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Archive 2015 · Pentax 645z review - best landscape camera in the world?

Gyroscope
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Pentax 645z review - best landscape camera in the world?

I purchased a Pentax 645z this year for my landscape work and have totally fallen in love with it. I've done my first ever camera review which I thought some here might be interested in reading given the interest this camera has generated. Thanks for reading!

http://www.mordenohare.com.au/blog/2015/6/20/the-best-landscape-camera-in-the-world-meet-the-pentax-645z

Dec 29, 2015 at 01:00 AM

austinschutz
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Pentax 645z review - best landscape camera in the world?

Amazing photographs, I'm sure someone thinking about this camera will value your review. : )

Dec 29, 2015 at 01:14 AM

sputnik
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Pentax 645z review - best landscape camera in the world?

Thanks for the review! This camera has been a lot on my mind lately, but I'm really not sure that I can justify the price. A used 645D is about 1/3 of the 645Z right now, but I realize it is also a very different sensor in the older model.

I'm entertaining the idea of selling my small format X-E2 along with a decent collection of Fujinon lenses to partly fund a large sensor 645 with one lens. Doesn't make much sense does it?

Dec 29, 2015 at 05:35 PM

johnvanr
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Pentax 645z review - best landscape camera in the world?

Nice review of a great camera. I had a chance to try it out at a media event when they launched it and I've been secretly pining for one ever since. Since I don't do much pure landscape work and I'm not taken by the scenery in my area, it doesn't make any sense for me, but it is indeed a great camera. And I do like the Pentax interface, probably more than any other brand's.

Dec 29, 2015 at 05:54 PM

sculptormic
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Pentax 645z review - best landscape camera in the world?

johnvanr wrote:
Nice review of a great camera. I had a chance to try it out at a media event when they launched it and I've been secretly pining for one ever since. Since I don't do much pure landscape work and I'm not taken by the scenery in my area, it doesn't make any sense for me, but it is indeed a great camera. And I do like the Pentax interface, probably more than any other brand's.

The camera is great for urban spaces as well.

Dec 29, 2015 at 06:52 PM

rattymouse
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Pentax 645z review - best landscape camera in the world?

Gyroscope wrote:
I purchased a Pentax 645z this year for my landscape work and have totally fallen in love with it. I've done my first ever camera review which I thought some here might be interested in reading given the interest this camera has generated. Thanks for reading!

http://www.mordenohare.com.au/blog/2015/6/20/the-best-landscape-camera-in-the-world-meet-the-pentax-645z

A great review, well written. It is so refreshing to read about someone who does not place low weight as the top priority. The fetish for low weight gear has become obsessive. Nice to see some counter points now and then.

Dec 29, 2015 at 07:19 PM

Gyroscope
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Pentax 645z review - best landscape camera in the world?

rattymouse wrote:
A great review, well written. It is so refreshing to read about someone who does not place low weight as the top priority. The fetish for low weight gear has become obsessive. Nice to see some counter points now and then.

Yes I've never really understood why low weight has become so important. Maybe it is just an excuse to get the latest thing. I personally care more about image quality and UI. Thanks for your comments.

Dec 29, 2015 at 08:00 PM

Gyroscope
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Pentax 645z review - best landscape camera in the world?

sputnik wrote:
Thanks for the review! This camera has been a lot on my mind lately, but I'm really not sure that I can justify the price. A used 645D is about 1/3 of the 645Z right now, but I realize it is also a very different sensor in the older model.

I'm entertaining the idea of selling my small format X-E2 along with a decent collection of Fujinon lenses to partly fund a large sensor 645 with one lens. Doesn't make much sense does it?

No it doesn't make much 'sense'. It didn't make much sense for me to buy it either

I'm not regretting it though!

Seriously though, if you plan on getting this camera you need to be confident you will do large prints with it as that is where it shines. Personally I wouldn't buy the D as the Z is way better in many ways, not least of all the CMOS sensor.

Dec 29, 2015 at 08:03 PM

Edward Castro
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Pentax 645z review - best landscape camera in the world?

Excuse me while I pick my jaw from the floor. Stunning camera and stunning images. I know I could never give this camera justice. Thanks for sharing.

Dec 29, 2015 at 11:56 PM

hauxon
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Pentax 645z review - best landscape camera in the world?

Thanks for the excellent review Morden. I think interest in low weight has mostly to do with being able (or bothering) to carry your gear on hikes (on the train/bus etc.). For shooting within short walking distance from you car weight is not really an issue for most people. It just depends on how and what you're planning to shoot. However if you are only carrying one body and one lens, the 645z+28-45 is only 3 kg and not hard at all to have in you camera backpack. It won't be hanging on your neck but light enough to carry in you backpack for longer hikes. Those who can afford a $10000+ camera could probably also afford spending additional $1500-$2000 on a lightweight camera/lens if portability is an issue. If photography was my main profession I'd give this combo a serious thought but at the moment I will have to settle for regular (lightweight) gear.

Did you consider getting the 25mm lens? From all I've read the 28-45 is a stellar lens but there's not much to be found on the 25. Do you miss not having a true ultra-wide? The Zeiss 21ZE was my widest lens for few years and while wide enough for most occasions I was constantly think I should add a wider lens (and did). ...And do you find this kit ideal for shooting the milky way since you mentioned in your article? My first thought was the lens is too dim and too narrow.

Hrannar

Dec 30, 2015 at 04:23 AM

Makten
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Pentax 645z review - best landscape camera in the world?

"Being a larger sensor the lens 'crop' factor means that for a given field of view a longer focal length lens is used, which results in less distortion. For example a 28mm focal length on the Pentax provides a field of view similar to that provided by a 21mm focal length in a 35mm sensor. This is part of the reason for the medium format 'look'."

Sorry, but this is not true. The focal length has nothing with the amount of distortion to do, regardless if you are refering to perspective or geometrical distortion.

Dec 30, 2015 at 04:42 AM

Gyroscope
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Pentax 645z review - best landscape camera in the world?

Makten wrote:
"Being a larger sensor the lens 'crop' factor means that for a given field of view a longer focal length lens is used, which results in less distortion. For example a 28mm focal length on the Pentax provides a field of view similar to that provided by a 21mm focal length in a 35mm sensor. This is part of the reason for the medium format 'look'."

Sorry, but this is not true. The focal length has nothing with the amount of distortion to do, regardless if you are refering to perspective or geometrical distortion.

I'm happy to be corrected but at the moment I still think I am correct. It is to do with "extension distortion". In other words I can use a slightly longer focal length with less extension distortion than would be present in the wider focal length needed for a 35mm sensor. Wide angle lenses have extention distortion that gets greater the shorter they get and telephoto lenses have compression distortion which gets greater the longer they get. I may need to expand on this a little in the review. In any case I guess the effect is not huge but I think it is there.

Dec 30, 2015 at 05:10 AM

sculptormic
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Pentax 645z review - best landscape camera in the world?

Great review Gyroscope, I saw it already over at the Pentax forum. I am enjoying mine tremendously.

For all you people interested there is a Medium format thread on this page, which started originally as a Pentax 645D thread by H.Lux. Anyway there are a whole lot of examples of the P645Z on there. I got the feeling nobody is ever looking.

May be a nice place for you as wel to post there Gyroscope with your beautiful images.

Dec 30, 2015 at 05:19 AM

Gyroscope
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Pentax 645z review - best landscape camera in the world?

hauxon wrote:
Thanks for the excellent review Morden. I think interest in low weight has mostly to do with being able (or bothering) to carry your gear on hikes (on the train/bus etc.). For shooting within short walking distance from you car weight is not really an issue for most people. It just depends on how and what you're planning to shoot. However if you are only carrying one body and one lens, the 645z+28-45 is only 3 kg and not hard at all to have in you camera backpack. It won't be hanging on your neck but light enough to carry...Show more →

Thanks.Yes I have done long hikes with the Pentax kit and it is not a problem unless you want to add additional gear. If it was just the 645z and a lens or 2 3-5kg is nothing for the average healthy person. And yes if really did need much lighter for some reason I always have my canon gear to fall back on.

I did not consider the 25mm lens as it is reportedly not quite as good, can not take front mount filters and is a prime. Its also discontinued. I wanted the range provided by the 28-45 zoom and I use filters quite a lot. Yes when shooting canon I used to use my 17-40 a lot and do occasionally miss an ultra wide but have found that the constraints of having the one lens with limited range is making me more focused in my strategy and leading to photos that look different to what I would have done otherwise.

I have not made a serious attempt at milky way photography as I have not had a good opportunity. Yes the lens is a tad slow but I have shot before with my 17-40 F4 and that can work okay. I think the high ISO ability of the 645z can help counteract the lens speed a bit. I do think the focal length is not quite wide enough though. Since I have never really been one to shoot the milky way much I don't really miss not having the perfect lens for it and in any case if I get serious about it I will just get the 14mm samyang and use my Canon 5D3.

Dec 30, 2015 at 05:19 AM

sculptormic
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Pentax 645z review - best landscape camera in the world?

A very light kit for hiking; A35, FA55,FA75 and the A150.
These are all very small lenses and not heavy at all. And you do have quiet a range in your backpack and they are all rather cheap as well.
I bought the A 150/3.5 for € 110, -- a real bargain and a terrific lens. You can see examples in the Medium format thread.

Dec 30, 2015 at 05:28 AM

Tmuussoni
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Pentax 645z review - best landscape camera in the world?

First of all amazing review. Thank you for OP for the well written review. Stunning images as well.

rattymouse wrote:
A great review, well written. It is so refreshing to read about someone who does not place low weight as the top priority. The fetish for low weight gear has become obsessive. Nice to see some counter points now and then.

Let's agree to disagree. My dream body would be a mirrorless version of the Pentax 645Z. Imagine a mirrorless version of Pentax 645Z, weighting just 600-700 g with absolutely stunning image quality for landscaping without the burden of the mirror. No, being mirrorless doesn't mean it suffers at all in terms of IQ or UI. And yes, I see absolutely no reason why there shouldn't be a mirrorless digital medium format camera. It also should be more affordable (cheaper to manufacture). I am praying eventually someone will have the balls to do it for reasonable price. Fuji?? And yes, 1.5 kg weight split in half would make a HUGE difference when carrying such a camera out there in the wild. And I don't believe for a second A7R II would be any more susceptible for tripod based camera shake than Pentax 645Z if you have a decent tripod. A7r mark I was perhaps different story, but with improved shutter of A7r II it's all history.. I don't see reason why this couldn't be replicated with a mirrorless medium format body.. Sorry for off-topic ..

Dec 30, 2015 at 06:03 AM

hauxon
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Pentax 645z review - best landscape camera in the world?

I agree that a medium format rangefinder would be great. I loved my Mamiya 7 and was amazed be how tiny it was compared to the RZ67 I had before. A mirrorless medium format camera would probably have similar problems with wide angles as we have seen with A7 and Leica rangefinder wides and might result in larger lenses (less size/weight benefit). A hunch tells me Fuji will introduce a medium format mirrorless camera but it will probably by more like the GF670 film cameras (with fixed lenses).

Dec 30, 2015 at 06:42 AM

Spyro P.
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Pentax 645z review - best landscape camera in the world?

Yeah it would probably need to have a ginormous and protruding set of lenses, because digital sucks like that. It would still be very popular though.
Maybe they could pull off a miracle (lens size wise) with a fixed lens camera, like they did with the x100, but it would be expensive and I'm not sure who would pay for it without the ability to change lenses.

Dec 30, 2015 at 07:52 AM

waterden
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Pentax 645z review - best landscape camera in the world?

Interesting review here too.

http://thephotofundamentalist.com/?p=2176

Very tempted by the all purpose landscape solution of the 645z / 28-45. Regarding weight , it is a problem when flying because there's no way I would allow my photo kit to travel in the hold because there is a high risk I'd never see it again - it seems criminality amongst baggage-handlers is all too commonplace and regrettably ignored by airlines. Airlines are really photographer unfriendly in this regard.

Dec 30, 2015 at 08:09 AM

Makten
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Pentax 645z review - best landscape camera in the world?

Gyroscope wrote:
I'm happy to be corrected but at the moment I still think I am correct. It is to do with "extension distortion". In other words I can use a slightly longer focal length with less extension distortion than would be present in the wider focal length needed for a 35mm sensor. Wide angle lenses have extention distortion that gets greater the shorter they get and telephoto lenses have compression distortion which gets greater the longer they get. I may need to expand on this a little in the review. In any case I guess the effect is not huge but...Show more →

There is no such thing. What you call "extension distortion" is perspective and it only changes with distance. At the same angle of view, there is no difference in perspective whatever focal length or sensor size you use. Crop an image shot with a wide angle and you will get the same thing as using a longer focal length (with lower resolution of course). The distance is the same and thus the perspective.

http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2014/08/15/debunking-the-myth-that-focal-length-affects-perspective/

Dec 30, 2015 at 08:15 AM

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