| Author: | | New Member Registered: November, 2020 Posts: 6
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: May 28, 2023 | Recommended | Price: $100.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Solid as a rock, sharp like a razor | | Cons: | none | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 9
Camera Used: P645, K1
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I don't use this lens too often with my Pentax 645, so I don't have a lot of examples, but I used it with my Pentax K1 (also with Canon 60D) and I have to say, that as a lens designed for medium format cameras it's still very sharp on "full frame" and APS-c sensor too. Unfortunately we don't have AF here, but turning the focus ring in this lens is a pure pleasure. As if it was lubricated with honey. So lets see a few shots...
1. Pentax K1
2. Pentax K1
3. Canon 60D
4. Pentax 645, Ilford FP4 Plus 125
5. Pentax 645, Fuji Velvia 100
6. Pentax 645, Fuji Velvia 100
7. Pentax 645, Fuji Velvia 100
8. Pentax 645, Fuji Velvia 100
9. Pentax K1
10. Pentax K1
11 Pentax K1
12. Pentax 645, Fomapan 100
13. Pentax 645, Fomapan 100
14. Pentax 645, Fomapan 100
 | | | | | | | New Member Registered: December, 2021 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 3 | | Review Date: January 24, 2022 | Recommended | Price: $225.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Versatility, focal length, size/handling | | Cons: | Relatively slow, unremarkable bokeh | | Sharpness: 9
Bokeh: 7
Handling: 10
Value: 9
Camera Used: Pentax 645N
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The smallest lightest lens one could ask for, at one of the most usable focal lengths you could ask for. It's one of the pricier A lenses (lots of bargains on this system), but the value is there, and at 2.8 it's the fastest you have access to. This is the lens for when you just want to walk around and find as many shots as possible without any plan in mind. It's wide enough to fit plenty of subject types, but can get close enough for a head-shot if you really need to. The easiest lens to handle and focus on the system.
Mine was a "mint" copy from a Japan eBay seller.
Image rendering has plenty of sharpness and contrast, you can more or less get good results at any aperture. Rather lifeless bokeh (or you "technically" good) which is in line with most lenses on this system unfortunately.
My main gripe is not directly with this lens but that this is the fastest lens in the lineup, and at 2.8 that really doesn't compete with the other 645 systems. Only alternatives are adapting the 67 105/2.4 or the Hasselblad 110/2 for waaaay more money. I wish something faster with a less clinical rendering was available on this system, since this doesn't really deliver in that department.
Provia @f4:
Portra:
 
Provia stopped down
 | | | | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: October, 2018 Location: Quebec City, Quebec Posts: 6,623 | | Review Date: February 1, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $240.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Typical Pentax image quality, small and light. Built to last a lifetime. | | Cons: | Lacks depth-of-field in the foregrounds. | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 9
Camera Used: Pentax 645Z, K3
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I had to crop the last 2 pictures above to a panoramic format to remove an ugly out-of-focus foreground. Lack of depth-of-field is the only shortcoming of this focal length.
. .
The lens can be used with Auto Extension Tubes or the 645 Auto Bellows with a 645Z or a K-mount body with adapter and it gives excellent macrophotography results.
Excellent between f/8 and f/16 at any distance.
| | | | | New Member Registered: July, 2018 Posts: 4
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: August 1, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $200.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | | | Cons: | | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 7
Value: 10
Camera Used: Canon 5DS R, 5D iii and 1DSii
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I am an architectural photographer using Canon 5DS R, 5D iii and 1DSii with Pentax 645 lens with Mirex adapter. I have 45-85mm, 80-160mm, 55mm and 120mm, they are all excellent, don't recommend 35mm thou, it has a mustache distortion, the addition of the 75mm is simply for fun and hoping that I would eventually move to Fuji GFX.
Pentax 645 A 75mm 2.8, in summery - it is an excellent tiny lens.
tested at f2.8 and f8 & f11, after that, diffraction
@ f2.8 - without shift = center - usable, corner - soft, usable. (not for architectural of course)
@ f11 - without shift = center - excellent, corner excellent too, no CA.
@ f11 - shift 10mm = center - excellent, corner excellent too, no CA.
@ f11 - shift 15mm = center - excellent, corner is excellent too, no CA.
at f8 = center is sharper, at f11 = corner is slightly sharper. Better than 45-85mm.
I see some barrel distortion during focusing but only appeared slightly in my brick wall test.
Old lenses like this give you that analogue film like feeling, detail yet not sharp sharp. Love it.
| | | | | | | Pentaxian Registered: April, 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,902 | | Review Date: August 24, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $115.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Small & light (for 645), sharp, fairly well built, great handling | | Cons: | Could be better built | |
I bought this lens to replace the FA version I had previously, as I had no need for AF (my camera doesn't have it) and the A lens is much sturdier. The FA lens has quite a flimsy build and the A feels significantly better, though not as solid as the M series 135 format lenses. The A version is better for manual focusing as the ring is more damped.
I have also reviewed the FA version (https://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/SMC-Pentax-FA-645-75mm-F2.8-Lens.html) and the A version is optically exactly the same, barring some possible (but un-noticeable changes to the SMC formula) - very sharp, great contrast. Bokeh could be smoother but is highly variable depending on the conditions and the specifics of the photo.
If you value good build quality over AF then this is a better option, it's also a lot cheaper. I wish there were a faster 645-mount standard prime but Pentax has always limited it's 645 options to f/2.8 maximum, which is a shame - I'd like to be able to use the lens in lower light and to get shallower depth of field. Having said that, within it's limitations, I use this lens for around 85% of my 645 photos. I also use the A 55mm f/2.8 for wider shots and very occasionally the 150mm f/3.5. Together they make a good three-lens kit but the 75mm is byfar the most useful.
One day I must really get a 645 to K adapter to be able to try this out on digital and 135 film, where it ought to make a good portrait-length lens.
Overall, I would highly recommend this lens for use on 645 film, though bear in mind that for 645 standard primes the options are extremely limited - I believe there are some 80mm f/2 lenses by other manufacturers which can be adapted to Pentax 645 but they are more expensive and will be harder to use due to the non-native mount. The 645 standard zooms are huge, very heavy and a 1.5 stops slower than the prime.
Here are some sample photos:
Pentax 645 Acros 2015 014a by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr
Pentax 645 Acros 2015 015a by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr
P645, 400H 017a by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr
Paris P645 400H 005a by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr
Paris P645 Reala 004a by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr
Paris P645 400H 013a by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr
Paris P645 160NS 019a by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: August, 2015 Posts: 62 | | Review Date: August 23, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $225.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Very light, nice and sharp, well built | | Cons: | Sharpness is only very good | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 9
Camera Used: Sony A7r
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On my Sony A7r this is a short telephoto lens. I bought it to use on a pair of Mirex tilt-shift adapters, so that I can get a full range of camera movements. It's an important part of my "light" kit (along with the 35mm and the 150mm, and sometimes the 55mm). All the reviewers who describe it as sharp and nice are absolutely right.... But the only reason I didn't give it top marks for sharpness is that the SMC Pentax-A 45-85mm f/4.5 that I also use (when I can carry more or need critical sharpness) is even better! The zoom is simply astonishingly sharp for a lens of its era. Unfortunately, the 45-85mm weighs a lot and is not as easy to carry around -- so I'm happy to also own the 75mm for times when I need an excellent lens that doesn't weigh a lot.
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: May, 2015 Location: Kaneohe, HI Posts: 3,526
2 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: January 18, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $350.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Compact, sharp, creamy bokeh. | | Cons: | None. | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: 645
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This normal prime has taught me to see in ways no wide angle, telephoto, or zoom can. It is straight-as-you-see-it and is the ultimate test for my skills in the art of seeing. I've owned this since I purchased my 645 in 1986 and when I'm seeking Zen and the Art of Photography, this is the lens.
Incredibly sharp at f/8, but if I want the dreamy bokeh, f/2.8 give me shallow depth-of-field with 120 film that tangibly exceeds the qualities of an f/1.4 in 35mm or FF.  | | | | | New Member Registered: April, 2014 Posts: 1 | | Review Date: April 19, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $130.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | size, Sharpness, price | | Cons: | some CA | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: Sony A7r, Canon 5d3
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Great lens! When stopped down it makes very sharp photos. I use it with my Sony A7r and a MIREX Shift-tilt adapter, it easily does 36mp justice. It's sharper than my Canon 70-200 IS f4 at the same focal length and f stop. It is as sharp as my Canon 85 prime is at f8, with is amazing! And I get shift tilt too!
I don't think I'd bother buying a Canon 90mm TS-E, now I have this lens and the MIREX, it's that good!
(note, you need to flock and non reflective black paint the inside of the adapter, as this lens reflects very bad and degrades IQ badly. But once that is done, it's super! )
| | | | | Pentaxian Registered: January, 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Posts: 6,622
3 users found this helpful
| | Review Date: July 2, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $150.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | size, IQ, price | | Cons: | a little CA | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: 645D
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a really great normal lens for the 645D. It is small enough to fit easily in any camera bag, so worth having with you at all times. Nice focal length and plenty sharp. I am very pleased with this lens. Some CA detected but easy enough to correct.
this is a single frame, 2-minute exposure using this lens at f/8.
Here is a gallery of images shot with this lens:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeoria/albums/72157663601421852
___________
UPDATE: I ended up selling this and the 67105 to get the DFA 90 Macro. The 90 is much sharper but many times more expensive.
| | | | | New Member Registered: February, 2013 Posts: 11 | | Review Date: April 16, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $260.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | sharp even at F2.8 | | Cons: | Dispersion is heavy than the DA lens | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 9
Camera Used: K-5 IIs
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I'm lucky that I got a commemorative edition,
it's very new, and its perfomence beyond my expectation。
 | | | | | New Member Registered: December, 2012 Posts: 8 | | Review Date: April 6, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $200.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | Classic, Manual Fast & Clear, Naturally Sharp, Sweet Handling | | Cons: | Getting dark in viewfinder when stopping down Aperture | | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 8
Value: 10
Camera Used: K-5IIs
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I think this len is amazing on my K5IIs. My best len so far is A85 f1.4 which is a gem, but I keep coming back to this len time to time as I found pictures taken has a really interesting sense of LIFE in it. It is not the sharpness nor the rendering of this len, it is the balance of everything.
Here are some handheld pictures.
BTW, you need a good hood on this len as side light get in easily.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: February, 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 422
1 user found this helpful
| | Review Date: September 2, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $200.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharp, light, good price | | Cons: | focusing could be just that bit closer | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 10
Value: 10
Camera Used: K5
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After being very impressed with the Pentax-A* 645 300mm F4, I had no issue with spending money on this lens. Unlike the 300mm, I've found the focusing a little less forgiving on the K5 (I mean a very small movement is the difference between out of focus and in), but once you allow for that, its a great little lens (even on the K5).
Everlastings 2012 by Pete's Point of View, on Flickr
 | | | | | New Member Registered: November, 2010 Location: Copenhagen Posts: 4 | | Review Date: August 25, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $160.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | sharpness, bokeh, build quality, color rendering | | Cons: | None really | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
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Wonderfull lens - even mounted on a crop camera. I use the lens on Olympus (E-30); meaning that I have an adaptor from 645 to PK - and an adaptor ring from PK to Fourthirds. A bit of a way; but the lens is worth it.
I have written a review in English of this lens (and other lenses) ; and it is to be found at my website: (Non working link removed)
| | | | | Forum Member Registered: July, 2011 Posts: 72 | | Review Date: August 11, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $200.00
| Rating: 10 |
| Pros: | Sharpness and contrast | | Cons: | none | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 10
Value: 10
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This lens is a superb performer on a 645D. It has the best price/value ratio.
Sharp, great contrast and very well built. Also the manual focus works pretty well.
Best lens you can get for the money.
| | | | | Veteran Member Registered: October, 2008 Location: Albuquerque NM Posts: 9,830 | | Review Date: July 14, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $50.00
| Rating: 9 |
| Pros: | compact, sharp and inexpensive | | Cons: | | |
This lens takes up almost no room on the camera or in the bag. Its speed is right and the performance leaves little to complain about. The "normal" FOV is also just about right. This shot was cropped to about the size of 135, and it is as sharp as a good 135 lens would have rendered.
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K3
645Z
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