[desertscape]

I'm wondering if it will perform well with a 2x converter for portraits or wildlife.

The latest 200 does well with a 1.4X converter and no degradation is seen. But the 2X does degrade the image slightly. Since the 200 is not a telephoto design, it can handle a converter.

[Silent Street]

I am hoping one turns out to be a b/w neutral density filter (a guy can dream, right?). Its probably just a polarizer. Wanna check it out?

Dream on. It is a polariser. Much more useful than an ND filter!

[stemked]

Stay away from the 55 f3.5. It is huge and has a really large filter thread that will cost you more than the lens to get something like a polarizer (of course you don't need a crcular polarizer).

[Femto1969]

Thanks for the advice everyone! I think I will hold off on the 1.4x converter since I don't have the 165 2.8... just the 150, which the converter doesn't work on. I'll try the 200mm and see if I need the extra length, at the cost of a stop of light.

FYI my lenses came and they both look pristine. The Pentax 67 55mm f/4 has a smooth focus ring but it does have a slight rattle... could that just be the shutter leaves? I don't know :/

[tuco]

?
2) Save some money (spend about $200-220) on the 55mm

You probably already know there are 4 versions of the 55mm for the 6x7 system. The later 1986 version, the 67, being the better lens of the bunch with a new optical formula.

I have a lot of 6x7 lenses. I shoot my 67 55mm the most of all my lenses as a data point because it can do people shots too. I have the 45mm but I still reach for the 55mm. Of course everyone's mileage will vary.

[Femto1969]

Good to know. Should I be worried about my copy's rattling and shuddering focus ring? I know its a common issue. How serious is it?

[Silent Street]

Good to know. Should I be worried about my copy's rattling and shuddering focus ring? I know its a common issue. How serious is it?

It appears to be widespread and affecting the 55mm f4 predominantly, although as Tuco has noted several of his lenses also have it, so... the jury is mostly out as to what it is and if there is any adverse effect on operation. The other thing... the shudding focus ring you have noted is an entirely different thing and ideally should be checked out.

[tuco]

Good to know. Should I be worried about my copy's rattling and shuddering focus ring? I know its a common issue. How serious is it?

I have to shake my lenses hard to get them to rattle. And when they do it doesn't sound like a loose part banging around but more like some aperture linkages or something rattling.

[Femto1969]

It appears to be widespread and affecting the 55mm f4 predominantly, although as Tuco has noted several of his lenses also have it, so... the jury is mostly out as to what it is and if there is any adverse effect on operation. The other thing... the shudding focus ring you have noted is an entirely different thing and ideally should be checked out.

Hmm. I will probably message the Ebay seller and see if I can get a discount. The focus ring is not exactly smooth. But its not gritty. Just feels like the ring is slightly too big and it shudders a bit when rotating it.