I had the chance to pick-up a Mamiya 645 over the weekend at the bargain price of $150 dollars. I hesitated since I wanted to think about the pros and cons of the Mamiya system vs the Pentax. I began to think of the total cost of the Mamiya system. While I could get the body for $150, if I wanted a power drive I was looking at another $200, a metered prism $300 more. KEH now lists a bargain Pentax 645 at $569 about $100 less than the M645+drive+prisim. Has anyone else compared these two systems? I have a short list of comparisons.
Mamiya Pros Cheap body True system camera Pro level bodies have interchangeable backs (this always seemed like a neat feature but how does it work in reality) High quality glass Cons True system camera mean me spending lots of money on system Expensive high quality glass Auto focus lenses don't have aperture rings. Stupid mamiya Pentax Pros Body has everything you need Adapter to let me use 6x7 lenses so I can get a 6x7 when I tired of tiny negatives Adapter to let me use 645 lenses on my k-mount bodies less gear in my bag Affordable (sort of) high quality glass Cons no interchangeable backs No interchangeable finder I would love to hear if someone on the list has actually used both systems. Evan - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
