The Pentax 6X7 Camera: A Vintage Classic

The Pentax 6x7, known as the Pentax 67 after 1990, is a medium-format system film camera that was first introduced in 1965 as a prototype. It was officially launched in 1969 as the Asahi Pentax 6x7, with the Honeywell Pentax 6x7 being released for the North American market. The camera has a dual bayonet lens mount and a wide range of interchangeable Takumar and SMC Pentax 67-designated lenses. Four models of the camera have been released, with the latest, the Pentax 67II, being introduced in 1998.

The Pentax 6x7 was first released in 1969

The Pentax 6x7 was the first model in the 6x7 range, which was later superseded by updated versions in 1976, 1989, and 1998. The original Pentax 6x7 did not feature a mirror lock-up mechanism, which was introduced in the 1976 model to reduce vibration. The 1989 model, renamed the Pentax 67, featured minor cosmetic updates and improved metering. The final iteration, the Pentax 67II, introduced a built-in right-hand grip and an LCD panel displaying ISO, film frames, battery status, and more.

The Pentax 6x7 is a Japanese medium-format SLR roll film camera by Asahi Pentax. It features a dual bayonet lens mount and a wide range of interchangeable Takumar and SMC Pentax 67-designated lenses. The standard outfit typically includes a non-metered pentaprism and a Super Takumar 105mm f/2.4 lens. The camera is battery-powered and does not have a built-in exposure meter.

It was renamed the Pentax 67 in 1990

The Pentax 6x7 was renamed the Pentax 67 in 1990. This was the third iteration of the camera, which was first released in 1969. The 1990 version featured a number of minor engineering updates and cosmetic changes.

The Pentax 6x7 was a Japanese medium-format SLR roll film camera by Asahi Pentax. The camera's plans arose around 1960, but it took until 1966 for a prototype to be presented at Photokina as the Pentax 220. The final version of the camera was released in 1969, with subsequent models being released in 1976 and 1989. The camera was discontinued in 2009, with the release of the fourth and final iteration, the Pentax 67II.

The Pentax 6x7 was a large camera, weighing 2.3 kilograms (5.1 lbs) with the plain prism and standard (105 mm f/2.4) lens. It was battery-powered and featured a dual bayonet lens mount. The camera was able to use 120 and 220 film, though the use of 220 film is now moot as it is no longer manufactured.

The 1990 version of the camera, now named the Pentax 67, featured minor cosmetic updates, including new branding as the "67" as opposed to the earlier "6X7". It was compatible with all previous model accessories, lenses, and prisms. One of the greatest improvements in the 67 was the improved metering prism, which swapped the old CdS cell for the more responsive silicon photo diode.

The camera is a medium-format SLR

The Pentax 6x7 is a medium-format SLR camera, first introduced in 1969. It is a large and heavy camera, weighing around 5 lbs, and is often described as comically large. It is a system camera, allowing users to interchange lenses, prisms, and accessories. The standard Pentax 6x7 kit typically includes a non-metered pentaprism and a Super Takumar 105mm f/2.4 lens.

The camera uses 120 film and exposes images on a 6x7 centimeter area, hence the name. It was also able to use 220 film, though this is no longer manufactured. The camera has a dual bayonet lens mount, with the inner mount typically for lenses with a focal length from 35mm to 300mm, and the outer mount for lengths of 400mm to 1000mm.

The Pentax 6x7 has a long history, with several models released over the years. The original model, the Asahi Pentax 6x7, was launched in 1969. In 1976, an improved model with a mirror lock-up function was released, known as the Asahi Pentax 6x7 (MLU). This model helped to address a vibration problem that affected the original model.

In 1989, a newer version called the Pentax 67 was introduced. This model had minor cosmetic updates and was compatible with all previous model accessories, lenses, and prisms. The greatest improvement was the improved metering prism, which used a silicon photo diode for more responsive metering.

The final iteration of the camera, the Pentax 67II, was released in 1998. This model included several improvements, such as a built-in right-hand grip, a dedicated time mode switch, and an LCD panel displaying various information such as ISO, film frames, and battery status. The Pentax 67II also introduced a new AE finder, offering aperture-priority semi-auto exposure mode and three metering modes.

The Pentax 6x7 is a well-loved camera by many, but it also has its fair share of critics. Some users find it too big, too heavy, and too unreliable. The camera is also dependent on batteries, and early models had issues with battery drain. Despite this, the Pentax 6x7 has a dedicated following, with many photographers appreciating its unique features and the stunning results it can produce.

It has a dual bayonet lens mount

The Pentax 6x7 (called "Pentax 67" after 1990) is a medium-format SLR film camera that was first introduced in 1969. It has a dual bayonet lens mount, allowing for both an "inner" 3-flange proprietary arrangement and an "outer" 4-flange symmetrical bayonet. The inner mount is familiar, while the outer mount is designed for larger and heavier telephoto lenses, allowing the body to rotate and lock in any of the four positions.

The dual bayonet lens mount provides versatility in lens options, accommodating both the "inner" and "outer" bayonet designs. The inner mount, with its 3-flange proprietary arrangement, is similar to what is typically found on SLR cameras. On the other hand, the outer mount stands out with its 4-flange symmetrical design, specifically intended for bulkier telephoto lenses.

The outer bayonet mount has a unique feature that lets the camera body rotate and lock into one of four positions when attached to a telephoto lens. This rotating capability is particularly useful when you need to adjust your camera's orientation without disturbing the lens position.

The Pentax 6x7's dual bayonet lens mount offers a wide range of interchangeable lenses, including the Takumar and SMC Pentax 67 series. This extensive selection of lenses, coupled with the camera's large negative format, makes it a versatile tool for photographers, especially those seeking detailed images in sports or fashion photography.

The Pentax 6x7 weighs 2.3kg

The Pentax 6x7 is a heavy camera, weighing in at 2.3kg. That's over five pounds, which is enough to set off the passenger seatbelt warning chime in a modern car. The weight of the camera is a common complaint among users, with some reporting that it causes muscle pain in their shoulder, back and neck within 20 minutes of wearing it around their neck. The camera's weight and size also make it challenging to use for street photography, as it tends to attract attention from passersby.

The Pentax 6x7's weight is due in part to its design as a medium format camera, which produces images that are 6cm by 7cm in size. This makes it considerably bigger and heavier than a conventional 35mm SLR camera. The camera's large size also contributes to its weight, with dimensions of 7.25 inches by 4.5 inches by 3.75 inches (or 18cm by 11cm by 9.5cm). With the standard prism and 105mm lens, the camera measures 7.5 inches by 5.75 inches by 6.5 inches (or 18cm by 14.5cm by 17cm).

Despite its weight, the Pentax 6x7 remains a popular choice among photographers, with many praising the camera's image quality and lens selection. The camera has a dual bayonet lens mount and a wide range of interchangeable Takumar and SMC Pentax 67-designated lenses. The standard lens for the Pentax 6x7 is the 105mm f/2.4, which is known for its ability to produce stunningly shallow depth of field shots.

The Pentax 6x7 was first introduced in 1969 and has since gone through several iterations, with the latest model, the Pentax 67II, released in 1998. The original model did not have a mirror lock-up function, which was added in the second version released in 1976. The third version, released in 1989, featured minor cosmetic updates and improved metering. The final iteration, the Pentax 67II, added several upgrades, including a rigid right-hand grip, improved long exposure capability, and an LCD panel.

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