Pentax 6×7

The Pentax 6×7 (called "Pentax 67" after 1990) is a SLR medium format system film camera for 120 and 220 film, which produces images on the film that are nominally 6 cm by 7 cm in size (actual image on the film is 56 mm × 70 mm), made by Pentax. It originally debuted in 1965 as a prototype dubbed the Pentax 220. Since then, with improvements, it was released in 1969 as the Asahi Pentax 6×7, as well as the Honeywell Pentax 6×7 for the United States import market. In 1990, it received a number of minor engineering updates and cosmetic changes and was renamed as the Pentax 67. The camera resembles a conventional 35 mm SLR camera, with interchangeable viewfinder and lens, but is considerably bigger and heavier, weighing 2.3 kilograms (5.1 lb) with the plain prism and standard (105 mm f/2.4) lens. It is perhaps inspired by the 1957 East German 6×6 KW Praktisix and its successor, the Pentacon Six, although the horizontal SLR concept can be traced back to the 1933 Ihagee VP Exakta. The following models have been issued: Asahi Pentax 6×7 – the original model, launched in 1969 (first generation) Asahi Pentax 6×7 (MLU) – with a mirror lock-up mechanism, launched in 1976 (second generation) Pentax 67 – with minor cosmetic changes, launched in 1990 (third generation) Pentax 67 II – the fourth generation model, launched in 1999 The Pentax 6×7 has a dual bayonet lens mount, and a wide range of interchangeable Takumar and later SMC Pentax 67-designated lenses exist. More than forty years after the original camera introduction a wide selection of lenses is still available, together with the latest Pentax 67 II variant.