Pentax 67II SystemFor Outdoor Photography

 

35mm equipment are undoubtedly easier to use for outdoor photography than medium format cameras. 35mm systems also include more lenses in different speeds and focal lengths. The larger and heavier medium format cameras and lenses prevent many from using them for outdoor photography. 645 cameras are an alternative to 35mm format. Autofocus versions are now available and they are as sophisticated as top pro 35mm SLRs. 645 models are lighter and smaller than larger formats which makes them easier to use and carry outdoors. However, the 645 size is not as impressive as 6X7 format. 6X7 transparencies will impress any photo editor, and these are the people you need to impress if you want to sell your images. 6X7 format can now rival even the larger 4X5 sheet films in terms of quality. Today's films and lenses are so good that you can make very large prints from 6X7 or 4X5 sheet films with identical results. If you like nature and wildlife photography and plan on selling your images to publications, you should consider the 6X7 format. This is not to say, you should abandon your 35mm camera. As I mentioned earlier, 35mm cameras and lenses are easier to work with and you have a larger selection of lenses to choose from. You should consider working with 35mm and 6X7 formats side by side for outdoor photography.


Left Image: Pentax 67, 75mm f-4.5 lens, Fuji Velvia 50, Bogen tripod and ball head. Average metering, exposure not recorded.

Pentax 67II is designed for outdoor photography and its system includes everything you need from wide-angle to telephoto lenses. Longest lens made for other 6X6 and 6X7 formats is 500mm (equivalent to about 300mm and 250mm in 35mm). Pentax backs its 67II by offering several telephoto lenses including 300mm f-4, 400mm f-4, 500mm f-5.6, 600mm f-4, 800mm f-4 and 800mm f-6.7, plus a 1000mm f-8 mirror lens. The system also includes wide-angle to medium telephoto lenses ranging from 35mm fisheye to 200mm, plus macro, shift, soft focus, leaf shutter lenses, teleconverters, and close up accessories. The design of the 67II is similar to 35mm cameras. You feel right at home. Attach the accessory AE finder and you get sophisticated metering and exposure compensation. 67II camera and its system makes the 6X7 format an ideal camera for nature and wildlife photography. The only disadvantage is the lack of accessory winder and slower 1/60 sec flash sync. Let's see how you can build a working system depending on the type of outdoor photography you prefer.
As always, you should start with minimum of equipment and add to your system slowly. If you want to do landscape photography, start with 55mm and 105mm lenses (equivalent to about 28mm and 50mm in 35mm format) or the 55-100mm zoom. If you feel you need a wider lens, then 45mm (equivalent to about 20mm in 35mm format) and 90mm lenses make a good pair. You should add a 200mm lens to your system later for telephoto shots. If you want to do close-up photography you can either add a set of extension tubes to your 105mm standard lens or get the 100mm f-4 macro lens. Extension tubes should be enough if you only want to do some close-ups, otherwise instead of buying a 105mm lens, purchase the 100mm macro which is also a great lens for normal photography. For wildlife photography 500mm f-5.6 (equivalent to 250mm in 35mm format) is the lens to start with. This lens should cover larger wildlife and birds. 600mm or 800mm lenses should be purchased if you plan to do all of your wildlife photography with your Pentax 67II. The cost and the size of these lenses require serious thinking. 800mm f-4 (equivalent to 400mm in 35mm format) costs about the same as a 400mm f-2.8 in 35mm format, but is much larger and heavier to carry around, and the 800mm f-6.7, although is lighter, costs even more. Unless you can be sure these lenses will pay for themselves stay with the 500mm lens.
For general outdoor photography, there are several ways you can build a good system. 55-100mm zoom, 200mm short telephoto, 500mm telephoto, and a set of extension tube will cover all your shots. Another way to go is a 45mm, 75mm, 300mm, and a 2X teleconverter. This system gives you wider landscape shots. You can skip the heavier 500mm lens by attaching a 2X converter to 300mm lens and using faster films for wildlife. If money is not a problem and you want to make serious investments into 6X7 format for your business, then 45mm, 55-100mm, 100mm macro, 200mm, 400mm, and 600mm lenses will cover all your outdoor shots.
If you love outdoor photography and want to make it your career, the 6X7 format and Pentax 67II gives you an edge over 35mm. Think carefully before you buy your lenses. Start with what you need right away and add other lenses or accessories later.