Advice needed on a Pentax 67

[Yebisu]

Hi everyone

I was talking about photography to the principal at the school where I work the other day. My principal has a lot of cameras and lenses (Contax T3, Leica Minilux, Contax N1 and a whole lot more). Anyway he offered to lend me his Pentax 67 with the ttl meter prism and the 135/4 macro lens because he says he doesn't use it anymore. So now I've got a new toy to play with for the next few months and I have a few questions.

Do I need to use a tripod even if the shutter speed is up at 1/250? Is it possible to shoot handheld? (My tripod is a cheap manfrotto carbon fiber travel tripod so probably won't take the weight of the pentax 67)

What film do you usually use, 120 or 220? Is there any advantage to shooting 220?

And if you have any other tips on shooting with the Pentax 67, please tell me.

[Attila]

120 due on one trip I rare need 24 frames, and no discount on developing cost in lab ,they charge double price. Now I develop myself all film , but I still prefer 120 film due 220 usage is limited not all camera accept it.

[iangreenhalgh1]

I don't see much 220 for sale either, but 120 is available very easily.

[Aanything]

my medium format-freak friend always shoot the 67 handheld, and looks like he has no problem with that.
Except that it's damn heavy, but we all know that.

[dof]

I have a P67 and using it handheld is no problem. It was made to be a hand-holdable 6x7 camera.

[berraneck]

if you´re good and steady photographer, it might be possible to achieve sharp pictures even at 1/60s with P67:)

220 film has better flatness than 120, but the difference is not an issue unless you want to achieve photographs without compromises

[Yebisu]

Thanks everyone. In Japan 120 and 220 film is available. Perhaps there's a little more choice for 120. I checked processing prices and 220 is simple twice the price of 120. The fact that 220 is flatter than 120 might be useful as I intend to scan the negs on my v700.

If the weather is OK next weekend, I'll give it a go.

[berraneck]

[martinsmith99]

I would aim to shoot handheld at about 1/125 or half that with reasonable success depending on how steady one can hold a camera..

[Attila]

1/125 lowest speed to me handheld also with medium format cameras , but I prefer 1/250

[visualopsins]

Only 20 photos per 220 roll in 6x7 camera...

Camera needs to be held firmly as that big mirror swings and bangs into things, otherwise that will shake the camera.

Having carried 6x7 on morning walks for the past two days, I can confirm it is a HEAVY camera compared to 5Dc with big lens. I made some at 1/60 & 1/125 to see how slow I can get...