| Author: | | New Member Registered: April, 2022 Posts: 7 | | Review Date: April 29, 2022 | Recommended | Price: $500.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | Compact, versatile, nice field of view | | Cons: | The bokeh quality is not as good as the 105 | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 7
Handling: 9
Value: 9
Camera Used: Pentax 67
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This is great lens to have for the Pentax 67 system. It has slightly but noticeably wider field of view, which makes it more all round and versatile than the 105 mm in my opinion. It is shorter and more light weight making it more comfortable to carry along. In terms of sharpness it performs quite well and belongs to the top of what the system offers. At f/2.8 it is much sharper and has more contrast than the 105. There is also less CA. Coma is not too much too. From f/4 the center is very sharp, corners improve a little further with higher f/numbers. The bokeh is less pleasing than the 105, the bokeh balls have a more distinct edge, which is noticable at busy backgrounds. Overall i do recommend this lens, although it misses the reputation that the 105 offers.
Test shot with Fujifilm XE-2, which only covers the center one third of the frame. This is wide open, it is quite sharp but contrast is low and the busy background is visible.
And at f/4. The background has become less busy, the contrast is improved. This is a very usable aperture.
At f/5.6 the center is almost as sharp as it gets.
 | | | | | | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: October, 2018 Location: Quebec City, Quebec Posts: 6,565 | | Review Date: January 25, 2021 | Recommended | Price: $300.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Quite sharp, light and small, inexpensive. | | Cons: | Very close to the 105 mm which is a better lens | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 10
Value: 9
Camera Used: P 67 II, 645Z
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Both pictures above were taken handheld at f/8. In the film era, this lens had mediocre contrast at wide apertures and tended to overexpose reversal films all the time on the 67 II so I came to "hate" it. I acquired a P67 75 mm f/2.8 and a 105 mm f/2.4 which both had fantastic contrast and produced much better pictures on film.
Here on digital, it seems to shine because I have better control on my exposure parameters and I can correct my images readily as I see fit. It is quite sharp, with adequate contrast at middle apertures and good resistance to flare and veiling. It is easy to acquire correct focus, the lens producing a bright viewfinder image and it focuses very close at 2 feet.
IMHO, f/8 seems to be its optimum aperture. I "hated" it for so long I will have to learn to find use for it again. | | | | | New Member Registered: August, 2013 Posts: 10
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: February 17, 2019 | Recommended | Price: $245.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Compact (as far as Pentax 67 lenses go), no visible distortion, close minimal focusing distance | | Cons: | None | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: Pentax 6X7
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This is one of the best and most versatile lenses in Pentax 6X7 system. It, along with 45mm F4, 75mm F2.8 AL and 165mm F4 LS, is my most trusted and reliable companion when I want to travel light with Pentax 6X7 - if such thing is even possible! 
The lens is fully capable of producing razor-sharp, crisp images with excellent tonality, micro-contrast and color saturation. I am very fond of its short minimum focusing distance and the increased depth of field by comparison with the 105mm F2.4, which, by the way, is an outstanding lens in its own right.
The ergonomics of this lens are excellent. In proper mechanical condition the lens can be easily focused with a flick of one finger, just like the 75mm F2.8 AL and both of them complement each other rather well.
In my opinion, this is a must-have lens for any Pentax 6X7 user. Highly recommended!
 | | | | | New Member Registered: October, 2016 Posts: 7
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: December 16, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $300.00
| Rating: N/A |
| Pros: | Lightweight, compact, sharp, close focusing | | Cons: | no | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
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It so happened that when I got my first Pentax 67 many years ago it was equipped with this lens. It is a great all-around standard lens for everyday use, truly versatile, compact and light weight with the great image quality. You may read about my own experincу: http://skrasnov.com/pentax-67/90mm-f28/ | | | | | | | New Member Registered: April, 2014 Posts: 7
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: April 29, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $250.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Tack sharp and compact | | Cons: | none | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: Pentax 67II
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I own both, the 67 SMC 105mm 2.4 and 67 SMC 90mm 2.8. To me the 90mm is more convenient then the 105mm because it's a bit wider. The aperature difference between 2.4 and 2.8 is not to much IMHO. If I would have to choose I would go for the 90mm over the 105mm. But the best advice is to own both lenses.
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: October, 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,088 | | Review Date: February 21, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $375.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Light weight, great FL for everyday use. Also good for macro work. | | Cons: | Could have a better minimum focusing distance. | | Camera Used: 6x7, 67 and 67II
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I have the 67 90/2.8 1989 version which was the last 90mm lens that was made for the Pentax 6x7 system. It has the same optics as its predecessor, the 6x7 90/2.8 (1980).
Usage:
90mm is one of my favorite focal lengths in the Pentax 6x7 system. The 90/2.8 is a nice light lens for everyday use and you will have no issues hand holding it.
CLOSE-UP WORK: Pentax made a close-up filter that works great with this lens. The 67mm S82 close-up filter gives you magnification up to 0.24x, with a focusing distance of 0.56 to 1 meter. This makes a decent combo for on the fly close-up work if you don’t have a macro lens or extension tubes with you.
MACRO WORK: Pentax has always recommended reversing a lens for improved optical quality, if you are doing macro work with greater than life-size or 1x magnification. Since Pentax only made a 6x7 49mm & 67mm reverse adapter, you are limited to a hand full of 6x7 lens that have a 67mm filter thread. The 90/2.8 & 75/2.8 will give you the greatest magnification when reversed. You can get up to 2.47x magnification using the reversed 90/2.8, the helicoid and No. 1+2+3 extension tubes. The most that I have tried is the 90/2.8 reversed using the helicoid and No. 3 ET, which gave me 2.0x magnification.
FILTER: The 67 90/2.8 uses 67mm screw in filters, or Pentax 6x7 67mm bayonet filters.
CASE: The 67 90/2.8 comes with the S90-100 soft case.
HOOD: The 67 90/2.8 uses a plastic clip-on PH-SB67 hood.
Summary:
The 67 90/2.8 doesn’t have the same superb optics compared to some other Pentax 6x7 systems lenses, but it does have one of the most useful focal lengths and is also great for macro work. A very versatile light weight everyday lens.
Price: I found my 67 90/2.8 on eBay and it cost 299EUR. It was NOS condition and came with the original box, case, manual and all the paper work. I purchased the hood separately on eBay.
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Sample shots taken with the 67 90/2.8. Photos are medium resolution Lab scans from original slides and negatives.
Camera: 67 Film: Fuji Provia 400X ISO: 400
Camera: 67II Film: Fuji Provia 400X ISO: 400
90/2.8 reversed using the 6x7 helicoid and no. 3 extension tubes
Camera: 67 Film: Kodak T-Max 400 ISO: 400
 | | | | | Veteran Member Registered: November, 2011 Location: Castlemaine, Victoria, AUS Posts: 1,151 | | Review Date: October 18, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $309.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Trademark firm, positive focusing and aperture grip | | Cons: | None particularly | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: Pentax 67
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Though bringing the details home cleanly and clearly, this lens does not appear as sharp as the standout 45 and 55mm f4 lenses, but what it loses in sharpness it gains very well in low-light capability, and this can be critical with the somewhat dull 6x7 / 67 viewfinders. The squat and lightweight footprint makes a cheerful change from the bulk and heavier lenses in the SMC Pentax 67 lens line up. The lens' best performance appears around f5.6 with excellent contrast and just slight chroma in the corners.
Overall a great performer and an excellent go between if you cannot afford the 75mm ASP when looking for a filler lens between 55mm and 105mm (or 165mm).
| | | | | Junior Member Registered: May, 2009 Location: S. Ontario Posts: 30 | | Review Date: November 29, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $180.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | compact - rugged - sharp wide open - good contrast | | Cons: | none | |
A great all round lens. The f/2.8 stop is great for low light conditions, and the lens is very sharp throughout the range. Like most of the line - go down 2 stops and at f/5.6 it's perfect, sharp and contrasty. This matches my findings with the 165 lens as well.
When I travel light for landscape work I pack those 2 lenses. Share the same filter and lens hood size. Lots of versatility, and if you bring a 1.4 or 2x converter - you still have a relatively fast lens. (90 & 1.4x won't match up - the 2x will). Mine are the latest version lenses marked Pentax 67.
| | | | | New Member Registered: September, 2007 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 20
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: November 19, 2007 | Recommended | Price: $200.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | tack sharp, solid build, and fast | | Cons: | sticky DOF preview | |
This is a fantastic normal lens for the 67. Of course it's 100% manual, but the images are fantastic. It's sharp and contrasty throughout the aperture range. The build of the lens combined with the camera gives my confidence that in the event of an attack I could easy beat the life out of my assailant with this lens/camera combo and then take a picture of him with silky smooth focusing just to rub it in. from what I've seen from the 105mm as well I think these two lenses are pretty comparable.
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