| Author: | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: October, 2018 Location: Quebec City, Quebec Posts: 6,565
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 21, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $1,200.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | A sweet, sweet lens. EXTREME SHARPNESS. Beautiful colors and contrast. | | Cons: | Heavy. Manual focus. Very expensive when new. | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: Pentax 645Z
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In 2010, I used this lens on my Pentax 67 II where it performed brilliantly. It was bought new and, at the time, it cost a fortune (but in this era, the Canadian and U.S. dollars were at par, so it was not so bad). It had been gathering dust in a drawer for the last 10 years.
Today I mounted it on my digital 645Z and took a few pictures. It works seamlessly on the 645 digital format in automatic Av mode with the genuine Pentax adapter. It is super heavy and somewhat difficult to use (reaching critical focus on the groundglass notably), particularly handheld. But it is a SWEET lens, sharp, contrasty, with a marvelous color palette, and shows no flare or ghosting. The circular illuminated field of this 67 zoom is huge (over 90 mm in diameter) and the 645Z' sensor (33 mm X 44 mm) exploits only the ultra-sharp center of the projected image.
Pictures of the old flour mill (slightly cropped here) at f/8, f/11 and f/16 were identical in sharpness. It is highly usable with total confidence between f/8 and f/22. Using a tripod when possible enhances its sharpness and far-away detail gathering. Colors seem a little colder (more bluish) than comparable 645 lenses though. I even have a 95 mm diameter CPL for it. A MASTERFUL zoom lens.
 100 mm FL @ f/11
 55 mm FL @ f/11
 55 mm FL @ f/11
 100 mm FL @ f/16
 75 mm FL @ f/22
 55 mm FL @ f/11
 75 mm FL @ f/11
 100 mm FL @ f/11 | | | | | | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: October, 2012 Location: Medina, OH Posts: 7,224
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 17, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $299.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharpness, construction quality, color fidelity, convenient focal range. | | Cons: | Not too much, size and weight? | |
I bought this lens in mint condition from a Japanese ebayer at the bargain price of $299 plus freight and tax, a total of $361. It arrived with correct front and back caps and a clever and quite convenient Pentax focussing handle attached, nice to use as it allows easy support of this hefty lens during focussing. There was no hood, but it accepts the same hood as my P67 90-180mm lens, so I transfer the PH-RBB 95mm hood back and forth between the two lenses. I added a Japan optics 95mm UV filter. Filters of this dimension can get pricey.
This lens is a tactile pleasure, well built with nicely damped manual focussing. Sharpness is greater than expected, but you need to stop it down to f 8 or f 11 for the best performance. This lens spans the focal lengths of a stellar listing of P67 lens. Listing the lenses whose focal lengths it can replace is an interesting exercise: 55mm f 4.0, 75mm f 4.5, 75mm f 2.8, 90mm f 2.8, 100mm f 4.0 macro, 105mm f 2.2. Therein lies the problem for even an outstandingly sharp and versatile lens such as the P67 55-100mm. By my reckoning, the 55/4.0 and the 75/2.8 belong in some kind of hypothetical Pentax Lens Hall of Fame, with the 75/4.5, the 90/2.8, the 100/4.0 macro and the 105/2.4 not far behind. The P67 55-100mm cannot exceed or match the quality of this elite half dozen lenses. However, I have all six of these prime lenses, and total cost of acquisition was around $4,000 while the 55-100mm cost only $299.
Thus the role of even an outstanding zoom lens such as this one must be carefully considered. It can save lots of lens investment dollars and do so with highly credible performance. It can lighten the load, especially for landscapers, already burdened with heavy cameras and tripods. It can provide the versatility of being able to change focal lengths and improve framing without changing lenses. I am pleased to have it in my lens collection, though no doubt I will continue using the prime lenses within its focal range for the most part.
| | | | | New Member Registered: November, 2018 Posts: 22
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 7, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $339.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Quality, sharpness, versatility | | Cons: | Large, somewhat heavy | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: 645Z
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A year ago, I began to move from 645 specific lenses to 6x7 lenses. This was my first. I bought it in mint condition. The lens is a work of art. Clean, smooth, easy to operate, tight and accurate. This is my "go-to" lens. Most of the time this lens is on my camera.
I thought manual focus would be a problem for me. It hasn't been. Manual focus did take some getting used to, but once I did I was fine. It is important to note that you want to make absolutely sure you get feedback about from the camera before you press the shutter. You will get the same red dot or rectangle you would if you were using an auto focus lens.
Initially, I had one 6x7 to 645 adapter. Now I have one for each 6x7 lens. Only way to go and worth the extra money.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: December, 2012 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 469
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 12, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $220.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Great reach and color rendition. | | Cons: | A bit big. | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: Pentax 645Z
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This lens has been in my posession for more then a year now and only recently I am using it more regulary. Together with the 28-45 it takes care of a great reach.
And it is even lighter and smaller then the wide zoom. I find the sharpness and color rendition supurb. No distortion or vignetting so less processing time as well.
The wide zoom is best @ F 11. This lens is still perfect on F22! Lots of DOF.
Really glad with this lens. Should use it with my Pentax 67 some day.
 | | | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: July, 2017 Location: Cinco de Mayo Posts: 793
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 4, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $420.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Adequate Depth of field for Architecture | | Cons: | Bulky | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-3
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Using on apsc K3ii
I was looking for a lens for photography of urban landscapes and architecture and this lens has been a pleasant surprise.
Even at f22 it takes pictures with great sharpness in all the focal distances, together with the distance of the infinity of approximately 9m this lens is my favorite for photos of living spaces.
  | | | | | New Member Registered: November, 2015 Location: Walnut Creek, California Posts: 23
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 29, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $330.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Great Performer | | Cons: | Tad heavy | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 10
Camera Used: 645z
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Managed to get this lens at an amazing price. Image Quality is great with the 645z. Mounted using the Fotodix 67 adaptor. The lens did not come with a hood and given the size of the front element I am looking to mount a compendium hood that can fold my ND filters as well.
Really pleased with this lens and no downsides except I know when this lens has been packed in my roller bag
MK
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: April, 2010 Location: Alberta Posts: 36
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 18, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $1,000.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp to the edges, excellent contrast | | Cons: | It is big, but not if you are used to 67 lenses | |
I am using this lens with the 645D, and it is superbly sharp right to the edges at all focal lengths (I found the same thing when using it with the film on the P67) . My testing suggests that f8, f11, and f16 are optimal when using this lens with the 645D. With the 645D, the "slow" f4.5 means nothing, since I can shoot at ISO 100, 200 or even 400 without noise issues.
If you are used to P645 lenses, this 55-100 zoom will seem very large and heavy. If you are used to P67 shooting it is an easy and comfortable transiition.
This is the lens that I use most often.
Addendum: I am using the Lee system with a 95mm adapter for both CP and GND filters.
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: May, 2009 Location: S. Ontario Posts: 30
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 26, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $650.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Very sharp & good contrast | | Cons: | None really at todays prices | |
Some say it's a heavy lens. On it's own there is a nice heft to it. But if you were to carry 3 lenses - 55, 75, 105 to cover what this lens does - so it's all relative. Others will say it's a slower lens. Really - f/4.5 compared to mostly f/4 for most of the lenses in the line? The fact is, it is very sharp wide open. I've carried the fast 90 and rarely shot below f/5.6.
You can go out for an outting, and just carry this lens and be happy. Throw in some filters for effect and you are covered. I use the Lee bellows and square filters, as their foundation hood clamps onto the front ring with a compression ring - fast and efficient compared to the screw on adapters or filters.
Prices have dropped a lot in the last two years, so that really makes this lens more affordable, especially when you compare the cost of the 3 usually expensive lenses to cover this one. I've enjoyed using all of my Pentax lenses, but the two zooms are pretty much all I take with me these days unless there is something really specific I'm after. It' just a darn fine lens.
Using mostly 2 lenses also allows you to really get to know them as far as DOF and visually stopping down for effect. This zoom just gets out of the way once you get used to the way it works, and lets you concentrate on what you see, or are trying to achieve. This lens is worth every penny at todays prices.
Just wanted to add - after using it for 2 years now, I reach for this lens more often than the 90-180 zoom. F/22 works perfectly regardless of film and gives me all the DOF I need with this wider lens.
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: February, 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,272
6 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 21, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $1,290.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp!-- Good DOF | | Cons: | A bit slow | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 9
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This lens was released with the 67II (1998) and was expected to encourage sales of this upgraded system. This lens is basically a modernized version of Pentax's older 35mm film format zooms. It is a typical two zoom group type, based on Itoh's earlier designs. Each group is corrected for aberrations separately. The front group is slightly negative while the rear group is a fairly strong positive group. The cross section of this lens shows several elements being aspherical. There is no mention of their use by Pentax, which is pretty typical for them. I have had this lens since its early days (2001). Not the fastest lens around but it has quite a reach with its f/32 ability. Near/far DOF is nice, especially at the 55mm setting. The major advantage of this lens over other Pentax very wide lenses is that it has the f/32 stop, giving it a large advantage in landscape work. An excellent landscape lens with great color rendition and contrast. Distortion is near zero for all focal lengths. In sharpness, it is in the top 5 of the entire P67 line. It is sharp wide open. My estimate for lp/mm is 95-100. It is noticeably sharper than the 45mm in the corners and the equal of the 75 Takumar and the latest 55mm. When looking at slides on the light table, I can tell which ones are from this lens. The most recent Pentax optical designs are really great when compared to the lenses designed in 1969 to 1976. This zoom is no exception. When I can only carry three lenses for landscape work, this is one of them. It will vignette if you have more than one filter in front at the wider settings. Diaphragm changes as you zoom, so your focal ratio remains the same. There are no DOF scales on this lens nor hyperfocal marks, so one has to add them as seen in the picture. It should be noted that the 1.4X converter will not fit on this lens but the 2x will. The 55-100 is a bit too short for macro work but can be used in a pinch (and does well). It would be interesting to compare this lens at 100mm for macro work against the 100mm macro lens. This is a delicate lens, so be careful with it. This lens changed my perception about zoom lenses being inferior to primes. This zoom is a pro quality landscape lens. I suggest that new users of this camera system who are landscape shooters, skip the prime lenses that this zoom covers (55mm, 75, 90 and 105) and get this lens instead. Really, a nice lens and could have easily been designated as an M* lens.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: February, 2008 Posts: 434
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 9, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $900.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | very sharp | | Cons: | very heavy and slow | |
Very sharp, particularly for a zoom. At 55mm it resolves as well as a 50mm f1.4 SMC (tested on a DS)
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