Major Features of the PENTAX 645N:

High-Precision Autofocus System with SAFOX IV The 645N incorporates the PENTAX-developed SAFOX IV phase-matching autofocus system to ensure accurate focusing not only on subjects with vertical orientation but also on those with horizontal orientation - even under such poor lighting conditions as EV-1.

Sophisticated Metering System The 645N incorporates a newly developed "Dual Six-Segment" multi-pattern metering system. Two sensors positioned at both sides of the viewfinder measure the subject's lighting condition in two different areas: the wide sensor covers the entire image field, while the narrow sensor monitors the light reaching the central area of the image field. As a result, the 645N can measure the subject's lighting condition with exceptional accuracy and efficiency. In addition to the Dual Six-Segment metering, the 645N also offers the pinpoint "Spot Metering" and conventional "Center-Weighted Metering" modes.

Data Imprinting To keep accurate track of photographic data, the 645N lets the user imprint valuable data (exposure frame number, exposure mode, shutter speed, aperture, exposure compensation value, metering mode and lens focal length) at the bottom of the film just outside the image area.

Multi-mode Exposure System The 645N's four distinctive exposure modes allow the user to react effortlessly and efficiently to every situation and create the desired visual effect with ease: "Programmed AE" for adjustment-free shooting; "Aperture-Priority AE" to emphasize the depth of field; "Shutter-Priority AE" for sports and action photography; and "Metered Manual" for maximum control over exposure settings.

High Speed Motor Drive The 645N's built-in motor drive advances the film at the speed of 2.0 frames per second. Thanks to the high-precision pulse-count film transport mechanism, the spacing between frames is identical and the number of frames which can be taken from one roll of film has been increased from the 645 (16 frames from 120 film and 33 frames from 220 film). This motor drive also offers two film advance modes: "Single Advance" to advance one frame for each shutter release and "Consecutive Advance" to successively advance the film as long as the shutter release button is depressed. In addition, the motor drive automatically loads the film and advances it to the first frame, and winds the film into the film holder to avoid accidental exposure during film changes.

6cm X 4.5cm Medium-Format Image Quality Because of its large image size (2.7 times larger than the 35mm format), the 645N's 6cm x 4.5cm format is far superior in image quality to 35mm, producing true-to-life pictures with finer details, higher resolution and better color fidelity.

Compact, Lightweight Body With Extra-Rugged Design And Low-Noise Operation The 645N's body is made of rigid aluminum and protected with a glass-fiber-reinforced polycarbonate coating approximately 1.7 times thicker than a normal coating. As a result, the 645N is extremely durable and resistant to shock and wear. In addition, special mechanisms are incorporated in the 645N to ensure low-noise, low-shock operation - particularly important features in wildlife photography.

Effortless Eye-Level Shooting The 645N has perfected the renowned optical system - originally developed for and made famous by the PENTAX 645 - by adding a high-performance viewfinder lupe. As a result, the camera assures comfortable, fatigue-free eye-level shooting over long periods in the field.

Selectable Focus Frame The choice of the wider "3-Point AF" frame and the pinpoint "Spot AF" frame allows the photographer to use the most suitable focus frame for each subject and in every situation.

Three Focus Modes The 645N offers three focus modes to choose from: "AF Single" activates the shutter only when the subject comes into focus; "AF Servo" lets the user release the shutter at any time; and "Manual Focus" lets the user adjust the focus manually using the focus ring on the lens. In the manual-focus mode the focus indicator in the viewfinder provides the focus status.

Predictive AF In the AF Servo mode, the 645N's AF system detects the subject's movement (toward or away from the camera) and "predicts" the optimum focusing point at shutter release for pinpoint focus on the subject on the move.

Auto Bracketing With a single shutter release, this function automatically takes three pictures of the same subject in the order of normal, under- and overexposure. The desired exposure level can be easily selected using the autobracketing lever.

Exposure Compensation This function allows the photographer to make minute exposure adjustments with ease in 1/3 steps within a range of +/-3EV.

Memory Lock This function memorizes the subject's lighting condition for 10 seconds with a single push of the button, allowing the photographer to re-compose the image freely without changing the exposure level on the most important element of the picture.

Interchangeable Focusing Screens The 645N incorporates an acclaimed Natural-Bright-Matte focusing screen to provide a sharp, bright viewfinder image. In addition to the standard Center Spot Matte screen, the photographer can also select the AF Split-Image, AF Microprism or Cross-Lined Matte screen, depending on the purpose or application.

Interchangeable Film Holders The 645N uses exclusive film holders compatible with those of the 645. So, by carrying several film holders loaded with film, the photographer can save a considerable amount of time for film changes.

Simple-to-Operate Dial Control System Two large dials located on both sides of the prism housing facilitate swift mistake-free operation, while other levers and switches are ergonomically positioned for maximum ease of operation.

Large LCD Data Panel Located at the camera's right shoulder, the LCD data panel provides the photographer with useful operational data at a glance in easy-to-understand letters, digits and symbols.

Full-Information Viewfinder Display An LCD data panel located at the bottom of the viewfinder indicates a full range of photographic data. Its bar-graph indicator is especially useful for checking exposure status in the metered Manual mode. The brightness of the indication is automatically adjusted according to the subjects' illumination level.

Depth-of-Field Preview This function allows the photographer to check the depth of field before taking a picture, thus making it possible to create the desired visual effect without failure.

Multi-Exposure This function enables the photographer to produce a unique, eye-catching image by making the desired number of exposures on a single frame.

Built-in Diopter Adjuster The 645N's viewfinder eyepiece comes equipped with a built-in diopter adjuster to adjust the viewfinder image for near- and far-sightedness within a range between -3.5 and +1 diopters.

Lithium Battery Compatibility The 645N's battery holder takes six AA-size batteries. In addition to alkaline batteries, lithium batteries, which offer a longer battery life and a stable power supply at low temperatures, can also be used. The Battery Pack 645 is available as an optional accessory to keep batteries warm at freezing temperatures.

Self-Timer The built-in self-timer delays shutter release by 12 seconds, allowing the photographer to become part of memorable pictures.

Compatibility with Conventional 645 Lenses and Accessories All existing SMC PENTAX-A 645 lenses can be used with the new 645N without any modifications (except for autofocus operation). A wide variety of optional accessories are also available to satisfy the photographer's needs for special applications.

New 645 Autofocus Lenses For the 645N, PENTAX developed five SMC-PENTAX FA autofocus lenses to assure fast, stable autofocus operation. These lenses are all treated with PENTAX's original Super-Multi-Coating and incorporate a host of advanced mechanisms to offer outstanding optical performance and assure superb handling in the field. They also feature new autofocus/ manual-focus switching mechanisms to improve manual-focus accuracy and efficiency.

New PENTAX Lenses for the 645N

SMC PENTAX-FA 645 75mm f/2.8 Lens This compact standard lens offers a 50-degree angle of view (equivalent to a 50mm lens in the 35mm format), a minimum focusing distance of 0.6 meters (2 feet) with a maximum magnification of 0.18 times, a large f/2.8 maximum aperture, a fully automatic diaphragm control and TTL open-aperture metering. It also incorporates a new autofocus/manual-focus switching mechanism to improve manual-focus accuracy and efficiency. This lens may also be used with the PENTAX 645 in manual-focus operation.

SMC PENTAX-FA 645 Zoom 45mm ~ 85mm f/4.5 Lens Consisting of 11 elements in nine groups, this wide-to-standard zoom lens offers angles of view from 76 to 44.5 degrees (equivalent to 30mm to 57mm in focal length in the 35mm format), a minimum focusing distance of 0.5 meters (1.6 feet) with a maximum magnification of 0.22 times, a large f/4.5 maximum aperture, a fully automatic diaphragm control, and TTL open-aperture metering. This lens may also be used with the PENTAX 645 in manual-focus operation.

SMC PENTAX-FA 645 45mm f/2.8 Lens Consisting of nine elements in eight groups, this compact wide-angle lens offers a 76-degree angle of view (equivalent to a 30mm lens in the 35mm format), a minimum focusing distance of 0.45 meters (1.5 feet) with a maximum magnification of 0.15 times, a large f/2.8 maximum aperture, a fully automatic diaphragm control and TTL open-aperture metering.

This lens also incorporates a floating mechanism to ensure outstanding optical performance in close-up shooting and a new autofocus/manual-focus switching mechanism to improve manual-focus accuracy and efficiency. This lens may also be used with the PENTAX 645 in manual-focus operation.

SMC PENTAX-FA 645 300mm f/4 ED [IF] Lens Consisting of eight elements in eight groups, this telephoto lens offers a 13.5-degree angle of view (equivalent to a 200mm lens in the 35mm format), a minimum focusing distance of three meters (9.8 feet) with a maximum magnification of 0.11 times, a large f/4 maximum aperture, a fully automatic diaphragm control, and TTL open-aperture metering. Developed as a high-quality "Star" lens, it also incorporates Extra-low Dispersion (ED) optical elements to produce a sharp, crisp image with minimal chromatic aberration and an Inner Focus (IF) mechanism to eliminate lens extension, retain good weight balance, assure smooth focus ring operation and shorten the minimum focusing distance. This lens may also be used with the PENTAX 645 in manual-focus operation.