645D Review - 2nd Impressions and a longer play.

**rparmar** · 08-27-2010, 05:51 AM

Originally posted by Digitalis

Pentax presented a mockup of a 28mm f/4 lens with drop in filters - not sure when it will be announced (probably soonish) looks like Pentax's answer to the Mamiya/Phase one 28mm f/4.5 ASPH - the lens will most likely feature ED and (hopefully some Aspherical elements too) SDM WR and enhanced optical coatings.

Wow, nice! If this is in line with the quality of their other glass it will rock the house. To entice landscape photogs they need to get this out ASAP.

Maffer · 08-27-2010, 01:08 PM

How about a tilt/shift lens? Any word on such device yet? That would surely cost an arm and a leg due to the huge image circle required.

ghelary · 08-27-2010, 02:44 PM

Originally posted by Maffer

How about a tilt/shift lens? Any word on such device yet? That would surely cost an arm and a leg due to the huge image circle required.

They need to cover the refresh of common lenses first. Pentax offical have mentionned 3 new lenses in "near future". The 28 makes the most sense given the crop ratio, the 35 wasn't anymore wide enough for the lower end of focal length. The 2 other lenses would be an 85 equivalent and a standard weather-sealed zoom, I wouldn't be surprised.

After that you can go on with the specialty equipments (shutter plane lenses, tilt-shift, ultra-fast, long tele etc...) Given the excellent 6x7 and 645 film legacy glass there is no emergency.

**rparmar** · 08-27-2010, 03:29 PM

Originally posted by ghelary

They need to cover the refresh of common lenses first.

On the contrary a tilt/shift should be one of the first lenses on the agenda, seeing as how this camera will be perfect for landscape shooters. This should not be perceived as a "speciality" lens but rather the one essential lens in your bag.

GeneV · 08-27-2010, 04:01 PM

Originally posted by rparmar

On the contrary a tilt/shift should be one of the first lenses on the agenda, seeing as how this camera will be perfect for landscape shooters. This should not be perceived as a "speciality" lens but rather the one essential lens in your bag.

Wide and shift would be where they need to start. The tele will be covered to a large extent by the large number of 645 lenses out there already.

Were it not for the focus, the 35mm thought was an interesting one. The sensor size does invite the thought of a 36mm diagonal square format.

surfotog · 08-27-2010, 04:28 PM

GeneV wrote; "wide and shift would be where they need to start"
Couldn't agree more.
The first two lenses I'd like to see are the 25mm ( 20mm equivalent in 35mm terms) that appeared at one point on the Pentax lens roadmap, and a 30mm tilt or tilt/shift. That would be a boon for the landscape shooters, and this camera has great appeal to that group. Those along with the existing FA 35mm and 45mm, would cover the wide end. Next on my list would be an ED macro. The 200mm macro Pentax made for 35mm is a legend, and shoudn't be hard to upsize for the 645D. Finally if the camera sells well, upgrading the 600/5.6 ED IF to AF would bring wildlife work to MF.

GeneV · 08-27-2010, 05:28 PM

Originally posted by surfotog

GeneV wrote; "wide and shift would be where they need to start"
Couldn't agree more.
The first two lenses I'd like to see are the 25mm ( 20mm equivalent in 35mm terms) that appeared at one point on the Pentax lens roadmap, and a 30mm tilt or tilt/shift. That would be a boon for the landscape shooters, and this camera has great appeal to that group. Those along with the existing FA 35mm and 45mm, would cover the wide end. Next on my list would be an ED macro. The 200mm macro Pentax made for 35mm is a legend, and shoudn't be hard to upsize for the 645D. Finally if the camera sells well, upgrading the 600/5.6 ED IF to AF would bring wildlife work to MF.

The 120mm macro for the 645 is very well regarded. They are now as expensive used as most new glass. They don't need to do much work on this end.

Jonson PL · 08-29-2010, 11:00 AM

Thanks for posting. Sounds superb, with the DR and Iso 1600

Reading the preview also sounds inviting :
"The sensor's area measures more than twice that of a full-frame 35mm DSLR, and, as such, can be expected to produce clear, sharp images."

Also like this part, from the first review :
"- In natural/available light and leaving the camera in Av priority, what I saw in the viewfinder is what I got as the captured image. That was pretty much the first time I've ever just thrown a camera into an auto setting, shot, and then seen the exact same image in the preview as what I was seeing in real life. No +/- compensation needing to be dialled in, no blown highlights, no overly dark shadows, no "best guess" compromise when it came to the exposure of the image and a true to life tonal range - and this was 11:30am on a bright sunny day in a mix of full sun, partial shade and full shade locations."

knumbnutz · 08-29-2010, 09:31 PM

This is a little OT, but you're hanging around with some interesting people and subjects !!!

Lovely review, but sadly a little it is just a dream toy.

Cheers Neil

aeros · 11-26-2010, 05:47 PM

I just picked up my 645D this a.m. I have been playing with it all afternoon. Hmmmm, Ahhhhhh, OHooooo! now I feel like a cigarette. What's happening? I DON'T SMOKE!

I used my old 37mm MF lense from my 645, can't wait to get some new glass for this wonderful instrument.

aeros · 11-26-2010, 05:49 PM

TYPO ALERT!!! That was meant to read 75mm

**Pål Jensen** · 11-27-2010, 08:12 AM

Originally posted by rparmar

On the contrary a tilt/shift should be one of the first lenses on the agenda, seeing as how this camera will be perfect for landscape shooters. This should not be perceived as a "speciality" lens but rather the one essential lens in your bag.

Approximately 1 in 10000 landscape photographers use tilt shift lenses so doubt Pentax will release one anytime soon or at all...

**Digitalis** · 11-27-2010, 08:22 AM

Originally posted by Pål Jensen

Approximately 1 in 10000 landscape photographers use tilt shift lenses

the rest use Large format.

stevebrot · 11-27-2010, 09:59 AM

Originally posted by Pål Jensen

Approximately 1 in 10000 landscape photographers use tilt shift lenses so doubt Pentax will release one anytime soon or at all...

Originally posted by Digitalis

the rest use Large format.

...ROFL

Steve

**Pål Jensen** · 11-27-2010, 10:09 AM

Originally posted by Digitalis

the rest use Large format.

For large format tilt/shift function is a necessity in order to get anything resembling DOF. For other formats it isn't. The Pentax MF cameras was the most popular among landscape photographers but hardly anyone used them with tilt/shift lenses. For a cropped 645 format DOF is no problem unless one wants to exlore some really extreme near/far relationships. For digital most if not all the effects of tilt/shift can be achieved with cheaper means. Hence, the market for a Pentax tilt/shift lens is very small indeed....

08-29-2010, 11:00 AM	#38
Jonson PL Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Copenhagen Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,842	Thanks for posting. Sounds superb, with the DR and Iso 1600 Reading the preview also sounds inviting : "The sensor's area measures more than twice that of a full-frame 35mm DSLR, and, as such, can be expected to produce clear, sharp images." Also like this part, from the first review : "- In natural/available light and leaving the camera in Av priority, what I saw in the viewfinder is what I got as the captured image. That was pretty much the first time I've ever just thrown a camera into an auto setting, shot, and then seen the exact same image in the preview as what I was seeing in real life. No +/- compensation needing to be dialled in, no blown highlights, no overly dark shadows, no "best guess" compromise when it came to the exposure of the image and a true to life tonal range - and this was 11:30am on a bright sunny day in a mix of full sun, partial shade and full shade locations." Last edited by Jonson PL; 09-01-2010 at 01:46 AM.

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08-27-2010, 05:51 AM	#31
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,819	Originally posted by Digitalis Pentax presented a mockup of a 28mm f/4 lens with drop in filters - not sure when it will be announced (probably soonish) looks like Pentax's answer to the Mamiya/Phase one 28mm f/4.5 ASPH - the lens will most likely feature ED and (hopefully some Aspherical elements too) SDM WR and enhanced optical coatings. Wow, nice! If this is in line with the quality of their other glass it will rock the house. To entice landscape photogs they need to get this out ASAP.

08-27-2010, 01:08 PM	#32
Maffer Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Finland Photos: Gallery Posts: 308	How about a tilt/shift lens? Any word on such device yet? That would surely cost an arm and a leg due to the huge image circle required.

08-27-2010, 02:44 PM	#33
ghelary Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Paris, France Photos: Gallery Posts: 613	Originally posted by Maffer How about a tilt/shift lens? Any word on such device yet? That would surely cost an arm and a leg due to the huge image circle required. They need to cover the refresh of common lenses first. Pentax offical have mentionned 3 new lenses in "near future". The 28 makes the most sense given the crop ratio, the 35 wasn't anymore wide enough for the lower end of focal length. The 2 other lenses would be an 85 equivalent and a standard weather-sealed zoom, I wouldn't be surprised. After that you can go on with the specialty equipments (shutter plane lenses, tilt-shift, ultra-fast, long tele etc...) Given the excellent 6x7 and 645 film legacy glass there is no emergency.

08-27-2010, 03:29 PM	#34
rparmar Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,819	Originally posted by ghelary They need to cover the refresh of common lenses first. On the contrary a tilt/shift should be one of the first lenses on the agenda, seeing as how this camera will be perfect for landscape shooters. This should not be perceived as a "speciality" lens but rather the one essential lens in your bag.

08-27-2010, 04:01 PM	#35
GeneV Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Albuquerque NM Photos: Albums Posts: 9,830	Originally posted by rparmar On the contrary a tilt/shift should be one of the first lenses on the agenda, seeing as how this camera will be perfect for landscape shooters. This should not be perceived as a "speciality" lens but rather the one essential lens in your bag. Wide and shift would be where they need to start. The tele will be covered to a large extent by the large number of 645 lenses out there already. Were it not for the focus, the 35mm thought was an interesting one. The sensor size does invite the thought of a 36mm diagonal square format.

08-27-2010, 04:28 PM	#36
surfotog Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Honolulu Posts: 150	GeneV wrote; "wide and shift would be where they need to start" Couldn't agree more. The first two lenses I'd like to see are the 25mm ( 20mm equivalent in 35mm terms) that appeared at one point on the Pentax lens roadmap, and a 30mm tilt or tilt/shift. That would be a boon for the landscape shooters, and this camera has great appeal to that group. Those along with the existing FA 35mm and 45mm, would cover the wide end. Next on my list would be an ED macro. The 200mm macro Pentax made for 35mm is a legend, and shoudn't be hard to upsize for the 645D. Finally if the camera sells well, upgrading the 600/5.6 ED IF to AF would bring wildlife work to MF.

08-27-2010, 05:28 PM	#37
GeneV Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Albuquerque NM Photos: Albums Posts: 9,830	Originally posted by surfotog GeneV wrote; "wide and shift would be where they need to start" Couldn't agree more. The first two lenses I'd like to see are the 25mm ( 20mm equivalent in 35mm terms) that appeared at one point on the Pentax lens roadmap, and a 30mm tilt or tilt/shift. That would be a boon for the landscape shooters, and this camera has great appeal to that group. Those along with the existing FA 35mm and 45mm, would cover the wide end. Next on my list would be an ED macro. The 200mm macro Pentax made for 35mm is a legend, and shoudn't be hard to upsize for the 645D. Finally if the camera sells well, upgrading the 600/5.6 ED IF to AF would bring wildlife work to MF. The 120mm macro for the 645 is very well regarded. They are now as expensive used as most new glass. They don't need to do much work on this end.

08-29-2010, 09:31 PM	#39
knumbnutz Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 394	This is a little OT, but you're hanging around with some interesting people and subjects !!! Lovely review, but sadly a little it is just a dream toy. Cheers Neil

11-26-2010, 05:47 PM	#40
aeros Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: EDMONTON Posts: 105	I just picked up my 645D this a.m. I have been playing with it all afternoon. Hmmmm, Ahhhhhh, OHooooo! now I feel like a cigarette. What's happening? I DON'T SMOKE! I used my old 37mm MF lense from my 645, can't wait to get some new glass for this wonderful instrument.

11-26-2010, 05:49 PM	#41
aeros Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: EDMONTON Posts: 105	TYPO ALERT!!! That was meant to read 75mm

11-27-2010, 08:12 AM	#42
Pål Jensen Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Norway Photos: Albums Posts: 4,371	Originally posted by rparmar On the contrary a tilt/shift should be one of the first lenses on the agenda, seeing as how this camera will be perfect for landscape shooters. This should not be perceived as a "speciality" lens but rather the one essential lens in your bag. Approximately 1 in 10000 landscape photographers use tilt shift lenses so doubt Pentax will release one anytime soon or at all...

11-27-2010, 08:22 AM	#43
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Originally posted by Pål Jensen Approximately 1 in 10000 landscape photographers use tilt shift lenses the rest use Large format.

11-27-2010, 09:59 AM	#44
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Pål Jensen Approximately 1 in 10000 landscape photographers use tilt shift lenses so doubt Pentax will release one anytime soon or at all... Originally posted by Digitalis the rest use Large format. ...ROFL Steve

11-27-2010, 10:09 AM	#45
Pål Jensen Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Norway Photos: Albums Posts: 4,371	Originally posted by Digitalis the rest use Large format. For large format tilt/shift function is a necessity in order to get anything resembling DOF. For other formats it isn't. The Pentax MF cameras was the most popular among landscape photographers but hardly anyone used them with tilt/shift lenses. For a cropped 645 format DOF is no problem unless one wants to exlore some really extreme near/far relationships. For digital most if not all the effects of tilt/shift can be achieved with cheaper means. Hence, the market for a Pentax tilt/shift lens is very small indeed....