Looking for 45mm lens recommendation for 645z

SeattleDucks · 09-04-2015, 07:40 AM

Originally posted by PhilRich

From my experience you would be better off getting the 35mm. I have the FA 45-85 and find its a disappointment. It's sharp in the center but real soft at the edges. I find the softness at the edges remains even at f11 and up in comparison to the center. It could be that I don't have a good copy.

However my A35mm is sharp to the edges and is more versatile as a wide angle lens.

I'm planning on selling my 45-85, however may buy another one which hopefully is a better copy. The zoom range is nice to have in some situations.

Phil

PhilRich, my used copy of the manual 'A' version of the 45-85mm is very sharp right into the corners at f/11, and f/8 is usable for many scenes. I'm able to make prints 50" wide from it (from 645D & Z) that retain excellent detail and sharpness even viewed up close.

But I have tried about 5 used copies of the more modern FA version 45-85mm and all have been a disappointment, as you described.

Also agree that the A 35mm is excellent all across the frame, certainly by f/11.

PhilRich · 09-04-2015, 08:17 PM

The moral of the story is to replace the FA 45-85 with the A version!!??

adoke32 · 09-04-2015, 08:43 PM

I switched recently from the Canon 5d Mk III. I primarily shot landscape and used the 35 f1.4 and the 24 tse MK II. I bought a bunch of used lenses for the 645z as well as the 55mm and the 28-45. Thus far the 45-85 has been the surprise as I bought it used. It was $400 and it is a stunner (not wide open of course.) The 55 has been in the shop since about a month after I bought it. Still no word of an update on the repair... The 28-45 is huge. It is is also my goto lens these days. The SR is so good and so helpful.

Kolor-Pikker · 09-05-2015, 06:18 AM

Hartblei makes a 45mm tilt-shift lens, obviously all-manual.

The 55mm is a nice lens but isn't quite wide enough for many shots, as I've found through experience. manual operation isn't very smooth.

If you have money to burn (and the calories), the 28-45mm is this system's defining lens so far.

The 45-85 is close to getting replaced with a newer SR version, if the Pentax lens roadmap is to be believed, the only question is if it'll make it in time for this year or 2016.

bull drinkwater · 09-09-2015, 11:06 PM

I have both the 45mm and the 45-85mm. for landscapes and general shooting I find the 45mm is fine for me. they say the 45-85mm is better, but that's not been an issue for me. it's just that the 45-85mm and the 80-160mm are heavy if you are not using a tripod or monopod.

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09-04-2015, 07:40 AM	#16
SeattleDucks Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: throughout the US Posts: 79	Originally posted by PhilRich From my experience you would be better off getting the 35mm. I have the FA 45-85 and find its a disappointment. It's sharp in the center but real soft at the edges. I find the softness at the edges remains even at f11 and up in comparison to the center. It could be that I don't have a good copy. However my A35mm is sharp to the edges and is more versatile as a wide angle lens. I'm planning on selling my 45-85, however may buy another one which hopefully is a better copy. The zoom range is nice to have in some situations. Phil PhilRich, my used copy of the manual 'A' version of the 45-85mm is very sharp right into the corners at f/11, and f/8 is usable for many scenes. I'm able to make prints 50" wide from it (from 645D & Z) that retain excellent detail and sharpness even viewed up close. But I have tried about 5 used copies of the more modern FA version 45-85mm and all have been a disappointment, as you described. Also agree that the A 35mm is excellent all across the frame, certainly by f/11.

09-04-2015, 08:17 PM	#17
PhilRich Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Western Washington Posts: 204	The moral of the story is to replace the FA 45-85 with the A version!!??

09-04-2015, 08:43 PM	#18
adoke32 New Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 5	I switched recently from the Canon 5d Mk III. I primarily shot landscape and used the 35 f1.4 and the 24 tse MK II. I bought a bunch of used lenses for the 645z as well as the 55mm and the 28-45. Thus far the 45-85 has been the surprise as I bought it used. It was $400 and it is a stunner (not wide open of course.) The 55 has been in the shop since about a month after I bought it. Still no word of an update on the repair... The 28-45 is huge. It is is also my goto lens these days. The SR is so good and so helpful.

09-05-2015, 06:18 AM	#19
Kolor-Pikker Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 344	Hartblei makes a 45mm tilt-shift lens, obviously all-manual. The 55mm is a nice lens but isn't quite wide enough for many shots, as I've found through experience. manual operation isn't very smooth. If you have money to burn (and the calories), the 28-45mm is this system's defining lens so far. The 45-85 is close to getting replaced with a newer SR version, if the Pentax lens roadmap is to be believed, the only question is if it'll make it in time for this year or 2016.

09-09-2015, 11:06 PM	#20
bull drinkwater Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: pontiac mi. Posts: 392	I have both the 45mm and the 45-85mm. for landscapes and general shooting I find the 45mm is fine for me. they say the 45-85mm is better, but that's not been an issue for me. it's just that the 45-85mm and the 80-160mm are heavy if you are not using a tripod or monopod.