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
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
The 645NII is the latest model and was introduced in 2001. The main improvement was the addition of mirror lock-up.
645D
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
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. In April 2014 the camera was announced as Pentax 645Z. 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). 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.
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.
- smc PENTAX-DFA 645 25 mm F4.0 AL SDM AW [IF] (2011)
- smc PENTAX-DA 645 25 mm F4.0 AL SDM AW [IF] (2012-current)
- smc PENTAX-A 645 35 mm F3.5
- smc PENTAX-FA 645 35 mm F3.5 AL [IF] (current)
- smc PENTAX-A 645 45 mm F2.8
- smc PENTAX-FA 645 45 mm F2.8 (current)
- smc PENTAX-A 645 55 mm F2.8
- smc PENTAX-DFA 645 55 mm F2.8 AL SDM AW [IF] (2010-current)
- smc PENTAX 645 LS 75 mm F2.8 (current) - leaf shutter
- smc PENTAX-A 645 75 mm F2.8
- smc PENTAX-FA 645 75 mm F2.8 (current)
- HD PENTAX-D FA 645 Macro 90 mm F2.8 ED AW SR (current)
- smc PENTAX-A 645 Macro 120 mm F4.0 (current)
- smc PENTAX-FA 645 Macro 120 mm F4.0 (current)
- smc PENTAX 645 LS 135 mm F4.0 (current) - leaf shutter
- smc PENTAX-A 645 150 mm F3.5
- smc PENTAX-FA 645 150 mm F2.8 [IF] (current)
- smc PENTAX-A 645 200 mm F4.0
- smc PENTAX-FA 645 200 mm F4.0 ED (current)
- smc PENTAX-A 645 300 mm F4.0 ED [IF] (current)
- smc PENTAX-FA 645 300 mm F5.6 ED [IF] (current)
- smc PENTAX-FA 645 400 mm F5.6 ED [IF] (current)
- smc PENTAX-A 645 600 mm F5.6 ED [IF] (current)
- smc PENTAX-FA 645 Zoom 33-55 mm F4.5 AL (current)
- smc PENTAX-A 645 Zoom 45-85 mm F4.5
- smc PENTAX-FA 645 Zoom 45-85 mm F4.5 (current)
- smc PENTAX-FA 645 Zoom 55-110 mm F5.6 (current)
- smc PENTAX-A 645 Zoom 80-160 mm F4.5
- smc PENTAX-FA 645 Zoom 80-160 mm F4.5 (current)
- smc PENTAX-FA 645 Zoom 150-300 mm F5.6 ED [IF] (current)
- Rear Converter-A 645 1.4X (current) - AF lenses become manual focus
- Rear Converter-A 645 2X (current) - AF lenses become manual focus
See also
- Pentax cameras
- List of Pentax products
References
- List of lenses for 645Nii
External links
- Pentax 645 at Camera-wiki.org
- Pentax 645D at Camera-wiki.org
- Review of the 645N
- Information and review of the 645D