{"id":3728,"date":"2026-01-26T13:18:16","date_gmt":"2026-01-26T13:18:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/?p=3728"},"modified":"2026-02-01T19:10:48","modified_gmt":"2026-02-01T19:10:48","slug":"pentax-67ii-the-6x7-film-photography-beast","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/pentax-67ii-the-6x7-film-photography-beast\/","title":{"rendered":"Pentax 67II &#8211; the 6&#215;7 film photography beast"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>One of the great cameras I never owned is the Pentax 67II. The fact they have no interchangeable back held me back (pun intended). In hindsight this might have been petty of me. What works perfectly well for small film (like the <a href=\"\/blog\/nikon-fm2n\/\">Nikon FM2N I adore<\/a>) would not be right for big film? And big the 67II most certainly is: upon inspecting the one <a href=\"https:\/\/basstubert.blogspot.com\/\">Bas Stubert<\/a> brought I couldn\u2019t help but notice its mirror was larger than the one in my bathroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In fact the original Pentax 6&#215;7 (1969) is nothing more than a blown-up Pentax Spotmatic, according to Bas. The 6&#215;7 MLU (1976) and 67 (1990) did not change much from the original 6&#215;7 so I will not mention them beyond this point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" src=\"https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8528-1024x684.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3745\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8528-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8528-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8528-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8528-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8528-1200x801.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8528.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Closing the back of the Pentax 67II is like closing a car door.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The fourth generation of Pentax\u2019 6&#215;7 SLR beast, aptly named 67II (1999), however is different. It brings the system into the \u2018modern\u2019 age, just in time to exist before digital (backs) took over. According to Bas the 67II is the finest of the bunch because:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It has digital displays on the outside and in the viewfinder, with more information.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It has better grip by default with the built-in grip for the right hand.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Its light-metering system is less fragile than the previous models.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Bas used his big Pentax with a 55mm Takumar multi coated (if memory serves me well) wide angle and a 105mm f\/2.4 normal lens (on 6&#215;7 film 105 mm is normal&#8230;). With the bright sun coming from the side, there was some flaring in the viewfinder, an extra eye cup might fix that. The lenses themselves had no issues though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" src=\"https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8628-1024x684.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3743\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8628-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8628-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8628-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8628-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8628-1200x801.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8628.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Pentax 67II has a built-in grip on the right side, making it ergonomically better than the previous models. However, the connection for the strap has been moved to the left side leaving the Pentax 67II hanging a bit awkwardly compared to most SLRs.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The slap of the mirror was not too loud, but it was very present and as such I loved hearing it next to me. Mechanically and electronically the Pentax 67II behaved flawless. I would be confident bringing it to a professional shoot, for some extra-special results (if you have time to wait for the film to be developed&#8230;).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Having only 10 frames per roll and being forced to reload the camera after could be considered a drag. But it also meditative, it makes you consider the shot more, slow down, appreciate and be more selective of opportunities.  It\u2019s a different kind of photography I guess.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" src=\"https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8537-1024x684.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3747\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8537-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8537-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8537-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8537-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8537-1200x801.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8537.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ready to shoot.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Digital?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The reason I considered a separate back to be imperative for a medium format system was twofold:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Mounting film would be separate from the camera: you can prepare several backs with film and quickly exchange the back when you run out (there are only 10 frames per roll), and \/ or you could have an assistant prepare a fresh back <em>while you keep using the camera<\/em>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A digital back can only be attached to cameras that offer a separate back, obviously.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Pentax\u2019 offer for the digital age has been the <a href=\"\/blog\/category\/gear\/pentax-645d\/\">645D<\/a> (which both Bas and I have owned) and the 645Z (see Bas\u2019 <a href=\"\/blog\/pentax-645z-review\/\">Pentax 645Z review<\/a>). While these cameras are certainly capable, they are by no means as cool and sexy as the 67II if you ask me. And they also do not offer a separate back, the reason I still had to move to Mamiya + <a href=\"\/blog\/leaf-aptus-22-review\/\">Aptus<\/a> later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Pentax 6&#215;7 system, including the 67II, has no viable option to be used digitally. But then again: <em>that\u2019s not what it\u2019s about<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" src=\"https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8604-1024x684.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3744\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8604-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8604-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8604-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8604-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8604-1200x801.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8604.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Putting a roll of 120 film in the Pentax 67II. Unfortunately, mounting the film proved, indeed, to be somewhat finicky, this particular day. Maybe also because the air was cold.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The photowalk<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This impromptu Pentax 67II love song arose from Bas bringing his to our latest photowalk in <a href=\"\/blog\/bunkers-in-ijmuiden\/\">IJmuiden<\/a>. Last time I wanted to use a telelens, which I don\u2019t own anymore. This time Bas lend me his Pentax 135mm f\/3.5 classic, which I used wide open exclusively (using a PK-E adapter on my Sony A7).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8487-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3748\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8487-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8487-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8487-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8487-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8487.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Some fallen wall and graffiti.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8575-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3749\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8575-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8575-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8575-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8575-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8575-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8575.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Detail of a bunker.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"767\" src=\"https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8559-1024x767.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3750\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8559-1024x767.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8559-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8559-768x575.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8559-1200x899.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8559.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Favourite spot and bunker. Maybe not better with 135mm than with 35? Also noticing slightly paler colours compared to the Voigtl\u00e4nder.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"767\" src=\"https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8552-1024x767.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3752\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8552-1024x767.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8552-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8552-768x575.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8552-1200x899.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2026-01-24_DSC8552.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Graffito.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>It was an absolute delight to have sun this day. We even had to take off our coats during lunch sitting outside at a beach bar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Check out the photos Bas shot on his <a href=\"https:\/\/basstubert.blogspot.com\/2026\/01\/camera-review-pentax-67ii-concept.html\">blog post about the Pentax 67II<\/a>. Here\u2019s a teaser:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"877\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Joeri-shot-with-Pentax-67II-877x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3774\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Joeri-shot-with-Pentax-67II-877x1024.jpg 877w, https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Joeri-shot-with-Pentax-67II-257x300.jpg 257w, https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Joeri-shot-with-Pentax-67II-768x897.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Joeri-shot-with-Pentax-67II.jpg 1189w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Yours truly, photographed by Bas Stubert on black and white film with his Pentax 67II.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Pentax 67II: a behemoth whose mirror is larger than the one in my bathroom. Is it any good? Is there a digital version or option? No, but that\u2019s not what it\u2019s about&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3743,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[61,23,62],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3728","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-atlantikwall","category-gear","category-pentax-67ii"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3728","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3728"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3728\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3775,"href":"https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3728\/revisions\/3775"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3743"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3728"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3728"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.joerivanveen.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3728"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}