Pentacon 6 or a Praktisix? which should i get

[ullyss]

Planning to get either a Pentacon 6 or a Praktisix

Have read them over the internet, but still need some more info about it.
Which one would you recommend, in terms of durability, usage etc

Planning to get one over ebay, any sellers you recommend.

Not into a Kiev as kiev tend to be overpriced due to its popularity

ANy info would be helpful, and great if you actually own the cameras.

 

[P24]

hi,
have a Pentacon 6. Its a tank. No battery, so can endure a lot.
the film transport when you get one, can be lucky draw.
Ask specifically if it is tested for overlap before buying.
the lenses are pretty cool.
cheers

 

[thinkvision]

Pentacon 6TL, without question, the lens quality same with Hass and rollei, image also but must use slides.
negative film not nice.

 

[ullyss]

after plenty of online shopping, and a long wait for shipping, I finally got myself a pentacon TL, yet to test it out on film, just got it a few days ago.
The film advance seem to work with my dummy film, i hope there is no light leaks
Got a 50mm and 80mm lens. Hoping to get a 35mm flextagon or czk. The prices of manual lens seem to have gone up!
Its one heavy camera! heavier than the mamiya 645 and thats without any lens. I'm ready for my landscape stuff if weather permits!
great to have a MF TL camera for under $400, hope it doesnt need any CLA

 

[fuwen]

I have used 6TL before. Nice camera. The non-return mirror makes u feel good when taking hand held. The film transport is a headache. I would recommend u when winding the film use fingers to slowly guide the winding level back to position after winding. Do not let the level spring back to its original position. That might helps.

I have tried CLA in Hong Kong and Singapore. Wasn't quite impress. I also have a non-even travel shutter with one of the body. After several CLA still the same. So if its this problem probably not worth doing anything.

Other than that a nice system to enjoy. The Pentagon lenses are value for money. However the designs are old school, so not so contrasty on film. U will need to test the exposure with the film u used for the effect u like. On slides no problem.

 

[ricohflex]

Wow, seemed like eons ago when I owned and used a praktica 6x6 SLR.

At one time had the Russian 6x6 fisheye and the CZ Jena 180 F2.8 for 6x6, amongst other CZJ for 6x6 lenses.

For novelty, yes. Can get either one. But sell in 2 years after novelty wears off.
Not much going for it.

For dependability, stick with the more established MF players.

Hassel.
Rollei (manual TLR)
(don't try the 6003 to 6008 series - lenses are superb but body electronic un-dependability and breakdowns can give you heart attack. My personal experience only, others may have a happy experience with them).
the now extinct Bronica (used cams in market still good).
Mamiya and Fuji (especially the rangefinder MF models of both)

 

[Keltzar]

Consider getting the newer Hartblei models.

These cameras are inherently not trustworthy and the more tweaking you can get out of it, the better.

BTW, the Praktisix and Pentacon 6 TL all feature viewfinders of about 85% ?

Anyway, honestly, at about S$600+ for a basic kit these days... maybe you should buy something like a Bronica SQ-B or SQ-Ai ... assuming you need the 6x6 format. Much more reliable.

I recall one shoot I did with my Kiev88 some years ago... halfway thru the shoot the filmback fell off!

I have reduced my MF stuff a lot... these days I only have a basic Hassy 500c/m kit w/prism and lens... only paid S$1.2k used. And using a hassy as compared to the Kiev and pentacon cameras is really like comparing night and day. The hassy is a joy to use.

 

[thinkvision]

forget bronica and fuji, some model not very stable also. (I had bad experience already)

if u had lots of money, buy rollei 6008AF with all schneider lenses or Hass 205 and new CZ lens. But I dont recommed since u are new guy to Medium format.
if u short of money but still want promising IQ, buy P6TL and its lens, but stick to slides always.
if you want a balance between the best IQ and cost, buy Exkata 66 MOD III and P6 lens or Schneider lenses. never regret.

be careful with Linhof and ALPA, these fellow are dangerous poison, dont touch!

 

[singscott]

forget bronica and fuji, some model not very stable also. (I had bad experience already)

if u had lots of money, buy rollei 6008AF with all schneider lenses or Hass 205 and new CZ lens. But I dont recommed since u are new guy to Medium format.
if u short of money but still want promising IQ, buy P6TL and its lens, but stick to slides always.
if you want a balance between the best IQ and cost, buy Exkata 66 MOD III and P6 lens or Schneider lenses. never regret.

be careful with Linhof and ALPA, these fellow are dangerous poison, dont touch!

Errrr Ahhhh I kena poison already, but a different type of Sinar and arca swiss....

 

[Keltzar]

To be realistic, buy one Pentacon 6TL and another 3 spare ones for parts.

hmm.

Or else, consider the new after-factory serviced Kiev 60 sold by Arax or by Grizz33bear on ebay. It's worth paying for the additional checking over and tweaking their techs do.

If memory serves me ... the Pentacon VF only shows 80% of the image , and the Kiev version shows about 90% ?

BTW,
A little known fact about old soviet-era production and warranty techniques .... goods were made at the factory and dispatched to shops ... who tweaked and tuned them before sales. So ... try to avoid buying "new, old stock" ... because it could mean never used, grease-jammed, storeroom pieces. In that sense, sometimes a used piece is actually better... its been tuned, and used.

Another thing about soviet "warranty" ... the "passport" or warranty papers that come with the kit don't warranty you against manufacturing defect. Rather, they stipulate that by your purchase... you have inspected , are satisfied, and warranty the factory against being liable for an malfunction!

 

[csisfun]

To be realistic, buy one Pentacon 6TL and another 3 spare ones for parts.

hmm.

Or else, consider the new after-factory serviced Kiev 60 sold by Arax or by Grizz33bear on ebay. It's worth paying for the additional checking over and tweaking their techs do.

If memory serves me ... the Pentacon VF only shows 80% of the image , and the Kiev version shows about 90% ?

BTW,
A little known fact about old soviet-era production and warranty techniques .... goods were made at the factory and dispatched to shops ... who tweaked and tuned them before sales. So ... try to avoid buying "new, old stock" ... because it could mean never used, grease-jammed, storeroom pieces. In that sense, sometimes a used piece is actually better... its been tuned, and used.

Another thing about soviet "warranty" ... the "passport" or warranty papers that come with the kit don't warranty you against manufacturing defect. Rather, they stipulate that by your purchase... you have inspected , are satisfied, and warranty the factory against being liable for an malfunction!

I actually got quite a laught from that last sentence. Sounds like ebay offers that too.

I have a Kiev 60 and what I can tell you is... this isn't a camera made for precision! You do have to put up with some faults and be prepared to try to fix them one way or another. It's good once it's fixed, but it's disappointing if it's not! I don't know if anyone in Singapore can fix this camera.