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05-23-2018, 05:51 PM   #1
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645-A 150mm or 645-A 80-160mm

Recently I become an owner of Pentax 645 camera and 645-A 55mm lens. Medium format is completely new for me. I like it and consider to invest a little bit more in longer lens. Both lenses in the title could be found within the same price range (below $150). I do understand the difference between heavy zoom and prime. But what about picture quality of 80-160 in the range 135-155? Is it comparable to prime or far behind? (For 150mm there are a lot of reviews but not that many for 80-160.)

And one more question: how any of these is good on DSLR with adapter? (I have Pentax k5II now and probably upgrade sometime to KP or future APC-S K3II replacement.)

05-23-2018, 06:53 PM   #2
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QuoteOriginally posted by jumbleview Quote
Recently I become an owner of Pentax 645 camera and 645-A 55mm lens. Medium format is completely new for me.
what about picture quality of 80-160 in the range 135-155? Is it comparable to prime or far behind?
Are you shooting film or digital 645?

As the 80-160mm is only a 2x zoom, the quality is above average throughout. However, at f/4.5, it is slower than the 150mm f/3.5 prime, making for less potential bokeh and a bit darker viewfinder.

It is neither comparable to the prime nor "far behind" and much of your results will depend on

The 645 is already a fairly heavy non-studio type camera, so anything that helps lighten the load, is preferable.

I am not a fan of adapters. If you really care about quality, I would use modern lenses on modern tech.
05-23-2018, 09:21 PM   #3
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It is for Pentax 645 film (very first version). Taken into consideration it has only 15 frames per film each photo session is very special for me, so weight should be not that important. And it is just hobby. Thanks for reminding about darker viewfinder. That may be a reason for the prime.
05-24-2018, 01:25 AM - 1 Like   #4
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Iʻve had my 645 since 1986 and more recently acquired a 645N. With 15 shots per 120 roll, I spend more time walking and framing my shots than I would with a DSLR, and thus find the convenience of a zoom less important. My absolute favorite lenses have always been the normal 75mm and the 35mm wide angle prime.

I also have the 200mm prime, but find it too soft and slow for my taste with acceptable sharpness in the f/8-11 range. However, the 150mm is considerably sharper and a better focal length for portraits. Out of fairness to the 80-160 zoom, you should try to PM the three owners listed directly for their opinions. In the PF serial number database you can find them, of which two I recognize as frequent posters.

05-24-2018, 02:12 AM - 2 Likes   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by Alex645 Quote
Iʻve had my 645 since 1986 and more recently acquired a 645N. With 15 shots per 120 roll, I spend more time walking and framing my shots than I would with a DSLR, and thus find the convenience of a zoom less important. My absolute favorite lenses have always been the normal 75mm and the 35mm wide angle prime.

I also have the 200mm prime, but find it too soft and slow for my taste with acceptable sharpness in the f/8-11 range. However, the 150mm is considerably sharper and a better focal length for portraits. Out of fairness to the 80-160 zoom, you should try to PM the three owners listed directly for their opinions. In the PF serial number database you can find them, of which two I recognize as frequent posters.
I concur with Alex645, there is some convenience and flexibility to be had using the zoom with certain subjects but that seems to be offset by weight and size along with image quality. I have both and the 150 f/3.5 is a better optic and easier to handle. I became sort of a collector of the whole system but if I had to choose just one of the two the only choice is the 150 and more footwork.
05-24-2018, 06:37 AM   #6
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Thanks Alex645 and From1980. I got the picture. Just need to shoot two three more rolls with my 55mm and then will come to final conclusion. Does anybody of you have an experience with any 645 prime with 35mm film? I have an MX and some of manual lenses which covers 24...105 mm but nothing longer. Has to understand if it does make a sense to buy an adapter or it just waste of money.
05-24-2018, 09:54 AM   #7
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I've used the 150mm with a K20D, with good results. The biggest issue for me was the manual focus on the K20D. You wouldn't have that problem on the MX, but the disadvantage might be the size of the lenses compared to a similar focal length in K-mount.

05-25-2018, 02:10 AM   #8
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I'm shooting with the 645D and I have the FA 150 2.8 and FA 80-160 and I use it as a travel camera and to capture family moments. I don't have experience with the f3.5 version or the A models but can give my impressions about the FAs.

As previously stated, the 150 is a great portrait lens. The bokeh and rendering is excellent and consistently gives nice results. The image quality is excellent for my needs.
The FA 80-160 renders nicely as well despite it's smaller aperture and is convenient to use for it's zoom. The image quality for this lens is actually pretty good. I also have the 75mm 2.8 FA and while it's an okay lens, overall I feel like the bokeh or rendering is missing something which I haven't quite figured out. The FA 80-160 doesn't give me that impression and I'm pleased by the results considering it's a zoom lens. Perhaps these impressions are a result of sample variance from the particular copies that I have.

Last weekend I traveled to Naples / Amalfi Coast for the first time and brought several lenses with me: DFA 35mm, DFA 55mm and the above two.
While I got some really great shots with the 150 2.8 it was simply too limiting in those narrow streets with fast paced action happening all around me and ended up using it the least of all of the lenses The 80-160mm was much more convenient to keep on there and I surely captured more than if I had been using the 150mm. When not traveling, I might be taking photos in the park with my family, I might use the 150 if I want a more separation with its 2.8 aperture. If I'm being more practical, the 80-160 will be used to make sure I don't miss the moments.

I think if you're looking to really get those bokeh filled portraits and shots out of this camera, I would recommend the 150mm 2.8.
If you want more focal length flexibility and aren't concerned by the weight or size then the 80-160 might be what you want.

Last edited by carddassxx; 05-25-2018 at 02:24 AM.
05-25-2018, 03:26 AM   #9
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OP won't have a use for the Auto focus on the FA 150 unless he upgrades to the digital or the 645N - though I agree it is a great portrait lens. It's all down to whether the OP is prepared to pay more for a f/2.8 over a f/3.5.
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