Which Lens 45mm or 55mm

knumbnutz · 04-06-2009, 04:57 PM

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Hi All,
Damn these are hard to find so I would love to hear from people who have them.

Which lens do you reach for the most ? or if you only have one, do you find yourself happy with the choice or wanting a different FL.

Does it seem like IQ is similar ??

So far my 67kit will consist of 105/2.4, maybe 165~FL and a wide. Mostly i use wide at around 16mm in DSLR so I need at least one wide, so tough choice between 45 and 55.

Any thoughts will be appreciated.

Cheers Neil

Wheatfield · 04-06-2009, 07:43 PM

I skipped the 55mm lens and went from 75mm to 45mm. I never used the 45 and wished for a narrower FOV that the 75 wouldn't take care of.
The 45 is an awesone lens, the 75 4.5 Tak that I have is razor sharp, but rather prone to flare.
I never found I had to worry about the "IQ" of any 6x7 lens.

knumbnutz · 04-06-2009, 08:33 PM

Originally posted by Wheatfield

I skipped the 55mm lens and went from 75mm to 45mm. I never used the 45 and wished for a narrower FOV that the 75 wouldn't take care of.
The 45 is an awesone lens, the 75 4.5 Tak that I have is razor sharp, but rather prone to flare.
I never found I had to worry about the "IQ" of any 6x7 lens.

Hi Wheatfield,

Never used the 45 ?? or i take it you meant to say 55 ?

Hard to find 45's, there seems to be a lot of 55mm. Hard to find images from either lens. I take it the 45 is rectalinear ?

Cheers
Neil

Jewelltrail · 04-06-2009, 10:46 PM

Quote:

knumbnutz: Mostly i use wide at around 16mm in DSLR so I need at least one wide, so tough choice between 45 and 55.

According to this site here Antique and Classic Cameras the latest model 55 f4 outperforms both versions of the 45. But, I believe the 45 is more in demand since it provides a wider angle.

If you like 16mm on the DSLR (35mm equivalent of 24mm) you will be more at home with the 45mm.

Wheatfield · 04-07-2009, 10:00 AM

Originally posted by knumbnutz

Hi Wheatfield,

Never used the 45 ?? or i take it you meant to say 55 ?

Hard to find 45's, there seems to be a lot of 55mm. Hard to find images from either lens. I take it the 45 is rectalinear ?

Cheers
Neil

Nope, I meant the 45.
The 45 is rectilinear and is a very good lens indeed. When I was buying my 6x7 system, I decided that there just wasn't going to be enough of a FOV difference between the 45mm and 55mm lenses to concern myself with both, but that if I ran into something that required wider than the 55, I would want the 45.
OTOH, one can usually take a few steps forwards....

That Antique and Classic camera website isn't testing anything, he's just gleaned a bunch of rhetoric off the web and is passing it on as facts.
Nothing there to pay much attention to.
I've taken negs shot with the 6x7 up to as big as 40x60 inches with no problems, and routinely made prints up to 16x20 from all my lenses with no quality concerns.
The urge to measurbate and get the best IQ is something that the newbies who've never handled a medium format camera, but who have lots of experience with digital files at 200% do to try to justify their sad existence.
It's not something that people who shoot medium format or larger film need to concern themselves with.

**Ron Boggs** · 04-07-2009, 10:32 AM

The 45mm does extremely nice work. Distortion is surprisingly well controlled for this wide view and corner sharpness (which is a problem for many ultra wide lenses) exceeds expectations.

I've printed many 30x40 cibachrome/ilfochrome prints of images shot through this lens. Chrome prints are unforgiving and the crispness of the 45mm doesn't falter.

To see some images shot through the 45mm: If I knew how to link, I'd place one here. go to www.RonBoggsPhotography.com and click on the Series 1 Gallery on the header. Be patient, it may take a minute (because I prefer large thumbnails) In there you'll see a few landscape examples...Sea of Green demonstrates corner sharpness...The 'Fridge demonstrates contrast. Any wide angle shots you see in that gallery were shot through the 45 as it's my only wide angle lens.

Please don't read this as any kind of reflection on the 55mm. Every 55mm shooter I know really likes the results and I've seen some very impressive stuff done with it. You'll probably be thrilled with the results from either or both lenses!

Jewelltrail · 04-07-2009, 12:18 PM

Quote:

knumbnutz: Hard to find 45's, there seems to be a lot of 55mm. Hard to find images from either lens. I take it the 45 is rectalinear ?

Yes, because the 55, with various modifications, began production in 1969. The 45mm only began production in 1980. So there should be a lot more 55mms out there.

Quote:

Ron Boggs: Please don't read this as any kind of reflection on the 55mm. Every 55mm shooter I know really likes the results and I've seen some very impressive stuff done with it. You'll probably be thrilled with the results from either or both lenses!

I agree Ron. Both lenses are rated very highly at the Antique camera site. I am sure they both produce stunning work. The 45mm is based on a optical design from 1980 and remain unchanged in its last run in 1989. The 55mm, latest model only, is based on an optical design from 1986. The 55mm will close focus slightly better than the 45mm, but is heavier too. But the 55mm takes smaller (77m) filters than the 45mm (82mm) does.

The person who constructed the Antique Camera site is obviously knowledgeable, though not flawless. They simply exercised their prerogative to give the 55mm a slight edge over the 45mm--that is all. Does it make them right--not necessarily.

Jewelltrail · 04-07-2009, 12:30 PM

Quote:

knumbnutz: Hard to find 45's, there seems to be a lot of 55mm

Here is a 45mm--hurry, it is going fast!

Pentax 45mm f/4 SMC Wide Angle 67 6x7" Lens Used - eBay (item 220387889239 end time Apr-07-09 17:00:00 PDT)

And more,

Pentax 67 45mm f4, Cameras Photo items on eBay.com

KEH lenses has a few of them:

Cameras and used cameras available from KEH Camera Brokers.

surfotog · 04-07-2009, 01:39 PM

I guess I've had bad luck with the 45/4, as both my copies were very soft in the corners. I 'm looking for another, but I'll have to buy from a source that will allow returns, giving me a chance to test it.
FWIW, a Bay area physicist/ photographer named Leping Zha, did resolution tests on a number of 67 lenses on a Canon digital, and found the new 55/4, the 55-110/4.5 zoom and the 300/4 EDIF all exceeded 80lp/mm. The 45/4 resolved around 65lp/mm.

Jewelltrail · 04-07-2009, 09:50 PM

Quote:

surfotog: I guess I've had bad luck with the 45/4, as both my copies were very soft in the corners. I 'm looking for another, but I'll have to buy from a source that will allow returns, giving me a chance to test it.

The last link posted just above yours takes you to KEH--not sure if you have heard of them, but they have a well-deserved reputation in the lens business. They also have at least 3 of the 45mm f4.

surfotog · 04-07-2009, 11:20 PM

Thanks. I've bought quite a bit from KEH over the years. A top notch company. I'm waiting for the 45/4 prices to drop a bit, then I'll probably try another one.

knumbnutz · 04-08-2009, 01:07 AM

Thanks all for the input.

I am looking and learning the system, not so much interested in quality or measurbating, just wanting to know if there are any characteristics of the lens that should be taken into account like flare etc as you mentioned.
I am about to grab a couple of 617 cameras while i am overseas.
Should be a good combo, K20D, P67ii and a 617. If i can't get any nice shots with that stuff, i'll give up.
The 67 is like a Xpan with shift, shame they have a 30mm lens.... now thats wide!
Cheers Neil

Jewelltrail · 04-08-2009, 09:10 AM

Quote:

surfotog: I'm waiting for the 45/4 prices to drop a bit, then I'll probably try another one.

Yes I agree-- that makes sense--prices are way up there for the 45. Best of luck securing a good one, for a good price.

Jewelltrail · 04-09-2009, 12:50 AM

Quote:

knumbnutz: Hard to find 45's, there seems to be a lot of 55mm. Hard to find images from either lens.

Some decent images of the 55mm here, check p2 also:

Pentax 67 - a set on Flickr

desertscape · 04-10-2009, 10:14 AM

You might want to have a look at the Lens Review section of this forum as well.

04-06-2009, 04:57 PM	#1
knumbnutz Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 394	Which Lens 45mm or 55mm Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. Hi All, Damn these are hard to find so I would love to hear from people who have them. Which lens do you reach for the most ? or if you only have one, do you find yourself happy with the choice or wanting a different FL. Does it seem like IQ is similar ?? So far my 67kit will consist of 105/2.4, maybe 165~FL and a wide. Mostly i use wide at around 16mm in DSLR so I need at least one wide, so tough choice between 45 and 55. Any thoughts will be appreciated. Cheers Neil

04-07-2009, 12:30 PM	#8
Jewelltrail Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Rhode Island Photos: Albums Posts: 4,180	Quote: knumbnutz: Hard to find 45's, there seems to be a lot of 55mm Here is a 45mm--hurry, it is going fast! Pentax 45mm f/4 SMC Wide Angle 67 6x7" Lens Used - eBay (item 220387889239 end time Apr-07-09 17:00:00 PDT) And more, Pentax 67 45mm f4, Cameras Photo items on eBay.com KEH lenses has a few of them: Cameras and used cameras available from KEH Camera Brokers. Last edited by Jewelltrail; 04-07-2009 at 12:45 PM.

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04-06-2009, 07:43 PM	#2
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,976	I skipped the 55mm lens and went from 75mm to 45mm. I never used the 45 and wished for a narrower FOV that the 75 wouldn't take care of. The 45 is an awesone lens, the 75 4.5 Tak that I have is razor sharp, but rather prone to flare. I never found I had to worry about the "IQ" of any 6x7 lens.

04-06-2009, 08:33 PM	#3
knumbnutz Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 394 Original Poster	Originally posted by Wheatfield I skipped the 55mm lens and went from 75mm to 45mm. I never used the 45 and wished for a narrower FOV that the 75 wouldn't take care of. The 45 is an awesone lens, the 75 4.5 Tak that I have is razor sharp, but rather prone to flare. I never found I had to worry about the "IQ" of any 6x7 lens. Hi Wheatfield, Never used the 45 ?? or i take it you meant to say 55 ? Hard to find 45's, there seems to be a lot of 55mm. Hard to find images from either lens. I take it the 45 is rectalinear ? Cheers Neil

04-06-2009, 10:46 PM	#4
Jewelltrail Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Rhode Island Photos: Albums Posts: 4,180	Quote: knumbnutz: Mostly i use wide at around 16mm in DSLR so I need at least one wide, so tough choice between 45 and 55. According to this site here Antique and Classic Cameras the latest model 55 f4 outperforms both versions of the 45. But, I believe the 45 is more in demand since it provides a wider angle. If you like 16mm on the DSLR (35mm equivalent of 24mm) you will be more at home with the 45mm.

04-07-2009, 10:00 AM	#5
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,976	Originally posted by knumbnutz Hi Wheatfield, Never used the 45 ?? or i take it you meant to say 55 ? Hard to find 45's, there seems to be a lot of 55mm. Hard to find images from either lens. I take it the 45 is rectalinear ? Cheers Neil Nope, I meant the 45. The 45 is rectilinear and is a very good lens indeed. When I was buying my 6x7 system, I decided that there just wasn't going to be enough of a FOV difference between the 45mm and 55mm lenses to concern myself with both, but that if I ran into something that required wider than the 55, I would want the 45. OTOH, one can usually take a few steps forwards.... That Antique and Classic camera website isn't testing anything, he's just gleaned a bunch of rhetoric off the web and is passing it on as facts. Nothing there to pay much attention to. I've taken negs shot with the 6x7 up to as big as 40x60 inches with no problems, and routinely made prints up to 16x20 from all my lenses with no quality concerns. The urge to measurbate and get the best IQ is something that the newbies who've never handled a medium format camera, but who have lots of experience with digital files at 200% do to try to justify their sad existence. It's not something that people who shoot medium format or larger film need to concern themselves with.

04-07-2009, 10:32 AM	#6
Ron Boggs Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: MT Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,349	The 45mm does extremely nice work. Distortion is surprisingly well controlled for this wide view and corner sharpness (which is a problem for many ultra wide lenses) exceeds expectations. I've printed many 30x40 cibachrome/ilfochrome prints of images shot through this lens. Chrome prints are unforgiving and the crispness of the 45mm doesn't falter. To see some images shot through the 45mm: If I knew how to link, I'd place one here. go to www.RonBoggsPhotography.com and click on the Series 1 Gallery on the header. Be patient, it may take a minute (because I prefer large thumbnails) In there you'll see a few landscape examples...Sea of Green demonstrates corner sharpness...The 'Fridge demonstrates contrast. Any wide angle shots you see in that gallery were shot through the 45 as it's my only wide angle lens. Please don't read this as any kind of reflection on the 55mm. Every 55mm shooter I know really likes the results and I've seen some very impressive stuff done with it. You'll probably be thrilled with the results from either or both lenses!

04-07-2009, 12:18 PM	#7
Jewelltrail Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Rhode Island Photos: Albums Posts: 4,180	Quote: knumbnutz: Hard to find 45's, there seems to be a lot of 55mm. Hard to find images from either lens. I take it the 45 is rectalinear ? Yes, because the 55, with various modifications, began production in 1969. The 45mm only began production in 1980. So there should be a lot more 55mms out there. Quote: Ron Boggs: Please don't read this as any kind of reflection on the 55mm. Every 55mm shooter I know really likes the results and I've seen some very impressive stuff done with it. You'll probably be thrilled with the results from either or both lenses! I agree Ron. Both lenses are rated very highly at the Antique camera site. I am sure they both produce stunning work. The 45mm is based on a optical design from 1980 and remain unchanged in its last run in 1989. The 55mm, latest model only, is based on an optical design from 1986. The 55mm will close focus slightly better than the 45mm, but is heavier too. But the 55mm takes smaller (77m) filters than the 45mm (82mm) does. The person who constructed the Antique Camera site is obviously knowledgeable, though not flawless. They simply exercised their prerogative to give the 55mm a slight edge over the 45mm--that is all. Does it make them right--not necessarily.

04-07-2009, 01:39 PM	#9
surfotog Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Honolulu Posts: 150	I guess I've had bad luck with the 45/4, as both my copies were very soft in the corners. I 'm looking for another, but I'll have to buy from a source that will allow returns, giving me a chance to test it. FWIW, a Bay area physicist/ photographer named Leping Zha, did resolution tests on a number of 67 lenses on a Canon digital, and found the new 55/4, the 55-110/4.5 zoom and the 300/4 EDIF all exceeded 80lp/mm. The 45/4 resolved around 65lp/mm.

04-07-2009, 09:50 PM	#10
Jewelltrail Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Rhode Island Photos: Albums Posts: 4,180	Quote: surfotog: I guess I've had bad luck with the 45/4, as both my copies were very soft in the corners. I 'm looking for another, but I'll have to buy from a source that will allow returns, giving me a chance to test it. The last link posted just above yours takes you to KEH--not sure if you have heard of them, but they have a well-deserved reputation in the lens business. They also have at least 3 of the 45mm f4.

04-07-2009, 11:20 PM	#11
surfotog Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Honolulu Posts: 150	Thanks. I've bought quite a bit from KEH over the years. A top notch company. I'm waiting for the 45/4 prices to drop a bit, then I'll probably try another one.

04-08-2009, 01:07 AM	#12
knumbnutz Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 394 Original Poster	Thanks all for the input. I am looking and learning the system, not so much interested in quality or measurbating, just wanting to know if there are any characteristics of the lens that should be taken into account like flare etc as you mentioned. I am about to grab a couple of 617 cameras while i am overseas. Should be a good combo, K20D, P67ii and a 617. If i can't get any nice shots with that stuff, i'll give up. The 67 is like a Xpan with shift, shame they have a 30mm lens.... now thats wide! Cheers Neil

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04-08-2009, 09:10 AM	#13
Jewelltrail Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Rhode Island Photos: Albums Posts: 4,180	Quote: surfotog: I'm waiting for the 45/4 prices to drop a bit, then I'll probably try another one. Yes I agree-- that makes sense--prices are way up there for the 45. Best of luck securing a good one, for a good price.

04-09-2009, 12:50 AM	#14
Jewelltrail Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Rhode Island Photos: Albums Posts: 4,180	Quote: knumbnutz: Hard to find 45's, there seems to be a lot of 55mm. Hard to find images from either lens. Some decent images of the 55mm here, check p2 also: Pentax 67 - a set on Flickr

04-10-2009, 10:14 AM	#15
desertscape Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,272	You might want to have a look at the Lens Review section of this forum as well.