Pentax · Medium-format SLR · From 1984 (645N in 1996)
Pentax showed the 645 at PMA in 1984 with seven lenses from 45 mm to 300 mm, and one long-running review calls it the best first medium-format film camera. It takes 15 shots on 120, 30 on 220 and about 90 on 70 mm film, with a built-in motor drive at 1.5 frames per second powered by six AA cells in the grip. You get program, aperture priority, shutter priority and manual, with center-weighted metering and a vertical cloth shutter from 15 s to 1/1000 s. Body only, it weighs 1.32 kg. Reviewers knock the dim finder, LEDs that are hard to read in bright sun, the loud shutter and whole-stop exposure compensation. The autofocus 645N followed in 1996 and the 645NII in 2001, and both cost several times as much, so the original is the low-cost way into the system's lenses.
The variants
The 645N of 1996 added autofocus and matrix metering, and the 645NII of 2001 added mirror lock-up. The 645J is a limited edition with an urushi finish and a gold nameplate.
Reviews don't flag a common breakdown. Its known weak points are in the design, a dim finder that makes focusing harder, an LED display that's hard to read in sunlight and a loud shutter. Everything runs on the AA cells, film advance included, so it's useless without power.
Buying guide
We'd buy the 645 titled CLA'd with an SMC A 80-160mm f/4.5 zoom and a 120 back at $420 delivered, near the bottom of the band. There are about 125 for sale, mostly from Japan dealers, and most ask $400–800 delivered, with bodies and a film back around $280–490 and 55mm or 75mm f/2.8 kits at $680–830. Everything runs on the six AA cells in the grip, film advance included, so it's useless without power. Ask for a video firing a few frames on fresh cells with the finder LEDs lit, and count the 120 or 220 holder in the price, since the body can't take film without one. Skip the parts body at $208, which asks more than the $154 body with no fault claim, and the zero-feedback seller's kit.
$154.00est. delivered
The lowest delivered 645, a body with a 220 film holder from a US seller at $154, far under the band. There's no test claim and it's a 220 holder rather than a 120 one, so ask for a video of the motor advancing on six fresh AA cells.
Pentax 645 Medium Film Camera Body W/220 film Holder & Manual Release Key10
![CLA'D ▶[Exc+5] Pentax 645 Film Camera SMC A 80-160mm F4.5 Lens 120 back JAPAN](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/lH4AAeSwhR1qx4aD/s-l500.jpg)
$419.99est. delivered
Titled CLA'd, with an SMC A 80-160mm f/4.5 zoom and a 120 back, at $420 delivered, near the bottom of the band. Exc+5 is the dealer's grade and the title doesn't say tested, so ask for a video running through all four modes on fresh AAs.
CLA'D ▶[Exc+5] Pentax 645 Film Camera SMC A 80-160mm F4.5 Lens 120 back JAPAN
$749.01delivered
A kit from a US camera shop with the 120 insert and a 75mm f/2.8 A lens, which eBay lists as refurbished, at $749 delivered with free shipping. The title doesn't say what work was done, so ask before you buy.
Pentax 645 Medium Format Film Camera Kit w/120 Insert + 75mm f2.8 A lens #606
$649.90est. delivered
Titled unused in its box, with the 120 back, at $650 delivered, right at the median. It's listed as pre-owned and $150 of the price is shipping, so ask for photos of the box and the body from every side.
* Unused in BOX * Pentax 645 Medium Format Camera Body 120 Film Back From JAPAN
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 11, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 11, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$154.00est. delivered
$129.00 + $25.00 shipping
Buy It Now$129.00
Good buy
Body with a 220 holder. No test claim.
Seller: concourse
99.3% positive
Serviced$419.99est. delivered
$349.99 + $70.00 shipping
Buy It Now$349.99
Good buy
Titled CLA'd, with an 80-160mm zoom and 120 back. Exc+5 is the dealer's grade.
Seller: sunshine_camera
99.7% positive
Refurbished$749.01delivered
$749.01 · free shipping
Buy It Now$749.01
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Listed as refurbished, with a 75mm f/2.8 A and the 120 insert. Ships from the US.
Seller: robertscamera
99.8% positive
Used$649.90est. delivered
$499.90 + $150.00 shipping
Buy It Now$499.90
Good buy
Titled unused in box, but listed as pre-owned. With the 120 back.
Seller: made-1n-japan
100% positive
For parts$207.74est. delivered
$157.74 + $50.00 shipping
Buy It Now$157.74
Our take
Titled for parts, not working. Asks more than the cheapest body with no fault claim.
Seller: manekineko-japan
98.7% positive
Used$530.10est. delivered
$415.10 + $115.00 shipping
Buy It Now$415.10
Our take
Body titled working. No film back named, and $115 of it is shipping.
Seller: arigato-japan.3rd-select
100% positive
Used$832.99est. delivered
$800.00 + $32.99 shipping
Buy It Now$800.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Check the seller
Zero-feedback seller. The lens and accessories aren't named.
Seller: freebird_94
No feedback yet
Used$1,999.99delivered
$1,999.99 · free shipping
Buy It Now$1,999.99
Priced high
With 75mm and 45mm lenses, an AF400T flash and a converter. About 3.1 times the median.
Seller: ewz-surplus
99.6% positive
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