Pentax 67 Camera Buyer’s Guide

Pentax 67 Camera Buyer’s Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before Buying This Medium Format Giant

The Pentax 67 camera is one of the most iconic medium format SLR systems ever created. With its 6x7cm negative size and familiar 35mm-style handling, it bridges the gap between studio-quality resolution and field-ready ergonomics. Originally introduced in 1969 and refined over nearly four decades, the Pentax 67 system remains a favorite among portrait, landscape, and fine art photographers who want the depth and detail of medium format in a versatile package.

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Pentax 6×7/67 Models: A Timeline of Evolution

Understanding the differences between models is key to choosing the right version for your needs.

1. Asahi Pentax 6×7 (1969–1976)

• The original version.
• No mirror lock-up (MLU) in early models (added mid-production).
• No hot shoe; requires separate flash adapter.
• All mechanical with TTL metered prism available.
• Current Market Price (Excellent Condition): $600–$900 body only and most of these are heavily used and beat up because these cameras were workhorses.

2. Asahi Pentax 6×7 (MLU) (1976–1989)

• Adds mirror lock-up to reduce vibration—essential for long exposures and telephoto lenses and especially landscape and architecture photographers.
• Some internal refinements.
• Shares many accessories and parts with the original 6×7.
• Current Market Price: $800–$1,100 body only.

3. Pentax 67 (1989–1998)

• Renamed to match the modern naming convention.
• New styling, minor ergonomics changes (grip, film advance smoother).
• Mirror lock-up standard.
• Improved reliability and durability.
• Current Market Price: $1,100–$1,500 body only.

4. Pentax 67II (1998–2009)

• Final and most advanced version. This is the camera that I own and use.
• Adds aperture-priority auto exposure (when using AE prism).
• LCD display with exposure info inside viewfinder.
• Improved electronics and ergonomics.
• Uses 2x CR123A batteries (older models use 6V 4LR44).
• Current Market Price: $2,000–$2,800 body only. It is worth the money to get the 67II in my opinion.

⚠️ Lenses and most accessories are cross-compatible, but AE metering and auto exposure only work fully with the 67II.

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Key Differences & Buying Considerations

Feature	6×7 (Original)	6×7 (MLU)	67	67II
Mirror Lock-Up	No / Some	Yes	Yes	Yes
Exposure Automation	Manual only	Manual	Manual	Aperture Priority
Viewfinder Display	None	None	Minimal	LCD Info
Film Advance	Stiff	Improved	Smoother	Smoothest
Battery	4LR44 (6V)	4LR44	4LR44	2x CR123A
Build Quality	Solid	Rugged	Durable	Refined
Price Range (USD)	$600–$900	$800–$1,100	$1,100–$1,500	$2,000–$2,800

Tip: If you shoot handheld or in the field often, the Pentax 67II offers the best experience. Studio or tripod shooters often prefer the 67 (MLU) for value.

Viewfinders & Meters

The Pentax 67 camera system offers interchangeable finders:

• Plain Waist-Level Finder – Lightweight, no metering.
• TTL Pentaprism Finder – Metered with center-weighted TTL.
• AE Finder (67II only) – Enables aperture-priority auto exposure. The AE Finder is extremely accurate as I can confirm from thousands of real-life photos over the decades.

Tip: The TTL prism can be inaccurate if not calibrated. Budget for a CLA or use a handheld meter.

Lens System & Compatibility

The Pentax 67 system features a robust line of lenses ranging from 35mm ultra-wide to 800mm telephoto:

• Most lenses are manual focus with physical aperture rings.
• Original Takumar lenses (1969–1979) have stop-down metering. These lenses are cheaper and have lower-quality coatings or no coating, but that is not always a bad thing depending on your creative and technical goals.
• Later SMC Pentax lenses (1979 onward) support open-aperture metering with compatible prisms.
• The latest lenses feature improved coatings and mechanical reliability.

Popular lenses:

• 105mm f/2.4 – Legendary for portraiture and subject isolation. I use the 165mm f/2.8 and love it.
• 55mm f/4 – Classic wide, excellent for street and travel.
• 45mm f/4 – Wider landscape shots with edge-to-edge sharpness.
• 200mm f/4 – Light telephoto, flattering for portraits with creamy bokeh.

Tip: For portraits, go with the 105mm f/2.4. For landscapes, the 45mm or 55mm are excellent choices. The 75mm f/4.5 is also a solid general-purpose lens. Avoid lenses with haze, balsam separation, or sluggish apertures.

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Things to Check Before Buying

1. Mirror lock-up – Confirm operation if applicable.
2. Film advance – Smooth and consistent?
3. Meter accuracy – Test with known light levels or a handheld meter.
4. Light seals – Check for foam deterioration.
5. Shutter speeds – Listen for consistency, especially at 1s and below.
6. Lens condition – Clean glass, smooth aperture blades, no haze or fungus.
7. Availability of parts – Older models like the 6×7 may require donor cameras or specialized service technicians. The 67 and 67II are more commonly serviced.

Tip: Earlier bodies are purely mechanical, but later models depend more on electronics. For field reliability, the 67 and 67II are both excellent if serviced. Consider budgeting $250–$400 for a professional CLA.

Final Thoughts

The Pentax 67 system remains one of the most powerful and rewarding tools in medium format photography. Its massive negatives, beautiful lenses, and familiar handling make it an ideal choice for photographers seeking ultimate image quality without moving to large format.

• Choose the 6×7 (MLU) for budget-conscious tripod shooters.
• Choose the 67 for a great blend of handling and reliability.
• Choose the 67II for maximum functionality, metering, and ease of use.

Whether you’re shooting fine art landscapes, studio portraits, or thoughtful still life, the Pentax 67 system has the muscle and grace to deliver stunning results. I even use my Pentax 67II to photograph wild horses for very unique images that I can’t really get with any other system.

Explore the “Guides” section above for more in-depth camera and film guides to help you get the most out of your medium format photography.

Master the Craft of Analog Photography On Your Own Schedule
My Analog Photography Video Workshops deliver in-depth, practical instruction you can watch anytime. Whether you’re in the darkroom or out in the field, these workshops are designed to help you grow your analog photography and darkroom skills with clarity and confidence. 👉 Explore the workshops now.