Why is the 28-45mm lens so expensive?

John Trammell · 05-12-2018, 10:06 AM

I use legacy 55, 75 and 150 mm manual lenses and the 120/4 AF lens with my 645Z. The manual lenses were purchased for my 645 film version. which I still have. . I'd like to have the 28-45mm lens, but its price is daunting. Many cameras of all kinds cost less than the $4500 that this lens alone costs. You can find it used for less, but I'm usually leery of used lenses.

The lens gets great reviews, and I'd like to have it, but I think not for $4500.

JT

Adam · 05-12-2018, 10:41 AM

It has dipped as low as $3799 new per our deal finder, as recently as late last year:

HD Pentax-DA 645 28-45mm F4.5 ED AW SR Reviews - 645 Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

Given the savings the 645Z brings, and the optical characteristics of the lens (including stabilization), I'd say it's priced fairly for the target audience. As you yourself pointed out, there are lots of more affordable film-era alternatives if your budget doesn't justify the new zoom.

**Alex645** · 05-12-2018, 12:30 PM

a) Supply and demand.
b) Itʻs the widest lens for the 645D/Z and the widest zoom for ANY MF system. I shoot 35mm on my 645N and the 28mm end of the zoom has a similar fov on the Z as the 35mm does on the N.
c) No competition or wide angle prime alternative for Pentax.
d) Quality+SR+AW+ED.
e) Still less expensive than other system 28mm primes: Pentax (zoom) $4500; Mamiya $5000; Hasselblad $6100.
f) Hasselblad did announce a soon to be released 21mm for $3800 but the cheapest new Hassy will cost you another $6500.

desertscape · 05-12-2018, 01:00 PM

Manufacturing costs have to be fairly high due to the lens using 17 elements. More glass is used so the raw material cost is higher. Plus, more grinding is necessary, which adds up. Low dispersion glass (ED) is also more expensive than less exotic glass.

672 · 05-12-2018, 05:32 PM - **2 Likes**

and after you buy one you will write back saying "why is this lens so heavy and big?"

John Trammell · 05-12-2018, 06:29 PM

Heh, heh, and thanks for the replies. I've been warned about the size and weight, but I'm going to buy one, anyway.

JT

GreatFrog · 05-12-2018, 08:30 PM

I love mine. I paid half price used but like new.

Theov39 · 05-12-2018, 08:58 PM - **1 Like**

Besides its complexity, the fact that it is catering for a very small (in relative terms) niche market would also explain the high price. Not a large customer base to get back your R&D and production costs, plus make a profit.

**Alex645** · 05-12-2018, 09:11 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by John Trammell

I've been warned about the size and weight, but I'm going to buy one, anyway.
JT

Just for comparison:

Your 120 macro: 1.54 lbs.
The 400mm 645 FA: 2.76 lbs.
The 28-45mm DA645: 3.24 lbs.
Your 645Z: 3.4 lbs.

The average newborn baby is around 7 lbs, so think of your camera and new lens like shooting with a brand new baby (sans diapers).

**clackers** · 05-13-2018, 01:01 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Alex645

Just for comparison:

Your 120 macro: 1.54 lbs.
The 400mm 645 FA: 2.76 lbs.
The 28-45mm DA645: 3.24 lbs.
Your 645Z: 3.4 lbs.

The average newborn baby is around 7 lbs, so think of your camera and new lens like shooting with a brand new baby (sans diapers).

Nicely done!

**unkipunki** · 05-13-2018, 01:33 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Alex645

Just for comparison:

Your 120 macro: 1.54 lbs.
The 400mm 645 FA: 2.76 lbs.
The 28-45mm DA645: 3.24 lbs.
Your 645Z: 3.4 lbs.

The average newborn baby is around 7 lbs, so think of your camera and new lens like shooting with a brand new baby (sans diapers).

What does it eat, and how big does it get at full size? I hate to admit it but I haven't fed mine anything since I got it 3 years ago. I wait for a knock on the door as the lens welfare authorities come to take it into care.

**Alex645** · 05-13-2018, 03:06 AM

Originally posted by unkipunki

What does it eat, and how big does it get at full size? I hate to admit it but I haven't fed mine anything since I got it 3 years ago. I wait for a knock on the door as the lens welfare authorities come to take it into care.

She's a light eater, and being AW won't drink water, so I wouldn't worry about her gaining weight unless you want to protect her with a filter.

**rdenney** · 05-13-2018, 07:10 PM - **1 Like**

What I can't decide is whether I wish I could afford a 28-45 or wish I could afford a 25. I think I might actually prefer the 25--thus far I've extremely impressed wtih the 35 and the 45 end of the 45-85.

Rick "wishing is all I can do--my wad is shot" Denney

itshimitis · 05-14-2018, 07:11 AM - **1 Like**

I'd love Pentax to come out with say an 18 - 35 for 645...others will care more about the size of the aperture, I'm not bothered. They can also leave our OS. I often forget to switch mine back on the my 28 -45 after it's been on a tripod...

texandrews · 05-14-2018, 01:53 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Alex645

b) Itʻs the widest lens for the 645D/Z .

No, that would be the 25, or "rainbow unicorn hens' tooth", RUHT, aka "root". The 28-45 is the widest still manufactured.

05-12-2018, 10:06 AM	#1
John Trammell Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Grand Junction, Colorado Posts: 91	Why is the 28-45mm lens so expensive? I use legacy 55, 75 and 150 mm manual lenses and the 120/4 AF lens with my 645Z. The manual lenses were purchased for my 645 film version. which I still have. . I'd like to have the 28-45mm lens, but its price is daunting. Many cameras of all kinds cost less than the $4500 that this lens alone costs. You can find it used for less, but I'm usually leery of used lenses. The lens gets great reviews, and I'd like to have it, but I think not for $4500. JT

05-12-2018, 10:41 AM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594	It has dipped as low as $3799 new per our deal finder, as recently as late last year: HD Pentax-DA 645 28-45mm F4.5 ED AW SR Reviews - 645 Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database Given the savings the 645Z brings, and the optical characteristics of the lens (including stabilization), I'd say it's priced fairly for the target audience. As you yourself pointed out, there are lots of more affordable film-era alternatives if your budget doesn't justify the new zoom. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
So, why are new pentax lenses so expensive?	texandrews	Pentax Medium Format	63	08-20-2014 03:13 AM
This is why your used gear is so expensive	scratchpaddy	Photographic Industry and Professionals	21	06-27-2013 12:47 PM
Why are wide angle primes so expensive?	bullitt_60	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	23	01-26-2013 04:13 PM
Why is Q So Expensive? Micro 4/3?	alstauffer	Pentax Q	5	03-11-2012 12:53 PM
Why is the FA*28-70 so expensive?	Clinton	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	56	08-25-2011 11:31 PM

05-12-2018, 12:30 PM	#3
Alex645 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Kaneohe, HI Photos: Albums Posts: 3,526	a) Supply and demand. b) Itʻs the widest lens for the 645D/Z and the widest zoom for ANY MF system. I shoot 35mm on my 645N and the 28mm end of the zoom has a similar fov on the Z as the 35mm does on the N. c) No competition or wide angle prime alternative for Pentax. d) Quality+SR+AW+ED. e) Still less expensive than other system 28mm primes: Pentax (zoom) $4500; Mamiya $5000; Hasselblad $6100. f) Hasselblad did announce a soon to be released 21mm for $3800 but the cheapest new Hassy will cost you another $6500.

05-12-2018, 01:00 PM	#4
desertscape Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,272	Manufacturing costs have to be fairly high due to the lens using 17 elements. More glass is used so the raw material cost is higher. Plus, more grinding is necessary, which adds up. Low dispersion glass (ED) is also more expensive than less exotic glass.

05-12-2018, 05:32 PM - 2 Likes	#5
672 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: santa monica Photos: Gallery Posts: 486	and after you buy one you will write back saying "why is this lens so heavy and big?"

05-12-2018, 06:29 PM	#6
John Trammell Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Grand Junction, Colorado Posts: 91 Original Poster	Heh, heh, and thanks for the replies. I've been warned about the size and weight, but I'm going to buy one, anyway. JT

05-12-2018, 08:30 PM	#7
GreatFrog Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 41	I love mine. I paid half price used but like new.

05-12-2018, 08:58 PM - 1 Like	#8
Theov39 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Sydney Posts: 594	Besides its complexity, the fact that it is catering for a very small (in relative terms) niche market would also explain the high price. Not a large customer base to get back your R&D and production costs, plus make a profit.

05-12-2018, 09:11 PM - 2 Likes	#9
Alex645 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Kaneohe, HI Photos: Albums Posts: 3,526	Originally posted by John Trammell I've been warned about the size and weight, but I'm going to buy one, anyway. JT Just for comparison: Your 120 macro: 1.54 lbs. The 400mm 645 FA: 2.76 lbs. The 28-45mm DA645: 3.24 lbs. Your 645Z: 3.4 lbs. The average newborn baby is around 7 lbs, so think of your camera and new lens like shooting with a brand new baby (sans diapers).

05-13-2018, 01:01 AM - 1 Like	#10
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by Alex645 Just for comparison: Your 120 macro: 1.54 lbs. The 400mm 645 FA: 2.76 lbs. The 28-45mm DA645: 3.24 lbs. Your 645Z: 3.4 lbs. The average newborn baby is around 7 lbs, so think of your camera and new lens like shooting with a brand new baby (sans diapers). Nicely done!

05-13-2018, 01:33 AM - 1 Like	#11
unkipunki Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: South Lochaweside, Argyll Photos: Gallery Posts: 615	Originally posted by Alex645 Just for comparison: Your 120 macro: 1.54 lbs. The 400mm 645 FA: 2.76 lbs. The 28-45mm DA645: 3.24 lbs. Your 645Z: 3.4 lbs. The average newborn baby is around 7 lbs, so think of your camera and new lens like shooting with a brand new baby (sans diapers). What does it eat, and how big does it get at full size? I hate to admit it but I haven't fed mine anything since I got it 3 years ago. I wait for a knock on the door as the lens welfare authorities come to take it into care.

05-13-2018, 03:06 AM	#12
Alex645 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Kaneohe, HI Photos: Albums Posts: 3,526	Originally posted by unkipunki What does it eat, and how big does it get at full size? I hate to admit it but I haven't fed mine anything since I got it 3 years ago. I wait for a knock on the door as the lens welfare authorities come to take it into care. She's a light eater, and being AW won't drink water, so I wouldn't worry about her gaining weight unless you want to protect her with a filter.

05-13-2018, 07:10 PM - 1 Like	#13
rdenney Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: NoVA Posts: 635	What I can't decide is whether I wish I could afford a 28-45 or wish I could afford a 25. I think I might actually prefer the 25--thus far I've extremely impressed wtih the 35 and the 45 end of the 45-85. Rick "wishing is all I can do--my wad is shot" Denney

05-14-2018, 07:11 AM - 1 Like	#14
itshimitis Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: All over the place Posts: 3,535	I'd love Pentax to come out with say an 18 - 35 for 645...others will care more about the size of the aperture, I'm not bothered. They can also leave our OS. I often forget to switch mine back on the my 28 -45 after it's been on a tripod...

05-14-2018, 01:53 PM - 1 Like	#15
texandrews Moderator Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Baltimore Photos: Albums Posts: 3,390	Originally posted by Alex645 b) Itʻs the widest lens for the 645D/Z . No, that would be the 25, or "rainbow unicorn hens' tooth", RUHT, aka "root". The 28-45 is the widest still manufactured.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search