I really like this camera. In my original post I called it a practical impractical camera and I stand by that. The Pentax 645N paired with the FA 75mm f/2.8.
Why practical?
You have access to full manual control, but set everything to the green A, turn on AF, and you have yourself a point and shoot medium format film camera that rarely takes a step wrong.
Why impractical?
Arguing that a medium format film camera is needed is a stretch.
That being said I echo a comment from my last camera post:
I would put this camera up against any camera regardless of price point.
Also of importance is that this is a camera that I thoroughly enjoy shooting with for any occasion. Any TTL Pentax flash will work with it. As mentioned above you can take control just as much as the finest all manual medium format film cameras and then turn around and use it as the mother of all point and shoots. It is a tool that can meet almost any medium format film need.
And that is exactly why I took it for a spin recently. My son and I were running errands today so I quickly stopped by a local garage that has an interesting selection of older cars. Photos were taken in a few minutes and reminded me why this camera and lens are very high up on my “If I could only have one camera and lens.” list.
The film of choice this day was Kodak Gold 200.
…which was developed at home with Cinestill CS41.
Here are all 16 (The 645N always squeezes out one additional exposure.) of the images taken.
Happy capturing.
-ELW
Eric L. Woods 