Originally posted by ivanvernon When cold weather writes stop to my flower photography, I confront the problem of what to do with an extensive Pentax camera and lens collection other than cleaning, checking hoods and caps, and shooting various test shot at miscellaneous objects around the house. This season, however, I have begun checking out my lens shutter lens collection, which is comprised of three Pentax lenses: Pentax 645 75mm f 2.8 LS, Pentax 645 135mm f 4.0 LS (2 copies), and Pentax 67 165mm f 4.0 LS. There exists also one Pentax LS lens that I do not own, the Pentax 67 90mm f 2.8 LS. In addition, I also have one non-Pentax LS lens, the Mamiya-Sekor 645 C 70mm f 2.8 LS, which is adaptable for use on K-mount but not P645 owing to incompatible registry distances of P645 and M645 cameras.
Apparently the major professional use of LS lenses is for portraiture, specifically to achieve subject isolation by creating dark backgrounds in bright ambient light situations. As an amateur not engaged in portraiture, however, I have found these lenses interesting for use with still life photography in any kind of ambient light situation. As examples I am attaching several test photos taken with the 645Z and Pentax 75mm f 2.8 LS.
Currently LS lenses do not seem to attract a great deal of attention here on the Forum, but I am interested to learn whether there is enough interest to create a Len Club devoted to them.
Very nice images!
The 90/2.8 LS was my first 6x7 lens when I started with the system, mostly because it was relatively cheap. But recently since I’ve been doing some home studio experimenting, I’ve just recently started exploiting its leaf shutter capability. Your images give me inspiration for more subject material! I have the 165/4 LS on the way, it has a stellar reputation and am really looking forward to using it.
I’m definitely up for a LS lens club!