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SMC Pentax-A* 645 600mm F5.6 ED [IF] Review RSS Feed

SMC Pentax-A* 645 600mm F5.6 ED [IF]

Sharpness 
 9.7
Aberrations 
 9.1
Bokeh 
 8.7
Handling 
 7.6
Value 
 9.0
Reviews Views Date of last review
9 58,826 Fri January 19, 2024
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Recommended By Average Price Average User Rating
100% of reviewers $2,693.75 9.33
SMC Pentax-A* 645 600mm F5.6 ED [IF]

SMC Pentax-A* 645 600mm F5.6 ED [IF]
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SMC Pentax-A* 645 600mm F5.6 ED [IF]
supersize
SMC Pentax-A* 645 600mm F5.6 ED [IF]
supersize
SMC Pentax-A* 645 600mm F5.6 ED [IF]
supersize
SMC Pentax-A* 645 600mm F5.6 ED [IF]
supersize
SMC Pentax-A* 645 600mm F5.6 ED [IF]
supersize

Description:

The longest lens available for Pentax 645. This manual focus lens is a member of Pentax's star series of quality lenses. It features internal focusing and a tripod mount. It is heavy and not suited for handheld photography.

Includes a drop-in circular polarizer and a two-stage built-in hood.


SMC Pentax-A* 645 600mm F5.6 ED [IF]
© www.pentaxforums.com, sharable with attribution
Image Format
645 film
Lens Mount
Pentax 645
Aperture Ring
Yes (A setting)
Diaphragm
Automatic, 8 blades
Optics
12 elements, 11 groups
Mount Variant
645 A
Check camera compatibility
Max. Aperture
F5.6
Min. Aperture
F45
Focusing
Manual
Min. Focus
500 cm
Max. Magnification
0.16x
Filter Size
49 mm (Rear drop-in)
Internal Focus
Yes
Field of View (Diag. / Horiz.)

645 Digital: 5.2 ° / 4.2 °
645 Film: 6.6 ° / 5.3 °
Hood
Built-in, slide out
Case
Lens Cap
Coating
SMC
Weather Sealing
No
Other Features
Drop-in Filter Holder,Tripod Mount
Diam x Length
156 x 353 mm (6.1 x 13.9 in.)
Weight
4800 g (w/o attachments) (169.3 oz.)
Production Years
N/A
Engraved Name
smc PENTAX-A* 645 1:5.6 600mm ED[IF]
Reviews
User reviews
Notes
ED elements.
Features:
Manual FocusInternal FocusingBuilt-in HoodAperture RingAutomatic ApertureMedium-Format SupportAdapter needed for DSLRsDiscontinued
Price History:



Add Review of SMC Pentax-A* 645 600mm F5.6 ED [IF]
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Sort Reviews by: Date | Author | Rating | Recommendation | Likes (Descending) Showing Reviews 1-9 of 9
Loyal Site Supporter

Registered: October, 2018
Location: Quebec City, Quebec
Posts: 6,493
Review Date: January 19, 2024 Recommended | Price: $1,800.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Well-made, great reach, sharp on the 645Z
Cons: Heavy, expensive, hard to focus with K bodies
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 8    Handling: 4    Value: 8    Camera Used: Pentax K1, K3 III, 645Z   

Heavy as an anvil makes it hard to carry and manipulate. Very hard to focus critically with K bodies because wide-open images lack contrast and always seem soft in the viewfinder. My Manfrotto 028 tripod provides adequate support down to 1/25 sec. This GIGANTIC lens is not too difficult to mount on a tripod though, thanks to the handle on top. Apertures between f/16 and f/32 seem to produce overall best contrast and sharpness with the smaller sensors.

Atmospheric conditions (heat waves in summer and cold waves in winter) interfere with ultimate sharpness and reduce contrast somewhat. I tried it on my Pentax K1 with the genuine Pentax '645 to K' adapter at first. You have to "ENABLE USE OF THE APERTURE RING" in the K1 menu in order to activate the shutter of this FF body. The third picture (big pine) shows the apparent reduction of sharpness when you compress a lot of atmosphere.

I will try it later with my K3 III (where the FOV is equivalent to a 900 mm telephoto in FF) and with my 645Z (FOV equivalent to 480 mm in FF), but I will wait for warmer conditions (minus 25 deg C this morning).





Today I mounted my K3 III APSC body on the 645 A* 600 mm lens. My Manfrotto 028 tripod was able to support a 1/25 sec @ f/32 exposure. The combo gives the angle of view of a 900 mm telephoto in Full-Frame. Critical focus is almost impossible to assess due to cold waves creating sort of a "mirage" in the viewfinder. Colors and contrast seem OK but I am decidedly "not impressed" by its sharpness with far-away subjects. How can such an expensive lens produce such mediocre results ??
.

Finally, I mounted my 645Z body on the Behemoth and obtained my very first sharp image. I used Av mode, ISO 100, the "A" position on the Aperture ring and Mirror Lock-up, with the combo solidly tied to my Manfrotto 028 tripod. The viewfinder image was "magnificent" and for the first time, I could achieve critical focusing on a far-away subject. I shot at 1/125 sec @ f/11 and we can still see separation between the closest branches and the apex of the Pine at a distance of over 300 feet. My confidence in the Goodness of the Universe soared today and this image made my day ...
.


I tried another composition and shot @ f/5.6 (wide-open). The resulting image is quite even and sharp from corner to corner.
.

.
Best Aperture range on the 645Z : From f/5.6 to f/32
Diffraction kills resolution @ f/45
   
Loyal Site Supporter

Registered: August, 2007
Location: Coquitlam, BC, Canada
Posts: 624

2 users found this helpful
Review Date: February 27, 2022 Recommended | Price: $2,000.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Incredibly well designed, sharp, compact
Cons: None, other than it is not auto focus :)
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 8    Handling: 10    Value: 10    Camera Used: 645Z   

From a physical/operational stand point The SMC Pentax-A*645 600mm F5.6 is incredibly well designed, which cannot be said for all long telephoto lenses, no matter how good they are optically. Overlooking that it is manual focus. it is one of the best telephotos I have ever used, in my opinion whoever decided to put a handle on the top of this lens was a genius.

Most long lenses are used for wildlife or sports and you often need to mount the lens and get shooting quickly, which is the most dangerous time for dropping or damaging a lens. Heavy lenses are awkward to hold or handle until they are securely onto a tripod. Being able to grab this one securely and swing it up unto a tripod head using one hand, steadying it and moving it for balance while clamping it down with the other hand is a huge plus.

Extending the hood, which is two stage, is done after the lens is mounted as this needs two hands.

This lens has a long mounting foot, which is forward set, and the balance point with a 645Z camera mounted, is close to the center of the foot, so that when adding a rear converter or extension tubes the lens can be moved forwards for balance and still be securely sitting directly on the foot.

Other reviewers have clearly stated how good this lens is optically and the necessity for good long lens technique, so I will only explain what else I have found helpful.

With all long heavy lenses, they handle best on a gimbal head, and heads similar in size to the Wimberly WH200, or older WH101, are the best choice for these lenses, particularly when considering the added weight of medium format cameras.

In terms of legs, I would consider the Gitzo Series 3 Systematic, or equivalent, to be the minimum. The “Systematic” version has a wide head mounting platform, spreading out the upper leg junction and greatly increasing stability. Without that feature I would go up a leg size. My personal choice for this class of equipment is the Gitzo Series 5 Systematic.

I have both tripods, but use the Series 3 for the excellent, and smaller Jobu Junior 3 Deluxe gimbal head for lenses in the weight class of the HD DFA 150-450 F4.5-5.6 (ED DC AW).

BTW There is no such thing as “too much tripod” IMO!

I am a big fan of additional lens stabilization, and the images below illustrates my treatment of this lens. Die-hard proponents of lens stabilization claim as much as a 25% improvement in stability, but I think it is closer to 10% plus. But anytime I can improve my long lens performance by 10% I’m all in.

Tying in the body as well can be effective but I find it to be too restrictive. Just dropping a bean bag or sandbag over the top of a lens (or your hand) can do a lot to dampen mirror slap.

I have not really “raved” about this lens, but it is my SECOND one so read between the lines! I bought one new in the late 1990’s, and used it in front of two 645 bodies and two motor drive MX’s. When I converted to digital, I could not afford the 645D at $10K, so I sold off all my MF gear and then regretted selling this lens for over 20 years.

This used (like new) lens just came available (Feb-2022) with the Pentax CPL-645* Drop-in Polarizer, which is probably one of the most unknown and rare Pentax accessories, so I am retiring my SMC 67 500mm F5.6 lens.
   
Site Supporter

Registered: January, 2022
Location: London
Posts: 136

3 users found this helpful
Review Date: February 6, 2022 Recommended | Price: $2,500.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Incredible tank-like build quality; excellent sharpness; minimal CA
Cons: Heavy and unwieldy; very sensitive to vibration; requires the sturdiest of tripods
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 8    Handling: 7    Value: 9    Camera Used: Fujifilm GFX50R, Pentax 645Z   

This lens still has no equals in the digital medium format (DMF) world. If one needs/wants reach and/or strong telephoto compression on DMF, this lens is arguably the best way to achieve that.

The build quality is from another world - nothing compares in my experience. And - under optimal conditions - the image quality leaves nothing to be desired... but with a few important caveats.

These are that it is VERY HEAVY and unwieldy, and to extract the most out of it it must really be deployed on the sturdiest tripod one can get one's hands on. A gimbal head also helps a lot to balance the weight.
When used on a Pentax 645Z or D, one should always use Mirror Lock-Up.
I have personally shot it on a mirrorless body, too (Fuji GFX50R), and I found that, for static subjects, using the Electronic Shutter further helps in reducing stray vibration.

A few landscape/cityscape samples from the tripod:







I also tried using it for "wildlife" shots from a monopod, and found that I could get away with it as long as I kept the shutter speed over 1/500s (marginally!), or better 1/1000s. But overall, I think there are better solutions for this type of application, namely a modern AF super-tele on a FF or APS-C body:



   
Pentaxian

Registered: January, 2009
Location: East Bay Area, CA
Posts: 6,612

7 users found this helpful
Review Date: November 27, 2020 Recommended | Price: $2,700.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: great image quality!
Cons: heavy, expensive
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 9    Handling: 8    Value: 9    Camera Used: 645Z and K3ii with adapter   

If you found your way here, you already know what you're looking for. This is one of the most beautiful pieces of Pentax glass I've operated. But, this is a serious lens and requires some technique to get the best from it.

I do not have the physical strength to use this handheld for more than 5 minutes. Thus, a good tripod is highly recommended. For exposures beyond the 1/FL shutter speed rule, I have gotten great results mounting the lens to my tripod in the usual way, then attaching a lightweight monopod to the camera body and allowing the extended leg to just make contact with the ground. This additional point of contact reduces motion noticably, and because you do not need to lock the monopod legs, it can accommodate quick re-aiming as required.

I love the gunsight notch in the top handle. I can rough aim the lens at my subject before turning on the camera, and it is nearly always lined up.

Cruisin'

Celestial Pinball (Explore #20)

Crescent

my album of shots using this lens is here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeoria/albums/72157696314298131
   
New Member

Registered: November, 2014
Posts: 4

2 users found this helpful
Review Date: November 25, 2014 Recommended | Price: $3,950.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: sharp, around 480mm for 645 format
Cons: heavy
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 8    Bokeh: 8    Handling: 3    Value: 6    Camera Used: 645z   

i like its hood,
manual focus ring is smooth ,and easy to bingo the target
i suggest this lens should use 3 points to support the whole gear,
landscape i can use mirror up , iso 400 f11 1/50 shoot ,without shaking
1/200 f8 iso 400 also can hit the birds
   
Veteran Member

Registered: February, 2008
Posts: 434

4 users found this helpful
Review Date: March 11, 2013 Recommended | Price: $2,600.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Sharp, beautifully made
Cons: Heavy, not cheap
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 10    Bokeh: 9    Handling: 8    Value: 10    Camera Used: 646D   

Well, I can only repeat what has already been said. The build quality is from a former time, before the age of two year upgrades. Whether the extra reach of this lens is worth the cost and weight vs. the excellent 400mm is a question only the user can decide. I'm not selling mine. Extra stabilization is required at a shutter speeds less than 1/500. I based mine on the post by rlj (thanks!), substituting a Sunwayfoto long lens support. It works well, but even this support is helped by a Manfrotto long lens support at slow shutter speeds.

_IGP1179 by tsjanik47, on Flickr
   
Forum Member

Registered: November, 2007
Location: Germany
Posts: 98

1 user found this helpful
Review Date: June 29, 2012 Recommended | Price: $3,000.00 | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Very sharp - incredible reach on K5
Cons: weight, weight, ...weight
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 9    Handling: 8    Value: 9    Camera Used: Pentax K5   

A lot has been said before which I can fully support: this is a heavy beast, beautifully made with stunning image quality. I used it with 1.4 and 2.0 extenders and at least with the 1.4 extender there is hardly any loss of image quality though the bokeh tends to suffer a bit, the 2.0 is really only for exceptional shots of more or less stationary subjects. Used on a crop camera makes a strong support and good technique even more necessary but you sure get the results. For bird photography there is only the setback of it being manual focus, otherwise it is exactly the kind of reach which makes it possible to take these "impossible" shots.

In good light it works with the 1.7 AF-converter and the colours and sharpness are really great - when you get all stars lined up, as was said before. The image stabilisation in the K5 makes it possible to grab the odd shot from a monopod or even without support, but to get the real sharpness a support is needed. I use a Berlebach mini with the inbuilt head and a Feisol carbon tripod along with a Manfrotto lens cradle and this works out fine. Shooting from a vehicle using a Berlebach window-support worked very well for me on a recent trip to a windswept island - sample photographs can be found in my gallery. (also more shots with this lens - kingfishers and other birds)

Overall I can highly recommend this lens as it gives you top quality at a bargain price if you compare it with similar offers from CaNikon including image stabilisation.

I haven't tried it on a 645 camera, but I have been able to compare it side by side with a 600/4 IF ED FA* and image quality was on the same level. The long reach cries out for stopping down a bit, mostly I use the lens open, though as small birds at a distance conveniently fit into the field of sharpness.
   
Veteran Member

Registered: March, 2011
Location: Arizona
Posts: 330

6 users found this helpful
Review Date: June 27, 2012 Recommended | Rating: 9 

 
Pros: Nothing like it specific for 645 cameras
Cons: Slightly low contrast and practicality of field use
Sharpness: 9    Aberrations: 9    Bokeh: 9    Handling: 10    Value: 10    Camera Used: Pentax 645D and 645N   

This is only an initial review which I will edit with more experience with it. I have been using the lens now for 2.5 months.

Build:
Top end build. Great handling for such a lens. Pentax really paid attention to the details with this lens. I don't know what more to mention other than there is nothing I would change on the design and construction of the lens. The double extending hood provides spectacular protection. The top handle is a huge asset. This is a super aid in handling the lens and moving it around quickly. The handle even has a nice groove down the top to assist in rapidly locating your subject. Focusing is smooth as could be. I almost wish it was dampened it is so smooth. The focus preset is a great advantage. Infinity changes on this lens depending on your conditions. I use the focus preset to lock infinity for the environmental conditions of each shoot. Rotating between vertical and horizontal is a great design. The top handle stays at the top no matter if the camera is set to landscape or portrait. Only the rear grey portion rotates. Filter drawer stays locked closed and does not accidentally come loose like the k mount FA*s. Lens foot is very beefy and solid, does not induce as much vibrations from the foot as other FA, A, Nikon, and Canon counterparts.

Image Quality:
This lens has it with proper technique. Sharpness is great. Aberrations are very well controlled and the small amount is easily correctable. A word on technique though, fast shutter speeds or demanding technique are required. I use a Gitzo series 4 tripod and now wish for a wooden tripod. A Manfroto long lens support tying the body to a tripod leg is highly recomended for slow shutter speeds (less than 250th). Mirror up is critical for these speeds also. Any breeze and you will get side to side movement still. Shooting from a vehicle is incredibly difficult unless you have the light to shoot greater than 500th. Stopping down to a minimum of f8 is critical to insure you have the DOF to have an entire animals head in focus. The sensor/film size combined with the resolution of medium format makes controlling sharpness critical if you want to print large. Using a focus magnifier is very important in nailing focus. As far as contrast goes; here in Africa's bright light the contrast can often be lacking. Using a polarizer in the filter drawer really helps control this. A word on polarizers though; the special rotatable drop in polarizer is 10 times harder to find than the lens itself. The next best option is a standard 49mm polarizer. I found that the only one that fits with ease is the B+W slim polarizer. The polarizers with threads on the front to attach another filter are a tight fit and can really give you a good scare when you think the whole assembly is stuck in the lens.

General Comments:
This is a highly specialized lens when used on medium format. It is not something to take lightly. Often there is not enough light to use the lens properly, stopped down, fast shutter speed, etc. When there is enough light it is mostly likely very harsh. Animals don't often sit still while you stabilize the lens for your conditions, focus, get the settings accordingly. Using from a vehicle in Africa is very near a must making use very difficult. This lens is no substitute for a long lens on a 35mm body. If you treat it that way you will loose shots. I pair it with a 300mm 2.8 on a K5. This gives me two options for when I can deal with what this lens requires and when I must work fast or in low light. However, when all the stars line up and you look at your image your smile is wider than the earth is round. I often also find it easier to use a FA 300mm 5.6 of FA* 300mm 4.0 and capture more of the environment when conditions don't allow the use of this lens.

I will be testing a 67 M* 400mm 4.0 with and without a 1.4x later this year to see how the two compare from a usability stance. From this I will have a better idea of how to proceed forward.

In Summary:
A spectacular lens. However, the difficulty in field use raises the question of is it worth it to you. I have decided yes it is but with the stipulation that I have a combo to give me the same image when the conditions aren't right. By the end of the year I will have an idea if the 67 M* 400mm with and without the matched 1.4x is a more user friendly substitute. One must also consider if the high res FF 35mm offerings from Nikon and Canon (Nikon in particular) is a better option for printing telephoto images large. Future will tell if I go this route.
   
Junior Member

Registered: November, 2009
Posts: 29

5 users found this helpful
Review Date: August 8, 2011 Recommended | Price: $3,000.00 | Rating: 10 

 
Pros: Sharp
Cons: Large and heavy
Sharpness: 10    Aberrations: 10    Bokeh: 10    Handling: 10    Value: 10   

Simply put, there is no other lens like this for a Pentax 645D. These lenses are custom built and rarely found waiting on a shelf. I expect prices for this lens will have gone up since the 645D came out. However, even before the 645D, photographers using smaller format cameras like Pentax, Canon and Nikon have bought this lens to use with adapters. Even Hasselblad owners have adapted this lens for their V-bodies as it has a reputation of being as sharp as the 350 Superachromat, but much less expensive on the used market.

This lens is very, very sharp. However, due to it's weight and the positioning of the tripod mount, the 645D, demanding great precision from it's lenses, shows movement artifacts. This is most likely due to the 645D body oscillating on the lens mount, which behaves as a fulcrum, stationary at the tripod mount.

This led me to try to make the whole system more rigid. I posted the results of on this forum at https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-medium-format-645-6x7-645d/128629-...s-support.html The support system parts as described easily fit into the original metal case provided with the lens. I use the Really Right Stuff (RRS) TVC-24 carbon fiber tripod with a BH-40 head.

Once the 645D body is locked-in with tripod mount of the 600/5.6 lens, the sharpness of the 600/5.6 can be fully appreciated. The focus of the lens is butter smooth and easily used on the 645D body. It is a great lens. Stopping down to f8 does improve the contrast and sharpness, but only slightly. This lens is certainly in the same class as the large Nikon and Canon 600mm lenses (which also improve ever so slightly stopping down one stop).

(BTW, I tested the 2x on this lens with this set-up; but the quality is degraded and so I would not recommend the 2x converter on the 600/5.6 with the 645D body.)
Add Review of SMC Pentax-A* 645 600mm F5.6 ED [IF]



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