Luminous Landscape Forum
Equipment & Techniques => Medium Format / Film / Digital Backs – and Large Sensor Photography => Topic started by: heinrichvoelkel on August 25, 2012, 05:03:42 pm
-
Hello,
I'm looking for some advice on the best lenses for the 645D. I'm especially interested to know about the 33-55mm FA lens.
thanks in advance
heinrich
-
120mm Macro A and AF, 25mm DA, 35mm A, 300mm AF, 400mm AF, 150mm AF, 35mm AF, 150mm-300mm AF, 600mm A. All great, each with minor shortcomings except the 120mm, which is about perfect. Never had any 200, and sold the 45mm. Also don't have the 55mm D-FA. Sold the 45-85, 80-160, and 55-110mm, which were also very good, but I am waiting for the replacements. The 33-55mm AF was a disappointment. Strong pincushion distortion and less than acceptable sharpness. Sold as well.
-
I'm not sure how helpful this is, and I'm sure this will vary with your shooting style, but the lenses I have and found pretty useful are the following:
Note: The forum scales the images down so to look at them a little bigger open the image url directly.
1) SMC Pentax-D FA 645 55mm F2.8 AL [IF] SDM AW, very sharp and has a nice contrast. I hear some samples might be better than others, as is with all lenses. I'm quite happy with mine. Below are a few samples shot with it.
(http://blog.dominik.ca/wp-content/gallery/ameya_yokocho/ameya1.jpg)
(http://blog.dominik.ca/wp-content/gallery/death-valley/death_valley_4.jpg)
(http://blog.dominik.ca/wp-content/gallery/salton_sea/salton_2.jpg)
(http://blog.dominik.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/coral_c3.jpg)
2) SMC Pentax-FA 645 120mm F4 Macro, Also very sharp (sometimes to sharp for portraits) and useful for many applications. I sometimes find the bokeh to be funky looking at some distances but generally this does not happen often. Some samples below, the one with the butterfly on the statue shows the bokeh issue I'm talking about.
(http://blog.dominik.ca/wp-content/gallery/cache/25__864x864_death_valley_3.jpg)
(http://blog.dominik.ca/wp-content/gallery/bruce_p/bruce-6.jpg)
(http://dominik.ca/forumposts/photos/fog_trees.jpg)
(http://blog.dominik.ca/wp-content/gallery/weekend1/weekend-5.jpg)
(http://dominik.ca/forumposts/photos/hippy_portrait.jpg)
3) SMC Pentax-FA 645 150mm F2.8 [IF], Nice lens for portraits, it's low contrast yet still sharp wide open, has a bit of a build in pro mist filter look at 2.8 but becomes very sharp at f 5.6 and higher.
(http://dominik.ca/forumposts/photos/bokeh_1.jpg)
(http://dominik.ca/forumposts/photos/tokyo_bridge.jpg)
(http://dominik.ca/forumposts/photos/kyoto_electrical.jpg)
(http://dominik.ca/forumposts/photos/dog_bokeh1.jpg)
(http://dominik.ca/forumposts/photos/dog_bokeh2.jpg)
4) SMC Pentax-A* 645 300mm F4 ED [IF], Out of all the lenses I have, this is the one that I use the least, but for some situations it's absolutely indespensible. It's sharp if you keep your shutter speed high while on a tripod, and mirror lockup is a must if you are under 1/500th of a second assuming you want critical sharpness. It's actually not to bad for portraits either if you are looking for a nice out of focus background, but it's nothing the 150mm can't handle at f2.8 as fa as bokeh goes. I tortured my father to be my test model one more time on this one:
(http://dominik.ca/forumposts/photos/300mm_portrait.jpg)
(http://dominik.ca/forumposts/photos/clouds.jpg)
This one shows a comparison between the 55mm and the 300mm from the same vantage point, this is not the sharpest shot but that's more my fault than the lens. You can definatelly resolve human hair from this distance if your technique is spot on.
(http://dominik.ca/forumposts/photos/50mm300mm.jpg)
5) SMC Pentax-DA 645 25mm F4 AL [IF] SDM AW, This one is a tough one to recommend because of it's price and limited use. I have a unfinished writeup about it on my blog I intend to finish soon. To summarize it, the lens shines in some very specific scenarios, it's razor sharp, has great micro contrast, is super picky when focusing and has some chromatic aberrations in certain situations that can be usually corrected in lightroom. It's definitely not a typical walk around lens because it's pretty big and heavy, and you have to be in some pretty tight spots to really make it worthwhile. I hear some good things about the 35mm lens that pentax has, and tried it at a store in Tokyo. It's probably a more useful and much cheaper alternative if you want to go wider on a tighter budget.
(http://dominik.ca/forumposts/photos/25mm_sample3.jpg)
(http://dominik.ca/forumposts/photos/25mm_sample4.jpg)
(http://dominik.ca/forumposts/photos/25mm_sample1.jpg)
Wide open at F4
(http://dominik.ca/forumposts/photos/25mm_sample2.jpg)
I hope some of this is useful, I have not tried any of the zooms but hear mixed reviews here and there. I'm sure some of the other forum members that have used pentax glass on film bodies can chime in.
-----------------------
http://blog.dominik.ca (http://blog.dominik.ca)
-
Hello Heinrich,
If you can wait a little longer you are in luck because Pentax will replace first the 33-55 with a modern, build for digital ultra wide zoom (2x-4x). So you could buy a 35 mm prime (assuming you already have the 55 "lens kit" prime) and have somehow covered the range until the new zoom will be available. It also could indicate that either Pentax looks at the 33-55 as the weakest zoom they have and rush to exchange it first or that it is in their view simply not wide enough for the smaller digital sensor.
Best regards,
Radu
Hello,
I'm looking for some advice on the best lenses for the 645D. I'm especially interested to know about the 33-55mm FA lens.
thanks in advance
heinrich
-
thank you all for your comments so far.
I just try to evaluate the quality of the Pentax system beyond the obvious (the camera) and get my head around buying into this system.
Especially thanks for the impressive pictures. The 25mm would be very interesting for me, just a tad expensive, compared to the rest of the line up.
Interesting info regarding Pentax and their zooms. I will wait for Photokina.
-
Lacunapratum's comments are spot on, although you might also consider the 75mm FA. Sharp, compact and inexpensive. The zooms are too large to be inconspicuous. I can take the 35mm, the 75mm and the 150mm in a fanny pack as a walk-around kit.
Really nice images larkis; in particular the Bruce penisula - lovely place.
Tom
-
Agreed. Forgot about the 75mm. Also one of the winners, both A and AF. The A version is great in reverse positions for macros.
Another nice walk-around kit is the 35mm, the 75mm, and the 150-300mm. The 150-300 is amazingly light weight and works well on a monopod or at ISO 400 when carried as part of a kit. It's already very sharp at f/5.6, which is an aperture with reasonable depth of field at 300mm. The Pentax autofocus is usually good enough to nail the shot.
Tom
-
SMC Pentax-D FA 645 55mm F2.8 AL [IF] SDM AW
That's the name of one lens?!
Kidding aside, I love the photos you posted here. Great variety, yet each really holds my attention.
Ray
-
Yes, the naming of the lenses is ridiculous but not much different than some of the names I have seen from other companies. The name usually contains all (or most) of the features of the lens.
Thanks for the kind words on the images I posted.
-----------------------
http://blog.dominik.ca (http://blog.dominik.ca)
-
That's the name of one lens?!
Kidding aside, I love the photos you posted here. Great variety, yet each really holds my attention.
Ray
I agree with both comments. The example photos are a pleasure to see as well as illustrating technical properties of the lenses, and the names most camera makers put together for their lenses is getting ridiculous.
-
Great summary. Nice pictures. I love the ones from Kyoto also.
-
Many thanks for such nice pictures and information. Now I know I need to look for a 35mm.
From Paris with 645D - 55mm - 80-160mm - 300mm
-
Larkis, absolutely very nice lenses - but the photographer's eyes make these fine images. Well done!
-
Just thought I would add my experiences to this thread. I have been using the 645D for two years (Dec 2010, Canada) and I transitioned to it from the P67. I am using the following lenses with the 645D:
P67 55-100mm f4.5 zoom (superbly sharp through f22, best at f8-16)*
P67 90-180mm f 5.6 zoom (superbly sharp through f22, best at f8-16)*
P645 FA 35mm f3.5 AL (IF) (superbly sharp through f22, best at f5.6-16)
P67 M* 300mm F4 ED [IF] (superbly sharp through f22, best at f5.6-16)*
*These all require the P67 to 645 adapter
I would unhesitatingly recommend any/all of the above lenses to anyone working with the 645D. The P67 lenses are big and heavy and absolutely require top notch support. I have put together a flexible support system (based on RRS equipment and parts) which allows me to support the end of the lens barrel and the camera body simultaneously on a single mount (no cantilevers) quickly and easily. There is no way to get razor sharp images otherwise.
--materialsguy
-
The other P67 lenses that are quite good on the 645D: latest version of 55/4, latest version of 200 and the 100 macro (newer design than 135 macro).
Another 645 AF lens I like is the 300/5.6, it is very light and sharper than the 150-300 zoom.
-
Very impressive work, Dominik! You wield that camera with creativity and precision.
Bill O'Connor
-
Has there been any new news about the Version II of the Pentax 645D? Thank you.
-
Hi All,
I just noticed this thread after not having logged in or posted in quite some time. Below is a link to my comprehensive lens test with multiple samples of most all Pentax AF 645 lenses as used on the 645D body. I recently acquired the 600 f5.6 645 lens along with the 1.4x 645 teleconverter and have been engaging in some preliminary tests with both the lens and the converter on it and a few other of the Pentax 645 telephoto's.
Here is the link to the lens testing:
http://www.getdpi.com/forum/medium-format-systems-digital-backs/35577-comprehensive-testing-results-observations-pentax-645-lenses-used-645d.html
Thanks.
Dave (DandA)
-
Hi, I'm new here.
I just wanted to say thanks for this informative thread and the amazing pictures, especially by Larkis, which helped me to decide to make my purchase back in April. I am absolutely loving my 645D and the lenses I purchased.
I currently have:
DFA25, A35, A45, DFA55, A75, A80-160, 67 105, A120, and the FA150. Several of these lenses are amazing. I haven't spent enough time with all of them yet, but the discovery has been a thrill.
Mike
Here are some recent pics using the 645D
with A 45mm
(http://mikeoria.zenfolio.com/img/s8/v81/p1850085134-5.jpg)
with FA 150
(http://mikeoria.zenfolio.com/img/s9/v97/p1744750178-5.jpg)
with A 120 Macro
(http://mikeoria.zenfolio.com/img/s5/v117/p2115668521-5.jpg)
with DFA 55
(http://mikeoria.zenfolio.com/img/s10/v113/p1824189405-5.jpg)
-
Great images! Even the much maligned 45mm doesn't seem too bad. And even at screen resolution the 120mm macro seems to have an edge.
-
Here is one with the DFA 25
(http://mikeoria.zenfolio.com/img/s10/v106/p111371839-5.jpg)
and a couple from the SMC A-35
(http://mikeoria.zenfolio.com/img/s5/v132/p814358466-5.jpg)
(http://mikeoria.zenfolio.com/img/s10/v115/p993427325-5.jpg)
-
Nice images by both you guys. great info...There is one wonder I had. Is there anyway to attach the camera itself on a 4x5? I was considering this camera instead of upgrading my MF Db.
-
Nice images by both you guys. great info...There is one wonder I had. Is there anyway to attach the camera itself on a 4x5? I was considering this camera instead of upgrading my MF Db.
Here is one way:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/150755497910?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
I haven't tried it, so no personal experience.
Tom
-
thanks
-
here's a new one using the DFA55/2.8
(http://mikeoria.zenfolio.com/img/s10/v99/p34722181-6.jpg)
on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeoria/11528465594/
I find the A35, DFA55, and A120 to be my three favorites at the moment, but I still have not spent enough time using the DFA25.
-
Brilliant images Mike. Thanks a lot for sharing.
I like the 645D too, but have just had it for a month or so.
I,m planning to buy a Pentax-A 645 35mm lens soon.
Got the 120mm Macro - very sharp!
So is the LS lens for the 67.
And the 45mm is better that it's reputation, I think.
Jens/Planfoto
-
Nice images by both you guys. great info...There is one wonder I had. Is there anyway to attach the camera itself on a 4x5? I was considering this camera instead of upgrading my MF Db.
Yes, but not with wide lenses focused at infinity.
-
Mike,
Nice images!
-
thanks for sharing!
Can anybody comment on the 45mm FA? I really need this focal length. I do have the 45-85, which is great, just a bit heavy.
An option would be to get the 35mm and just crop.
best regards
-
I had one in the film era and sold it; I wasn't happy with its performance, but it has been too long ago to remember why. I have been following this system long enough to know most posters have a low regard for the 45mm; Mike, who posted the wonderful shots above, has posted favorable comments on the lens , perhaps he will add his observations.
-
Nice images by both you guys. great info...There is one wonder I had. Is there anyway to attach the camera itself on a 4x5? I was considering this camera instead of upgrading my MF Db.
Phil, attaching the camera is one thing, being able to do the system useful is another.... Main problem from attaching the Pentax on a view camera, would be to find a lens that would do more than ultra-high macro magnification... My suggestion for you, is to highly consider the CFVc back instead, for which you'll have plenty of lenses (both LF & MF) to focus at infinity and would additionally allow you to have enough shift & tilt even with some (carefully selected) MF lenses....
-
I just used the 150mm FA today for the first time in a shooting. The sharpness is much higher then the 45-85 I bought used. When testing/buying the 645z I was able to use 75 and the new 90, as well as the 35mm. I got the 150mm new with the 645z, and so far it's the sharpest of the ones I was able to use.
-
well my 45mm is the A version, not the FA, so I cannot speak to that one, but I really have no complaints about it. I think the A35 and DFA55 on either side of that focal length get more use, but my A45 holds up fine.
I have since upgraded to the 645Z and am hoping to get some new A45 example shot soon.
here are some fresh shots with the Z:
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1633/24065289306_87f93841cc_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/CEyU69)The Harbormaster (https://flic.kr/p/CEyU69)
645Z & FA150 pano
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1630/24222825712_aed3fdfe36_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/CUujb5)Near Knightsen, CA (https://flic.kr/p/CUujb5)
645Z & DFA55/2.8
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1595/24074890851_c4515b7c93_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/CFq7i2)Winter's Dawn (https://flic.kr/p/CFq7i2)
645Z & DFA 25/4
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5758/24046706255_f3b8245040_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/CCVDZH)Rodeo Moon (https://flic.kr/p/CCVDZH)
645Z & A35/3.5
-
Whatever happened to that 25mm lens? I don't see it listed on B&H anymore....
-
ALoha,
The 25mm was pulled, I think the 28-45 was seen to take its place.
The 45 to 85mm is also a really nice one.
with a little practice the 400mm is excellent as well.
pretty much everyone I have used with the exception of the 80-160 (i've tried tow of them) has been really nice.
-
with the 25mm
-
Aloha,
But those are with the Z....
-
Great shots Mike!
The 25 was taken off for some reason, could be used materials.
My 45-85mm seems to be a bad copy then. Is it the reason there are so many cheap offers on ebay Japan? Besides it is heavy on the camera.
As said, my 150mm is stunning.