[TDvN57]

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I want to ask the forum for advice and learn from your experience.

What would you recommend as the ultimate portrait lens 645 or 6x7 formats for use on the 645z. Could also be non Pentax brand to be used with adapter.

Will appreciate your advice.

[Sandy Hancock]

I love my Schneider-Kreuznach Cinelux-Ultra 125/2.0

The only problems are (1) manual focus only, with a very long throw, and (2) f/2.0 is all you get.





And a full body shot. I couldn't find a volunteer for a live nude, so this will have to do



Not much wrong with the FA645 80~160/4.5 either....



And if your model has perfect skin, or they are happy to be portrayed warts and all, the FA645 120/4.0 macro can fit the bill.

[chrism888]

I use the FA645 150mm F2.8

[barondla]

I love my Schneider-Kreuznach Cinelux-Ultra 125/2.0

The only problems are (1) manual focus only, with a very long throw, and (2) f/2.0 is all you get.





And a full body shot. I couldn't find a volunteer for a live nude, so this will have to do



Not much wrong with the FA645 80~160/4.5 either....



And if your model has perfect skin, or they are happy to be portrayed warts and all, the FA645 120/4.0 macro can fit the bill.

Excellent images. Cinelux looks great. Do you encounter problems with too much light outdoors at F2? Seems like bright light could cause over exposure even using 1/4000 and ISO 100. Have you ever tried adding a rubber washer inside the tube to reduce the aperture? Lensbaby users and people adapting Pentax 110 lenses do this often.

Thanks,
barondla

[texandrews]

What's wrong with the FA 150? Not much, as far as I can see....

The 90 is a great lens, but it is a macro lens, which aren't classic portrait lenses, and so that would also eliminate the 120's, both versions. The dark horse would be the 135LS.

[Sandy Hancock]

What's wrong with the FA 150?

Nothing at all

[angelo9978]

6x7 105mm 2.4 with 645 adapter. Love that lens

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[Sandy Hancock]

6x7 105mm 2.4 with 645 adapter.

Good call. That lens is one of very few left on my medium format list.

[TDvN57]

I really appreciate all the contributions.

Some years ago I had the FA 150mm 2.8 and loved it, I regret selling it.

The Cinelux lens is interesting, however I see the same problem in close up portraits with fast lenses in mf, that you need to stop down a bit, the model's one eye is in focus, the other not due to shallow dof.

Comparing bokeh I would say the 105mm 67 lens has a very nice and smooth bokeh, which is what I remember from the early 80's when I had a 6x7 and only one lens, the 105mm. The 645 150mm is certainly not far behind if not on par.

On my short list is the 150mm 645 and the 105mm 6x7 and I'm leaning towards the 105mm.

Further advice and experience based comment will be most welcome.

[chrism888]

645 FA150mm F7.1

[chrism888]

645 FA150 f4

[TDvN57]

Chris, thanks for these. I looked at your website and your portfolio is fantastic. It's an honor to get input from you, thank you.

[chrism888]

Chris, thanks for these. I looked at your website and your portfolio is fantastic. It's an honor to get input from you, thank you.

No problem TDvN57, thank you for your kind words re my web site, really appreciated

[rdenney]

Catching up from an extended break.

Carl Zeiss Jena MC-Sonnar 180mm f/2.8. A bit long, but creamy old-school rendering and the best bokeh on the planet. Truly a world-class portrait lens. It comes in a Pentacon Six mount, but adapters are cheap. Get the latest version with the stepped black barrel. Try to find the 10mm extension tube if you want to do tight headshots.

Unfortunately, I don’t have a world-class portrait, or even a crappy one, available for public viewing made using this lens on a 645z.

So you’ll have to take my word for it

Rick “worth the search” Denney

[TDvN57]

Catching up from an extended break.

Carl Zeiss Jena MC-Sonnar 180mm f/2.8. A bit long, but creamy old-school rendering and the best bokeh on the planet. Truly a world-class portrait lens. It comes in a Pentacon Six mount, but adapters are cheap. Get the latest version with the stepped black barrel. Try to find the 10mm extension tube if you want to do tight headshots.

Unfortunately, I don’t have a world-class portrait, or even a crappy one, available for public viewing made using this lens on a 645z.

So you’ll have to take my word for it

Rick “worth the search” Denney

Thanks Rick, I'll take a look at that one. I see there is one available on the bay with Pentax 645 mount. https://www.ebay.com/itm/SONNAR-2-8-180mm-Carl-Zeiss-Jena-German-lens-For-Pe...sAAOSwJt5fvvEj