My long struggle to find the right MF system for 2010 may be over. About a week ago, after much research, deliberation and procrastination, I finally decided to order a Pentax 67ii… This is a relatively new medium format camera, built on a 30+ year old system. It was recently continued but my MF standards this is a new body with modern lenses. I started with just a 67ii body and metered viewfinder (purchased from KEH at a premium but at least I knew what I was getting) and a 105mm f/2.4 lens.

If I had to summarise the reason for choosing this system over others (including my own Hasselblad 500 CM), it’ d be because the Pentax 67 / 6×7 system has the fastest lenses of any medium format system (at least from what I was able to readily find). The normal 105mm f/1.4 lens I purchases is roughly equivalent to a 50mm f/1.2 on a 35mm system, but with a 4x sized negative. It was a tough decision though – my concern with the camera being reports that it is extremely difficult to get sharp shots handheld. The reviews I read all warned against this – but people I know (and respect) who actually have the camera believe it’s overblown. I decided to give it a shot and the camera and lens arrived yesterday.

I shot a roll of test film today which I developed tonight. I’ll post a little more on the reported mirror bounce = blurry shots but so far, I’m not finding that to be a problem. I have a really nice sharp shot with the 105mm at a speed of 1/30s so if that is representative then I’m unconcerned. Here was my favourite shot from the 10 frames the 120 film gave me.

Pentax 67ii + Pentax 67 105mm f/2.4 on Fujifilm Neopan 100 Acros