Difference between revisions of "Pentacon Six"
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| − | The '''Pentacon 6''' is a [[medium format]] system camera, a [[SLR]] that takes 6×6 pictures on [[120 film]]. It has been called an "SLR on steroids". Its predecessor was [[KW]]'s [[Praktisix]] with which it shares the bayonet mount. The famed [[Carl Zeiss]] Jena plant made lenses for this [[Pentacon Six mount]]. | + | The '''Pentacon 6''' is a [[medium format]] system camera, a [[SLR]] that takes 6×6 pictures on [[120 film]]. It has been called an "SLR on steroids". Its predecessor was [[KW]]'s [[Praktisix]] with which it shares the bayonet mount. The famed [[Carl Zeiss]] Jena plant made lenses for this [[Pentacon Six mount]]. The Soviet factory [[Arsenal]] made a closely related camera called [[Kiev 6]] then [[Kiev 60]]. |
<div class="floatleft">[http://www.flickr.com/photos/50678983@N00/179899562/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://static.flickr.com/67/179899562_52a511c809_m.jpg]</div> | <div class="floatleft">[http://www.flickr.com/photos/50678983@N00/179899562/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://static.flickr.com/67/179899562_52a511c809_m.jpg]</div> | ||
A basic kit consists of an 80mm/2.8 Biometar lens, a simple matte screen and a waist-level finder. Since this is a system camera, lenses from a 30mm fisheye to a 1000mm mirror objective are available. Lenses are still made and sold by [[Arsenal]] in Kiev (Arsat brand) and Czech Hartblei. On eBay excellent [[Carl Zeiss]] Jena and [[Schneider]] lenses can be found at reasonable prices. A variety of viewing screens, from simple matte to grids or fresnel screens, are available. The waist-level finder can be replaced by non-metered or metered prism finders. The metered prisms were introduced in 1968. From that point onwards, the camera was called '''Pentacon six TL'''. Nothing had changed in the camera itself, the only thing new was the ''availability'' of a metered prism allowing TTL metering. | A basic kit consists of an 80mm/2.8 Biometar lens, a simple matte screen and a waist-level finder. Since this is a system camera, lenses from a 30mm fisheye to a 1000mm mirror objective are available. Lenses are still made and sold by [[Arsenal]] in Kiev (Arsat brand) and Czech Hartblei. On eBay excellent [[Carl Zeiss]] Jena and [[Schneider]] lenses can be found at reasonable prices. A variety of viewing screens, from simple matte to grids or fresnel screens, are available. The waist-level finder can be replaced by non-metered or metered prism finders. The metered prisms were introduced in 1968. From that point onwards, the camera was called '''Pentacon six TL'''. Nothing had changed in the camera itself, the only thing new was the ''availability'' of a metered prism allowing TTL metering. | ||
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== Operation and frame spacing== | == Operation and frame spacing== | ||
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Uneven framespacing or overlapping frames have been reported. Fact is that the frames on your film are put tightly together, with rather little margin between them. This is said to a construction choice which would allow a ''thirteenth'' frame on 120 film! Another uncommon thing about the Pentacon Six is that the film moves ''horizontally'' through the camera. Most Medium format cameras transport the film from top to bottom (or reverse), not from left to right. When looking at your devellopped film this has the pleasing effect of being able to ''read'' a sequence of shots from left to right (rather than from top to bottom). Framespacing is largely determined by how tightly the film is wound in transport. Users experiencing overlapping problems are advised (1) to calmly push the advance lever until it blocks. (2) Not to let this lever jump back. (3) to adjust the three white metal strips in the back to press the film more tightly (see picture). This will give better spacing. In most cases it will save the problem. If this is not the case, a German company (see links) guarantees they can solve the problem. | Uneven framespacing or overlapping frames have been reported. Fact is that the frames on your film are put tightly together, with rather little margin between them. This is said to a construction choice which would allow a ''thirteenth'' frame on 120 film! Another uncommon thing about the Pentacon Six is that the film moves ''horizontally'' through the camera. Most Medium format cameras transport the film from top to bottom (or reverse), not from left to right. When looking at your devellopped film this has the pleasing effect of being able to ''read'' a sequence of shots from left to right (rather than from top to bottom). Framespacing is largely determined by how tightly the film is wound in transport. Users experiencing overlapping problems are advised (1) to calmly push the advance lever until it blocks. (2) Not to let this lever jump back. (3) to adjust the three white metal strips in the back to press the film more tightly (see picture). This will give better spacing. In most cases it will save the problem. If this is not the case, a German company (see links) guarantees they can solve the problem. | ||
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== The shutter == | == The shutter == | ||
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[http://www.flickr.com/photos/50678983@N00/179899561/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://static.flickr.com/44/179899561_0bcbbaf713_t.jpg] | [http://www.flickr.com/photos/50678983@N00/179899561/in/pool-camerapedia/ http://static.flickr.com/44/179899561_0bcbbaf713_t.jpg] | ||
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== Links == | == Links == | ||
| − | * | + | === General links === |
| − | * [http:// | + | * [http://www.pentaconsix.com/ Pentacon Six website] by TRA |
| − | + | * [http://medfmt.8k.com/mf/pentacon6.html Pentacon Six] at [http://medfmt.8k.com/ medfmt] and [http://medfmt.8k.com/mf/go1.html#pentacon review by Danny Gonzalez] | |
| − | * [http://www. | + | |
| − | + | === Repairs and technical info === | |
| − | * [http:// | + | * [http://www.baierfoto.de/index.html#english Baier Fototechnik] has [http://www.baierfoto.de/transportengl.html tips] and [http://www.baierfoto.de/Messengl.html technical information] about the overlapping frame problem and sells devices to fix it |
| − | + | * [http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-129.html How to remove the top plate and attach strap lugs] and [http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-31.html how to make an adapter to mount Kalimar lenses], in [http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/ Rick Oleson's website] | |
| − | + | ||
| − | * | + | === See also === |
| + | Some of the links in the following Camerapedia articles are probably interesting for Pentacon Six users: | ||
| + | * [[Pentacon Six mount]] | ||
| + | * [[Kiev 6]] | ||
| + | * [[Kiev 60]] | ||
| + | * [[Exakta 66]] | ||
[[Category: 6x6 SLR]] | [[Category: 6x6 SLR]] | ||
Revision as of 10:56, 2 November 2006
The Pentacon 6 is a medium format system camera, a SLR that takes 6×6 pictures on 120 film. It has been called an "SLR on steroids". Its predecessor was KW's Praktisix with which it shares the bayonet mount. The famed Carl Zeiss Jena plant made lenses for this Pentacon Six mount. The Soviet factory Arsenal made a closely related camera called Kiev 6 then Kiev 60.
A basic kit consists of an 80mm/2.8 Biometar lens, a simple matte screen and a waist-level finder. Since this is a system camera, lenses from a 30mm fisheye to a 1000mm mirror objective are available. Lenses are still made and sold by Arsenal in Kiev (Arsat brand) and Czech Hartblei. On eBay excellent Carl Zeiss Jena and Schneider lenses can be found at reasonable prices. A variety of viewing screens, from simple matte to grids or fresnel screens, are available. The waist-level finder can be replaced by non-metered or metered prism finders. The metered prisms were introduced in 1968. From that point onwards, the camera was called Pentacon six TL. Nothing had changed in the camera itself, the only thing new was the availability of a metered prism allowing TTL metering.
Contents
Operation and frame spacing
After the 120 film is put in, the hinged door is closed and the film is spool through to (1) on the framecounter, you can start taking pictures. The Pentacon Six has a small switch under the advance lever to allow the use of 220 film. This film advance is reported by users on the internet to be the camera's weak point.
Uneven framespacing or overlapping frames have been reported. Fact is that the frames on your film are put tightly together, with rather little margin between them. This is said to a construction choice which would allow a thirteenth frame on 120 film! Another uncommon thing about the Pentacon Six is that the film moves horizontally through the camera. Most Medium format cameras transport the film from top to bottom (or reverse), not from left to right. When looking at your devellopped film this has the pleasing effect of being able to read a sequence of shots from left to right (rather than from top to bottom). Framespacing is largely determined by how tightly the film is wound in transport. Users experiencing overlapping problems are advised (1) to calmly push the advance lever until it blocks. (2) Not to let this lever jump back. (3) to adjust the three white metal strips in the back to press the film more tightly (see picture). This will give better spacing. In most cases it will save the problem. If this is not the case, a German company (see links) guarantees they can solve the problem.
The shutter
The Pentacon Six has a focal plane shutter with speeds of 1-1/1000s. It has a "B "setting and flash synchronization at 1/30s. This top shutter speed is not bad at all for a medium format camera from the 1960s. Most medium format cameras use central shutters, usually with top speeds of 1/500s. This focal plane shutter makes lenses cheaper to produce since there's no need to build in a shutter in each lens. An added advantage is that it's easier to build larger aperture lenses this way.
Pentacon Six with waist level finder or with metered prism.
Links
General links
- Pentacon Six website by TRA
- Pentacon Six at medfmt and review by Danny Gonzalez
Repairs and technical info
- Baier Fototechnik has tips and technical information about the overlapping frame problem and sells devices to fix it
- How to remove the top plate and attach strap lugs and how to make an adapter to mount Kalimar lenses, in Rick Oleson's website
See also
Some of the links in the following Camerapedia articles are probably interesting for Pentacon Six users:
