Pentax 645Z Medium Format DSLR Camera (Body Only)
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Portrait Shooters beware!
I am utterly disappointed to report that this camera does not allow only back button focus. If you are like me and shoot lots of portraits (handheld and tripod) then it is critical to be able to disable the shutter release focus. It is so frustrating that Pentax didnt allow for this, so I will be returning the camera. I did a whole portrait session trying to focus on the models eyes and recomposing only to have the camera re-find its own focus point when I hit the shutter. UGGGHHHH! Loved this camera otherwise.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
The affordable camera that could, but didnt.
Having switched (in 2014) from the slow, Mamiya Leaf Credo 60 with ordinary AF and poor high ISO capability i have found the 645z a very worthy replacement. (Relative to the Phase and not a 35mm camera) AF is significantly better, bust rate is faster, high iso ability is as good as a d850, build quality is outstanding and with the availability of legacy lenses it is extremely economical. I love this camera but after 4 years of tethered struggle, ... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
A WAY TO SEPARATE YOURSELF FROM THE PACK
I have been a full time professional commercial/promotional photographer in Maryland for the last 16 years and have used primarily nikon and then canon. I wanted to step up my image quality and bring more of a film look to my commercial and individual work without moving into a 40 grand hasselblad system that I just couldnt justify. I did a ton of research and kept coming back to the pentax 645z. It fit my budget and the reviews looked solid so I... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Superb gear at a extremely fair price
I have been shooting the 645 system ( 67) since their inception, decades ago. In fact, the original 645 replaced a Hassleblad. Over the years some extremely well made glass was produced and bought. Everything from concerts, sports, fashion, portraits, landscapes etc were shot, with absolutely NO downtime, ever. Therefore when the 645z came out, it seemed logical to use the legacy lenses. The body itself is far less expensive than the nearest comp... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
I wouldn't hesitate to buy this camera again from B&H.
As a dedicated photographer for many years, I have used many different cameras: Nikon F-3, Canon 5Ds, Mamiya RZ67, Hasselblad, Sony A7r and others. But the one camera I truly wanted most was a digital medium format. In stepped Pentax with a now affordable answer. Even at the lower price, it does not disappoint. I find the camera quite portable with easy to use buttons and menu system. And, best of all, I can now use all my quality Pentax 67 lenses with the excellent Pentax adapter.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Fantastic Studio System!!
I can't say enough about the 645Z! I've been using mine for 2+ years, and loved every step of the way! The files are still a pleasure to work with, so many pixels!! The focussing can be a little finicky depending on the lens and the Pentax software I find lacking - neither of which are deal-breakers. This is the best bang for your buck out there!
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Chec back with me in 6 months
Check back with me in 6 months or a year.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Incredibly Awesome!
I've been using this camera for about a year and finally decided to write a review. My comparisons are Nikon full frame bodies and high end lenses. This camera is without a doubt a better buy for a professional photographer. The raw files are superior and the depth is much greater. I would certainly buy this camera again. Just not to belittle Nikon camera bodies & lenses, Nikon has a much greater selection of quality lenses.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Outstanding IQ and value
My frame of reference here is the Nikon D3s, Nikon D3x, and Nikon D800e. I have been making photographs since the late 1960's. I general photograph things that don't move around much. Castles, cathedrals, ruins, abandoned buildings, urban junk, that sort of stuff. I typically do this in bright sun at base ISO with high shutter speeds and prime lenses. Processing is done in ACR and Photoshop. I print occasionally, but not larger than 24 . 36 or so... Show More
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The best image quality
Pros: The image quality is stunning, with a huge dynamic range that allows heavy post processing while maintaining excellent quality, the AF (single shot AF) works very well in low light (much better than my Nikon D800E and mirrorless medium format cameras), the viewfinder is big, the four newer DA and D FA lenses are high quality glass. Cons: the weight of the camera and lenses
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Excellent camera
I have several Nikon cameras but the details and the dynamic range that this camera produce is unreal. Excellent tool.
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Smart Buy For The $Average$ Guy
This is a very well built camera body. I am using it with a 150mm prime tele lens. It does not feel nose-heavy at all. Well balanced, comfortable hands fit. I say hands because you will need both of yours to hold it steady. It is heavy. I'm Ok with it because my other camera is an Rz67 (the Fridge). The 645z is easy to set up. Waist level viewfinder is great for low angle shooting without having to get down in the dirt. I am quite impressed with ... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Fair Review
This is a great camera to get into the semi medium format range since it's not a full medium format. The downside is the lack of decent glass for this camera. The primes are fine but what sucks is the widest prime is a 25mm that is discontinued and is not easy to find. The 28-45mm zoom is unusable at 28mm. The edges are not sharp at all. Customer service with Ricoh Pentax at this point is sub par as well. I've been trying to register my camera in... Show More
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Just an incredible piece of equipment.
I can't add much to what's already been posted about this camera. When I got my first real keeper image and pulled it in for post processing, it was pretty dark and -being a Canon owner, I was worried I had wasted a great sunset because I didn't bracket. So I pushed the exposure 2 stops, then the mid-tones 3 stops, pulled back the highlights a little and there it was. It reminded me of when museum curator's restore painting and remove the years o... Show More
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Great Body
This is an exceptionally well-designed camera that has virtually everything I'd want from a MF DSLR right out of the box. (The worst thing I could say is that I had to buy a focusing screen to get architectural grid lines in the viewfinder.) RAW files open up to almost 300 MB, almost 1/3rd larger than Nikon D800-sensor files. The color, contrast, highlight- and shadow detail are superb.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
Excellent Camera...with a few exceptions
First things first: I love this camera. The image quality is astounding and I love the huge luscious, rich RAW files to work with in post. If it fits what you need it for (& here lies the exceptions) it is a great camera to own. If you are doing primarily studio portraits, headshots it is great. If you want to do everything your Canon or Nikon or Hasselblad can do, forget it. THE LACK OF WIDE ANGLE PRIME LENSES (nothing below 35mm) is utterly rid... Show More
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Pentax 645z system
A great system until you need service repairs or parts. You have to pay round trip shipping to the Phillipines & wait at least 2 months. No one else can repairthese . Furthermore , only the dealer who sold you is allowed to send it for you.They will not accept it directly from customers.If you have a back up system & can afford almost $$. in shipping costs, then OK.
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
My new best friend
I rented a 645Z before purchasing, when I returned the rental I felt like I was leaving part of me there. I came home and told my wife that I just had to buy this camera. I'm 71 and have owned many 35mm and medium format cameras but this is my new favorite. I read one review that stated this camera wouldn't make you a better photographer. I strongly disagree. I think this camera encourages my love of photography to the point of having to take mor... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
A nice medium format camera
I have been wanting a medium format digital camera for some time and, after considerable research and agonizing over my real needs,I decided to take the plunge. As always with BH the camerat came promply and properly packaged. I had also orderd the f/2.8 75mm lens. I mounted the lens and did some test shots. The portraits were impressive with great resolution and, at f/2.8 a very nice shallow depth of field. Landscapes were also impressive, with ... Show More
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This thing is a beast, but it'll take care of you.
I came to this as a street photographer, but one who drooled regularly over medium format photographs. I never thought I would ever own one of these little monsters, but the price made it sort of irresistable. And I resisted for a while. My first day was spent figuring it out, calibrating the monitor for the printer, learning the controls, reading the manual, etc. I'm not a DSLR person, but the controls became instinctual in a very short time. I ... Show More
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AMAZING Files!!!
If you can afford this camera, get it. In the past I've owned Canon 1DS Mark III and 5D Mark II and I have shot with the 5DS R. Even the 5DS doesn't compare to the 645Z. The reason is the gorgeous Sony 51-megapixel CMOS sensor that you also find in the PhaseOne IQ25 and Hasselblad H5D-50c: 51 GREAT megapixels, instead of Canon's mediocre ones. My biggest frustration with Canon were all the jaggies that you get. Jaggies don't exist with the 645Z. ... Show More
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A Medium Format Game Changer
I want to get several questions immediately out of the way: 1. Will the 645Z make you a better photographer? NO 2. Will the 645Z make you better at lighting? NO 3. Will the 645Z help you source better subject matter? NO 4. Will the 645Z help you to get authentic expressions out of your subject: NO 5. Will the 645Z improve your visual imagination? NO Ah that feels better. From the days when photography was a hobby and I reveled in those quiet mome... Show More
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The Pentax 645z is a Class Act
It's uncanny how so much good stuff can be neatly placed in one amazing camera. I owned a 645D for a short time, and although the photos were exceptional, I felt as if the camera was way behind the times. Now, with the 645Z I have, in the same size camera, all the bells and whistles I would expect in this high tech world. There is no doubt there is currently a shortage in zoom lenses made specifically for this machine, but with sensational Pentax... Show More
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Impressive Results
Going medium format has been one of my goals. Easily done with second hand analog cameras, not so easy with digital until now. The Pentax 645Z makes the move somewhat affordable, compared to Hassy and Phase One. Priced fairly closely to Nikon's flagship D4s, it made the decision that much easier. I'm a long time Nikon shooter, and have been using the D810 for some time now. But, I wanted to go bigger on sensor and the 645Z fit the bill. I primari... Show More
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
