Looking for advice

Jimsmartphotog · 10-29-2016, 05:30 AM

Hi I am new to the forum and plan to soon purchase either a 6 X 7 or 67. Looking forward to it. Would like suggestions on what first lenses I should purchase. I am a landscape photographer, mostly black and white. I know to that I would like to get one portrait lens, and one on the wide-side. Plan to only shoot primes. Have owned Mamiya, Hasselblad, Canon (35) digital and film, and Fuji (X-Pro 1 and 100T.

Thanks in advance.

Jim

**zplus** · 10-29-2016, 06:05 AM

Don't really have a lot of options lol. 105mm/2.4 for portrait/normal. You could go with the 165/2.8 for a longer option. The 165 also has a leaf shutter variant at f4, if you want to do flash.
55/4 or 45/4 for the wide side. People say the 45 is too wide and not as sharp as the 55, I have no experience with the 55.
I have the 105 and 45. My next pick up would be the 165/2.8.

Rnovo · 10-29-2016, 06:32 AM

I had a 6x7 in the 80-90's. Most lenses available are in the "Pentax Lens review" section. I had really enjoyed the leaf shutter feature which allows the use of any shutter speed for flash, multi exposures and all that stuff.
The other thing to look for when you shop for the body is the foam seals around the view finder(s) and the back. They deteriorate over time and disintegrate, look this up in the accessories section where there is a reference to a supplier of spare seals.
Nice camera system especially with the grip for hand held work - I had used it a lot for aerial photography. Good luck.

Swift1 · 10-29-2016, 11:35 AM

One of my favorite 67 lenses for landscape work is the SMC Pentax 67 200/4 (last version). IMO, it's probably the most underrated lens in the Pentax 6x7 line-up.

klaus123 · 10-29-2016, 11:48 AM

Hello

On the wide side I have 35(fish), 45, 55 and 75(non shift) for my 67 system. If I had to decide for only one lens of these I would take one of the 55/4,0 (NOT the 55/F3,5).
- Good quality
- File of view ~ 28mm on FF
- only 77mm filter (45 & 75 have 82mm/55/3,5 has 95mm - for me availability of yellow and orange are a must)
- good sharpness

If your standard lengts is 90mm instead of 105mm than 45 might be a good alternative. Keep in mind that 90 & 105mm need extension ring1 for close portaits.

desertscape · 10-29-2016, 03:16 PM

Be aware that some of the primes are limited for landscape work due to their f/22 DOF. The lenses you choose should be based on the type of landscape shooting you do. If you require extensive DOF, only a few of the primes will do. On the other hand, the 55-100 zoom is a modern design, has proven sharpness and has excellent f/32 DOF. I have always liked the f/32 lenses for this system because they offer the shooter the option of using small stops when required. The 135, 165LS and 200 Pentax come to mind. The 45mm does fine with f/22 because it is such a short lens.

Silent Street · 10-29-2016, 08:26 PM

There are so many problems with the old (1960s) era Pentax 6x7 bodies that I hear about that I am much inclined to say "steer clear of them!". The 1990s-era 67 bodies are probably a better investment, if you can get one in very good to excellent condition that has been tested properly ("shutter and speeds sound fine to me" is not a proper test of functionality!). For landscape, is it wide and tele that appeals to you? I go a bit of both ways (be prepared for most things), but the majority of my work is with a 45mm (f4) and some 75mm (f2.8). The former can be dim and challenging to focus in low light (morning, evening), moreso with a polariser fitted, hence you should consider at least one f2.8 lens you can fall back on if you absolutely must bring home the bacon. As an ultra-wide, the 45mm doesn't need to be stopped down to f22 (in any case this will introduce diffraction). Distant subjects can be suitably pulled in with the rather heavy 165mm f4 LS (leaf shutter) lens; it is a surprisingly versatile and very good performer in the landscape context, if you can clue up on its inherent idiosyncracies (e.g. using it in either leaf shutter or focal plane shutter mode — read up on this!). Be aware that the more lenses you add = the more weight you carry, and the more your back will be crying out for relief!!

Jimsmartphotog · 10-29-2016, 11:58 PM

Wonderful advice from all. Thanks for taking the time to respond. Will follow advice as best I can.

Jim

**Ed Hurst** · 10-30-2016, 05:50 PM

For the wides, my advice is get the 55mm f4 (latest version) and/or the 75mm f2.8AL. These two are superb! For landscape use, stopped down, the 75mm f4.5 (non shift) would be grand too.

Silent Street · 11-02-2016, 11:03 PM

Originally posted by Ed Hurst

For the wides, my advice is get the 55mm f4 (latest version) and/or the 75mm f2.8AL. These two are superb! For landscape use, stopped down, the 75mm f4.5 (non shift) would be grand too.

It's worth noting here that the price for the 75mm f2.8AL is increasing. I saw one for $1,540 on eBay in Japan; I almost fell of my unicorn! It was advertised (September) as new-in-box (NIB)/unused; this is the stuff to angle for (mint/NIB/unused), but only if your budget allows it.

10-29-2016, 05:30 AM	#1
Jimsmartphotog New Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Posts: 7	Looking for advice Hi I am new to the forum and plan to soon purchase either a 6 X 7 or 67. Looking forward to it. Would like suggestions on what first lenses I should purchase. I am a landscape photographer, mostly black and white. I know to that I would like to get one portrait lens, and one on the wide-side. Plan to only shoot primes. Have owned Mamiya, Hasselblad, Canon (35) digital and film, and Fuji (X-Pro 1 and 100T. Thanks in advance. Jim

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10-29-2016, 06:05 AM	#2
zplus Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Posts: 166	Don't really have a lot of options lol. 105mm/2.4 for portrait/normal. You could go with the 165/2.8 for a longer option. The 165 also has a leaf shutter variant at f4, if you want to do flash. 55/4 or 45/4 for the wide side. People say the 45 is too wide and not as sharp as the 55, I have no experience with the 55. I have the 105 and 45. My next pick up would be the 165/2.8.

10-29-2016, 06:32 AM	#3
Rnovo Closed Account Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 415	I had a 6x7 in the 80-90's. Most lenses available are in the "Pentax Lens review" section. I had really enjoyed the leaf shutter feature which allows the use of any shutter speed for flash, multi exposures and all that stuff. The other thing to look for when you shop for the body is the foam seals around the view finder(s) and the back. They deteriorate over time and disintegrate, look this up in the accessories section where there is a reference to a supplier of spare seals. Nice camera system especially with the grip for hand held work - I had used it a lot for aerial photography. Good luck.

10-29-2016, 11:35 AM	#4
Swift1 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Oregon Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,079	One of my favorite 67 lenses for landscape work is the SMC Pentax 67 200/4 (last version). IMO, it's probably the most underrated lens in the Pentax 6x7 line-up.

10-29-2016, 11:48 AM	#5
klaus123 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Germany Posts: 238	Hello On the wide side I have 35(fish), 45, 55 and 75(non shift) for my 67 system. If I had to decide for only one lens of these I would take one of the 55/4,0 (NOT the 55/F3,5). - Good quality - File of view ~ 28mm on FF - only 77mm filter (45 & 75 have 82mm/55/3,5 has 95mm - for me availability of yellow and orange are a must) - good sharpness If your standard lengts is 90mm instead of 105mm than 45 might be a good alternative. Keep in mind that 90 & 105mm need extension ring1 for close portaits.

10-29-2016, 03:16 PM	#6
desertscape Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,272	Be aware that some of the primes are limited for landscape work due to their f/22 DOF. The lenses you choose should be based on the type of landscape shooting you do. If you require extensive DOF, only a few of the primes will do. On the other hand, the 55-100 zoom is a modern design, has proven sharpness and has excellent f/32 DOF. I have always liked the f/32 lenses for this system because they offer the shooter the option of using small stops when required. The 135, 165LS and 200 Pentax come to mind. The 45mm does fine with f/22 because it is such a short lens.

10-29-2016, 08:26 PM	#7
Silent Street Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Castlemaine, Victoria, AUS Photos: Albums Posts: 1,151	There are so many problems with the old (1960s) era Pentax 6x7 bodies that I hear about that I am much inclined to say "steer clear of them!". The 1990s-era 67 bodies are probably a better investment, if you can get one in very good to excellent condition that has been tested properly ("shutter and speeds sound fine to me" is not a proper test of functionality!). For landscape, is it wide and tele that appeals to you? I go a bit of both ways (be prepared for most things), but the majority of my work is with a 45mm (f4) and some 75mm (f2.8). The former can be dim and challenging to focus in low light (morning, evening), moreso with a polariser fitted, hence you should consider at least one f2.8 lens you can fall back on if you absolutely must bring home the bacon. As an ultra-wide, the 45mm doesn't need to be stopped down to f22 (in any case this will introduce diffraction). Distant subjects can be suitably pulled in with the rather heavy 165mm f4 LS (leaf shutter) lens; it is a surprisingly versatile and very good performer in the landscape context, if you can clue up on its inherent idiosyncracies (e.g. using it in either leaf shutter or focal plane shutter mode — read up on this!). Be aware that the more lenses you add = the more weight you carry, and the more your back will be crying out for relief!!

10-29-2016, 11:58 PM	#8
Jimsmartphotog New Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Posts: 7 Original Poster	Wonderful advice from all. Thanks for taking the time to respond. Will follow advice as best I can. Jim

10-30-2016, 05:50 PM	#9
Ed Hurst Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sydney Posts: 1,657	For the wides, my advice is get the 55mm f4 (latest version) and/or the 75mm f2.8AL. These two are superb! For landscape use, stopped down, the 75mm f4.5 (non shift) would be grand too.

11-02-2016, 11:03 PM	#10
Silent Street Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Castlemaine, Victoria, AUS Photos: Albums Posts: 1,151	Originally posted by Ed Hurst For the wides, my advice is get the 55mm f4 (latest version) and/or the 75mm f2.8AL. These two are superb! For landscape use, stopped down, the 75mm f4.5 (non shift) would be grand too. It's worth noting here that the price for the 75mm f2.8AL is increasing. I saw one for $1,540 on eBay in Japan; I almost fell of my unicorn! It was advertised (September) as new-in-box (NIB)/unused; this is the stuff to angle for (mint/NIB/unused), but only if your budget allows it.