Sharpest lens for a Pentax 645n

marton · Mar 23, 2015

I'm currently shooting with an old manual focus 45-85 zoom on my 645n, and my observations on this lens are that it is soft. Up until I bought this outfit I'd been shooting with a Mamiya 645 Pro with either an 80mm or 35mm lens, and man those were very sharp, crystal clear lenses and consequently right now I'm a little disappointed.

Are there some experienced people here than I, who know which lenses are the best for a Pentax 645? If so, what are they?

Thanks

DanielStone · Mar 23, 2015

The 'standard' 75mm has always given me very sharp results.
The 100mm macro for the 6x7 is wickedly sharp, but manual focus only. And not very inexpensive either.
The latest 55mm 67 lens is also extremely sharp, but a tad wide for some people's tastes.

-Dan

bernard_L · Mar 23, 2015

Comparing a zoom with primes...

marton · Mar 23, 2015

DanielStone said:
The 'standard' 75mm has always given me very sharp results.
The 100mm macro for the 6x7 is wickedly sharp, but manual focus only. And not very inexpensive either.
The latest 55mm 67 lens is also extremely sharp, but a tad wide for some people's tastes.

-Dan

Thanks

I'd read reviews of the autofocus version of my 45-85mm which have said that it is sharper than the primes for the Pentax 645n. Thought I might buy one but no, I think I'll stick with primes.

Dr Croubie · Mar 23, 2015

Most 6x6 and 6x7 lenses adapt easily to any 645 mount, so there are also the legends from other brands to consider, like a Zeiss Hassy Planar, or a Schneider Xenotar for Exakta 66. Even my 105/2.4 Tak for P67 is very nice...

declark · Mar 23, 2015

Had the 45mm f2.8, 55mm f2.8, and 150mm f3.5. The 55 was the standout, the 150 also very good, the 45 was fair. I replaced the Pentax system with a Hasselblad setup and I see little difference between the 50mm FLE and the Pentax 55.

weasel · Mar 23, 2015

I have a 55 and 150- no complaints.

Richard S. (rich815) · Mar 23, 2015

You best or sharpest?

pentaxuser · Mar 23, 2015

Have a look in Pentaxforum(s) There's a review of all the lenses for the P645N.

pentaxuser

Pioneer · Mar 23, 2015

The 35/3.5 is awesome! The 75/2.8 is excellent. The 150/3.5 is also very good. My AF 45-85 zoom is a wonderful lens, but it won't produce greater images than any of the primes will, except for the 45 perhaps. Your copy may not be working properly and may need some work.

As a counterpoint, I gave up the Mamiya 645 a few years back because I could not find a lens that could compete with the Pentax 35 and 75. But everyone seems to have their own experiences. If you preferred the Mamiya I recommend you sell the Pentax and go find another Mamiya. Life's too short to struggle with something that isn't working for you.

Pioneer · Mar 23, 2015

If you really would like to see what the Pentax 645 FA 45-85 and Pentax 645 FA 80-160 are capable of you should go review some of the work Tim Fitzharris produced with both lenses for the Audobon Society. Both lenses more than pack their own weight.

Alan Gales · Mar 23, 2015

I have heard that the FA lenses are sharper than the manual focus lenses. I know the 45mm manual focus lens is said to be soft.

I've shot the 75mm FA, 150mm FA, both auto/manual focus macro lenses, and the 35mm manual focus lens and I had no complaints.

marton · Mar 24, 2015

Pioneer said:
The 35/3.5 is awesome! The 75/2.8 is excellent. The 150/3.5 is also very good. My AF 45-85 zoom is a wonderful lens, but it won't produce greater images than any of the primes will, except for the 45 perhaps. Your copy may not be working properly and may need some work.

As a counterpoint, I gave up the Mamiya 645 a few years back because I could not find a lens that could compete with the Pentax 35 and 75. But everyone seems to have their own experiences. If you preferred the Mamiya I recommend you sell the Pentax and go find another Mamiya. Life's too short to struggle with something that isn't working for you.

I had thought of revisiting Mamiya, but that system has its own problems re my own use. The viewfinder by comparison to the Pentax is like looking into a glass darkly, so I'm sticking with Pentax on those grounds alone, not to mention the metering. Just a matter of getting the best lenses.

marton · Mar 24, 2015

Thanks for the responses everyone

bluez · Apr 22, 2015

I have several lenses, but the sharpest and the one with the best image quality is the 150mm 2.8 A (Apo). It's sharp even wide open.

benveniste · Apr 22, 2015

The 120mm FA Macro is very sharp, but I have no complaints about the sharpness of my 45-85mm FA on the 645n. At what apertures and focal lengths are you seeing softness?

marton · Apr 23, 2015

It is academic now as I sold the Pentax a while back, and bought a Fuji GSW with the proceeds.

removed account4 · Apr 23, 2015

i am sorry to tell you this marton,
but the sharpest+best lens you can
get for your camera is a 4x5 camera.

yes i am making a terrible joke, brought on by another thread

best of luck with your work/s

Pioneer · Apr 25, 2015

marton said:
It is academic now as I sold the Pentax a while back, and bought a Fuji GSW with the proceeds.

Enjoy.

I haven't sold the Pentax equipment but most of my MF work is now being done with my Bessa II with the Color Heliar 105/3.5 or my Rolleiflex Automat with the Zeiss Tessar 75/3.5.

It is all good.

Sharpest lens for a Pentax 645n

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