Hi Bob,
I've just done all of that. The first thing to consider is what sort
of photographs you want to take with the 6x7. My 35mm gear runs from 28mm
through to 500mm and inlcudes AF and multiple manual bodies along with TTL
flashes and so on, which will do pretty much everything I want to. I can't
afford to replicate that in 6x7, even if I sold all of the 35mm stuff. I
don't think that a 6x7 is suited to "general purpose" photography given its
size and weight amongst other issues, but if you have a specific purpose in
mind then you can set yourself up with everything you need reasonably
cheaply.
I decided that the 6x7 was to be for portraiture first and foremost, which
meant that the primary lens was going to be a 165/2.8 or a 150/2.8. I bought
a 165 /2.8 from a local dealer and ended up getting a 105/2.4 as part of a
package deal. I bought a set of extension tubes too, as the minimum
focussing distance of the 165 is a fairly pathetic 1.6m, almost double the
distance of it's 35mm equvialent (SMCT 85/1.8 = 0.85m). So that's it, one
body, two lenses and a few accessories is all that's needed for the purpose
that I bought it. For the same sort of money I could have bought an MZ-S
with a 50/1.4, but certainly not a 43 limited.
If macro photograpy is your plan, then the 135/4 is the obvious choice and
it is neither rare nor expensive so you can pick and choose according to
your budget. Once again, you'll probably need a set of extension rings, and
maybe reversing rings if you want to get really close. The 135/4 would
probably cover portraiture as well, so your second lens could be the 90/2.8
or a wide angle.
If landscapes are your passion then I guess either a 55 or possibly even a
45 should be your first choice and then maybe a 75 instead of a 90 or 105,
although the 75/2.8 is going to be a bit hard to get on a budget so you are
stuck with slower lenses. This shouldn't matter if you are only using it
for landscapes.
MLU wasn't an issue for me as I rarely use a tripod, but the MLU body would
be vital for slow speed work. The non MLU bodies will also be older and you
may have trouble getting them serviced and repaired. I don't believe that
the 6x7s biggest fault, the fragile transport mechanism, was fixed until the
67II came along, so even a 67 should be checked carefully if you can.
I would think that the TTL prism is almost mandatory for macro work wheras a
hand held meter might be all you need for landscape work. If you decide that
you need a TTL prism, then a package deal is probably the cheapest option
and eBay is probably where you will end up. Unfortunately a package will
usually mean you end up with a 105/2.4 whether you want one or not, but if
you buy from a dealer then you may be able to get them to substitute the
lens you want for the 105/2.4
One other tip, if you are considering the wooden hand grip which is often
quite expensive to buy on its own, the AF400T flash bracket is virtually the
same thing, but is usually half the price (mine was $40 from B&H). All it
needs is a piece broom handle in place of the flash.
Paul Ewins
Melbourne, Australia
----- Original Message -----
From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Sunday, November 10, 2002 4:10 AM
Subject: Pentax 6x7, 67
> Suppose the 'Brotherhood' had finally gotten to you.
> You'd begun to wonder about medium format and think of shooting some
general
> purpose or maybe even Macro photographs with it.
> If you were to start an inexpensive medium format Pentax kit, what would
you
> get?
> Would it be a 6x7 with or without mirror lockup or a 67?
> What lens would you get for it? (lets say just one to start with, maybe a
> 2nd later)
> Would it be a really old Takumar, or a newer model?
> Would it be a 90mm f2.8 or ???
> (remember these are expensive lenses and you can only afford one or two
tops!)
> What do you think?
> Regards, Bob S.
>
