The P6 is my secret weapon. The Biometar is one of the best medium format lenses, especially when it comes to Bokeh. I only have three other lenses for that camera. The Volna 3 (even closer focus distance), Sonnar 180 for stunning portraits and a Petzval lens, for the real vintage look. Great video! I hope more portrait sessions with the P6 will follow :)
I have one with an Exakta 66 as well. I have the 50mm 80 mm, 120mm Zeiss lenses. Also the 30 Arsat fisheye, the 45mm Mir, the 65 Vega, the 90 Kiev 2.8, 180 Meyer Gorlitz, 250 5.6 Kiev.Been shooting them since 1998
Ooooh another owner of the exakta 66😉. Your camera is really from west-berlin(1984-1991), uhlandstraße or from dresden (1991-2000). Only 600 per year where produced! The parts come from pentacon (east) and schneider-kreuznach (west). Mr. Enderlein (I know him) puts the parts together...allone in berlin (by the praktika importeur beroflex, later in dresden. The Exakta 66 was the idea of Mr. Manderman. He was at the time (1984) the owner of rollei, schneider-kreuznach and the importeur of praktika. So....the Schneider lenses from the rollei 6008, the body fom the pentacon six, improved with parts of titanium (filmtransport) and a refurbished design from schlagheck schultes, the agfa designer from munich. Exakta 66 the only camera from east and west, in selling....a total failure. So whe have now a very rare camera. 600 pieces per year, very rare...and all assembled by Heinz Enderlein. I know him from the photokina fair in cologne.
@@klauspetermann2373 I had two of those and they spent more time at Pentacon's Dresden workshops than in my camera bag. Would send them in with one problem and get them back with another one. Eventually gave up on them. But the 80 mmm Schneider Xenotar was one of the best lenses I've ever used.
I've had a P6 for a number of years and find it an easy camera to use (largely because I grew up with big lumpy cameras), but there are a couple of things to watch for. I made the mistake of thinking I could cheap out on the standard lens by, instead of getting the Zeiss Jena 80mm, buying an Arsat 80mm instead. Yeah, it works fine and some nice picture quality from it, but I was plagued with light leaks from the stop-down lever. It's fixable by using black tape around it, but best avoided. I ended up eventually just springing for the proper CZJ lens and everything's fine. The CZJ 50mm Flektagon is prone to losing its aperture linkage internally - a total pain in the arris. Fixable, easily enough, but a decent design wouldn't let it happen. The other lens I have is a Kaleinar 60mm - no problems with that yet, but it's not seen a lot of use. Also picked up a Kaleinar tele-convertor, that similary has been pretty much sat in its box. Might be handy some day, though. I also use my P6 lenses on a Mamiya M645, where they really shine in full-on manual mode. Regarding German repair centres, there were a few but many have shut down now. For my body overhaul and any lens repairs I will use fotoservice olbrich de. (hope YT don't delete this, thinking it's an ad). Just google for olbrich pentacon repair.
All excellent points, thank you. The CZJ lenses aren't too expensive and are good quality. Hopefull my 50mm keeps working, it's my favourite of the two. Thanks for watching.
What specialist did you find to service it? The repair shop here in the Netherlands won't touch the Pentacon (as far as I know). I love mine to bits and want to give it a CLA
Wonderful images! Just picked up a Kiev 60 from a friend of a friend... for free! I also have a Jena produced lens (Biotar 75 from 1960) that I shoot with on GFX... So, I'm pretty much in love already... Anyway, have one roll back and now I've had to shoot another roll to identify where, exactly, is the shutter issue. So... I'm mulling all of this over as the idea of having a functioning 6x6 speaks to the creativity in my soul. Thanks for sharing!!
Thank you, Sir! Kyle McDougall made an episode about the Kiev 6C, basically the same camera: th-cam.com/video/05BjdhXxxAQ/w-d-xo.html He made some lovely stuff with it. Thanks for watching 🙏
Yep - saw that when he posted. Seemed conflicted like many... love with some frustration. Really enjoy his videos (style, message, personality, work product) @@gknegatives
OP, do you use the waist level viewfinder or you have added a prism? If prism, any recommendations? 🙏 Btw, are the scenes shot at the Old Naval College (Greenwich)? Nicely done, both photos and the video 👍
Yes it's a waist level finder, but I have upgraded the focus screen. Full video here: th-cam.com/video/ciTx0E5eOik/w-d-xo.html And yes, Old Naval College Greenwich. Great location! Thanks for watching 🙏
When I started photography in the early eighties, my father gave me his Pentacon six. I was thrilled to have such a big camera and it had a big loupe finder (not the pop-up but a real loupe) Unfortunately the second curtain didn’t close fully so I had light leakage on each photo, plus the 80mm lens had some fungus. I could not find any repair shop in the Netherlands so I considered it lost and disassembled it myself. Obviously that was a disaster so eventually it ended up in the trash. I have scanned my negatives and even though the quality did not really impress me, not better than 35mm, I wish I had just kept it on the shelf for show…
I'm sure the members club of broken Pentacon Six is growing larger every day. I bought mine in broken condition and it took a while to find a repair shop. The Zeiss glass is superb however, when you hit focus. I think the factory setup can be improved to help this. Otherwise yes, not impressive if you don't get the focus.
Hi Gareth, thanks for your video! Totally agree with you on the camera and lenses. Superb! I just got mine about a month ago and I love it. But I've got to get a strap for my aging neck. I saw that you had a strap. What do you use, and would you recommend it?
Yes it can weigh heavy after a while. I use a strap I bought via an eBay supplier, which is made to fit the front lugs of the Pentacon body (£33 ish): www.ebay.co.uk/itm/282882331206 Or you can just buy the strap lugs and add your own strap (£16 ish). If you search eBay there's a few options on there from different sellers. The strap is excellent, would recommend. Thanks for watching!
It's a Hoya 58mm thread. I think the glass in these older lenses are vulnerable to off-axis light and washing out the image. A lens hood makes a huge difference. Highly recommend!
I just picked one up with the Zeiss 180mm and that lens is lovely. Unfortunately spacing is wrong and 2nd curtain sticks, but lens and body was only £180, so happy with that. Off for repair when I find somewhere. Oh, mine is the Praktisix, circa late 50’s. Same thing though they just re-branded in the 60’s I believe with some updates.
@@mynewcolour Found somewhere in Scotland, and been quoted £160 for a full CLA (Clean, Lubricate and adjust) which they say subject to parts will fix everything. Gonna hopefully send it off next week and happy to report back on the experience/service
IN the US, the problem is finding a reliable repair and service resource. The Pentacon Six, in all of its versions, was never that robust, and regular preventive maintenance was always required. The reason to risk one is the lenses made for it by Est German Zeiss, which used to be superb quality and relatively inexpensive. This really is a MF system best owned by a European,
Holy crap you can get these in working order for around 150 euro with a Zeiss lens. What kind of crack are eBay sellers smoking ???? Or better yet, what kind of crack are buyers smoking xD
Please drop the contact of that man who repairs them, thank you P.S. Btw, I have 4 of them here in London. Two of them have issues, the other two I'm testing those days)
I just picked one up with the Zeiss 180mm and that lens is lovely. Unfortunately spacing is wrong and 2nd curtain sticks, but lens and body was only £180, so happy with that. Off for repair when I find somewhere. Oh, mine is the Praktisix, circa late 50’s. Same thing though they just re-branded in the 60’s I believe with some updates.
The 180mm is a huge beast! Camera and lens for £180 is a good deal. But as ever it's can you get it working properly. Good luck and thanks for watching 💎
Couldn't stop watching from the first second. Thank you!
Really helpful video and great to see examples with a model too
My favorite camera
crazy video quality. keep up the good work and ill see you with thousands of subs!
Thanks you, Sir. Much appreciated 🙏
I just borrowed one from a friend to try it out and after the first roll I’m amazed! Very cool camera!
The P6 is my secret weapon. The Biometar is one of the best medium format lenses, especially when it comes to Bokeh. I only have three other lenses for that camera. The Volna 3 (even closer focus distance), Sonnar 180 for stunning portraits and a Petzval lens, for the real vintage look. Great video! I hope more portrait sessions with the P6 will follow :)
Yes totally agree. P6 is a secret weapon. Definitely lining up more portrait sessions in the coming weeks, yes. Thanks for watching 🙌
I have one with an Exakta 66 as well. I have the 50mm 80 mm, 120mm Zeiss lenses. Also the 30 Arsat fisheye, the 45mm Mir, the 65 Vega, the 90 Kiev 2.8, 180 Meyer Gorlitz, 250 5.6 Kiev.Been shooting them since 1998
Impressive collection!
Ooooh another owner of the exakta 66😉. Your camera is really from west-berlin(1984-1991), uhlandstraße or from dresden (1991-2000). Only 600 per year where produced! The parts come from pentacon (east) and schneider-kreuznach (west). Mr. Enderlein (I know him) puts the parts together...allone in berlin (by the praktika importeur beroflex, later in dresden. The Exakta 66 was the idea of Mr. Manderman. He was at the time (1984) the owner of rollei, schneider-kreuznach and the importeur of praktika. So....the Schneider lenses from the rollei 6008, the body fom the pentacon six, improved with parts of titanium (filmtransport) and a refurbished design from schlagheck schultes, the agfa designer from munich. Exakta 66 the only camera from east and west, in selling....a total failure. So whe have now a very rare camera. 600 pieces per year, very rare...and all assembled by Heinz Enderlein. I know him from the photokina fair in cologne.
@@klauspetermann2373 Fantastic details. Many thanks for your valuable input, Klaus 🙌
@@klauspetermann2373 I had two of those and they spent more time at Pentacon's Dresden workshops than in my camera bag. Would send them in with one problem and get them back with another one. Eventually gave up on them. But the 80 mmm Schneider Xenotar was one of the best lenses I've ever used.
I've had a P6 for a number of years and find it an easy camera to use (largely because I grew up with big lumpy cameras), but there are a couple of things to watch for. I made the mistake of thinking I could cheap out on the standard lens by, instead of getting the Zeiss Jena 80mm, buying an Arsat 80mm instead. Yeah, it works fine and some nice picture quality from it, but I was plagued with light leaks from the stop-down lever. It's fixable by using black tape around it, but best avoided. I ended up eventually just springing for the proper CZJ lens and everything's fine.
The CZJ 50mm Flektagon is prone to losing its aperture linkage internally - a total pain in the arris. Fixable, easily enough, but a decent design wouldn't let it happen.
The other lens I have is a Kaleinar 60mm - no problems with that yet, but it's not seen a lot of use. Also picked up a Kaleinar tele-convertor, that similary has been pretty much sat in its box. Might be handy some day, though.
I also use my P6 lenses on a Mamiya M645, where they really shine in full-on manual mode.
Regarding German repair centres, there were a few but many have shut down now.
For my body overhaul and any lens repairs I will use fotoservice olbrich de. (hope YT don't delete this, thinking it's an ad).
Just google for olbrich pentacon repair.
All excellent points, thank you. The CZJ lenses aren't too expensive and are good quality. Hopefull my 50mm keeps working, it's my favourite of the two. Thanks for watching.
What specialist did you find to service it? The repair shop here in the Netherlands won't touch the Pentacon (as far as I know). I love mine to bits and want to give it a CLA
He is a specialist based in Germany
www.foto-merten.de/
Hopefully he is still in business. He made my Pentcon like new again.
Cameratiks in Edinburgh possibly
Wonderful images! Just picked up a Kiev 60 from a friend of a friend... for free! I also have a Jena produced lens (Biotar 75 from 1960) that I shoot with on GFX... So, I'm pretty much in love already... Anyway, have one roll back and now I've had to shoot another roll to identify where, exactly, is the shutter issue. So... I'm mulling all of this over as the idea of having a functioning 6x6 speaks to the creativity in my soul. Thanks for sharing!!
Thank you, Sir! Kyle McDougall made an episode about the Kiev 6C, basically the same camera: th-cam.com/video/05BjdhXxxAQ/w-d-xo.html
He made some lovely stuff with it. Thanks for watching 🙏
Yep - saw that when he posted. Seemed conflicted like many... love with some frustration. Really enjoy his videos (style, message, personality, work product) @@gknegatives
OP, do you use the waist level viewfinder or you have added a prism?
If prism, any recommendations? 🙏
Btw, are the scenes shot at the Old Naval College (Greenwich)? Nicely done, both photos and the video 👍
Yes it's a waist level finder, but I have upgraded the focus screen. Full video here:
th-cam.com/video/ciTx0E5eOik/w-d-xo.html
And yes, Old Naval College Greenwich. Great location! Thanks for watching 🙏
When I started photography in the early eighties, my father gave me his Pentacon six. I was thrilled to have such a big camera and it had a big loupe finder (not the pop-up but a real loupe)
Unfortunately the second curtain didn’t close fully so I had light leakage on each photo, plus the 80mm lens had some fungus.
I could not find any repair shop in the Netherlands so I considered it lost and disassembled it myself. Obviously that was a disaster so eventually it ended up in the trash.
I have scanned my negatives and even though the quality did not really impress me, not better than 35mm, I wish I had just kept it on the shelf for show…
I'm sure the members club of broken Pentacon Six is growing larger every day. I bought mine in broken condition and it took a while to find a repair shop.
The Zeiss glass is superb however, when you hit focus. I think the factory setup can be improved to help this. Otherwise yes, not impressive if you don't get the focus.
Hi Gareth, thanks for your video! Totally agree with you on the camera and lenses. Superb! I just got mine about a month ago and I love it.
But I've got to get a strap for my aging neck. I saw that you had a strap. What do you use, and would you recommend it?
Yes it can weigh heavy after a while. I use a strap I bought via an eBay supplier, which is made to fit the front lugs of the Pentacon body (£33 ish):
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/282882331206
Or you can just buy the strap lugs and add your own strap (£16 ish).
If you search eBay there's a few options on there from different sellers. The strap is excellent, would recommend.
Thanks for watching!
What hood are you using in the video on the 80mm? ty!
It's a Hoya 58mm thread. I think the glass in these older lenses are vulnerable to off-axis light and washing out the image. A lens hood makes a huge difference. Highly recommend!
Nice one. I remember they where produced in Dresden back then.
I think that is correct, sir.
I just picked one up with the Zeiss 180mm and that lens is lovely. Unfortunately spacing is wrong and 2nd curtain sticks, but lens and body was only £180, so happy with that. Off for repair when I find somewhere. Oh, mine is the Praktisix, circa late 50’s. Same thing though they just re-branded in the 60’s I believe with some updates.
Let us know here if you find anywhere in the UK 🙏🏽
@@mynewcolour Found somewhere in Scotland, and been quoted £160 for a full CLA (Clean, Lubricate and adjust) which they say subject to parts will fix everything. Gonna hopefully send it off next week and happy to report back on the experience/service
@@IanMacdonald02 Good stuff. Would love to hear how it goes. By the end of the week I may have another body and two lenses for them I think.
IN the US, the problem is finding a reliable repair and service resource. The Pentacon Six, in all of its versions, was never that robust, and regular preventive maintenance was always required. The reason to risk one is the lenses made for it by Est German Zeiss, which used to be superb quality and relatively inexpensive. This really is a MF system best owned by a European,
Holy crap you can get these in working order for around 150 euro with a Zeiss lens. What kind of crack are eBay sellers smoking ???? Or better yet, what kind of crack are buyers smoking xD
Exactly. Hidden gem! 🙌
American users can get theirs serviced by Ross Yerkes of Los Angeles, ca, Usa, or anyone else, for that matter.
Good info for our American cousins. Many thanks!
If you want a Pentacon Six without the trouble (shutter, spacing, transport etc.) then get a Kiev 60.
I had less trouble with the Pentagon. Quieter, smaller, lighter, less vibration.
"Promo sm" ✨
Please drop the contact of that man who repairs them, thank you
P.S. Btw, I have 4 of them here in London. Two of them have issues, the other two I'm testing those days)
www.foto-merten.de/
Hopefully he's still in business. He restored mine completely. Full service and new shutter curtain.
Thank you, I appreciate!@@gknegatives
I just picked one up with the Zeiss 180mm and that lens is lovely. Unfortunately spacing is wrong and 2nd curtain sticks, but lens and body was only £180, so happy with that. Off for repair when I find somewhere. Oh, mine is the Praktisix, circa late 50’s. Same thing though they just re-branded in the 60’s I believe with some updates.
The 180mm is a huge beast! Camera and lens for £180 is a good deal. But as ever it's can you get it working properly. Good luck and thanks for watching 💎