What 45mm lens to get?

M Stormink · 02-24-2014, 02:27 PM

I recently bought a 645N with a manual 75mm lens and am already looking in to getting more lenses.
One that I'm interested in is the 45mm ,as I understand from the reviews on the forum the Pentax-FA 45mm F2.8 is no better than the Pentax-FA 45-85mm F4.5.
Is this true?
Does this also apply to the manual Pentax-A 45mm F2.8 or are they optical not identical?
I'm tempted by the primes because second-hand they cost about half that of the zoomlens.

Thanks.

Adam · 02-24-2014, 02:30 PM

I would still go with the prime. That zoom lens is huge!

**blackcloudbrew** · 02-24-2014, 02:38 PM

Go with the prime. The 645 A 45 is an excellent lens.

mikeSF · 02-24-2014, 02:47 PM

I have the A-45mm manual focus version and it performs very well, though I find my A-35 and DFA55 to demonstrate better IQ by comparison, FWIW. The price of the A-45 was right, however, as I recall and some of my favorite pics so far have been shot using that lens.

Smolk · 02-24-2014, 06:32 PM

The FA 45-85mm is excellent, esp. at 45mm, but for me it proved too heavy too big in the end. If that's not a problem for you, it appears to better than the A or FA primes at 45mm. Of course, a 45mm and 75mm together are the same weight, but not in your hand at the same time.

M Stormink · 02-25-2014, 12:55 PM

Thanks ,I think I know what I need to know.
I'm going for the manual prime ,I always preferred Prime lenses anyway ,got my eye on a 45mm and a 150mm F3.5.

02-24-2014, 02:27 PM	#1
M Stormink New Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 12	What 45mm lens to get? I recently bought a 645N with a manual 75mm lens and am already looking in to getting more lenses. One that I'm interested in is the 45mm ,as I understand from the reviews on the forum the Pentax-FA 45mm F2.8 is no better than the Pentax-FA 45-85mm F4.5. Is this true? Does this also apply to the manual Pentax-A 45mm F2.8 or are they optical not identical? I'm tempted by the primes because second-hand they cost about half that of the zoomlens. Thanks.

02-24-2014, 02:30 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	I would still go with the prime. That zoom lens is huge! Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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02-24-2014, 02:38 PM	#3
blackcloudbrew Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cotati, California USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,460	Go with the prime. The 645 A 45 is an excellent lens.

02-24-2014, 02:47 PM	#4
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,620	I have the A-45mm manual focus version and it performs very well, though I find my A-35 and DFA55 to demonstrate better IQ by comparison, FWIW. The price of the A-45 was right, however, as I recall and some of my favorite pics so far have been shot using that lens.

02-24-2014, 06:32 PM	#5
Smolk Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Eerbeek Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,857	The FA 45-85mm is excellent, esp. at 45mm, but for me it proved too heavy too big in the end. If that's not a problem for you, it appears to better than the A or FA primes at 45mm. Of course, a 45mm and 75mm together are the same weight, but not in your hand at the same time.

02-25-2014, 12:55 PM	#6
M Stormink New Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 12 Original Poster	Thanks ,I think I know what I need to know. I'm going for the manual prime ,I always preferred Prime lenses anyway ,got my eye on a 45mm and a 150mm F3.5.