Which a Better Walk around Lens..645 FA 55 or 645 FA 75

**rollsman4** · 10-03-2016, 02:48 PM

I know they are both excellent but I have the FA 35 and the A 120 Macro and the A 150 sense. So, I do have the lenses for Portraits and the wide angle FA 35.
Thank you

**Ed Hurst** · 10-03-2016, 02:50 PM

Which camera are you using?

**Alex645** · 10-03-2016, 03:12 PM

If you already have the FA 35, then as Ed asks, it depends on what camera this is used on. With a film 645, I use my 75mm even more than the 35mm. With a digital 645, I'd go with the 55mm.

**Buffy** · 10-03-2016, 04:06 PM

I have 645NIIs and although I do like the small size and weight of the FA 75, my walkaround lens is FA 45-85 zoom.

**rollsman4** · 10-03-2016, 07:29 PM

I have the Z

**Ed Hurst** · 10-03-2016, 09:39 PM

If you want a single lens to walk around with, it's hard to select a single prime unless your shooting style can guide that. It would be impossible for me to choose between the 55 and 75 alone, as I use both plenty. Some people would use one more than the other. If you want a single lens, I too would suggest the 45-85 zoom; it is not optically perfect, but certainly good from 45-65 and acceptable from 65-85. If you can tell us more about what/how you shoot, it might be possible to choose between the two primes.

I get around this quandary by almost always carrying around three lenses! But I am an obsessive idiot.

CDW · 10-03-2016, 10:01 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by Ed Hurst

If you want a single lens to walk around with, it's hard to select a single prime unless your shooting style can guide that. It would be impossible for me to choose between the 55 and 75 alone, as I use both plenty. Some people would use one more than the other. If you want a single lens, I too would suggest the 45-85 zoom; it is not optically perfect, but certainly good from 45-65 and acceptable from 65-85. If you can tell us more about what/how you shoot, it might be possible to choose between the two primes.

I get around this quandary by almost always carrying around three lenses! But I am an obsessive idiot.

Ed, I wouldn't call you an obsessive idiot over lugging three primes and a 645z. An obsessive idiot would be one who back in film days carried a 645n, three primes including a Pentax 105 with 67/645 adapter, a Toyoview 4x5, 10 film holders, film for both formats and attendant camping gear/supplies for five days in a 75 pound backpack. I don't do that any longer. :-)

**Ed Hurst** · 10-04-2016, 12:18 AM

Originally posted by CDW

Ed, I wouldn't call you an obsessive idiot over lugging three primes and a 645z. An obsessive idiot would be one who back in film days carried a 645n, three primes including a Pentax 105 with 67/645 adapter, a Toyoview 4x5, 10 film holders, film for both formats and attendant camping gear/supplies for five days in a 75 pound backpack. I don't do that any longer. :-)

Yes, that's good, but let me explain... 😉. My Z plus three lens outfit is just for the daily work commute; that's why it's idiotic. Otherwise it's Z and D with 9 lenses, up to and including the 6x7 400mm EDIF. Still think you just win though...

itshimitis · 10-06-2016, 10:35 PM

Put the 55 on the camera, the 75 is small enough to put in a jacket pocket

paulster · 10-06-2016, 10:40 PM

Originally posted by itshimitis

Put the 55 on the camera, the 75 is small enough to put in a jacket pocket

Exactly! I just picked up a 75 as it's a nice length for 3:1 panos, and I couldn't believe how small and light it is.

The 55 is a great everyday lens.

glass · 10-07-2016, 11:31 AM

The 75 has become my always-have-with-me lens. The 55 is optional for me, as sometimes I prefer 45 or 35. Going the other way, sometimes I prefer 90 or 105. But I always seem to find 75 is just right. And it is really small, which is a plus.

**TDvN57** · 10-08-2016, 06:04 PM

My walk-around lens kit is the 55 and the 120 macro.

10-03-2016, 02:48 PM	#1
rollsman4 Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 460	Which a Better Walk around Lens..645 FA 55 or 645 FA 75 I know they are both excellent but I have the FA 35 and the A 120 Macro and the A 150 sense. So, I do have the lenses for Portraits and the wide angle FA 35. Thank you

10-03-2016, 04:06 PM	#4
Buffy Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Greater Boston area, Massachusetts Posts: 389	Re: Which a Better Walk around Lens..645 FA 55 or 645 FA 75 Read more at: http://www I have 645NIIs and although I do like the small size and weight of the FA 75, my walkaround lens is FA 45-85 zoom.

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10-03-2016, 02:50 PM	#2
Ed Hurst Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sydney Posts: 1,657	Which camera are you using?

10-03-2016, 03:12 PM	#3
Alex645 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Kaneohe, HI Photos: Albums Posts: 3,526	If you already have the FA 35, then as Ed asks, it depends on what camera this is used on. With a film 645, I use my 75mm even more than the 35mm. With a digital 645, I'd go with the 55mm.

10-03-2016, 07:29 PM	#5
rollsman4 Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 460 Original Poster	I have the Z

10-03-2016, 09:39 PM	#6
Ed Hurst Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sydney Posts: 1,657	If you want a single lens to walk around with, it's hard to select a single prime unless your shooting style can guide that. It would be impossible for me to choose between the 55 and 75 alone, as I use both plenty. Some people would use one more than the other. If you want a single lens, I too would suggest the 45-85 zoom; it is not optically perfect, but certainly good from 45-65 and acceptable from 65-85. If you can tell us more about what/how you shoot, it might be possible to choose between the two primes. I get around this quandary by almost always carrying around three lenses! But I am an obsessive idiot.

10-03-2016, 10:01 PM - 2 Likes	#7
CDW Site Supporter Join Date: May 2011 Location: Big Island, Hawaii & Utah Posts: 457	Originally posted by Ed Hurst If you want a single lens to walk around with, it's hard to select a single prime unless your shooting style can guide that. It would be impossible for me to choose between the 55 and 75 alone, as I use both plenty. Some people would use one more than the other. If you want a single lens, I too would suggest the 45-85 zoom; it is not optically perfect, but certainly good from 45-65 and acceptable from 65-85. If you can tell us more about what/how you shoot, it might be possible to choose between the two primes. I get around this quandary by almost always carrying around three lenses! But I am an obsessive idiot. Ed, I wouldn't call you an obsessive idiot over lugging three primes and a 645z. An obsessive idiot would be one who back in film days carried a 645n, three primes including a Pentax 105 with 67/645 adapter, a Toyoview 4x5, 10 film holders, film for both formats and attendant camping gear/supplies for five days in a 75 pound backpack. I don't do that any longer. :-)

10-04-2016, 12:18 AM	#8
Ed Hurst Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sydney Posts: 1,657	Originally posted by CDW Ed, I wouldn't call you an obsessive idiot over lugging three primes and a 645z. An obsessive idiot would be one who back in film days carried a 645n, three primes including a Pentax 105 with 67/645 adapter, a Toyoview 4x5, 10 film holders, film for both formats and attendant camping gear/supplies for five days in a 75 pound backpack. I don't do that any longer. :-) Yes, that's good, but let me explain... 😉. My Z plus three lens outfit is just for the daily work commute; that's why it's idiotic. Otherwise it's Z and D with 9 lenses, up to and including the 6x7 400mm EDIF. Still think you just win though...

10-06-2016, 10:35 PM	#9
itshimitis Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: All over the place Posts: 3,535	Put the 55 on the camera, the 75 is small enough to put in a jacket pocket

10-06-2016, 10:40 PM	#10
paulster Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 159	Originally posted by itshimitis Put the 55 on the camera, the 75 is small enough to put in a jacket pocket Exactly! I just picked up a 75 as it's a nice length for 3:1 panos, and I couldn't believe how small and light it is. The 55 is a great everyday lens.

10-07-2016, 11:31 AM	#11
glass Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 37	The 75 has become my always-have-with-me lens. The 55 is optional for me, as sometimes I prefer 45 or 35. Going the other way, sometimes I prefer 90 or 105. But I always seem to find 75 is just right. And it is really small, which is a plus.

10-08-2016, 06:04 PM	#12
TDvN57 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Berlin Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,150	My walk-around lens kit is the 55 and the 120 macro.