingfilm]

Congrats! Hope you enjoy using it

[@jojuanwinfrey3702]

@ not yet ! I have to get a new battery grip . The current on is pretty much done . The batteries sat in it for so long !

[@jyangphotoatx]

Quick question: I have this camera too and have been told to "press the center nob down before changing the shutter speed or exposure compensation, EVERY TIME!" or I will break the dials. Is that true?

[@pushingfilm]

Not true in my experience, been using it normally for all the years I've had it. But, maybe pressing it creates less wear and reduces the chance of breakage?... I have heard of people breaking their shutter speed dials in this model.

[@0action847]

Wait, beeps in manual focus? This is confusing me.

[@pushingfilm]

That's right!

[@VariTimo]

Define the medium format look.

[@pushingfilm]

Much higher detail with smaller grain, plus a tendency for shallower depth of field.

[@VariTimo]

@@pushingfilm Well much higher detail/finer grain will only become apparent at larger magnifications. And since the fastest lens for the Pentax 645 is f2.8 (if I remember correctly) a lot of full frame lenses will give you shallower depth of field. There is something to be said about the lens designs that were used on many medium format cameras but there are also plenty of full frame lenses that display similar characteristics.

[@pushingfilm]

@@VariTimo Yeah I'm not saying full frame isn't capable, just talking about the general tendencies that I find.

[@Superbustr]

The Pentax 645 film cameras are some of the most dangerous film cameras as they have electronics and we all know what will eventually happen to electronics.... they break then your camera becomes a paperweight. It takes a certain kind of person to have enough faith to invest in an old electronic film camera that could die any day without easy ways to make repairs... If these cameras can be repaired feel free to inform me of what that is like.

[@birgseva]

I just bailed out of this video because too much of it is commercial 😢

[@Biosynchro]

Bro, I was looking forward to this. But I just can't deal with gratuitous and inappropriate music every time you show a photo. It's really obnoxious. I gave you a like anyway because you're a film shooter and film is cool. But lay off the music. Please, I beg of you, sir.

[@pushingfilm]

Nah, I'll do what I want 🙂

[@GeorgeStar]

Does it have built in diopter correction? Can you use rechargeable batteries?

[@lemon58421]

Yes and yes😊