Pentax 67II

 

Features: The 67II is an upgrade version of the successful Pentax 67 that has been around for over 30 years. The 67II has a built-in grip for better handling. Grip houses the shutter-release button which accepts cable release. Main on/off switch also placed on the grip, is marked L for lock, On, and self-timer symbol. A welcome addition is the multiple exposure that can be selected by a lever placed conveniently on the grip. 35mm style wind-up lever is large and operates the same as manual focus 35mm cameras. Another new feature is the LCD panel which shows flash status, battery condition, ISO, Film load confirmation, film advance indicator, frame counter, and end of film indication. Large shutter dial is placed on top left of the body with well marked shutter speed numbers in white, ranging from 4 sec to 1/1000 sec plus bulb. X stands for X-sync speed with 1/30 sec.


Shutter Dial

Camera can be set to A for aperture priority AE with the optional AE Pentaprism Finder 67II. Mirror lock-up and P.S. Time-exposure set lever are placed to the left side of the grip. Left side of the body holds the lens release lever, 5P sync terminal, PC terminal, and flash contacts. Back can be opened by pushing down a lever on the left side of the body. You can switch between 120 roll film (10 frames) and 220 roll film (21 frames) by sliding the film pressure plate. Camera back shows 120 or 220 film indicator in a small window. A Memo holder is also added on the back for film type in use. Dual-bayonet lens mount includes inner and outer SMC Pentax and Takumar 67 lenses.


AE Pentaprism finder

The 67II accepts AE Pentaprism finder 67II, Pentaprism finder 67II, Folding focusing hood 67II, and Rigid magnifying hood 67II. Highly recommended AE Pentaprism adds aperture priority AE and six-segment multi-pattern metering, centerweighted or spot metering modes. AE finder also adds +/-3 stop exposure compensation adjustable in 1/3, 1/2, or 1 stop increment. Exposure compensation dial is placed on top of the AE Pentaprism finder. Metering mode selector is located on top left as well as film speed lever. Back of the finder holds Memory lock, ISO set button (6-6400), eyepiece lever, and diopter adjustment lever. Finder can be securely locked and unlocked by two buttons placed on right and left of the finder. AE viewfinder shows an exposure bar graph, exposure compensation, memory lock, shutter speed, metering mode, flash, and frame counter.


Viewfinder information

Operation: A unique design among medium format cameras. Similar to 35mm SLRs, the 67II can be used in or out of the studio. Its new grip makes holding and operating the camera much easier than previous models. Body feels very solid but heavy. Controls are well placed and can be operated without having to remove the eye from the viewfinder. Shutter release is very convenient to use along with the film wind lever for continues shooting. Self-timer can be set by turning the shutter release dial. It provides sound with 12 second delay and is cancelable. Camera lacks power winder which is unfortunate, but the design of the camera would make an accessory or built-in winder very heavy and larger. Shutter dial is well marked and well dented. A good addition is the P.S. (Power Saving) time mode. It halts power supply during very long exposure to save battery power. This can be set by P.S. lever located on right side of the body. LCD panel is simple and shows important information such as film loading confirmation and film advance.


LCD Panel

With the AE Prismfinder attached, you have access to aperture priority and metered manual. Turn the metering mode selector to six-segment multi-pattern metering for accurate reading. AE finder measures six areas of brightens and automatically calculates the best exposure. Switch to spot metering for precise 2.5 percent reading of the image (circle in viewfinder) or the traditional centerweighted metering which favors the central area. Viewfinder shows exposure adjustments in manual mode or when exposure compensation is used. A graph bar warns you of +/-3 over or underexposure in 1/3 step increments. Viewfinder information is clearly visible and shows vital information. Frame counter is also shown in the viewfinder which is a great addition. Memory lock can be used to lock exposure in the aperture priority mode for times when you need to recompose a shot, but use the previous reading.


Memory Lock Button

Built-in diopter adjuster can be set -2.5 to +1.5 to adjust viewfinder image to different eyesight. The 67II includes multiple exposure with easy operation. Wind-up lever prevents the film from advancing, allowing unlimited number of exposures to be made. There is no need to purchase separate 120 and 220 film backs. You can switch between 120 roll film (10 frames) and 220 roll film (21 frames) by sliding the film pressure plate. Back shows the type of film being used. Pentax 67II new film transport design gives an extra frame with 220 films! This is done by providing very precise and accurate film advance. For flash photography, Hotshoe Grip 67II is attached to the camera. AF500FTZ, AF330FTZ, and AF400T dedicated flash units can be used with the 67II with TTL auto flash. Flash sync at 1/30 sec is low but leaf shutter lenses are available for faster sync. A must for this type of camera is the mirror lock-up. You can lock the mirror up to reduce camera vibration by using a lever on the right side of the body. Depth-of-field preview is placed on Pentax lenses.

Verdict: A great camera just got better. A more sophisticated metering system with extras such as exposure compensation, aperture priority, six-segment and spot metering brings the 67II up to date. The previous 67 models lacked a grip. The new grip on the 67II is excellent and makes shooting and handling the camera better. I wish Pentax had improved the high flash sync to at least 1/60 sec to reduce the risk of movement caused at 1/30 sec. The AE finder is a must have accessory, especially for outdoor use which this camera is designed for. Lack of power winder is unfortunate for outdoor photography, but the large selection of lenses and accessories makes the 67II the ideal choice for those who want the larger 6X7 images in an easy to use medium format camera. Pentax has designed a unique medium format camera that will last you a long time.

Amazon.com Product Description
Pentax 67 II Medium Format SLR Manual Focus Camera Body

Features:

  • The 67II is equipped with a TTL direct metering sensor inside the body to offer advanced TTL auto flash operation for speedy, accurate flash photography
  • With the optional 67II AE pentaprism finder attached, the 67II offers reliable aperture priority AE operation through its advanced six-segment, center-weighted or spot metering modes
  • The large LCD data panel and multi-information viewfinder display provides the user with vital operational information.
  • The 67II offers an easy-to-use multiple exposure function. Simple operation of the multiple exposure switch, while cocking the wind-up lever, prevents the film from advancing, allowing the desired number of exposures to be made on a single frame.
  • The 67II offers a 12-second-delay electronic self-timer to delay shutter release. It also comes equipped with a PCV beep to audibly confirm the operation.


Amazon.com Product Description

The Pentax 67II combines medium-format 6x7 capabilities with traditional virtues of conventional SLR construction, and brings the state-of-the-art SLR technologies to this highly acclaimed format. It offers greatly improved performance, maneuverability and reliability, while retaining maximum compatibility with current 67 system lenses and accessories.

 SPECIFICATIONS: PENTAX 6x7 II
Type: 6x7 ideal-format single-lens reflex camera with TTL auto exposure control.
Film: 120 roll film (10 exposures)
or 220 roll film (21 exposures).
Image Size: 55mm X 70mm
Lens Mount: Dual bayonet mounts (with inner and outer bayonets).
Applicable Lenses: SMC Pentax 67 and SMC Takumar 67 lenses.
Exposure Modes: Aperture Priority AE (with optional AE pentaprism finder 67II), metered manual and bulb.
Shutter: Electronically controlled horizontal-run focal plane cloth shutter.
Shutter Speed: 1/1000 sec. ~ 30 sec. stepless (auto); 1/1000 sec. ~4 sec. (manual).
X-sync Speed: 1/30 sec. bulb and time exposure available. Leaf-shutter lens applicable. Electro-magnetic release. Shutter locked with main power off.
Finder: Interchangeable finders (AE pentaprism finder 67II, pentaprism finder 67II, folding focusing hood 67II, and rigid magnifying hood 67II).
Interchangeable 
Focusing Screens:		 Natural-bright matte focusing screens (microprism matte screen as standard).
Viewfinder Image Area: 90% with AE pentaprism finder 67II or pentaprism finder 67II; 100% with folding focusing hood 67II or rigid magnifying hood 67II.
Magnification: 0.75x (with 105mm lens at infinity and -1 diopter).
Exposure Metering*: TTL six-segment multi-pattern metering, center-weighted metering or spot metering.
Metering Range: EV2 ~ EV21 (at ISO 100 with 105mm f/2.4 lens).
Exposure Compensation*: +/-3EV in 1/3EV steps. Dial-control system. Memory lock available.
Viewfinder Indication*: Exposure compensation, bar-graph pointer, shutter speed, metering mode, memory lock, flash status, and exposure frame counter. Backlight illumination provided.
External LCD Panel: Battery exhaustion warning, ISO film speed, film loading confirmation, film-advance indicator, exposure frame counter, and flash status.
Film Speed: ISO 6~6400
Film Transport: Wind-up lever (with 190-degree stroke and 7-degree stand-off angle) with self-cocking shutter. Semi-automatic (type) film loading with start mark. Film advance/film-end indicator provided in LCD panel.
Self-timer: Electronically controlled type with 12-second delay. PCV sound provided. Mid-operation cancellation possible.
Multi-exposure: Easy-set type with multi-exposure switch.
Mirror: Swing-back instant-return mirror with mirror lockup mechanism.
Flash Synchronization: X-sync terminal and 4-pin/5-pin TTL auto flash terminals. TTL auto flash sensors built-in.
Flash Sync Speed: Under 1/30 sec. and bulb (1/500 sec. max. with leaf-shutter lenses).
Power Sources: Two 3V lithium batteries (CR-123A type).
Battery Life: Approx. 500 rolls of 120 roll film and approx. 250 rolls of 220 film.
Dimensions and Weight: 185.5mm (W) x 151.0mm (H) x 106.0mm (D) (7.3" x 5.9" x 4.2") and 1,660g (58.6 oz.) with AE pentaprism finder 67II and without batteries.
  *These features are available with the optional AE pentaprism finder 67II Only