Advice regarding FA 645 45-85mm

Jonathan Mac · 04-17-2014, 04:39 AM

Hi all,

I have an opportunity to buy a used FA 645 45-85 f/4.5 lens for €150 (around $200) locally. I use an original 645 camera (so no AF) with 55, 75 and 150mm primes. The zoom gets good reviews but it's huge and at least a stop slower than my primes but would provide a wider view at 45mm and the obvious convenience of a zoom. The price seems very good from what I can find online.

I have looked it over and dry-fired my 645 with the lens a few times and all seems well except that when set wide open I can just see the edges of the aperture blades, as if they were very slightly closed down. Can someone with this lens please check theirs and tell me if that's normal?

I should add that I also have the opportunity to get an A 45/2.8 for €100, but that's not in such good condition.

I have until Saturday morning to decide, then I think the opportunity will be gone...

Many thanks for any help or advice.

Last edited by Jonathan Mac; 04-17-2014 at 04:56 AM.

Swift1 · 04-17-2014, 10:09 AM

$200 is a really good price for that zoom. Does it have the hood?
I've used one a bit and it is a really nice lens. I'd get it.
I think it's a better buy than the A 45/2.8
Plus, if you eventually add a 645N or NII, you'll have an AF lens

04-17-2014, 04:39 AM	#1
Jonathan Mac Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,911	Advice regarding FA 645 45-85mm Hi all, I have an opportunity to buy a used FA 645 45-85 f/4.5 lens for €150 (around $200) locally. I use an original 645 camera (so no AF) with 55, 75 and 150mm primes. The zoom gets good reviews but it's huge and at least a stop slower than my primes but would provide a wider view at 45mm and the obvious convenience of a zoom. The price seems very good from what I can find online. I have looked it over and dry-fired my 645 with the lens a few times and all seems well except that when set wide open I can just see the edges of the aperture blades, as if they were very slightly closed down. Can someone with this lens please check theirs and tell me if that's normal? I should add that I also have the opportunity to get an A 45/2.8 for €100, but that's not in such good condition. I have until Saturday morning to decide, then I think the opportunity will be gone... Many thanks for any help or advice. Last edited by Jonathan Mac; 04-17-2014 at 04:56 AM.

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04-17-2014, 10:09 AM	#2
Swift1 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Oregon Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,079	$200 is a really good price for that zoom. Does it have the hood? I've used one a bit and it is a really nice lens. I'd get it. I think it's a better buy than the A 45/2.8 Plus, if you eventually add a 645N or NII, you'll have an AF lens