Asahi Pentax 6x7: some questions.

Hi all,

I am having an extended look at an Asahi Pentax 6x7 (it looks to me to be the original 1969 model without MLU) in very reasonable but well used (not abused) working condition: it shows brassing on all corners and along some edges. The mirror is exceptionally clean and there is no obvious mould or rubbish in the viewfinder or elsewhere on the body. All the leatherette seems to be in almost like new condition. The asking price is acceptable (providing it all works).

It comes with an SMC Takumar 200/4 lens, which is also very clean inside, the diaphragm, focus ring all very smooth and all the click-stops and stop-down lever, shutter and film advance function well.

One problem: compared to my Gossen Lunasix-3 (and, also, to the Sunny 16 Rule), the TTL lightmeter seem to give/result in readings that (presumably) underexpose to hell ; e.g. for ISO 400 film in bright sun, it suggests about f/22 @ 1/1,000 (a long cry from f/16 @ 1/400? Is this something that could be fixed? (I've been assuming the camera.lens functions in open aperture metering (a la Asahi Pentax Spotmatic SP-F), am I right?)

Thanks in advance for responding.

Second question: I see there are 6x7 SMC Takumar lenses and SMC 67 Pentax lenses: will the Asahi Pentas 6x7 accept the later(?) Pentax 67 lenses or not?

Thanking you in advance for responding.

BTW, an image of the camera may be found here:

http://www.mrmartinweb.com/images/camera/medium/pentax6x7lg.jpg

I can't answer the lightmeter question, but as the meter is built into the head (not many of the 6x7's I've been looking at recently have had one) you could check if the fault lies within by borrowing another known good example.

Regarding the lenses, yes all vintages of lens will fit and work with all vintages of camera.

I wouldn't use the camera's meter, you'd be better off sticking with your Lunasix.

OK, good suggestions both. I have been using the Lunasix-3 on the latest film . We'll soon see how that went.

BTW, the vendor is willing to have the meter recalibrated .

Love the beast: heft, clunky shutter noise, and all!

I guess I'll soon be in the market for two or three more lenses.

Does anyone know anything about the 2x converter (one on offer)? Worth having?:

Thanks for responding.

I had the 2X converter for the 645, if that is anything to go by the 67 one will be excellent and I'm not a fan of teleconverters!

Thanks, gartmore, but on further enquiry it seems the article available may -in fact- be a third-party offering, so I think I will pass, this time.

I recently purchased a 6x7 mlu with a strap attached. I then bought a hand grip, but cannot use it until I remove the strap. How is this done? I see no obvious way to remove the strap.

Andy

Squeeze the front and back of the retaining clip together and push downwards.

The handgrip is really great. It is cleverly designed to provide excellent, steady balance of the whole rig, when held in the portrait orientation.

Also, it is very handy to grip the camera for carrying, when not actually being used.