Pentax 645D with 35mm F3.5 and GPS-module attached
I have 3 years of experience using this photographic tool. In short: this is great medium format camera with awesome price.
+ huge sensor size, comparing to 35mm cameras (but still a crop-camera in terms of 645 film)
+ killer resolution 40 Mpix (resolution is a little bit better than in newest Nikon D800E)
+ very affordable camera for medium format segment (under 8000$). Pentax 645D retire Leica S2 at least in terms of price (more than double price over Pentax). Considering the fact that these cameras share almost the same sensor. No comments.
+ rock-solid body with weather-sealing
+ superb ergonomics. I can assure you as a former Nikon-fanatic. And Nikon always produces top-notch cameras in terms of convenience
+ not so big weight, if we compare it with Nikon D3x, for instance
+ awesome viewfinder+ great park of optics from film-age.As for me, i use Pentax 645 A 35mm F3.5 with manual focus for landscapes, Pentax 645 FA 150mm F2.8 with autofocus for portraits, Pentax 645 FA 45-85mm F4.5 for general photographic. For special purposes i am using Zodiak-8 30mm F3.5 Russian fisheye lens
CONS
There is no substantial flaws in camera design. But here is some notes:
- no live view option (but great viewfinder, as i said higher)
- dynamic range is a little bit worse comparing to Nikon D800 (but this is not a problem, we can take 2-3 shots with different EVs and than combine them in Photoshop)
CONCLUSION
Range of tasks that can handle this camera is quite awesome: commercial, studio, portrait, landscape and a little bit street photography. Contraindications - sports, low light photography.
For those who are interested, quite crazy and alogical comparison of Pentax 645D & Canon 5D Mk II (in Russian language).
