Location Portrait Lens for 645Z

Pops · 05-01-2022, 11:02 AM

Hi there,

I'm looking for advice on a decent portrait lens for outdoor work on the 645Z. I am looking at a PENTAX FA 645 SMC 120mm F4 Macro AF Auto Focus Lens and was wondering if anyone had working experience with these lenses. On full frame I've always shot outdoor portraits with a 135mm f2 and I love the compression I get with it so I want to try and translate this to outdoor portrait work on the 645Z. I would appreciate any thoughts on this.

Thank you.

texandrews · 05-01-2022, 01:02 PM - **1 Like**

Well, I'd say the FA 150 is the better lens for portrait work on the Z because its bokeh is better. It's also modestly sized and light-ish. The A and FA 120's are very good and very sharp, but I personally wouldn't be going for a macro lens for portrait work. The 90 seems to me also not as suitable as the 150, and it's big and expensive, but does have stabilization. There is also a rare as hens' teeth LS 135 which is excellent, but manual focus.

**pentaxus** · 05-01-2022, 06:15 PM

The 150 is a great lens for portraits. Some people are intimidated by bigger lenses.

**Ray Cox** · 05-01-2022, 06:47 PM

I too can recommend the 150, either the A or FA. I tried the FA120 macro and found that I preferred the 150 for portraits.

Sandy Hancock · 05-01-2022, 07:14 PM

The FA645 150/2.8 is glorious. It gives the same field of view on the 645Z as the FA 77/1.8 does on a crop DSLR. Just get it

If you're after something longer, I have also seen and read plenty of good about the FA645 200/4.0. No personal experience though.

And don't discount the FA645 80-160/4.5 either....

Pops · 05-01-2022, 11:36 PM

Thank you all for the input. I've actually got the 150mm f2.8 and never really considered it. I just thought the 120mm would be closer to the mark. I will give the 150mm a whirl. I've also got a 135mm LS lens which I use for food photography. It's manual focus which would make it restrictive for location shoots but with food I just stick it on a tripod and focus in LV mode with the magnification turned up. It's a lovely lens but the leaf shutter is sticky so I turn that off. Thanks again.

05-01-2022, 11:02 AM	#1
Pops Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: Suffolk Posts: 35	Location Portrait Lens for 645Z Hi there, I'm looking for advice on a decent portrait lens for outdoor work on the 645Z. I am looking at a PENTAX FA 645 SMC 120mm F4 Macro AF Auto Focus Lens and was wondering if anyone had working experience with these lenses. On full frame I've always shot outdoor portraits with a 135mm f2 and I love the compression I get with it so I want to try and translate this to outdoor portrait work on the 645Z. I would appreciate any thoughts on this. Thank you.

05-01-2022, 07:14 PM	#5
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,267	The FA645 150/2.8 is glorious. It gives the same field of view on the 645Z as the FA 77/1.8 does on a crop DSLR. Just get it If you're after something longer, I have also seen and read plenty of good about the FA645 200/4.0. No personal experience though. And don't discount the FA645 80-160/4.5 either.... Last edited by Sandy Hancock; 05-01-2022 at 07:25 PM.

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05-01-2022, 01:02 PM - 1 Like	#2
texandrews Moderator Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Baltimore Photos: Albums Posts: 3,390	Well, I'd say the FA 150 is the better lens for portrait work on the Z because its bokeh is better. It's also modestly sized and light-ish. The A and FA 120's are very good and very sharp, but I personally wouldn't be going for a macro lens for portrait work. The 90 seems to me also not as suitable as the 150, and it's big and expensive, but does have stabilization. There is also a rare as hens' teeth LS 135 which is excellent, but manual focus.

05-01-2022, 06:15 PM	#3
pentaxus Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 1,312	The 150 is a great lens for portraits. Some people are intimidated by bigger lenses.

05-01-2022, 06:47 PM	#4
Ray Cox Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Utica,Il Posts: 184	I too can recommend the 150, either the A or FA. I tried the FA120 macro and found that I preferred the 150 for portraits.

05-01-2022, 11:36 PM	#6
Pops Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: Suffolk Posts: 35 Original Poster	Thank you all for the input. I've actually got the 150mm f2.8 and never really considered it. I just thought the 120mm would be closer to the mark. I will give the 150mm a whirl. I've also got a 135mm LS lens which I use for food photography. It's manual focus which would make it restrictive for location shoots but with food I just stick it on a tripod and focus in LV mode with the magnification turned up. It's a lovely lens but the leaf shutter is sticky so I turn that off. Thanks again.

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