Late Pentax 645 Auto Focus glass vs. new 645Z glass

[chris Johnston]

Are there any Pentax 645Z users who can provide feedback on the image quality of the late 645 film camera auto focus lenses vs the new lenses> Eg the Pentax SMC FA 645 Zoom 45-85mm F/4.5 runs about 450US to 500US used on E bay in Ex+ condition vs the Pentax SMC FA 645Z Zoom 45-85mm F/4.5 which is about 1200US

[Ken R]

Are there any Pentax 645Z users who can provide feedback on the image quality of the late 645 film camera auto focus lenses vs the new lenses> Eg the Pentax SMC FA 645 Zoom 45-85mm F/4.5 runs about 450US to 500US used on E bay in Ex+ condition vs the Pentax SMC FA 645Z Zoom 45-85mm F/4.5 which is about 1200US

That price (450-500 USD) is from international sellers, mainly Japan, odd that you see the same lens photographed almost identically being listed simultaneously on ebay. Fishy. Try to find a lens from a seller in the US. Put US Only on an ebay search for a  FA 45-85mm F/4.5. As of right now, none available used right now. Its a highly coveted lens ever since the 645D and the 645Z were introduced.

The "New" FA lenses are basically identical to the "old" FA lenses given equal models.

[mjlamott]

Nothing wrong with buying your lenses from Japan via eBay; that's what I did when I got a 645z. One of the lenses I purchased was a 120 macro that was in perfect condition, and I feel like it holds up very well to the modern sensor. The only annoyance I've found with the old AF lenses is how noisy they are, but that's something I can live with for the price. I've read good things about the 45-85, so as long as you're careful, I wouldn't worry too much about getting an older one.

[Joe Towner]

What you're seeing is a good used market (Japan) competing with a new market (USA).  The lenses are identical optically, and shy of possibly a newer motor, it's going to work the same.  Pentax 645 is/was huge in Japan, so there are lots of used lenses available.  With the reintroduction of the 645D/Z body to the USA, Pentax had to make sure a full lens lineup was available, so you're seeing their current pricing.  Ebay has been really good with Japanese camera stores - before the Z, the lenses were even cheaper.

[bbrantley]

You may also find that the MF equivalents, where they exist, are even better...  I certainly did.  To extra maximum detail, you'll likely need to MF anyway using live view, and it's much easier with the older, direct-coupled helicoids in the A lenses.

[Ken R]

For Landscapes the Manual Focus 35mm A lenses are GOLD. I had both the FA and A 35mm's and the older lens (A) is better at or near infinity focus. The A lens is quite light and compact and very easy to filter. Amazing that it covers full frame 645.

I also have the 120mm macro A. I did not want/need AF in a macro lens (used on a tripod most times). It is quite sharp at most apertures.

I had the 75mm f2.8 and it is junk wide open but very nice stopped down.

The new 55mm is good. 

[leeonmaui]

Aloha,

If possible buy new.
I've done it both ways.

The 45-85 is an excellent lens. Very Sharp, nice contrast and firm quick auto focus.
Also I just used the newly reintroduced 35mm it is also very nice.
Also the digital version of the 55mm is nice and is weather sealed. It good if you are interested in just using prime lenses. But the 45-85 is surprisingly nice for a zoom but it is not weather sealed.
I use the 25mm wide angle a lot, it is extremely nice, it does suffer from fairly strong CA which is easily corrected in Lightroom.
I also bought a new old stock 400mm which on the Z tracks very well with a little practice. It is slightly flat, so, polarizer really helps.
All in al there are many good sellers of these lenses and I've had very nice results from a few of the japanese sellers.

[gavincato]

Are there any Pentax 645Z users who can provide feedback on the image quality of the late 645 film camera auto focus lenses vs the new lenses> Eg the Pentax SMC FA 645 Zoom 45-85mm F/4.5 runs about 450US to 500US used on E bay in Ex+ condition vs the Pentax SMC FA 645Z Zoom 45-85mm F/4.5 which is about 1200US

Hi Chis,

Can't speak for the zooms but the older lenses I have used ;

35/3.5 - beautiful, light, incredibly sharp, beautifully smooth focus ring. Suffers from CA in backlit shots. My copy is very sharp wide open and getting silly sharp at f8-11.

120/4 macro - this thing pulls in so much detail it makes my canon 100mm macro look like a toy. Really amazing, and doubles up as a great longer focal length general lens as well.

75/2.8 - pretty soft at 2.8 but I like the look of it. I use it at weddings lots, quite nice bokeh. Gets pretty sharp at 5.6 and smaller. I usually use it at 2.8 though, it just has a nice look about it.

150/2.8 - read my 75mm description, applies identically The 150 is amazing at people shooting.

The new 55/2.8 is a cracker optically. Beautiful colours & bokeh. High levels of sharpness. I find it a bit of an odd focal length on the 645z but still like it a lot.

Hope this helps. I really like using these older lenses. I have all the latest and greatest canon lenses but I just like the look these older lenses get.

[rhern213]

If you're a people shooter, all of the above I agree with.

I tested almost all of them and stayed with the 35-A, 45-85, 75, 120 A, and 150. And I'm probably going to sell the 150, but that's just personal, the lens is great.

If you shoot landscapes, I wouldn't recommend the 35 FA or the new 55, unless you absolutely need weather sealing.

The older manual 35mm A is sharper in the corners than the FA, and the new 55 is not that good on the corners either. My 45-85 zoom is just as good stopped down as the 55.

[Dshelly]

I sold the 55/2.8 because it isn't a remarkable lens. I bought a like-new condition 45-85 from a Japan seller on eBay and it arrived in 4 days. It came in absolute mint condition and is such an exceptional lens. I'm very pleased with the color and bokeh. I also have 75mm and just love it - especially for full body shots. It's a very light lens and sharp from head to toe. I think my next purchase will be the 150 for portraits shots.

[MattBurt]

I've been buying a bunch of 645 lenses from Japan lately and I'm very happy with the results.

In the past few months I have bought the following manual primes: A 35/3.5, A 45/2.8, A 200/4, and the 2x TC. They are all great except maybe the TC but I think I may have been too optimistic with the TC. It was under $100 so I'm not too bothered with it's lack or performance. The 45 and 200 both have mixed reviews and this may be sample variation but both of mine are great. The 35 is just fantastic and everyone else seems to agree as well.

I also got these zooms: FA 80-160/4.5 and the 45-85/4.5 and they are both really nice. No complaints whatsoever. They came in pristine shape with hoods for what seemed like very reasonable prices. I've been using them for portraits and landscapes with good results.

I'm tempted by the new 55 just to have a WR lens should I need it. Currently none of my others are WR.

I say got for it. It seems to be a great time to pick this stuff up, even if it is more expensive than it was before the Z arrived. Still seems like great value!

[orc73]

anybody worked with the 75 LS?

Is the peaking in liveview good enough to use shooting people with manual lenses?

I don't have the 645z yet. just evaluating, and lense price/choice is a big factor.

45-85 seems like a very good lense, some say the bokeh is not so nice, any comments on this?

I consider the 150 for portrait. for fashion the zoom 45-85 would be good, or instead 55 and 75.
Any thoughts on that?

[Dshelly]

The bokeh on the 45-85 is just fine. However, it's not stellar like the Canon 85L or even the 135L. It's not often that I need that crazy-good bokeh aesthetic. I utilize that primarily for close up portraiture.

[gavincato]

anybody worked with the 75 LS?

Is the peaking in liveview good enough to use shooting people with manual lenses?

I don't have the 645z yet. just evaluating, and lense price/choice is a big factor.

45-85 seems like a very good lense, some say the bokeh is not so nice, any comments on this?

I consider the 150 for portrait. for fashion the zoom 45-85 would be good, or instead 55 and 75.
Any thoughts on that?

I'm generally not a big fan of zooms so personally i'd use the 75.

As for live view with manual lenses - yes it is totally fine. I often use a zeiss 110mm f/2 on it and works great. I use live view when I want to feel 100% safe I have it.

[orc73]

i was able to test a 645z with fa 75mm and the new 90mm macro.
between f8 and f11 in the studio I was not able to see a difference in sharpness. the 90mm has more contrast. live view focus on the tripod was the best I've ever seen.