Greetings, I would like to hear from anyone out there who has had any experience with the Pentax Autofocus 645 system. I am especially interested in the 120 macro lens, but would appreciate any and all feedback.

Fhank you.

DAB.

-- Douglas A. Benson (dab@evcom.net), August 07, 2000

Answers

I've rented it a few times and been impressed. I've gotten good results. AF speed is not bad (it'll seem slow compared to an F100 and an AF-S lens, or the Canon equivalent). Smart control layout, intuitive operation (you probably won't need a manual for 90% percent of what you do if you have used a modern electronic 35mm SLR). Pretty good handling, though I thought the balance could be a bit better. Good, modern choice of metering patterns. Clever inclusion of a screw-hole of tripod head plates in both the horizontal and vertical positions. I like the glass I used, and it is very reasonably priced compared to other systems; have not tried the macro lens. Overall, seemed pretty ruggedly constructed.

Downsides: no interchangeable finders (if you don't need it, though, who cares? There is a right angle extension); no interchangeable backs (so, no mid-roll film changes); I have a vague recollection that flash synch speed seemed to be on the slow side (I haven't used a flash with it); maybe a bit on the loud side (though that's pretty standard for med. format cameras)?

Overall: it struck me as a good camera that could go a lot of places with you without breaking your back and that you could get a lot of performance out of.

-- john beckman (john.beckman@nyu.edu), August 07, 2000.