Pentax 645 FA 75mm 2.8 or ?

**rollsman4** · 02-09-2019, 11:50 AM

I am looking to buy this lens as my carry lens. I shoot portraits and family shots but I want 1 lens that can do this for me
I need it to be light and not heavy and the IQ needs to be up there, I like AF so it can make life easier for me as I am now 72. I read about the 90 and and I dont want the 55 D FA as I am selling it to get another lens. I know I can do manual focus and I see so many great lenses from Pentax that I might have to settle and go with MF
I have to see if the 67 lenses are any better than the 645 ones same size lens. I would have to add an adaptor to use the 67 to 645 which is ok. Any suggestions are appreciated. Thank you

Last edited by rollsman4; 02-09-2019 at 01:17 PM.

**ProfessorBuzz** · 02-09-2019, 01:50 PM

One of my favorites its an FA 645 zoom 80-160. It's a little slow at f/4.5, but very versatile - it's the one I carry around the most. The 90 is super, macro is handy, and I quite like it. If I only had 1 lens, it would be the 80-160.

**baro-nite** · 02-09-2019, 02:08 PM

I don't see how you can beat the FA 75 for meeting your criteria: small and light, autofocus, excellent IQ.

**rollsman4** · 02-09-2019, 02:26 PM

Thank you. I am looking at the 645 75 FA 2.8 but expensive. Thanks

**rollsman4** · 02-09-2019, 07:30 PM

I don't want to rely on a tripod so I am looking for a prime and Light weight . I dont want any camera shake

Silent Street · 02-09-2019, 08:24 PM

Originally posted by rollsman4

[...]
I have to see if the 67 lenses are any better than the 645 ones same size lens. I would have to add an adaptor to use the 67 to 645 which is ok. Any suggestions are appreciated. Thank you

If you are looking at the 67 system 75mm equivalent (all manual focus), it exists in three forms: the weighty and clunky 75mm shift, plain 75mm f4.5 (challenging to focus in low light or with a polariser) and the uber-stellar 75mm f2.8AL. No bull, the f.28AL will set you back a hefty amount (esp. if it is found MINT/NIB/NOS, with trap-door [to enable use of a POL you remove this so you can stick your digit up there and make adjustments...] petal hood), and from a professional user's perspective, it is a delight to use, if a little weighty (understandably for its glass): contrasty, indisputably sharp, precise, touch sensitive focus and spring-loaded aperture. It takes the common 67mm filters (if you do put a filter on it, go for B+W or HOYA's). Expect around $1600 to $2,000+ for this lens but do check out any offering in your own hands and with your own eyes -- there are profiteers about, esp. in Japan.

**rollsman4** · 02-09-2019, 08:26 PM

Thank you BUT Its out of my Price range. I appreciate the info. thanks

**tlp** · 02-09-2019, 08:34 PM

My suggestion is to get a good mono-pod.
It works well as a walking stick and you can pop the 645 on to take pictures
and the weight only then comes into play with the carrying the kit to location
as the mono-pod takes all teh weight upon shooting.
& with proper mono-pod technique its almost as good as a tripod except for long exsposures
Its worked well for me these last 5 years

Silent Street · 02-09-2019, 08:39 PM

Originally posted by rollsman4

Thank you BUT Its out of my Price range. I appreciate the info. thanks

It is out of budget range for a great many people which is a shame but then the market is driven by demand: there are not a great many of those f2.8 lenses in circulation. But there are quite a few others down through the years which are not expensive:

(c. 1969) 75mm f4.5 Super-Takumar 6x7
(filter 82mm)

(c. 1971) 75mm f4.5 Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 6x7
(filter 82mm)

(c. 1980) 75mm f4.5 SMC Pentax Shift 6x7
(filter 82mm)

(c. 1990) 75mm f4.5 SMC Pentax 67
(filter 82mm)

My bet would be on the later 1980 to 1990 improved variants of the 75mm over the early Takumars.
(The SMC Pentax 67 designation came in about the same time as the Pentax 67II camera was released, giving the lenses a modern flourish (and in some cases, minor design tweaks) over the considerably dated earlier optics.

Cheers.

desertscape · 02-11-2019, 02:30 PM

Originally posted by Silent Street

My bet would be on the later 1980 to 1990 improved variants of the 75mm over the early Takumars.

The different iterations of the 75 f/4.5 (not shift) were all Retrofocus designs based on the French Angenieux design as far as I have seen. The only thing that changed over the years was the coating.

asahijock · 02-13-2019, 04:56 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by baro-nite

I don't see how you can beat the FA 75 for meeting your criteria: small and light, autofocus, excellent IQ.

+1 For a 645 lens it is light, tiny and has pretty good autofocus for a MF lens. Someone mentioned $500. There was a time not so long ago that you could buy a 645N with its FA 75mm lens for not much more than $500.

If your eyes are a problem and I appreciate such problems being of a similar age then the "A" lens used manually has the ability to tell you its in focus by lighting up the green hexagonal.

asahijock

**rollsman4** · 02-15-2019, 08:45 PM

Ok Excellent Thank you I appreciate that

jberry · 02-17-2019, 09:01 PM

Can't go wrong with the Pentax 75mm 2.8!! I did a youtube review of this lens recently

You Tube

itshimitis · 02-18-2019, 03:00 AM

I carry a heavier lens on the camera and put the 75 f/2.8 in a pocket. It is that small and light.

02-09-2019, 11:50 AM	#1
rollsman4 Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 460	Pentax 645 FA 75mm 2.8 or ? I am looking to buy this lens as my carry lens. I shoot portraits and family shots but I want 1 lens that can do this for me I need it to be light and not heavy and the IQ needs to be up there, I like AF so it can make life easier for me as I am now 72. I read about the 90 and and I dont want the 55 D FA as I am selling it to get another lens. I know I can do manual focus and I see so many great lenses from Pentax that I might have to settle and go with MF I have to see if the 67 lenses are any better than the 645 ones same size lens. I would have to add an adaptor to use the 67 to 645 which is ok. Any suggestions are appreciated. Thank you Last edited by rollsman4; 02-09-2019 at 01:17 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
For Sale - Sold: Pentax 645 w/ 55mm, 75mm, 120mm Macro, 150mm and more. FULL 645 Kit! Free shipping	gdneil	Sold Items	4	04-13-2018 04:42 PM

02-09-2019, 01:50 PM	#2
ProfessorBuzz Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 1,903	One of my favorites its an FA 645 zoom 80-160. It's a little slow at f/4.5, but very versatile - it's the one I carry around the most. The 90 is super, macro is handy, and I quite like it. If I only had 1 lens, it would be the 80-160.

02-09-2019, 02:08 PM	#3
baro-nite Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,295	I don't see how you can beat the FA 75 for meeting your criteria: small and light, autofocus, excellent IQ.

02-09-2019, 02:26 PM	#4
rollsman4 Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 460 Original Poster	Thank you. I am looking at the 645 75 FA 2.8 but expensive. Thanks

02-09-2019, 07:30 PM	#5
rollsman4 Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 460 Original Poster	I don't want to rely on a tripod so I am looking for a prime and Light weight . I dont want any camera shake

02-09-2019, 08:24 PM	#6
Silent Street Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Castlemaine, Victoria, AUS Photos: Albums Posts: 1,151	Originally posted by rollsman4 [...] I have to see if the 67 lenses are any better than the 645 ones same size lens. I would have to add an adaptor to use the 67 to 645 which is ok. Any suggestions are appreciated. Thank you If you are looking at the 67 system 75mm equivalent (all manual focus), it exists in three forms: the weighty and clunky 75mm shift, plain 75mm f4.5 (challenging to focus in low light or with a polariser) and the uber-stellar 75mm f2.8AL. No bull, the f.28AL will set you back a hefty amount (esp. if it is found MINT/NIB/NOS, with trap-door [to enable use of a POL you remove this so you can stick your digit up there and make adjustments...] petal hood), and from a professional user's perspective, it is a delight to use, if a little weighty (understandably for its glass): contrasty, indisputably sharp, precise, touch sensitive focus and spring-loaded aperture. It takes the common 67mm filters (if you do put a filter on it, go for B+W or HOYA's). Expect around $1600 to $2,000+ for this lens but do check out any offering in your own hands and with your own eyes -- there are profiteers about, esp. in Japan.

02-09-2019, 08:26 PM	#7
rollsman4 Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 460 Original Poster	Thank you BUT Its out of my Price range. I appreciate the info. thanks

02-09-2019, 08:34 PM	#8
tlp Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: United States Posts: 74	My suggestion is to get a good mono-pod. It works well as a walking stick and you can pop the 645 on to take pictures and the weight only then comes into play with the carrying the kit to location as the mono-pod takes all teh weight upon shooting. & with proper mono-pod technique its almost as good as a tripod except for long exsposures Its worked well for me these last 5 years

02-09-2019, 08:39 PM	#9
Silent Street Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Castlemaine, Victoria, AUS Photos: Albums Posts: 1,151	Originally posted by rollsman4 Thank you BUT Its out of my Price range. I appreciate the info. thanks It is out of budget range for a great many people which is a shame but then the market is driven by demand: there are not a great many of those f2.8 lenses in circulation. But there are quite a few others down through the years which are not expensive: (c. 1969) 75mm f4.5 Super-Takumar 6x7 (filter 82mm) (c. 1971) 75mm f4.5 Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 6x7 (filter 82mm) (c. 1980) 75mm f4.5 SMC Pentax Shift 6x7 (filter 82mm) (c. 1990) 75mm f4.5 SMC Pentax 67 (filter 82mm) My bet would be on the later 1980 to 1990 improved variants of the 75mm over the early Takumars. (The SMC Pentax 67 designation came in about the same time as the Pentax 67II camera was released, giving the lenses a modern flourish (and in some cases, minor design tweaks) over the considerably dated earlier optics. Cheers.

02-11-2019, 02:30 PM	#10
desertscape Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,272	Originally posted by Silent Street My bet would be on the later 1980 to 1990 improved variants of the 75mm over the early Takumars. The different iterations of the 75 f/4.5 (not shift) were all Retrofocus designs based on the French Angenieux design as far as I have seen. The only thing that changed over the years was the coating.

02-13-2019, 04:56 PM - 1 Like	#11
asahijock Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Northants, England Posts: 167	Originally posted by baro-nite I don't see how you can beat the FA 75 for meeting your criteria: small and light, autofocus, excellent IQ. +1 For a 645 lens it is light, tiny and has pretty good autofocus for a MF lens. Someone mentioned $500. There was a time not so long ago that you could buy a 645N with its FA 75mm lens for not much more than $500. If your eyes are a problem and I appreciate such problems being of a similar age then the "A" lens used manually has the ability to tell you its in focus by lighting up the green hexagonal. asahijock

02-15-2019, 08:45 PM	#12
rollsman4 Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 460 Original Poster	Ok Excellent Thank you I appreciate that

02-18-2019, 03:00 AM	#14
itshimitis Pentaxian Join Date: May 2011 Location: All over the place Posts: 3,535	I carry a heavier lens on the camera and put the 75 f/2.8 in a pocket. It is that small and light.