| Author: | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: October, 2012 Location: Medina, OH Posts: 7,224
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: June 6, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $175.00
| Rating: N/A |
| Pros: | Sharpness, ease of focus | | Cons: | None seen, weight maybe? | | Camera Used: 645Z, 645D
| |
I am mainly writing to say that you CAN use this great lens in LS mode on the Pentax 645Z or 645D. I used the Pentax brand 67-645 adapter, which as far as I can tell is basically the same as the cheap eBay versions except for much better machining and fit. My flash unit did not have an external connector for the cord that goes between the lens and the flash unit, so I installed one of those voltage safety protector units that fits into the hotshoe; the one I used is called Safe Converter. Then run the cord from lens to the safety protector unit, and next install the flash unit into the hot shoe that is on top of the safety protector. Set the focal plane shutter on the 645Z at 1/8 second, which apparently is the only focal plane shutter speed that coordinates with the LS shutter. I set my little Pentax AF 200T on full and M for manual. Now take the shot. Light output from this little flash is quite adequate with ISO at 200 and aperture at f 8.0. I have not yet tried the setup with a regular flash unit, but in any event settings would have to be on manual so any flash unit should work the same as my little AF 200T.
When using the native 75mm LS and 135LS lenses on the 645D or 645Z the camera's display window shows the letters LS to signify that the camera is in LS mode. However, these two cameras do not show the LS letters when using the 67-165mm LS lens with the Pentax P67-:645 adapter, but works nevertheless.
Using the P67-165mm LS lens on the 645D/Z is useful because the 165mm focal length is excellent for waist and/or head portraits in bright daytime lighting situations.
NOTE: I am coming back to add one point. I can only get the setup to work when using the genuine Pentax brand P67-P645 adapter. Using my other adapter (K&F Concept brand), I am unable to get the lens to function in LS mode. Why this should be true, I do not know since neither adapter establishes any communication between lens and camera.
| | | | | | | New Member Registered: January, 2018 Posts: 17 | | Review Date: January 22, 2018 | Recommended
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp good color can flash sync at higher than 1/30 | | Cons: | none | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: 6x7II and EOS digital SLR with adapter
| |
When I bought my 67II system new in the late 1990's this was the first and for years the only lens I had. I used it for everything. Landscapes, macro, people shots. It is a very good a all around focal length. The only thing I did not use it for was with a flash. A lot of people say it is heavy but it is a medium format lens made to last that is the nature of the beast. It weight is what you would expect of a lens of this quality for a 67 anything lighter would not be as durable.
Very sharp lens with very good color. I mostly used slide film and lots of Velvia 50 before the 100 came out. I like the contrast and color rendition however that is somewhat subjective. I did some multi exposures of blue and yellow flowers in green grass and the colors really popped.
If you can have only one lens seriously consider this one. A lot of versatility.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: November, 2014 Posts: 338 | | Review Date: December 12, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $350.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharp & contrasty | | Cons: | Would be better at 2.8 | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: 645Z with 67 adapter
| |
Didn't expect this level of quality from an 'old' lens , but detail is amazing at F11....have not tried the LS synch to flash yet , but do not expect any issues , having read the other reviews here. Price/quality ratio here is outstanding - maybe I just got a great copy?.....also trying out the 67 45mm and 67 300mm to see if the quality is maintained throughout the range....however tried a 55mm 6x7 recently and was less than impressed.
| | | | | New Member Registered: September, 2014 Posts: 1 | | Review Date: September 20, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $283.00
| Rating: N/A |
| Pros: | Leaf Shutter | | Cons: | Older Pentax Design | |
I debugged using the Leaf Shutter on the 645z with a Fotodiox adapter today. After some messing about I got consistent performance with the camera in manual mode, with a 1/15 second focal plane shutter. A key second step was using manual iris. With an auto iris synchronizing the two shutters was hit or miss - sometimes I'd get a full frame exposed, sometimes a partial. Flash synchronization appeared to work fine - I was using a Paul C Buff Cyber Commander transmitting to an Einstein. At that point I had flash sync and exposures 1 stop apart using 1/500, 1/250, 1/125, and 1/60 settings with the leaf shutter - I was able to balance ambient sunlight and the Einstein very nicely, with f/8 on the manual iris at ISO 400.
| | | | | | | Site Supporter Registered: October, 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,091
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 31, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $330.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Superb optics, leaf shutter & F32 minimum aperture. | | Cons: | Some 6x7 accessories can not be used on this lens. | | Camera Used: 6x7, 67 and 67II
| |
The 165/4 Leaf Shutter is the second Pentax LS lens and the first 165mm for the Pentax 6x7 system. The first version was released in 1981.
Usage:
I have the latest (1987) 67 version and it’s identical to the first 6x7 one. I use the 165/4LS for indoor/outdoor portraits and general/landscape shooting. The optics are different than the regular 165/2.8 and the 165/4 is a little lighter.
FOCAL PLANE SHUTTER MODE: You can use the 165/4 as a regular lens by aligning the lens shutter speed dial “o” mark with the white dot. You need to cock the leaf shutter by turning the shutter cocking lever, as you won’t be able to see an image in the viewfinder unless this is done. In this mode the cameras shutter is used and the LS is bypassed. If you are not going to use this lens for awhile you should close the leaf shutter by moving the lever on the bottom of the lens to trip the shutter. This will reduce the tension on the leaf shutter. Note MLU, Extension Tubes or the late 2X Rear Converters can be used in this mode.
LEAF SHUTTER MODE: To use the leaf shutter align the lens shutter speed dial to one of the four speeds (1/500, 1/250, 1/125 or 1/60) with the white dot. Set the cameras shutter speed to 1/8 sec. so it will synchronize with the leaf shutter. You will also need to cock the leaf shutter by turning the shutter cocking lever, as you won’t be able to see an image in the viewfinder unless this is done. In this mode you will need to cock the LS each time you take a shot. If you are not going to use this lens for awhile you should also leave the leaf shutter closed to reduce the tension. Note you can’t use MLU, Extension Tubes or any Rear Converters in this mode.
FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY: In the LS mode connect the flashes cable to the lenses X-Sync socket. In FP mode connect the flashes cable to the cameras X-Sync socket. If your flash does not have a sync socket, you can use the Pentax "Hot-shoe Adapter LS" to connect your flash to the 67 165/4 LS lens.
AUTO BELLOWS: Pentax does not recommend using the Auto Bellows with the 165/4, as the combination causes vignetting.
REAR CONVERTERS: You can’t use the older T6-2X or the late 1.4X rear converters with the 165/4 lens in either mode. The late 2X can be used only in the FP mode.
LENS ADAPTERS: You can use the 165/4 lens with the K-Mount adapter, but only in the FP mode. The 645 adapter has the aperture link, so is fine.
FILTER: The 67 165/4 uses 77mm screw in filters. You can’t use Pentax 6x7 77mm bayonet filters on this lens.
CASE: The 67 165/4 comes with the S90-140 soft case.
HOOD: The 67 165/4 uses a rubber screw-in RH-RC77 hood. This hood is collapsible and is also intended for the 67 120mm soft lens.
Summary:
The 67 165/4 is my favorite lens in the 150-165mm focal range and I find it to be a little sharper than the 150/2.8 or 165/2.8. Even though it’s the slowest lens in this group, it does have the best minimum aperture of F32 for a greater DOF. Having a leaf shutter is also a bonus incase you want to use an outdoor flash or reduce camera shake.
Price: I found my 165/4 at a camera store in Toronto and it cost $329.99CDN. It was NOS condition and came with the original box, case, manual and all the paper work. I purchased the rubber hood separately on eBay.
Sample shots taken with the 67 165/4. Photos are medium resolution Lab scans from original negatives and slides.
Camera: 67 Film: Kodak T-Max 400 ISO: 400
Camera: 67II Film: Fuji Provia 400X ISO: 400
Camera: 67II Film: Fuji Provia 400X ISO: 400
 | | | | | Pentaxian Registered: February, 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,272
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 17, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $295.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | f/32 DOF that the f/2.8 lens didn't have; Sharpness, Ernostar design | | Cons: | Heavy, 5 blade diaphragm, 1.4X converter won't fit | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 9
Camera Used: Pentax 6x7
| |
Lens Type
To add just a bit to what has already been said, it is interesting to note the change in optical design with this newer 165mm. Pentax got away from the Double Gauss design that was used on the f/2.8 lens. This lens uses an Ernostar design originally from Germany in the 1920's. This design is also used in the Pentax 200mm but more importantly, it was used in some of the Leica reflex lenses. The 180mm Elmarit-R f/2.8 and the 90 Summicron-R f/2 were Ernostars. They are amazingly sharp. The two Pentax versions consist of a positive element followed by a positive achromat, then a strong negative element. A single weak positive element is at the rear. This design type is responsible for the Pentax 200 and 165 f/4 being as sharp as they are.
Odds and Ends
This lens is not much larger than the 105 but weighs noticeably more. There is absolutely no evidence that this lens existed before 1987, though some make that claim. This lens was introduced at the end of 1987. Both the leaf shutter and diaphragm use 5 blades, probably because they use the same pivot pins to mount them. This may be convenient to manufacture but leaves the shooter with a 5 blade diaphragm. I was expecting at least 8 blades to keep the opening close to round. The leaf shutter is located just in front of the diaphragm. For a 165 mm focal length, this is a short lens. It is about the same length as the 55 mm but weighs about as much as the 200 mm. Four leaf shutter speeds are given (1/60, 1/125, 1/250 and 1/500) and are selected at the front of the lens. Shutter cocking is also at the front of the lens via a rotating grip. This lens uses an auto diaphragm and the lens mount is inner bay. Close focus is 5 feet. Oddly enough, the latest gray 1.4X converter will not fit on this lens; sad really. I feel it was a great idea that Pentax decided to put an f/32 stop on this lens for landscape shooters. It gives 30 feet to infinity depth. They did the same thing on the 200 Pentax; no surprise since the design type is the same. To bypass the leaf shutter and use the lens like a normal lens, rotate the leaf shutter speed selector ring to the "0" position. This lens seems to do well in macro work due to its f/32 stop and 165mm focal length. It needs the extension tubes set to do this of course.
Performance
I will report on this after I shoot it some more. Okay, after shooting this lens quite a bit now, I can safely say it is sharp. Color rendition is nice, giving saturated colors. Very little distortion is seen. Using the lens stopped down for macro work, yields sharp images. There is an upper tier of sharpness in the Pentax 67 line, where these lenses are noticeably sharper than the rest. The 55mm latest, 75 Takumar, 55-100 zoom come to mind. The 165LS belongs to this group. My estimate on LP/mm is 90 at f/11. I feel the 165 is sharper than the 90-180 zoom at 165mm but the difference is small. Speaking of the 90-180 zoom, the 165LS has noticeably less DOF with its f/32 smallest stop, compared with the zoom's f/45. This makes for a very real difference in the field with landscapes. Shooting a field of flowers at f/32, one will find that the foreground cannot be put into the frame as close as you might like due to DOF issues. The 165LS really needs the f/45 stop. Using the leaf shutter for landscape work to avoid the focal plane shutter kick, sounds like a good idea until you try it. The slowest speed of the leaf shutter is 1/60sec. That is of little use when using slow film and small stops. This lens was not designed for such use and is probably why it doesn't have slow leaf shutter speeds. I find this lens to be slightly sharper than the 200 Pentax. The specialty lenses made by Pentax have been really good and this one is no exception. Overall, a great lens.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: November, 2011 Location: Castlemaine, Victoria, AUS Posts: 1,151
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 17, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $545.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Fast focus, chunky, finger-friendly barrel | | Cons: | Weight! | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 9
Camera Used: Pentax 67
| |
With attention to vibration control, this is an outstanding lens. My work involves landscape photography, chiefly rainforests in low light, with the use of a Schott/Kausmann polariser. Images are being printed to my standard gallery size of 28x36cm (finished frame about 1.3x that size) and they are beautifully sharp, contrasty and detailed images to view under spots. But you must be prepared to take care with shutter/mirror induced whack and slap to really get the best results. Well balanced and snappy to focus hand-held with fast film. The trade-off over terrific performance (one of only a small number of SMC Pentax lenses that rate a 10) is the weight, you actually know there is a heavy-hitter on the front. Leaf shutter function should not deter prospective buyers and may even prove useful now and then with flash.
Summary: Worth every bit of the 10 points it has been given!  | | | | | New Member Registered: January, 2010 Location: Severn, MD. USA Posts: 1 | | Review Date: January 15, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $700.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Great for Family or Personal Portraits | | Cons: | I don't use it as much now since digital is now in. | |
This lens is great for Family and Personal Portaits. You can use this lens with your studio lighting to make great photographs.
You can even use your digital camera to set up your film camera with the settings from the digital camera you are using. Plus you can see if your subject or subjects have their eyes open or shut.
I don't use this lens as much as I did before now since digital is here.
The film camera I use this on is the 67II med format.
Great Photos.
| | |
;)
;)
