If you have ever wondered why cine lenses are so expensive, well, then this post won’t answer that question (more complex configuration, better built, etc.). This post is actually to show how easy it is to convert a manual vintage lens for cine use by adding cinegears and de-clicking the aperture. These vintage lenses can be had from Pentax or any other manufacturer, and the process of de-clicking is similar on all of them. What makes this a great value proposition is that these lenses often offer great image quality, but can be had for around $100 (some are more, some are less). Is this ideal? No, cine lenses are much better to work with, especially if you have the budget to own or rent them, but if you don’t, converting older manual lenses for cine use is the next best thing, and it is very affordable.
If you haven’t tried CaptureFix yet to get your Pentax 645Z images imported into Capture One, you will find out once you do, that PhaseOne not only deliberately blocked 645Z images from importing, but they also no longer assign an ICC color profile that allows you to get a true representation of the colors when you took that image. As I am always using a color calibration target in my workflow, I have gotten used to the quirky way of managing color in C1, but others probably never saw the need for it. I received many requests from CaptureFix users as to how they can adjust the color, or if I could provide my ICC profiles to them. Although I have a base profile, I usually shoot a target and make adjustments where necessary. As this is really no rocket science I felt the need to make a quick video showing how you can easily make those adjustments yourself going forward. I will also include my basic color profile and settings in this post, free for you to download and use. Keep in mind that these are “close enough” starting points. They are not meant to be perfect, but they will get you close to where you probably would want to start or be at with your adjustments. The below video was made using C1 8.1.1 and files modified with CaptureFix.
645Z CaptureFix for Capture one (8.1.1) and ICC/Color calibration
As you probably noticed, there are several ways to apply the color correction you made. You can apply it as a default ICC profile for the 645Z (in the ICC tab) once saved as an ICC profile, or you can simply apply it upon import to each file as a user color preset. I think the ICC approach may be easier, if you want to use your (or my) profile as a base from where you will make additional adjustments as needed. On OSX make sure to put the ICC profile into ~/Library/colorsync/profiles/ so that C1 is able to find it. As always, this is provided free and as is. Make sure to reach out and let me know if you have other issues or found the perfect ICC you would like to share with me. Enjoy!
CaptureFix C1 645Z ICC/Color Profile
This package includes both the color profile, as well as the ICC profile for using 645z images in Capture One
There are many reasons for how we pick our cameras: sensor resolution, max ISO, image quality, max. shutter speed, handling, weight, and so on. The list is probably just as long as the number of different models available today. Some reasoning is rational, some pure emotion. I have shot with pretty much any manufacturer over the years, and to what it comes down for me, is how the camera feels, when I use it. I believe that no camera is able to replace creativity and an artist’s vision, no matter how spec’d out it is. You can create amazing images with your iPhone, or any other camera for that matter, so for me, it has always been about the experience: the camera needs to become a natural extension of my creative vision.
Shooting with the Pentax 645Z Medium Format Camera
That said, there are many cameras that can do that, but none of them offers the resolution and pixel sharpness I get from my 645Z. I shot with Hasselblad, I shot with PhaseOne, and the handling on the 645Z is very close to a DSLR, which cannot be said for any model made by the other medium format guys. Autofocus is quick, and works well. 3fps is nothing to call home about when compared to a DSLR, but then again, this is not your average DSLR. For a medium format camera, 3FPS is very impressive, and it allows me to have a workflow similar to what I would have with a full frame DSLR.
The 645Z is not perfect. There are a bunch of things I wish they would have done differently, but there is hope. RICOH has been very responsive to feedback, and I believe that they are genuinely interested in turning the medium format market upside-down. The 645z is an almost perfect start, and with the exciting things happening around the 645 system now and in the future, for me, this is the system I can trust and enjoy working with. Your opinion and workflow may be different, and that’s OK. The 645Z is not for everyone, and it doesn’t pretend to be. But if you know its strength, this is definitely the most powerful medium format tool out there today. And yes, tethering is right around the corner
I am excited to share a first look at the brand new RICOH PENTAX DA 645 28-45mm f/4.5 ED AW SR Lens with you.
HD PENTAX DA 645 28-45mm F4.5 ED AW SR Lens Review
I only had the chance to spend a little time with the lens so far, but I can tell you that it is
massive!
super sharp
fast (as in focusing speed)
has nice bokeh (for a wide angle lens that is)
optically stabilized (SR)
has nano coating (reduces glare)
has less distortion than the 25mm f/4
accepts standard filters (82mm)
well built
weather sealed
works really well with the 645Z
has a great workable zoom-range for a wide-angle lens
I actually prefer this over the 25mm f/4, because it is a much more versatile lens at a similar price point
has virtually silent autofocus (in case you want to shoot video with it, this would matter)
has a nice feel to it, and balances well
In case you wonder: this is not a walkaround lens by any means. While it handles really well, it requires some serious commitment when you shoot with it. If you shoot on a tripod, this won’t matter, but handheld is quite intense (as is with any heavy lens). As I said, I was only able to use the lens for a short period of time, and right before its official announcement, but I already took it out and shot some active lifestyle images with it.
I will have more images with detailed BTS from my next shoot, and a full review soon, but this is a strong contender for becoming my favorite lenses for the RICOH PENTAX 645 system.
