Pentax 645

Pentax 645

Pentax 645 with 75 mm normal lens
Maker Pentax
Type Single-lens reflex camera
Recording medium medium format film
Lens mount Pentax 645 A mount
Focus manual (auto on 645N)
Exposure automatic, manual
Flash hot shoe, socket, X-sync
Shutter vertical cloth focal plane
Shutter speeds 15 s - 1/1000 s, Bulb
ASA/ISO range ISO 6-6400 in 1/3 stop increments
Exposure metering TTL center-weighted
Viewfinder fixed eye-level pentaprism
Battery 6 AA
Weight 46.2 ounces (1,310 g)
Made in Japan

The Pentax 645 is a medium format single-lens reflex system camera manufactured by Pentax. It was introduced in 1984, along with a complementary line of lenses. It captures images nominally 6 cm × 4.5 cm on 120, 220, and 70 mm film, though the actual size of the images is 56 mm × 41.5 mm.

Models

645

The 645 is the original model introduced in 1984. It has a built-in 1.5 frames per second motor drive, center-weighted TTL metering, multiple automatic exposure modes, and a small LCD screen on the top plate which indicates mode, exposure compensation, and exposure count. Unlike comparable medium-format cameras, the 645 does not have an interchangeable back system. Instead, the film is loaded into holders, which are then inserted into the rear of the camera. The holders cannot be removed until an entire roll is shot. The crop factor vs. a 35 mm camera is .62.

645N

Pentax 645N with 75 mm lens

In 1997, a significantly redesigned model was introduced. The 645N incorporated an auto-focus system, and most of the 645 lenses were upgraded to match. The new model also featured matrix metering, film-edge data imprinting, and a self-timer. The controls and LCD on the top plate were significantly changed, and the motor drive was increased to 2 frames per second.

645NII

Pentax 645NII with 45 mm lens

The 645NII is the latest model and was introduced in 2001. The main improvement was the addition of mirror lock-up.

645D

Main article: Pentax 645D
"Pentax 645D" camera with "smc PENTAX-DFA 645 55 mm F2.8 AL" lens

The Pentax 645D is a digital single-lens reflex camera introduced in 2010. It is approximately the same size and shape as the earlier film models, and the lens mount accepts older manual and auto-focus lenses. It features a 40 megapixel CCD sensor manufactured by Kodak. The 7264×5440 pixel sensor measures 44 mm × 33 mm, which is less than 63% the size of a 6×4.5 cm film image but over 168% of a full-frame DSLR. Unlike other medium-format DSLRs, which accept digital camera backs of different resolutions or even manufacturers, the 645D has a fixed-back design similar to smaller full-frame and APS-C DSLRs. The fixed back allows the 645D to be fully weather-sealed. The crop factor vs. a 35 mm camera is 0.79.

645Z

Main article: Pentax 645Z
"Pentax 645Z" camera with lens

On the 5th of February 2014 Ricoh announced that they are going to exhibit a new model Pentax medium format digital at the CP+ 2014 Camera and Photo Imaging Show, tentatively titled the "645D 2014". Features announced include a "latest, super-high-resolution CMOS image sensor" and a "tilt-type LCD monitor". The camera was expected to be reaching market in Spring 2014.[1] In April 2014 the camera was announced as Pentax 645Z.[2] It was sold out after launch, as demand (1500 orders as of June 2014) exceeded supply (400 cameras per month) because of its relatively low price ($10,000) compared to other medium size cameras ($30,000).[3] The Pentax 645Z uses a 51.4 megapixel CMOS sensor and a 27-point autofocus system with two SD card slots in a weather sealed body.[4]

Lenses

The "A" series manual focus lenses were released with the original 645, followed by the auto-focusing "FA" series for the 645N, and the "DFA" series for the 645D. The acronym "smc" stands for super multi-coated, a feature long found on higher-grade Pentax lens. "IF" indicates that the lenses are of an internal focusing design. Pentax 67 lenses can be used on the 645 series with an adapter. The Pentax 645 lens mount has a flange focal distance of 70.87mm.

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.us.ricoh-imaging.com/about/press/324/RICOH_IMAGING_to_Exhibit_Four_Reference_Products_at__CP+_2014_Camera_and_Photo_Imaging_Show
  2. ↑ Ricoh Pentax 645Z specifications ()
  3. ↑ http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20140704-00000500-fsi-bus_all
  4. ↑ "CMOS DEF". Popular Photography 78 (7): 18. July 2014.

External links

Pentax digital interchangeable lens camera timeline
Class Sensor 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
34 1234 1234 1234 1234 1234 1234 1234 1234 1234 1234 1234 1234
Professional DSLR MF 645D 645Z
FF NC
High-end DSLR APS-C K-3 K-3 II
Advanced DSLR K-7 K-5 K-5 II/K-5 IIs
*ist D K10D K20D
Midrange DSLR K-S2
K100D 100DS K200D K-30 K-50
K-S1
Entry-level DSLR *ist DS *ist DS2 K-r K-500
*ist DL DL2 K110D K-m/K2000 K-x
K-mount MILC K-01
Q-mount MILC 1/1.7" Q7
Q-S1
1/2.3" Q Q10
Prototype DSLRs