smc PENTAX-A 645 600mm F5.6 ED [IF]

Peter Zack · 01-22-2010, 01:37 PM

Allow me to post this publicly to both TEA and Spinalcracker. There is no selling outside the marketplace and in the open forums. Please stop posting here or anywhere else other than the marketplace.

Last edited by Peter Zack; 01-22-2010 at 02:08 PM.

Ivan J. Eberle · 03-11-2010, 06:08 PM

Yuri,

Even if terrific optically, what exactly are you going to use it for that the lack of fast coreless AF motors, shake reduction built into the lens (or the 645D system) will not be a major hindrance? Sports and wildlife are peak-of-action pursuits, and the large mirror swinging up out of the way on the 645 while softly braked comes at a penalty of shutter lag that just isn't there in the smaller formats. 35mm and APS-C DSLR systems also tend to be a better fit with extreme telephotos since DSLRs can be bumped up in ISO. Since this became the new regime the need for grain reduction in enlargements from film no longer necessitates MF. Yes, you could use the lens with a 645>35 adapter, but unlike the 67>645 lens adapters you give up full aperture metering and a couple of modes. Too the lenses are physically much larger and heavier due to the bigger image circle, but that is wasted on 35mm or APS-C (and you get nothing in return used with 35m because there's no virtual focal length boost versus the same tele length in a 35mm system lens).

**yurihuta** · 03-12-2010, 08:56 AM

Ivan,
Thanks for your thoughts. I am not buying it to compete with modern DSLR gear, I just like the Pentax 645 line, I like shooting film, I like looking at big negs/chromes on a light table. I also like old gear. I used to own the Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L, so I am somewhat familiar with large, great quality, modern optics. Something about it, don't know. Might be at the core of why I like my Widelux camera, why I still would like to own an FJ-62 Toyota Landcruiser, why I keep looking for a minty Minolta XKM. I just like it and it appeals to me.
Yuri

**yurihuta** · 10-02-2014, 09:31 AM

Well it has been a few years and I never did track down the big 645 600mm, but I did pick up a beautiful Pentax M* 67 400mm f4 ED (IF). I have the 67 lens - 645 body adapter (one Pentax and one Zoerk/Zork shift adapter). The lens is beautifully made... Reading some of the posts here it sounds like the 1.4x converter might be a good addition, but the 2.0x with this lens? Both converters are quite inexpensive at the moment so I might opt for both. Maybe better to start a new thread?

robertchow999 · 10-02-2014, 01:11 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by yurihuta

tuco: I need to be dissuaded, because this spirals out of control quickly. I am an equipment junkie. But I am really interested in people's experience with this lens. I can see myself getting one eventually, when I stumble upon a great deal.

Hi Yuri, don't worry about it spiraling out of control because 600mm is as long as it gets for the 645 system. However, there are teleconverters available. I would deem them essential since 600mm is the equivalent to 400mm on the N and 480mm on the D/Z. OK, after the T/C, you draw the line before the marriage starts to crack.

desertscape · 10-02-2014, 04:58 PM

The 1.4X and 2X gray converters are amazing on the long lenses. On the 400 ED, the 2X is best if the lens is stopped down a bit.

672 · 10-02-2014, 11:56 PM

I am sorry to go against popular posts here , but, the Teleconverters look not great behind the m*400 ed if. The 1.4 combined with the D is a softened image. Not sharp. I find that when i resort to the converter , the resulting image quality leaves me wondering why i shot medium format. The teleconverter takes away the "magic" of the 44x33 mm sensor.

**yurihuta** · 10-03-2014, 08:53 AM

Originally posted by desertscape

The 1.4X and 2X gray converters are amazing on the long lenses. On the 400 ED, the 2X is best if the lens is stopped down a bit.

Thank you for your reply desertscape!
Is this your experience with film? I'm planning on using it with my 645N body (have a project 67 body that I will get around to fixing) and give it a try with my Nikon D7000.

---------- Post added 10-03-2014 at 11:55 AM ----------

Oh it spiraled and spiraled... no sense trying to stop it...

I did end up getting the 67 lens - a 400mm f4 ED IF. I missed out on a few auctions for the 645's 600mm, so that wish is now shelved since I received this other beauty.

Originally posted by robertchow999

Hi Yuri, don't worry about it spiraling out of control because 600mm is as long as it gets for the 645 system. However, there are teleconverters available. I would deem them essential since 600mm is the equivalent to 400mm on the N and 480mm on the D/Z. OK, after the T/C, you draw the line before the marriage starts to crack.

---------- Post added 10-03-2014 at 11:56 AM ----------

Have you also found this to be the case on film bodies? I have yet to pull the trigger on a used 645D body and am sticking with my 645N (shoot and scan digital).

Originally posted by 672

I am sorry to go against popular posts here , but, the Teleconverters look not great behind the m*400 ed if. The 1.4 combined with the D is a softened image. Not sharp. I find that when i resort to the converter , the resulting image quality leaves me wondering why i shot medium format. The teleconverter takes away the "magic" of the 44x33 mm sensor.

desertscape · 10-03-2014, 01:20 PM

My experience with the two converters is with film, not the 645D/Z. Your mileage my vary.

**yurihuta** · 10-07-2014, 07:15 AM

I received a Pentax 67 Rear Converter 2X just today, so will see how this works with the 67 400mm f4... hopefully tonight with the second Blood Moon of 2014 (supposed to be cloudy with intermittent rain).

10-02-2014, 09:31 AM	#19
yurihuta Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Washington DC, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 632 Original Poster	*Pentax M 67 400mm f4 ED (IF)** Well it has been a few years and I never did track down the big 645 600mm, but I did pick up a beautiful Pentax M* 67 400mm f4 ED (IF). I have the 67 lens - 645 body adapter (one Pentax and one Zoerk/Zork shift adapter). The lens is beautifully made... Reading some of the posts here it sounds like the 1.4x converter might be a good addition, but the 2.0x with this lens? Both converters are quite inexpensive at the moment so I might opt for both. Maybe better to start a new thread?

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01-22-2010, 01:37 PM	#16
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	Allow me to post this publicly to both TEA and Spinalcracker. There is no selling outside the marketplace and in the open forums. Please stop posting here or anywhere else other than the marketplace. Last edited by Peter Zack; 01-22-2010 at 02:08 PM.

03-11-2010, 06:08 PM	#17
Ivan J. Eberle Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ventana Wilderness, CA Posts: 83	Yuri, Even if terrific optically, what exactly are you going to use it for that the lack of fast coreless AF motors, shake reduction built into the lens (or the 645D system) will not be a major hindrance? Sports and wildlife are peak-of-action pursuits, and the large mirror swinging up out of the way on the 645 while softly braked comes at a penalty of shutter lag that just isn't there in the smaller formats. 35mm and APS-C DSLR systems also tend to be a better fit with extreme telephotos since DSLRs can be bumped up in ISO. Since this became the new regime the need for grain reduction in enlargements from film no longer necessitates MF. Yes, you could use the lens with a 645>35 adapter, but unlike the 67>645 lens adapters you give up full aperture metering and a couple of modes. Too the lenses are physically much larger and heavier due to the bigger image circle, but that is wasted on 35mm or APS-C (and you get nothing in return used with 35m because there's no virtual focal length boost versus the same tele length in a 35mm system lens).

03-12-2010, 08:56 AM	#18
yurihuta Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Washington DC, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 632 Original Poster	Ivan, Thanks for your thoughts. I am not buying it to compete with modern DSLR gear, I just like the Pentax 645 line, I like shooting film, I like looking at big negs/chromes on a light table. I also like old gear. I used to own the Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L, so I am somewhat familiar with large, great quality, modern optics. Something about it, don't know. Might be at the core of why I like my Widelux camera, why I still would like to own an FJ-62 Toyota Landcruiser, why I keep looking for a minty Minolta XKM. I just like it and it appeals to me. Yuri

10-02-2014, 01:11 PM - 1 Like	#20
robertchow999 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 117	Originally posted by yurihuta tuco: I need to be dissuaded, because this spirals out of control quickly. I am an equipment junkie. But I am really interested in people's experience with this lens. I can see myself getting one eventually, when I stumble upon a great deal. Hi Yuri, don't worry about it spiraling out of control because 600mm is as long as it gets for the 645 system. However, there are teleconverters available. I would deem them essential since 600mm is the equivalent to 400mm on the N and 480mm on the D/Z. OK, after the T/C, you draw the line before the marriage starts to crack.

10-02-2014, 04:58 PM	#21
desertscape Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,272	The 1.4X and 2X gray converters are amazing on the long lenses. On the 400 ED, the 2X is best if the lens is stopped down a bit.

10-02-2014, 11:56 PM	#22
672 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: santa monica Photos: Gallery Posts: 486	I am sorry to go against popular posts here , but, the Teleconverters look not great behind the m*400 ed if. The 1.4 combined with the D is a softened image. Not sharp. I find that when i resort to the converter , the resulting image quality leaves me wondering why i shot medium format. The teleconverter takes away the "magic" of the 44x33 mm sensor.

10-03-2014, 08:53 AM	#23
yurihuta Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Washington DC, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 632 Original Poster	Originally posted by desertscape The 1.4X and 2X gray converters are amazing on the long lenses. On the 400 ED, the 2X is best if the lens is stopped down a bit. Thank you for your reply desertscape! Is this your experience with film? I'm planning on using it with my 645N body (have a project 67 body that I will get around to fixing) and give it a try with my Nikon D7000. ---------- Post added 10-03-2014 at 11:55 AM ---------- Oh it spiraled and spiraled... no sense trying to stop it... I did end up getting the 67 lens - a 400mm f4 ED IF. I missed out on a few auctions for the 645's 600mm, so that wish is now shelved since I received this other beauty. Originally posted by robertchow999 Hi Yuri, don't worry about it spiraling out of control because 600mm is as long as it gets for the 645 system. However, there are teleconverters available. I would deem them essential since 600mm is the equivalent to 400mm on the N and 480mm on the D/Z. OK, after the T/C, you draw the line before the marriage starts to crack. ---------- Post added 10-03-2014 at 11:56 AM ---------- Have you also found this to be the case on film bodies? I have yet to pull the trigger on a used 645D body and am sticking with my 645N (shoot and scan digital). Originally posted by 672 I am sorry to go against popular posts here , but, the Teleconverters look not great behind the m*400 ed if. The 1.4 combined with the D is a softened image. Not sharp. I find that when i resort to the converter , the resulting image quality leaves me wondering why i shot medium format. The teleconverter takes away the "magic" of the 44x33 mm sensor.

10-03-2014, 01:20 PM	#24
desertscape Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,272	My experience with the two converters is with film, not the 645D/Z. Your mileage my vary.

10-07-2014, 07:15 AM	#25
yurihuta Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Washington DC, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 632 Original Poster	I received a Pentax 67 Rear Converter 2X just today, so will see how this works with the 67 400mm f4... hopefully tonight with the second Blood Moon of 2014 (supposed to be cloudy with intermittent rain).

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