Is the Pentax 67 75mm f/4.5 SHIFT lens worth it for my Pentax 67 or should I just stick with my Pentax 55mm-100mm f/4.5 zoom lens?

manfrominternet · Dec 28, 2023

Hello Medium Format Friends,

I currently have the SMC Pentax 55mm-100mm f/4.5 zoom lens for my Pentax 67II. It's a good lens, undoubtedly, perhaps a bit too soft on the zoom extremes, but considering that I shoot a lot of architecture anyway, I'm wondering if it would behoove me to just get the SMC Pentax 67 75mm f/4.5 SHIFT lens and exclusively use wide-angle-to-normal prime lenses and sell the 55mm-100mm f/4.5 zoom lens. So far I have the 45mm, 55mm, 105mm, and would potentially add the 75mm f/4.5 SHIFT lens to round out the set and simply use the SMC Pentax 67 90mm-180mm f/5.6 zoom lens for my telephoto uses.

That said, I could also just get the smaller/lighter non-shifting SMC Pentax 67 75mm f/4.5 lens to round out the wide-angle-to-normal prime lens set instead of getting the heavier Pentax 67 75mm f/4.5 SHIFT lens.

I do scan my negatives digitally and could fix any keystoning via Photoshop, but that does cut a large chunk of the image out, which is why I've been seriously considering the Pentax 67 75mm f/4.5 SHIFT lens in the first place. Ultimately, I just don't know how the lens performs.

I'd love to hear your suggestions, especially by those of you who have experience with said Pentax 75mm f/4.5 SHIFT lens for the Pentax 67.

(Also, of note, the Pentax 67 75mm f/2.8 AL is just wayyy too out of my price range...)

Many thanks for your time and suggestions!

Hassasin · Dec 28, 2023

To me this is a black and white question.

If you shoot a lot of architecture and what you shoot requires perspective control a shift lens can correct, then you need a shift lens. Back in the day this was not a question.

if instead you want to shoot on film, then fake it up in digital PP, then the shift lens may be a waste of money.

Not everything can be fixed with a shit lens. By that measure practically everything and more can be faked in digital PP.

locutus · Dec 29, 2023

For the price the 75 shift goes for...and considering it's not actually that wide or allows that much shift.

Wouldn't a budget 5x4 with a 6x7 roll film holder be a alternative to consider?

manfrominternet · Dec 29, 2023

locutus said:
For the price the 75 shift goes for...and considering it's not actually that wide or allows that much shift.

Wouldn't a budget 5x4 with a 6x7 roll film holder be a alternative to consider?

Believe it or not, I actually have a Linhof Master Technika Classic 4x5 (hence my user ID photo) and a Linhof Technikardan 45S... and a 6x7 roll film holder to boot! However, it's extremely difficult to use any lenses wider than a 90mm on my Master Technika Classic, and even with that lens on, my LF camera's movements are pretty limited. While not a major issue, it also does get a bit maddening to constantly have to switch out my ground glass for the 6x7 roll film holder. Additionally, my LF camera doesn't sport that handy matrix-like metering ability that my Pentax 67II has.

That said, what I'm really asking is if it makes any sense to sell my Pentax 55mm-100mm f/4.5 zoom lens altogether and buy the Pentax 75mm f/4.5 shift lens (or even the 75mm f/4.5 non-shift lens) to round out the set of prime lenses that I do have, including the 45mm, 55mm, 105mm, and 200mm.

While the Pentax 55mm-100mm f/4.5 zoom is undoubtedly convenient, I have noticed that it's a bit soft as opposed to, say, my Pentax 55mm which is contrasty and razor sharp. I can make extremely large prints with the 55mm lens, whereas I can't say the same with my 55mm-100mm zoom lens. (It's possible that I was just unlucky and got a bad copy of the 55mm-100mm.) I've been considering getting the Pentax 75mm f/4.5 shift or even the far less expensive Pentax 75mm f/4.5 non-shifting lens for some time now to replace the zoom as I have noticed that I use the 75mm focal length a lot with my 55mm-100mm zoom as it is...

Does anyone have any experience with either the Pentax 75mm f/4.5 shifting lens or the regular Pentax 75mm f/4.5 non-shifting lens?

john_s · Dec 29, 2023

I have used a 28mm Nikon shift lens for years for travel, landscape, to good effect (35mm camera obviously).
However for architecture, it's not very wide. I'd like the 24mm Nikon tilt/shift lens, but I can't justify the price.
I agree with a previous post above the 75mm is not wide enough.

Also, I use a Rolleiflex SL66 which has tilt which I use. There is a shift arrangement available for it (expensive) but the lens is not wide enough so I'm passing on that.

I have found that sometimes, the seeming relative inconvenience of large format is actually simplicity and a convenience.

Lachlan Young · Dec 29, 2023

manfrominternet said:
Believe it or not, I actually have a Linhof Master Technika Classic 4x5 (hence my user ID photo) and a Linhof Technikardan 45S... and a 6x7 roll film holder to boot! However, it's extremely difficult to use any lenses wider than a 90mm on my Master Technika Classic, and even with that lens on, my LF camera's movements are pretty limited. While not a major issue, it also does get a bit maddening to constantly have to switch out my ground glass for the 6x7 roll film holder. Additionally, my LF camera doesn't sport that handy matrix-like metering ability that my Pentax 67II has.

That said, what I'm really asking is if it makes any sense to sell my Pentax 55mm-100mm f/4.5 zoom lens altogether and buy the Pentax 75mm f/4.5 shift lens (or even the 75mm f/4.5 non-shift lens) to round out the set of prime lenses that I do have, including the 45mm, 55mm, 105mm, and 200mm.

While the Pentax 55mm-100mm f/4.5 zoom is undoubtedly convenient, I have noticed that it's a bit soft as opposed to, say, my Pentax 55mm which is contrasty and razor sharp. I can make extremely large prints with the 55mm lens, whereas I can't say the same with my 55mm-100mm zoom lens. (It's possible that I was just unlucky and got a bad copy of the 55mm-100mm.) I've been considering getting the Pentax 75mm f/4.5 shift or even the far less expensive Pentax 75mm f/4.5 non-shifting lens for some time now to replace the zoom as I have noticed that I use the 75mm focal length a lot with my 55mm-100mm zoom as it is...

Does anyone have any experience with either the Pentax 75mm f/4.5 shifting lens or the regular Pentax 75mm f/4.5 non-shifting lens?

The 75/4.5 is very good, but perhaps (like the 45) a little bland compared to the stronger visual character (optical umami?) of the 55/3.5 or 105/2.4. On the other hand, the 75/4.5 and the WLF makes the Pentax a lot lighter!

The very newest series of P67 lenses are very sharp but maybe lack a bit of the perfectly imperfect character of some of the first series of lenses for the system.

I have considered a 75 shift, but it's really something I'd prefer to use with either the waist level or chimney finder.

DREW WILEY · Dec 29, 2023

Only consider the shift option is you need to keep verticals parallel when tilting the camera upwards or downwards, like for architectural photography. Shift lenses are intended to partially mimic what view camera rise movements do much better. Otherwise, if you just want a 75mm lens for your 6x7, the ordinary 75/4.5 is going to be lighter weight, optically superb and extremely sharp, and very affordable right now. It's one of my favorite P67 lenses, but realize that it needs 82mm filters. There's also the faster 75/2.8 version if you don't mind re-mortgaging your house.

Sal Santamaura · Dec 29, 2023

DREW WILEY said:
...There's also the faster 75/2.8 version if you don't mind re-mortgaging your house.

And if you enjoy the 2.8's mustache-shaped geometric distortion.

I still regret not buying a 75mm shift when they were available new. Even the used ones closest to "mint" today (most aren't despite their "ratings") appear to have gouges in their bayonet mount surfaces. While I'd be willing to take a chance on the typically musty stuff coming out of Japan (since a right of return is almost universal from sellers there), the possibility of damaging my camera's bayonet mount is a deal breaker.

MarkS · Dec 30, 2023

You have a Techikardan 45S? Use that for architecture with the bag bellows.. If nothing else, it's far easier to compose on the big groundglass. And get a roll film back if sheet film is too much work. Then you have a number of lens choices, as well. 75mm on 6x7 just isn't that wide.
I assume you're shooting architecture for personal purposes? I can't imagine that any paying clients would be interested, these days, in covering the costs and delays inherent in using film.

DREW WILEY · Dec 30, 2023

Architectural photography potentially uses all kinds of focal lengths, not just ultra-wide ones! And a 75 on 6X7 format is really as wide as I'd typically need myself. The whole problem is lack of convergence controls like view camera does far better anyway. But that still leaves plenty of other legit applications for a 75 mm lens on the P67. Late 75/4.5's are so cheap at the moment, even in mint condition, why not?

Is the Pentax 67 75mm f/4.5 SHIFT lens worth it for my Pentax 67 or should I just stick with my Pentax 55mm-100mm f/4.5 zoom lens?

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency