Pentax 67 lens comparison 165 2.8 or 165 4.0 leaf shutter?

harlequin · Mar 27, 2017

Just curious if fellow APUG members have used either of these lenses and what the feedback,
pros+cons and of course picture quality, I have acquired a 67mlu body and will be doing mostly
portraits, is there a huge advantage to the Leaf Shutter the extra f stop of the 2.8 would assist in
focusing.... I notice that on the used market the LS 165 is about 75-125$ more expensive, which
may make total sense.

Reliability?
Any Quirks?
How do you use the Leaf Shutter in the first place?

I am sure either would suffice for my needs but would like the APUG MF Forum
to chime in as your information and opinions are very valued by myself.

Thanks!

Harlequin..

John Wiegerink · Mar 27, 2017

I have never used the F2.8 version, but you'll have to pry my 165mm F4 LS lens from my cold, dead fingers. What's that tell ya? The 165mm LS lens does have a quirk or two and the one that bugs me is not being able to use Mirror-up on it with the leaf shutter. I can with my 90mm f2.8 LS lens, but not the 165mm LS. Go figure?

dpurdy · Mar 28, 2017

I have the 90 Leaf shutter lens and it is a great lens. I have also the non leaf shutter 2.8 165. In my opinion the 165 is too long a focal length and is a waste for the leaf shutter. The 90 Leaf shutter is far more useful. I have owned my 2.8 165 since I bought it new in 1995 or so and have in my memory never used it ever. Want mine?

John Wiegerink · Mar 28, 2017

dpurdy said:
I have the 90 Leaf shutter lens and it is a great lens. I have also the non leaf shutter 2.8 165. In my opinion the 165 is too long a focal length and is a waste for the leaf shutter. The 90 Leaf shutter is far more useful. I have owned my 2.8 165 since I bought it new in 1995 or so and have in my memory never used it ever. Want mine?

I believe Pentax aimed the LS version 165mm f4 at folks who wanted to shoot portraits and use fill-light in natural environments. I can't think of any other reason they would have made a 165mm with a leaf shutter can you?

filmamigo · Mar 28, 2017

Yes, I use leaf shutter cameras or lenses in order to control contrast and do daylight fill flash for portraits.

I recently switched from the Bronica ETR, where everything was LS. I don't think 165mm on the 67 is too long -- my favourite portrait length on the 645 ETR was 150mm.

On the Pentax 67 I've only got one leaf shutter lens -- the 90mm. I ended up with a 165mm f/2.8 and it's a WONDERFUL lens - sharp, good microcontrast and lovely tone, even wide open. While the LS would be useful at the length, I have hesitated because the 2.8 is so good. I'm glad to hear that someone loves their LS just as much.

mweintraub · Mar 28, 2017

I have the 165mm LS because of the fill flash-ability, but haven't used it much. I've heard nothing but fantastic things about the 2.8 version. I might get that for times I wouldn't use flash and need a brighter focus screen.

Fixcinater · Mar 28, 2017

I have the 165/2.8 and it is just excellent, pairs nicely with the 105mm. I have not used the LS.

John Wiegerink · Mar 28, 2017

Before I got the 165mm f4 LS I was really eyeing a 165mm f2.8 and had my heart set on that. I, too, was thinking shallow DOF vs. the f4 LS version. But, as strange things happen, a "like new' 165mm f4LS lens fell into my lap. I had to do a slight repair, but it now looks and works perfect. I'll admit that my intent was to fix and sell it then use the funds for a 165mm f2.8. Then I tried the lens out and found it to be a real nice lens. I sot a few portrait at fairly close range wide open. To my surprise the DOF was just fine at f4. I could keep my subject in focus and throw foreground and background out just fine. Plus, I had the added benefit of synced fill flash out side at any shutter speed. That's why I love my 165mm f4 LS. YMMV!

harlequin · Mar 28, 2017

Wow,

Some great and spirited responses, Thank You!
Kinda like asking who makes the best pizza in town, there all pretty good.

Mr. DPurdy, how much might that jem (165 2.8) be?

For those who have the Leaf Shutter 90 and/or 165mm, do you set the camera shutter at a certain speed then
cock the lens shutter manually? I would be interested in the correct sequence....

Thank You for your thorough responses!!

Harlequin

mweintraub · Mar 28, 2017

harlequin said:
Wow,

Some great and spirited responses, Thank You!
Kinda like asking who makes the best pizza in town, there all pretty good.

Harlequin

That's easy, Chicago Deep Dish.

harlequin said:
For those who have the Leaf Shutter 90 and/or 165mm, do you set the camera shutter at a certain speed then
cock the lens shutter manually? I would be interested in the correct sequence....

Harlequin

The body speed needs to be at 1/8s or longer. Yes, the lens needs to be cocked manually with each shot. The 165mm has a mode where it won't trigger the L/S, but forgot how the 90mm does it. Some manuals here: http://pentax67.net/?page_id=327

filmamigo · Apr 7, 2017

I paid a whopping $120 U.S. for my 165mm f/2.8, from Adorama. It was in like-new condition.

On the 90mm LS, the procedure is:

set (and leave) the *body* shutter speed to 1/8
adjust the *lens* shutter speed ring (1/30 to 1/500)
grab the lens shutter-cocking ring (it's beside the shutter speed ring, and has two knurled tabs) and give it a half-twist to cock
fire the shutter as usual

If you are used to any separately-cocking camera (an old folder, or a 4x5 camera) the process is exactly the same. It's actually really simple.

My 90mm LS was cheap because the "U/S" selector was stuck on "U". Which means it can't be moved to "S"pecial mode, permitting multiple exposures. Not something I needed or wanted. I would leave the lens in "U"sual mode all of the time anyway.

Pentax 67 lens comparison 165 2.8 or 165 4.0 leaf shutter?

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