Pentax 645D Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)

Comments about Pentax 645D Digital SLR Camera (Body Only):

The 645D is an excellent medium format SLR that does an incredible job of showing great detail. The unibody is excellent in handling the camera without having to worry about installing backs. The controls are easy to find and operate. The only thing missing is live view and this is why I am giving it a four star rating.

Comments about Pentax 645D Digital SLR Camera (Body Only):

I am mainly a landscape photographer. My style tends to be more meditative than rushed. I use tripods, mirror lock-up, and cable release. The 645D is a nice hybrid between 35mm convenience and medium format image quality. The menus are logical and intuitive, there is easy mirror lock-up, and there is sensor cleaning. It is solid and feels good in the hand. This is not a slow camera, but if you want blazing speed and very high ISO ranges stick with the 35mm format. If image quality is king then this is your camera.

Comments about Pentax 645D Digital SLR Camera (Body Only):

I am a landscape photographer so the jump from the Pentax K-7 was a no brainer. Love the camera, being familiar with the K-7 program it was an easy learn.I have purchesed a 35mm, 45-80mm, 75mm, 120 mm macro, 200mm and 80-160mm zoom 645 manual lenses on the inter-net and they all work great. Yes the preview and file writing are slow...we are talking 40 mb files afterall...no big deal for me as Landscapes do not tend to move! Price wise this camera has opened up the Medium format to a whole new generation of photographers who just could not afford the $30K price tag of the other medium format cameras.

Comments about Pentax 645D Digital SLR Camera (Body Only):

The 645D is the perfect solution to 645 owners. What could be better than to use your existing lenses with a digital body?!?! Great performance and almost no new learning curve on maximizing images.

Comments about Pentax 645D Digital SLR Camera (Body Only):

The Pentax was purchased as a field camera-- primarily for landscapes, outdoor activities (e.g., sailing) and aerial photos--that will allow prints of over 30 to 42 inches. For these requirements, the performance of the camera has been excellent.Pentax has designed a camera that significantly facilitates use in the field and has considered the needs of photographers, including owners of their previous MF film cameras like myself. The older FA 645 lenses and the longer 300 and 400mm ED 6x7 lenses operate very well with the camera and the image quality has remained superb with these optics.None of the functions are intrusive and they are intuitive, especially if you've previously used Pentax DSLRs. Though a bit heavier and large, the camera balances very well, which speeds set up. Notable functions for field use include the bright high resolution viewfinder, weather seals, built-in dust removal, fast and accurate autofocus, big/easily accesible buttons for all regularly used operations, large readable fonts for these buttons and the menu, built-in vertical and horizontal levels, dual tripod sockets, and the hard glass display and LCD screens. The battery also seems to have a relatively long running time.On the negative side, there are a few minor quibbles. The playback is a bit slow, due in no small part to the size of the files. Using high-speed cards are likely to help. The screen shows 98 percent of the actual picture (100 percent would have been preferred). The mode dial uses a lock button (stiff detents would have been adequate).[...]

Comments about Pentax 645D Digital SLR Camera (Body Only):

"get to know it"the more i use it,and the more i read the manuals"there two of them",the more i am able to make use of it's abilities.the writers do need to learn how to communicate with laymen,more details.with the pentax 45mmf2.8 and the 75mmfa f2.8 it handles like a dream.the 80-160mm zoom works best with a monopod or a tripod.picture quality is surperb,the hdr is a big plus.i really like the in camera conversion from raw dng to jepg,once you figure it out.i wish the software they supply prosessed raw dng.the same way as it does jprg.but what the heck.i am ok useing the older 645 lenses.the three i have plus the 2x converter handle all the situations i am likely to encounter.i think they got it right,anyone who wants more in a camera is just hard to impossible to please.[$] covered everthing and put me in the game.

Comments about Pentax 645D Digital SLR Camera (Body Only):

I use the 645D for portrait and landscape work with lenses designed for Pentax 645 film cameras. I'm enjoying superb image quality, especially at lower ISO ranges. A step-change over my 35mm 1Ds cameras. I especially enjoy a bit more dynamic range. Plenty of flexibile settings. The number, size & position of the function buttons are very handy, enabling quick adjustments without resorting to menus. I can't yet vouch for ruggedness, weather-sealing, or customer service after the sale, but the performance of this camera lives up to its billing. Only downsides are lens availability/cost at the wider end, weight, and cost. The ergonomics of carrying and handling the camera are not quite up to the 35mm 1D series, but to be expected in a larger format camera - this is far overshadowed by its performance.

I'm glad I ponied up and bought this camera. It certainly appears to be a game-changer in the competitive high-end camera market.

Comments about Pentax 645D Digital SLR Camera (Body Only):

I have the 645D and kit lens for about a month now. It is super in all aspects. I have no complaint except the screen preview needs improvement.

Comments about Pentax 645D Digital SLR Camera (Body Only):

Very sharp, accurate exposures. The 3" LCD is far superior to those offered by other manufacturers. The ergonomics of the 645d are without peer, in my opinion, and compare very favorably to my nikon d700 in terms of balance. Very satisfied with this camera, its dynamic range, and usability.

Comments about Pentax 645D Digital SLR Camera (Body Only):

Super overall Image Quality.
Great autofocus for a MF body.
Big bright viewfinder as good as H3D-39
Very nice high quality LCD screen.
Great control layout.