Pentax 67 Review | One Year of Ownership

It's been one year since owning what might be my favourite camera of all time so I thought it was about time to do a Pentax 67 Review to talk to you about everything I love, and dislike about this beautiful camera.
If you have any questions about the Pentax or photography in general, feel free to drop a comment down below!
Catch you all in the next one x

[@GirdHerd]

Never, never, never take the TTL pentaprism finder off and on with a lens installed. You run the risk of breaking the chain.

[@grainyboi]

Good to know! Been doing it for a year without knowing 😂😂

[@Fabricaneg]

lol you’re really lucky you haven’t snapped the chain without knowing this

[@grainyboi]

@@Fabricaneg can you just explain what breaking the chain is? I’ve never heard of it until now & looking into it I think I might have broken it 😂😂😂

[@Fabricaneg]

@@grainyboifingers crossed that you haven’t. It’s something that’s not great about being a new 6x7 owner because unless you researched the camera, or the seller told you, you really have no idea about it. Remove the lens, then remove the TTL, look at the top of the camera like at 3:57 in your video. Should be a chain there. At the top (or lens side of the camera) this could also be the reason why your meter no longer works.

[@grainyboi]

@@Fabricaneg CHAIN IS STILL INTACT! what a day - thank you so much for the info though, genuinely really appreciate your time!!

[@mathias12345678]

Nice review of this awesome camera! I really can feel the way you like this Pentax. One word about the broken light meter. It is not normal that you need to switch it off. My meter displays for about 5 seconds the reading and shut down by itself. Yours were probably broken already- a spring inside which returns the switch, something like that? And a remark about the cons - weight is absolutely normal for these size of cameras. My Hasselblads and Rolleis can do that, too. For me that’s no problem. The weight helps you holding your camera steady. One issue is missing - you need to stick to the film inside. No chance to change if you are out shooting film Exchangable film backs are really an advantage.

[@juravhs3848]

Wow your shots are top notch. You got the right tool in the right hands

[@grainyboi]

So kind of you to say!! Thank you!!!

[@on_philm]

Just one dream of a camera !! and the lenses... my gosh ^^

[@grainyboi]

Buy ittttttttttttttt

[@GTP2-zg9tn]

There was a company called Beattie that produced super bright inter screen viewfinder glass for the Pentax 6X7. Beattie produced a whole line of inter screen glass for all sorts of cameras from 35mm to large format.

[@KoenRH2803]

Hey, great video and love the shots! Just curious, was the metered prism (when it still worked) trustworthy for you? I've got a pentax 67 and I'm wondering if it generally is okay to use. Also I'd love to know how your images are scanned because the color and detail is fantastic!

[@stevebrierley9806]

Hi Chris You have convinced me, been sat on the fence for a while. Ready to pull the trigger now ! Cheers

[@CINENIMUS]

great video. fun fact - the 7x6 size frame is near identical to IMAX

[@robbaird8157]

I owned a Pentax 67 30 years ago. I wanted something with a interchangeable backs so switched to a Mamiya Press and 6x9 backs. I no longer shoot film but considering coming back to it and considering the Pentax 67 (it would be nice to go back to an SLR from a Rangefinder) or maybe a Paubel Makina 67 (much lighter). I don't need many lenses, probably just one lens would do.

[@richardsimms251]

Very nice video RS. Canada

[@martinandreasson5504]

Funny that i stumbled upon this nice review of what seems to be a legendary camera i the 67 :) Im just o the fence of buying one or not, so have been checking reviews and forums the last couple of days. And even if i knew about it from way back i have actually never shot with one but only the great 135 cameras and the same Takumar lenses on those cameras :) So i have been intrigued about buying one but was not sure which model or lenses etc for the 67. I sort of landed on a 67 MLU version and the 105mm f2,4 lens to begin with. Now i need to mull it over and see what comes out of it. But your fine video certainly "helped" me in the direction of wanting one more hehe. A bi worried about that weight. I have opted for lenses and cameras in later years that are smaller because of back problems too etc. I sitll choose 2 cameras and go around walking for 8 hours or so though, so maybe "just" the 67 would be bearable and worth it from what i hear ;) Anyhow, great info and really liked hearing your feelings about this fine camera. Regards Martin.

[@RazeTheWeak]

Hey, Chris! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on this bit of kit. Had a question for you. I’ve been shooting 35mm for about 18 months. It’s only a hobby for me, and I use it for more personal work/projects. When I get paid to shoot, I am using my Sony. Lately I’ve been fascinated with the idea of trying out medium format. There is a gentleman within a decent driving range to me who is selling this exact set up you have (minus the 55). My question is, price aside the shooting medium format makes sense for someone who is purely a hobbyist? I guess I’m trying to save myself the hardship of purchasing this set up only to realize that it really really doesn’t provide anything that I didn’t already have. I see so many people who have sold these and the listing always says something along the lines of, “selling because it just doesn’t get used.” Didn’t wanna find myself in that situation. Thanks for your advice.

[@grainyboi]

Hey bud!! Drop me a dm on Instagram & I’ll send you some voice notes about this question because there’s a lot to talk about with it haha! Insta is @grainyboi_ xo

[@RazeTheWeak]

@@grainyboi - Done! Thanks, again.

[@vinovidiviccie]

Got the exact same set and loving it as well! Great video. Problem I have at the moment: some frames aren’t exposed at all somehow, while others roll out perfectly fine. Any idea what this might be? All the best from Holland!

[@grainyboi]

Oh weird!! Is it the full frame that’s underexposed or is it portions of it?

[@vinovidiviccie]

@@grainyboi it’s the full frame! Just zero info on it, about three a roll. Strange!

[@consulatbum]

Hey Chris really enjoyed the video and I'm receiving my own 67 system with 105mm next week. Got a question how did you manage to shoot those beautiful flares with the 55mm 3.5? Many people say the 55mm f4 is generally a better lens (sharper and lighter) but with 9 elements in the lens I don't think it will produce the same lens flare. What do you reckon?

[@kiplingp]

Hey Chris, nice videos you're putting out. Just wondering about your post work, do you scan yourself? What's your workflow? Would be nice to hear. And how are you metering your Pentax? With a handheld meter or the meter in the camera? Thanks and keep up the great work!

[@benjyjohns]

I can confirm that this is a Turbo choice of camera!!

[@grainyboi]

Love you loads

[@fredk1952]

Nice video. I grew up with Canon F1s. Thinking about a 6x7. I so wish he would talk at a more normal rate.

[@MIZRAIM1906]

Man…. You really strung this video out….

[@grainyboi]

@@MIZRAIM1906 you didn’t have to listen to me for all of it chief - I was having a nice time talking about my fave cam 😂

[@michaelnewmanphotography]

Wait, this camera produced those super wide angels photos around 10:55 in the video? We’re those cropped to be like that or some feature in the camera? I just got a Pentax 645nii but I’m drawn to the larger format of the 67

[@grainyboi]

It did! It was on 35mm film adapted to 120 so it produced a panoramic image 🫶

[@michaelnewmanphotography]

@@grainyboi well that is super cool!

[@randallstewart1224]

Probably well-meant, but like many Pentax 67 "review" type videos, passes along misinformation. The metering prism fitting the 6x7 and 67 models came in two flavors. The original version has a mechanical power switch, which you have to trigger to turn the meter on, then trigger again to turn off. The meter draws power from the camera battery, so when the user forgot to turn off the meter when not using the camera, it would drain the battery and kill camera operation. Pentax got enough negative feedback from early users, that within a year or two, they changed the power switch to automatically turn the meter off after 30 seconds or so. This prevented accidental battery drain, but it can cause the meter to shut off before metering is finished. (The lesser of evils, I guess.) Failure of the meter switch as complained of here? I've used Pentax 6x7 for nearly 45 years, watch dozens of YT videos, and this is the first time I've ever heard of it, so it's not a regular issue. (I'll admit that while I have a metering prism on all three of my bodies, I rarely use them in deference to using my spot meter.)

[@baekmedier]

the thing that broke, was it the chain? the finder/lens chain that runs underneath the finder?

[@grainyboi]

Nah it was because I left the light meter on overnight, the chain is still intact!

[@baekmedier]

@@grainyboi lucky you. :) not all shops can fix that if it happens.

[@grainyboi]

@@baekmedier I know! I had no idea I was doing something really bad hahaha

[@baekmedier]

@@grainyboi Damn! Good thing nothing happened then :D hehe.

[@randallstewart1224]

I appreciate that Chris is very satisfied about "upgrading" to a Pentax 67 camera, but he really doesn't know diddly about the technical aspects of the camera or lenses discussed in the video. He did not "break" his camera. He forgot to turn off the meter after a light reading and before he put it away for the day. The meter draws its power from the camera battery. In short, he left the meter on and used up the battery, which made both the meter and the camera inoperable. The "repaiir" is to put in a fresh battery. His whole kit of camera, metering prism and lenses dates from the first two years or so of the Pentax 67, late 1960s. After initial user feedback, Pentax realized that the manual on-off switch used on this meter was a huge error. They replaced this prism-meter unit with one wherein the meter self-cancels after about 20 seconds, resolving a user outcry over burned out batteries and dead cameras.

[@jasonwroyal]

what 120 color film do use for these?

[@Caballeroshot]

The shutter sound of a camera to me is what makes the most satisfaction in shooting it. The pentax 67 has one of the best sounding shutters IMO. Mine is giving me problems currently which is the real downside of this system, the wear and tear and the ever decreasing available techs who still work on them. Either way, beautiful work with yours, very motivating to get mine repaired and keep shooting with it.

[@throughmyeyes9940]

try 4X5 and get back to us

[@grainyboi]

@@throughmyeyes9940 haha I’m not made of money!!

[@RajivSamaroo]

thats not a pentax 67, it's the older Pental 6x7. they are different cameras, so the title is misleading.

[@grainyboi]

Thanks for watching & only giving negative feedback about a video that took me ages to edit together & publish into the world. Really appreciate you!

[@RajivSamaroo]

@@grainyboi sorry if you took the comment the wrong way. but the title was wrong. lovely vid.

[@anggaros1]

@@RajivSamaroo you really took "nitpicking" to the new level. It 's always been known as Pentax 67. They are the same family. Nobody really call it Six by Seven. Get real.

[@RajivSamaroo]

@@anggaros1 my comment was meant as added information, and a clarification. the 6x7 is a different camera from the 67. But you're allowed to take it the wrong way if you want, I guess.

[@GTP2-zg9tn]

Actually, you are mixed up. The first generation 6X7 camera lacked a mirror-up control. The second series of 6X7 cameras had a mirror-up control switch. Pentax offered a modification service that installed a mirror lock-up switch to the first generation 6X7 cameras. The Die Stamps to create the cameras got worn, so new stamps were created with a Block Style typography that read as 67. But this was only a cosmetic change. Both cameras are mirror lock-up, all manual exposure models. When buying on the used market, look for the Block style 67 because they are a more recent vintage. Some claim that the older 6X7 are more robust because of having metal gears on the wind on lever. As opposed to the plastic gears of the 67 series. But in reality both generations are very robust. The final generation 67 have the advanced multi meter prism and an Auto Exposure mode too. These facts should clear all the confusion about the Pentax 6X7 camera generations.