[Alpinus]

Hello

I just bought a 645 camera that came with the A 200mm f4, which I can use for portraits, but I plan to use the camera mostly for landscape shooting, and then I will need a lens for that purpose. I have been looking very closely at the 645's 45mm, 55mm and the 67 45mm and 55mm, and it seems that the 67 lenses are sharper than the 645's, but maybe not. I got a 67 to 645 adapter. But then I noticed the 645 45-85mm f4.5 lens, that would give me more range, but its impossible to find any reviews on it, except just one here on this site. Can anyone give me info on reviews about this lens or share their experience with it? Would it be good for landscape, is it reasonably sharp, etc.

Thanks in advance

Alpinus

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Last edited by Alpinus; 02-13-2017 at 02:05 PM.

[photolady95]

Did you look here:

Pentax 645 Zoom Lenses - Reviews and Specifications - SLR and Interchangeable Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

Looking, I notice those two there are both f4.5 are you sure the one you're talking about is f4? I know nothing about 645 lens so if I'm wrong disregard what I asked above.

[Alpinus]

Did you look here:

Pentax 645 Zoom Lenses - Reviews and Specifications - SLR and Interchangeable Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

Looking, I notice those two there are both f4.5 are you sure the one you're talking about is f4? I know nothing about 645 lens so if I'm wrong disregard what I asked above.

Hi photolady... yes I have already checked this link and found only one review... and yes... my mistake... its f4.5... I have already corrected it. Thanks

[photolady95]

Hi photolady... yes I have already checked this link and found only one review... and yes... my mistake... its f4.5... I have already corrected it. Thanks

So, only the A lens is what you're interested in? Glad to also hear I wasn't wrong about the f stop. Now I learned something else today. Thanks.

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Last edited by photolady95; 02-12-2017 at 08:08 AM.

[leekil]

The FA 45-85 is generally considered sharper than the FA 45 for the 645. The A 45-85 and the FA 45-85 have the same number of lens elements and groups, which would sort of indicate they are likely the same lens formula, but I can't say for sure. If you were interested in the FA lens, it has a good manual focusing ring.

[Alex645]

I have been shooting with my 645 for 30 years and my favorite landscape lens is the SMC Pentax-A 645 35mm F3.5.

SMC Pentax-A 645 35mm F3.5 Reviews - 645 Wide-Angle Primes - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

At 470g. it makes carrying the 645 and a couple primes bearable for street and landscape photography. Sorry, I havenʻt shot with the SMC Pentax-A 645 45-85mm F4.5, but at 805 grams, itʻs a bit too heavy for any photo treks for me. Even the 200mm is only 570g.

[bull drinkwater]

the one sore point is it's weight. I carry my 645D by it's neck strap so the weight is telling. the 45-85mm zoom is a good sharp outdoor lens, for the most part I have no problem with manually focusing.

[Royce Howland]

I've shot the FA 45-85mm for years on the 645D and 645Z. It's a perfectly serviceable lens for landscape work, one of my most heavily used lenses in fact. Many of my portfolio images were shot on this lens. The A version should be optically very comparable to the FA that I have.

I shoot a mix of A, FA and even 67 glass on my bodies, and don't have hesitations on using any of them that are fundamentally okay. The 645 45mm fundamentally wasn't as good, for example, so I got rid of it.

(Side note: If you're using your 645 camera for a lot of portraiture and you already have the 67-to-645 adapter, then do also see if you can find a 67 105mm f/2.4. It's a great option for portraits, at a budget price.)

[Alpinus]

The FA 45-85 is generally considered sharper than the FA 45 for the 645. The A 45-85 and the FA 45-85 have the same number of lens elements and groups, which would sort of indicate they are likely the same lens formula, but I can't say for sure. If you were interested in the FA lens, it has a good manual focusing ring.

I would take the A lens because I think the difference in not that great between them, maybe I'm wrong, the A one is also cheaper.

---------- Post added 02-12-17 at 03:02 PM ----------

I've shot the FA 45-85mm for years on the 645D and 645Z. It's a perfectly serviceable lens for landscape work, one of my most heavily used lenses in fact. Many of my portfolio images were shot on this lens. The A version should be optically very comparable to the FA that I have.

I shoot a mix of A, FA and even 67 glass on my bodies, and don't have hesitations on using any of them that are fundamentally okay. The 645 45mm fundamentally wasn't as good, for example, so I got rid of it.

(Side note: If you're using your 645 camera for a lot of portraiture and you already have the 67-to-645 adapter, then do also see if you can find a 67 105mm f/2.4. It's a great option for portraits, at a budget price.)

Thanks, this boosts my confidence in the 45-85 A lens. I already have my eye on the 67 105mm lens to have something between a wide lens and the 200mm I already have.

---------- Post added 02-12-17 at 03:34 PM ----------

I have been shooting with my 645 for 30 years and my favorite landscape lens is the SMC Pentax-A 645 35mm F3.5.

SMC Pentax-A 645 35mm F3.5 Reviews - 645 Wide-Angle Primes - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

At 470g. it makes carrying the 645 and a couple primes bearable for street and landscape photography. Sorry, I havenʻt shot with the SMC Pentax-A 645 45-85mm F4.5, but at 805 grams, itʻs a bit too heavy for any photo treks for me. Even the 200mm is only 570g.

I've read nothing but good things about the 645 35mm lens but its a bit pricey. Instead I was considering either the 67 45mm or the 67 55 f4 because most people seem to agree that they are very good lenses, and both are at reasonable prices. The weight factors in as well. The 200mm I already have is a bit on the heavy side and I'm still wondering if the 45-85 would be too much to haul around. The prime lenses are not exactly lightweight but maybe easier to live with in the long run.

[Alex645]

I've read nothing but good things about the 645 35mm lens but its a bit pricey. Instead I was considering either the 67 45mm or the 67 55 f4 because most people seem to agree that they are very good lenses, and both are at reasonable prices. The weight factors in as well. The 200mm I already have is a bit on the heavy side and I'm still wondering if the 45-85 would be too much to haul around. The prime lenses are not exactly lightweight but maybe easier to live with in the long run.

Yes, the 645 35mm is pricey....for a reason. It was pricey in the ʻ80s when I bought mine, but the second I put it on my 645 and see the viewfinder, it ALWAYS puts a smile on my face. When others ask to see it, they always are speechless....then WOW. If Iʻm going to spend all this time, money, and effort, I want the best, and to me, this wide angle prime has been so good, Iʻve continued to use it for 30+ years! I also shoot Nikon, but of the dozens of lenses I have in my kit, this and the 645 75mm f/2.8 remain my gems.

Weight, focal lengths, prime vs. zoom, speed (max aperture) are all personal choices, but for me and landscapes, the 35mm on 645 or 20mm on FF is the sweet spot.

When I hit the trail or the street for a day or half day of seek and shoot, I wear my nerdy photographerʻs vest. One big pocket will have one 645 prime, the other side for balance will be stuffed with 6 AA back up batteries and 120 film. A wide neoprene camera strap helps to reduce fatigue and weight from the 645. The only other important gear would be a good hat and comfortable shoes.

[Smolk]

I seem to remember that the A 45-85mm is optically identical to the later FA version. The latter is very good, esp. at 45 and 55, where it betters the primes.
I loved the results, but it was quite heavy for me, and I ultimately prefer primes for personal reasons (fixed lengths makes for a different way of looking).
No harm in trying, anyway, if you like it or not! Won't lose much if you don't.

[Alpinus]

Yes, the 645 35mm is pricey....for a reason. It was pricey in the ʻ80s when I bought mine, but the second I put it on my 645 and see the viewfinder, it ALWAYS puts a smile on my face. When others ask to see it, they always are speechless....then WOW. If Iʻm going to spend all this time, money, and effort, I want the best, and to me, this wide angle prime has been so good, Iʻve continued to use it for 30+ years! I also shoot Nikon, but of the dozens of lenses I have in my kit, this and the 645 75mm f/2.8 remain my gems.

Weight, focal lengths, prime vs. zoom, speed (max aperture) are all personal choices, but for me and landscapes, the 35mm on 645 or 20mm on FF is the sweet spot.

When I hit the trail or the street for a day or half day of seek and shoot, I wear my nerdy photographerʻs vest. One big pocket will have one 645 prime, the other side for balance will be stuffed with 6 AA back up batteries and 120 film. A wide neoprene camera strap helps to reduce fatigue and weight from the 645. The only other important gear would be a good hat and comfortable shoes.

If I know myself I will buy several different lenses in the long run at least. The 645 35mm may be too wide for me, I'm not so into very, very wide. I think 645 45mm would be the widest I would go, but some say the 67 45mm is much better, which would give me roughly 35mm FF fov, I think and that would be perfect for me.

---------- Post added 02-13-17 at 02:21 PM ----------

I seem to remember that the A 45-85mm is optically identical to the later FA version. The latter is very good, esp. at 45 and 55, where it betters the primes.
I loved the results, but it was quite heavy for me, and I ultimately prefer primes for personal reasons (fixed lengths makes for a different way of looking).
No harm in trying, anyway, if you like it or not! Won't lose much if you don't.

I am tempted to go with the A one, even though it weighs a ton.

[SeanGalbraith]

Any suggestions for making the most out of this lens on a 645Z? I'm used to shooting with it on my 645N, but with the digital system, I'm open to tips on how to make best use of the sensor.