C41
Kodak Portra 400
Kodak Portra 400 is a professional C-41 color negative film known for flexible exposure latitude, natural skin tones, and fine grain.
View profile →slr-medium-format
The Pentax 645N (1997) is an autofocus 6×4.5 medium-format SLR. Single-point AF, full PASM modes, 6-segment metering, electronic shutter to 1/1000s, fixed pentaprism finder (no interchangeable prism — a tradeoff for cost and weight). Powered by 6× AA batteries. The body weighs 1,280 g — substantially less than a Mamiya RZ67 (2,400 g) or Hasselblad 503CW (1,750 g). Frame format is 6×4.5 cm, which gives 16 frames per 120 roll.
Reference
Recommended film stocks for the — format your camera takes.
C41
Kodak Portra 400 is a professional C-41 color negative film known for flexible exposure latitude, natural skin tones, and fine grain.
View profile →C41
Kodak Portra 160 is a professional C-41 color negative film with fine grain, soft contrast, and natural color.
View profile →C41
Kodak Ektar 100 is a fine-grain C-41 color negative film with saturated color and high sharpness.
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Before you buy used
About this camera
Autofocus medium format that fits in a backpack. 6×4.5 negatives, AA batteries, and an in-finder data display.
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Format | 120 / 220, 6×4.5 cm (16 frames per 120 roll) |
| Mount | Pentax 645 (bayonet) |
| Years | 1997–2001 |
| Shutter | 30s – 1/1000s, electronic vertical cloth |
| Flash sync | 1/60s |
| Meter | TTL 6-segment SPD |
| Modes | P, A, S, M |
| AF | Single-point, lens-driven AF |
| Frame rate | 2 fps |
| Weight | 1,280 g |
| Battery | 6× AA |
The Pentax 645 line started 1984 with the original (manual focus). The 645N (1997) added autofocus, data imprinting (a small character LCD shows shutter speed, aperture, exposure number on the negative edge), and a refined meter. The 645N II (2001) added an internal mirror lock-up button and updated electronics. The film 645 line ended 2010 when Pentax launched the 645D digital body.
The 645N is the most-recommended "first medium format AF" body. AA batteries (no proprietary cells), AF that actually works, and the 6×4.5 negative format that gives you 16 frames per roll instead of 10 (helpful when film is expensive). The smc Pentax-FA 75/2.8 kit lens is one of the best normal lenses in any medium format.
For 2026 buyers, used 645N + 75mm runs $700–900. Compared to a Mamiya RZ67 or Hasselblad system, the 645N costs less, weighs less, autofocuses, has a meter that works, and uses ubiquitous AA batteries. The trade-off is the 6×4.5 negative is smaller than 6×7 — but at scanning resolutions, the difference is largely academic.
smc Pentax-FA 645 lenses (with autofocus). Earlier smc Pentax-A 645 (manual focus) lenses also mount with manual focus. Notable: 75/2.8 FA (kit, excellent), 45/2.8 FA, 35/3.5 FA, 150/2.8 FA, 200/4 FA, 75-150 FA zoom. Pentax 645 backs (120, 220), data back built-in. AF400FTZ flash.
BW
Ilford HP5 Plus is a flexible ISO 400 black-and-white film with classic grain and strong push-processing tolerance.
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Kodak Tri-X 400 is a classic black-and-white film known for strong tonality, visible grain, and documentary character.
View profile →Pentax 645N
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