[AmsAmt]

Dear all

I am looking to purchase a Pentax 6 x 7 camera..
the camera i am looking at comes with out a lens.
which lens you will advice to start with ?

regards Yuval

[CreationBear]

Ha, the great thing is that no matter what lens you start with, more are sure to follow. There are a lot of great lenses in available, but the 105/2.4 is the one that sells a lot of people on the system in the first place. Otherwise, if we're talking "reasonably" priced lenses, you've got two great wide angles available--the 45/4 and 55/4--and three short tele's: the 165/2.8, the LS 165/4; and the new version of the 200/4. And if you have a (much) larger budget, the 75/2.8 AL is legendary, as are the M* 300 and 400 on the long end.


Enjoy exploring!

[bobbotron]

I don't think you can go too wrong. I'd get one that isn't too long, so you can build up your wrist strength for the telephotos.

[ChatMechant]

The 105 is the 'normal' on 6x7 so I would start with that.

[johnha]

In order to equate focal lengths with the 35mm format, divide the 6x7 focal length by two. The 105/2.4 appears to be a very popular lens - but that means it is also very expensive (at least for a standard lens), another option would be a 90/2.8. My first lens (which came with the camera) was a 75mm f/4.5 - it's a good lens and proved to be a good lens to start with. The 45/4 is my favourite focal length, the 165/2.8 is very good for portraits. it all depends on what you're looking to photograph or the focal lengths you're currently using in a different format.

[Silent Street]

Dear all

I am looking to purchase a Pentax 6 x 7 camera..
the camera i am looking at comes with out a lens.
which lens you will advice to start with ?

regards Yuval

I think it would be better to go for a camera that comes with a lens, otherwise it could be serving a bit of time as a paper weight while you go on a worldwide search of a lens to team up with it.

"Normal" for the Pentax 6x7 (1969 and before) or Pentax 67 (1989) lenses are either 90mm or 105mm, both of which are 2.8.
A couple of the much newer aspheric element lenses are very expensive, but have features such as spring-assisted aperture dial, a very light, fast and precise focus and standardisation of filter sizes.

---------- Post added 3rd May 2018 at 08:25 AM ----------

And if you have a (much) larger budget, the 75/2.8 AL is legendary, as are the M* 300 and 400 on the long end.

Yes, very much so. It has many nice features about it that take it far above its everyman stablemates. Oh, and it is a bit on the weighty side, but hey, you want flash glass, you pay for it in weight!

[rdenney]

I think it would be better to go for a camera that comes with a lens, otherwise it could be serving a bit of time as a paper weight while you go on a worldwide search of a lens to team up with it.

"Normal" for the Pentax 6x7 (1969 and before) or Pentax 67 (1989) lenses are either 90mm or 105mm, both of which are 2.8.
A couple of the much newer aspheric element lenses are very expensive, but have features such as spring-assisted aperture dial, a very light, fast and precise focus and standardisation of filter sizes.

I know you meant the right dates, but just to be clear, the camera was called the "6X7" from its introduction in 1969 through 1989, after which it was called the "67". Differences are minor, other than age. The 105mm lens has a maximum aperture of f/2.4, and all examples are interesting. It's a double-gauss normal lens, but it's quite popular at the moment for those who want exaggerated selective focus. But it's a very good lens stopped down a bit for those who want a really sharp lens. It's the 90 that only opens up to f/2.8.

The newer lenses were also designed to work with the automation of the 67II, which was made from the late 90's on.

To the OP:

How can a bunch of guys on the internet answer this question? You know your preferences. I started with a 55mm f/4--an excellent lens. I use the 45 more often because it's wider still. But I use the 75 often enough, too. The 135 macro is a good lens, and I have used it for commercial work (the last gig for which that lens was ideal was making reproduction photos of paintings for an artist). The 200/4 is a decent lens. But if you want even more selective focus that can be provided by the 105/2.4, look at the 165/2.8.

Bigger formats often have an expansiveness, for reasons that have nothing to do with geometry, not easy to see in smaller formats. It may be because of what it takes to get depth of field (smaller apertures and longer shutter times), or it may be just a biased perception. But I rarely go as wide with larger formats as I do with small-format stuff. I can go down to 12 and 14mm on my full-frame Canon, but the equivalent lenses for the 67 might never be used. So, unless you are a bona fide wide angle freak, the 55 might be a better starting point than the 45. Your own preferences will have to dictate that.

There are few enough dogs in the 67 lens line that you don't have to worry much about getting one.

Rick "who owned the 105 before the 105 was cool" Denney

[AmsAmt]

Dear all
Thank all so much for sharing your knowledge .
The camera is already gone
So the search continues ����

[BostonUKshooter]

Ha, the great thing is that no matter what lens you start with, more are sure to follow. There are a lot of great lenses in available, but the 105/2.4 is the one that sells a lot of people on the system in the first place. Otherwise, if we're talking "reasonably" priced lenses, you've got two great wide angles available--the 45/4 and 55/4--and three short tele's: the 165/2.8, the LS 165/4; and the new version of the 200/4. And if you have a (much) larger budget, the 75/2.8 AL is legendary, as are the M* 300 and 400 on the long end.


Enjoy exploring!

Just sold my 105mm on here , and listed the 300mm M* and LS 165mm!... with/without 67-645 adapter...

[CreationBear]

the 300mm M* and LS 165mm!...

That's some nifty glass right there--and a great price, especially, on the 300...I'm sure the 645Z guys will be along presently!

[AmsAmt]

This is the pentax 67 i got
😊

[gofour3]

Beautiful, enjoy shooting with it!

Phil.

[johnha]

This is the pentax 67 i got
😊

Congrats, this is same rig I started with - be warned, you'll want a lot more lenses very soon...

Be wary of the 90mm leaf shutter - prone to failure and you won't find out until the film is processed (been there, done that.) My favorite was the 45mm f4.

[tuco]

Congrats on your new gear.