| Author: | | Pentaxian Registered: February, 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,272
4 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: March 6, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $450.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharp and fairly light, likes macro work | | Cons: | Needs f/45 stop | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 10
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I have owned this lens since 1990 and feel I have a pretty good idea of its strengths and weaknesses. The 5 element Pentax 200 superseded the 4 element Takumar 200 with a smaller stop f/32, better performance and lighter weight (introduced in late 1986). They got away from the triplet-like design on the Takumar and went to the German based Ernostar type. This same design was used in some of the 180mm lenses for the Leica reflex cameras. The Pentax 200 is one of the best lenses of the line, useful in landscape work, portraits, seascapes, travel and macros. It is one of my favorites for macro use due to its small stop and right focal length. It really shines when used in landscapes with great detail in the background. Sharpness is in the upper range of the entire lens line. My estimate concerning LP/mm is 90 at f/11. This lens seems to be the most underestimated in sharpness of the entire line. It can go toe to toe with the 55 mm. The 55 is slightly sharper but the difference is so small as to not be a concern. The 200 is sharper than the 45 mm. Low distortion and good color rendition are seen in this lens. I have never seen any color aberration with this lens. The DOF scale is off slightly and needs to be set more conservatively than indicated. I like its close focus ability for portraits. The 200 can be improved with an f/45 stop to improve its DOF for landscape work. This is the main reason why I use my 90-180 zoom in lieu of the 200mm in landscape shots. However, the 200 will outperform the zoom in their sweet spot range of f/8 - f/16. Shutter vib is only a minor concern with this lens and is affected way less than the 300 Takumar.
This lens does amazingly well with the newer 1.4x converter (gray). No image degradation is seen. The 200 mm + 1.4X outperforms the 300 Takumar and is on par with the 300 EDIF. I was shocked!
Overall, the 200 is a great perfoming lens.
| | | | | | | Senior Member Registered: November, 2014 Posts: 272
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 3, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $175.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Razor sharp images | | Cons: | manual focus | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-3, K-m, Canon 1000D
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I have one of the later model versions of the 200mm F/4. I originally bought this lens for astrophotography usage. In keeping with standard astronomy tradition the first week I had this lens it was cloudy at night. I decided to walk around the house and yard snapping photos with it. The results were absolutely breathtaking. On my K-m and Canon 1000D cameras this lens produced outstanding results.
In the world of audio the holy grail is an amplifier which is considered to be a "straight wire but with gain." In other words it adds nothing to the sound quality. The Pentax 67 200mm F/4 is a "straight atmosphere but with gain" lens. It adds nothing which detracts from enjoying the subject matter you are taking a photo of. On my 10 megapixel Pentax and Canon cameras it out-resolved the sensor. Even at maximum zoom the finest details were razor sharp with zero CA. On the K-3 I was taking photos of insects which looked like cover shots for National Geographic. Every photo was breathtaking.
I have no complaints concerning the image quality of this lens. None at all. If I am forced to state a shortcoming then I'll say that manual focus is the only one. If this lens was autofocus then it would be perfect for birds in flight, sporting events, or other action shots. I used this lens with a genuine Pentax adapter and it was tight to the camera. Even though it is somewhat large for carrying around this is by far my favorite manual focus lens. You will not be disappointed in it.
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: October, 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,088
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 24, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $255.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Superb optics, fairly inexpensive. Great for portrait shooting. | | Cons: | 200mm FL not quite as versatile as 165/150mm. | | Camera Used: 6x7, 67 and 67II
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Pentax overhauled the 200/4 lens in 1986. This third version has more lens elements, closer focusing, a 77mm filter thread, a better minimum aperture and is 105 grams lighter.
Usage:
For me 200mm is the best focal length for portrait “head” shots, while 165/150mm is better for full/partial “body” portrait shooting. The 67 200/4 is extremely sharp and is a great lens to use in a studio. The 1.5 meter minimum focusing distance is perfect to let you get close enough to frame a person face. You would have had to use a close-up filter to get that close with the older 6x7 200/4. The 200mm FL is also good for some landscape shooting and detail work, but is not quite as versatile as 165/150mm. The reduction in weight also makes it easy to hand hold the 67 200/4.
AUTO EXTENSION TUBES: Pentax does not recommend using extension tubes with the 67 200/4, as the combination causes vignetting as you get closer to the subject. However I have tried the #2 extension tube and found no issues.
FILTER: The 67 200/4 uses 77mm screw in filters. You can’t use Pentax 6x7 77mm bayonet filters on this lens.
CASE: The 67 200/4 comes with the S110-160 soft case.
HOOD: The 67 200/4 uses a metal screw-in MH-RA77 hood. You only need to use the hood if you are also using a filter. You can skip using the hood if no filter is attached, as the front lens element is recessed enough.
Summary:
The 67 200/4 is a great portrait and general purpose lens and a big improvement over the older 6x7 200/4 versions. The optics on the lens are superb.
Price: I found my 200/4 on eBay and it cost 200EUR. It was in EXC+ condition and came with the hood. I had to get the S110-160 lens case separately.
Sample shots taken with the 67 200/4. Photos are medium resolution Lab scans from original negatives and slides.
Camera: 67 Film: Kodak Tri-x 400 ISO: 400
Camera: 67 Film: Kodak T-max 400 ISO: 400
Camera: 67II Film: Fuji Provia 400X ISO: 400
Camera: 67 Film: Fuji Provia 400X ISO: 400
Using the 6x7 #2 Auto extension tube
 | | | | | Senior Member Registered: November, 2008 Location: Honolulu Posts: 150
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 15, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $100.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp, versatile, excellent resolving power | | Cons: | None | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: 67II with chimney finder
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Let me begin with a couple of caveats: I have used this lens only with B&W film, and always stopped down at least 2 stops (usually more) for depth of field. Therefore i can't comment on color aberrations, wide open sharpness, or Bokeh.
I bought this lens from a brick and mortar store through ebay for $100, complete with pentax soft case.
The barrel had a slight dent at the end, thus damaging the filter ring, otherwise it was mint. I'm always wary of lenses that are damaged, but it was cheap and had a 14 day return window. I took an old 77mm filter, popped out the glass and was able to mount it onto the damaged threads, so it's permanently mounted. works great with filters now.
This is a superb lens. i've spent the summer shooting long exposure oceanscapes with Fuji Acros, and the results have been excellent. Typical apertures were 16-22, often using both ND and B&W filters, and all the negatives are very sharp. Resolution is very high, capturing minute details.
it works extremely well with the 1.4x converter, i don't detect any drop in performance. The same can be said of closeup work with a Canon 500D supplementary lens.
The 200 has quickly become one of my favorite lenses because of it's excellent performance and versatility. A must have for anyone using the 67 system.
A quick note about buying used 67 lenses: If at all possible, purchase from a source that has a return policy, that will allow you to test the lens. I've had generally good luck purchasing used, but it did take me three tries to get a good 45/4.
| | | | | | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: October, 2018 Location: Quebec City, Quebec Posts: 6,565
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: October 24, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $103.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Very sharp, excellent contrast, true-to-life color palette | | Cons: | None | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: Pentax 645Z
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I found this like-new "orphan" on eBay in Japan for 103,00 $ with free delivery. I already had one 67 M 200 mm f/4 that I had purchased new in 1991 (for 600 $ at the time) along with my first Pentax 67 and late 55 mm f/4 (900 $ at the time), but I could never find it, so much so I have accumulated a heap of lenses and photographic equipment over the years. FedEx delivered the lens to my door in 4 days (Tokyo to Quebec City), then I mounted it on the Pentax '67 to 645' adapter and started using it on my 645Z digital. All 67 lenses have a huge circular illuminated field (90 mm across), so only the central portion of the aerial image is recorded on the 33 mm X 44 mm area of the 645Z sensor. No surprise it performs so awesomely. It is usable wide-open, rare for a medium-format lens. Performance remains uniform between f/8 and f/22, f/16 being the optimum. An aperture of f/5.6 is not too bad and f/32 starts to suffer from diffraction. The front element is deeply recessed, so the use of a sunshade is not really necessary. It is a sleek and 'elegant' lens, all metal, it focuses like a dream and is built to last a lifetime. Colors are a little "cold" (bluish) but proved to be true-to-life in my comparison tests with 645 lenses (which tend to produce warmer hues). All in all, a very high quality tool everybody should carry in their photo bag.
 f/5.6
 f/16
The Pentax '67 to 645' adapter permits automatic exposure operation in the Aperture Priority mode on the Pentax 645Z. Excellent moderate telephoto lens.
 f/11
 f/8
 f/5.6
Tripod-mounted sequence, from f/4 to f/32. OPTIMUM : f/16.
 f/4
 f/5.6
 f/8
 f/11
 f/16
 f/22
 f/32
Downtown Montreal originally shot on a Pentax 67 II
Sunset on the St Lawrence with a 645Z
 | | | | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: October, 2012 Location: Medina, OH Posts: 7,224
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 12, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $175.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharpness, ease of focus | | Cons: | None seen, weight maybe? | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-1, K-3, 645Z, 645D
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I really like this lens for every task for which its focal length is appropriate. Its sharpness, image clarity, and color fidelity are very positive features. My favorite use is in birding on the K-3. Here its ease of focus and ability to capture detail has made birding a pleasure, and I am getting results that were impossible on other more traditional telescopic lenses including my old Pentax-M 400mm and even the Pentx-FA* 645 300mm f 4.0. I also like it for landscape use.
| | | | | New Member Registered: July, 2013 Location: Miami Posts: 15
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 3, 2015 | Recommended | Price: $220.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Gorgeous piece of glass | | Cons: | None | | Sharpness: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: Pentax 67II
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I'm addicted to 67 lenses and this one was my third acquisition. My other P67 lenses are: the famous 105mm F/2.4, 55mm F/4 and the stunning 75mm F2.8
The 200mm F/4 works beautifully with the rear converter 1.4X (some examples attached) A must have lens even if you don't shoot teles.
I'm not an expert reviewing lenses so I prefer to share some shots instead:
 | | | | | New Member Registered: January, 2010 Location: Auckland Posts: 18
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: June 13, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $180.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharp, great tonal balance | | Cons: | soft at f4 | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: Pentax 645D
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Having bought the older (Takumar) version of this lens and found it to be lacking (in terms of sharpness) I decided to move to the newer redesigned version.
This was a good move.
Sharpnes is only 9/10 as the lens is a little soft wide open, but it sharpens well stopping down a little.
There is a small amount of CA in high contrast areas easily corrected in PP. At f 22 the lens continues to perform well with minimal diffraction effects.
Handling is great and although bulky the lens is not at all heavy.
Colours are lovely and bokeh are great.
These lenses are to be found cheaply on Ebay and I would wholeheartedly recommend this lens.
The updated optics over the Takumar version offer a noticeable improvement in sharpness and image contrast.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: May, 2008 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 4,180
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 26, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $230.00
| Rating: N/A |
| Pros: | Sharp, Close-focus capabilities--Colors & Contrast | | Cons: | | |
I shot this 67 lens, along with others, on my K20d via an adapter. The results were beautiful. I chose this newer version of the lens, for its close-focus ability, and for its reputation as one of the sharper 67 lenses--it did not let me down. I believe the above pic is of my lens, which I eventually sold, mainly to fuel LBA, as this focal length does little for me. It is a nicely built lens and has great handling, even on crop sensors.  | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: May, 2007 Location: York Region Canada Posts: 641
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 10, 2007 | Recommended | Price: $200.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Solid, sharp | | Cons: | Built in hood loose | |
Bought this in 2005 for $200 US on ebay. It was a steal.
The lens is well constructed and tak sharp. Its probably my best lens other then my 77Ltd. Focus is like butter and handles well on my 6x7
Highly recommended
Dave B
| | | | | Inactive Account Registered: May, 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 42
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: June 24, 2007 | Recommended | Price: $300.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Sharpness, Close focus | | Cons: | Size of a small log | |
This is a third generation 200mm lens for the Pentax 67 iintroduced in about 1986. It is large partly due to the built in hood. However, it is lighter than the two previous versions and the minimum focus is 1 meter closer (1.5 meters). I paid $300 for one in mint condition--probably a small fraction of its original price. I can highly recommend this lens.
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