Im considering buying a Pentax 67 system with either the 45mm or 55mm lenses (for landscape work). I know that there are newer and older generation lenses out there. I KNOW that there is an older generation 55mm, but is there also an older generation 45mm? What should I look out for if Im considering buying an older 45 or 55:

- less sharpness and resolution? - problems with build quality? - coatings?

Id like to hear from some people who have experience with both generations.

Thanks in advance.

-- sheldon hambrick (shambric@us.ibm.com), February 15, 1998

Answers

Sheldon: I have pamphlets on P67 lenses that go back to 1984 and see no changes in the 45mm since then. I have been using mine for ten years so far and am very happy with its sharpness. I never shoot it wide open so I can't comment on its f/4 ability. It is tack sharp between f/8 and f/16. At f/22 it loses a bit at the edges but you only notice it at 20" x 24" size enlargements and larger. The reason Pentax hasn't changed this lens is probably because it works so well. SR

-- Steve Rasmussen (srasmuss@flash.net), February 16, 1998.

Sheldon: I'm not aware of an older generation 45mm but there may be one. I have a new one and it is one of my most-used lenses. I also had the original 55/3.5. Actually, I liked the image quality; maybe not as sharp as the new ones, but very smooth. But it required 100mm filters, and I couldn't find a 100mm polarizer, which I use a lot. I have never used the newer version 55/4, but I have been told there are two versions of that lens, and the latest is better than the first. What I'd really like is a 65mm to go with my 45 and 90, but it doesn't exist! Regards, Bob

-- Bob Cook (bcook@wc-m.com), February 16, 1998.

Sheldon,

Ditto the other comments on two versions of the 6x7 45mm. Only one to my knowledge.

FYI, I have a 6x7 55/3.5 (older version)... new, never used (in box). We bought it to make a third 6x7 system, but as it turned out, we used a different configuration. We still use the other two 55/3.5 on a 'daily' basis... they are sharp and fun to use (even with the 100mm PL filter! ;)

Haven't a price at hand -- didn't think of it till I saw your post, however if you're interested I'm sure we could work something out.

Roger Warren

-- R. Warren (PhotoPro@usa.net), April 10, 1998.

I can only speak for the new 55mm F4. It is fantastic. Pentax rep told me that older 55mm f3.5 was only one of two pentax 67 lenses that have had major redesign. The other is the 200mm. So I bought both of them new with the idea that they are "state of the art" for 67 lenses. Photos and test charts confirm my decision. The 105 I got with the body is great at 5.6 to 8.0, but falls apart at 16 and 22!! (typical of older designs) Not so the 55 and 200. Very sharp throught out the range f4 to 22/32. I am stickler for sharpness, other wise why go to 6x7 format.

-- Gene Crumpler (crumpler.gene@epa.gov), May 08, 1998.

I don't know if you're seriously considering a purchase of the older version of the 55mm lens or not but if you are be sure to at least physically look at it first, or buy it with a right to return for any reason if you don't like it. I say this because it is a really, really big and heavy lens (as you might suspect from the 100mm lens diameter). I had always heard good things about this lens and considered buying one until I saw one at a camera show. For me, it was just too big and heavy to be practical in the field. You might very well feel differently, as others do, but at least look at it before you buy (or make sure it can be returned).

-- Brian Ellis (beellis@gte.net), September 30, 1998.