Pentax 645 vs. Mamiya 645

I have complete Hassy outfit which I use in all my professional photo
assignments and I'm extremely happy with it.

However, every once in a while I get an assignments that really calls for
the handling ease of 35mm SLRs while retaining the superior image quality of
the medium format (120 rolls), so I guess I'm bound for either Pentax 645 or
Mamiya 645, hence your advice is appreciated.

1) Which brand would you recommend that would offer reliability, durabilty
and superior images? Please feel free to recommend other brands/models if
you believe that the above two are not up to the standard.
2) In general, which is better the older models of Pentax and Mamiya or the
newer ones?

Thanks and regards,

Hani

I don't believe that you'd see any difference between images produced by
these cameras. Both are excellent, but different. The bigest difference is
the lack of an interchangeable film magazine on the Pentax. This may or may
not be important to you. It isn't to me. However, the lack of an
interchangeable back allows Pentax to build a smaller body than the mamiya.
The Pentax 645NII can get 16 shots from 120 and 33 shots from 220, so that
may be important.

Newer models are better in either case. The Pentax 645 NII can use all old
and new lenses, has a nice AF system, and a better meter than the old
models. It also includes a mirror lockup, but whether or not it's of any
value is debateable.

The newer Mamiya models also include anice AF system, but offer one big
advantage over the Pentax: a path to digital. Again, you may not care, but
there are digital solutions for the newer Mamiyas while there are none for
the Pentax.

I shoot a Pentax 645 NII, and reliablilty has been perfect; no problems. I
can't imagine that a quality product like the Mamiyas would be anything but
excellent either.

I can only comment on the handling of the Pentax 645 NII: it's excellent,
and on par with many 35mm systems. It isn't as fast, and the AF isn't as
fast, but as far as ergonomics, it can't be beat. The combination of slides
and levers is very intuitive, and you're never reaching for the instruction
book. Here's an example: when the shutter dial and aperture ring are both on
"A," the camera is on programmed auto. Move either, and it automatically
switches to the appropriate mode. For example, move the aperture ring off of
A, and you're in aperture-priority mode. Simple and easy. The Pentax AF
lenses are easy, as well. Want MF instead of AF? Slide the focusing ring
back and you're there.

Anyway, they're similar, but there are differences. Proceed with caution.

"Mehawitchi" wrote in message
...
I have complete Hassy outfit which I use in all my professional photo
assignments and I'm extremely happy with it.

However, every once in a while I get an assignments that really calls for
the handling ease of 35mm SLRs while retaining the superior image quality
of
the medium format (120 rolls), so I guess I'm bound for either Pentax 645
or
Mamiya 645, hence your advice is appreciated.

1) Which brand would you recommend that would offer reliability, durabilty
and superior images? Please feel free to recommend other brands/models if
you believe that the above two are not up to the standard.
2) In general, which is better the older models of Pentax and Mamiya or
the
newer ones?

Thanks and regards,

Hani

Also the Pentax 645NII stuff often goes dirt cheap on ebay as people change
to digital. The AF zoom lenses often go for around $600. Bought a macro
AF for $500. The NII often goes for around $800. Everything I've bought
looks new.

True enough, but the market is still tight for used NII bodies. None on the
KEH site, few on E-Bay. Normally the E-Bay items are new kits.

That's OK. Let them dump the stuff and I'll be right there to scoop it up.

"Art" wrote in message
link.net...
Also the Pentax 645NII stuff often goes dirt cheap on ebay as people
change
to digital. The AF zoom lenses often go for around $600. Bought a
macro
AF for $500. The NII often goes for around $800. Everything I've bought
looks new.

I bought an N and NII on ebay. Just put in a saved search in ebay and wait
for an email when one shows up. Probably about 2 per month. Check the
past prices by searching "completed auctions". You never know with ebay.
AF macros hardly show up unless new going for $900 but then 2 showed up in 1
day with great prices.


"Bowzah" wrote in message
...
True enough, but the market is still tight for used NII bodies. None on
the
KEH site, few on E-Bay. Normally the E-Bay items are new kits.

That's OK. Let them dump the stuff and I'll be right there to scoop it up.

"Art" wrote in message
link.net...
Also the Pentax 645NII stuff often goes dirt cheap on ebay as people
change
to digital. The AF zoom lenses often go for around $600. Bought a
macro
AF for $500. The NII often goes for around $800. Everything I've
bought
looks new.