Why the Pentax 6x7 is the Greatest Camera Ever Made
(It’s not but here’s why I like it.)
As a disclaimer I never review anything. I never even think about reviewing anything. The reason I felt compelled to write a review of a camera that has been around for over 50 years is to answer some of the questions that I had when I was looking into buying one for my self. My hope is that it will be helpful for you in some way.
Why I chose the Pentax 6x7
One of the biggest reasons I like the Pentax 6x7 system is the format. It’s a medium format camera. A 6x7 medium format camera to be exact.
For me medium format is a really nice compromise because it’s beautiful enough to justify the cost but small enough to be portable and work quickly with. Is it as nice 4x5 or 8x10? No. Not really. But to me it can look nearly as beautiful and that’s fine. I’ll settle for nearly.
Another big factor for me is the fact that it’s 6x7. There are a number of medium format cameras to choose from as well as a number of frame sizes. 6x4.5, 6x6, 6x7, and 6x9 being the most popular. The reason I love 6x7 is simply because it feels good to me. It’s proportionally similar to 4x5 and 8x10 (not exact but close) which is a frame ratio that I love. I’ve found that if I’m doing a vertical portrait the 3:2 ratio feels a little too narrow and claustrophobic but the fatter 6x7 frame feels just right.
What about the other 6x7 cameras?
Given that two of the most important qualifications for me were film size and frame size you would think I’d consider other cameras that fit the bill. And I did (sort of).
The heavy hitters in the 6x7 game tend to be the Mamiya 7, the Mamiya RB67, the Fuji GW670, and the Pentax 6x7. (Yes I know that there’s also the Bronica GS-1, Plaubel Makina W67, and Fuji GF670.)
The first 6x7 camera I owned was a Mamiya RB67. It was certainly a really nice camera and there’s plenty of reasons why people love it. It’s super modular, reliable, great lenses, close focusing ability, and can usually be had for cheap. The reason why I decided to ditch it was the weight. I realize the Pentax 6x7 is big but the RB67 was a monster. I pretty much kept it on a tripod at all times. Do you have to? No. I just never really felt right hand holding it. For the type of photography I do it was not a good fit. I need my camera to let me be mobile and make quick adjustments as needed. A tripod really makes that difficult for me. Sorry RB67 it wasn’t meant to be.
I sold the RB67 and got a nice Fuji GW670 instead. This camera really felt like the solution to my problems. A rangefinder that’s 6x7, light, reliable, and no fuss. For a while I actually did believe it was the perfect camera. The reason why I ultimately moved on was because the image quality of the (fixed) lens wasn’t quite there for me. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a sharp lens and a lot of people like it but for me it was a little too flat. It didn’t quite have the glow and feel that I was after. Unscientific and totally anecdotal but if you don’t like it you don’t like it.
And the Mamiya 7? The truth is if I could afford it I’d have one. In so many ways the Mamiya 7 system suits me perfectly but at the end of the day it costs more than I’m willing to spend. Simple as that.
That ultimately brought me to the Pentax 6x7. It was portable and light enough that I could throw it on my shoulder and not think about it, the lenses are absolutely gorgeous, it’s built like a tank, and I was able to get my system for less than $400.
It’s not perfect but also not as bad as people say.
The two biggest marks against the Pentax 6x7 that you tend to read are the fact that it’s heavy as hell and that the mirror slap makes it unfit for handheld shooting.
I call bullshit. Yes it’s pretty heavy but here’s the reality in terms of how much it weighs. 2,460g. That’s what my 6x7 body, metered prism, 105mm f/2.4 lens, and strap weigh. To put that into perspective 1,920g is what my Nikon D700 with a battery grip, strap, and 105mm f/2.5 lens weighs (my favorite lens). That’s a difference of 540g. Or less than the weight of a bottle of beer. People make it sound like you’ll be dying after carrying around a Pentax 6x7 for a day. Yeah maybe if you’re a little wiener! With a comfortable strap or a nice bag you’ll get used to it easily. If it is too much then stick to 35mm. (You wiener.)
And the mirror slap issue? It’s totally possible that this can be an issue but I’ve yet to experience it. Here’s an example of a shot taken handheld at 1/60th of a second.
Not too shabby. If I’m in a situation where I have to use a tripod I just use the Mirror Lock-Up function and activate the shutter with a cable release. Again, never had any problems.
What about the metered prism?
I opted to get the metered prism even though the non-metered versions could be had for less and I have a good hand held light meter. I just like the connivence of being able to meter on the fly while having the camera to my face. Just to be sure I could trust the Pentax I tested it alongside my handheld meter as well as my D700 and they were all the same. So far the Pentax 6x7′s meter has been very accurate for me.
If you’re looking for camera that is:
Light enough to carry around and shoot handheld
then the Pentax 6x7 should fit the bill very well.
And of course I realize that everything I’ve written in this review is just my personal feelings about the camera and that everybody has their own preferences. I do, however, think that there are plenty of other people who want similar things in a film camera and if this write up can steer them in a helpful direction then great. I personally feel that it’s a really well rounded and comfortable system to use. I’ve used it in all kinds of settings and situations and it’s never let me down or gotten in the way.
So that’s that. If this review was totally unhelpful then I guess we’ve both wasted out time. Either way thanks for reading!
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