Pentax SMCP-FA 645 80-160mm f/4.5 Reviews

Rating
Reviewed by:

Mettsphoto1
( Professional)

Review Date
December 29, 2005

Overall Rating
4 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Review 1 of 3

Price Paid: $800.00 from e-bay

Summary:

I think this is a vert good lens. It operates very smooth, and is bilt very well. The zoom range is very good for portraits. I have used in for hand held portraits on the beach. It is a big lens compaired to the same zoom ramge for 35mm, but I am a big guy so no problem. It is very sharp, and reproduces color very well. When my clients see it with the lens hood, they are impressed. Over all, this is avry good buy compaired to contex, Hassablad, and Mamiya 645 compairable lens. I would love to get the 45-80mm zoom also.

Strengths:

Price, build quality, image quality

Weaknesses:

I bit slow

Similar Products Used:

Mamiya C 330 80mm thru 250 lens, Mamiya Press 150mm , This is my first MF soom. Rollei 2.8E2 (they are overrated), Minolta Autocord, Mamiya 645 120mm.

Would you like to Comment?
Join PhotographyReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Rating
Reviewed by:
(Casual)

Review Date
June 27, 2002

Overall Rating
4 of 5

Value Rating
4 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
1 votes

Review 2 of 3

Price Paid: $0.00

Summary:

Its aperature is relatively small compared with prime lens, but the viewfinder is still bright enough for most light condition. Also, it is a very combination with FA33-55/4.5, I use this two zoom lens instead of other prime lens, I don't need to spend time on packing several lens when hiking. Moreover, in Pentax Japanese hp, they mention FA80-160/4.5 containing ED lens elements.

Strengths:

Excellent optics, produce very sharp image and very good flare control. The zoom range is commonly used and convenient. AF speed is fast.

Weaknesses:

It weighs 1010g, really a burden and such a weight is heavier than FA150/2.8 plus FA75/2.8. Pricing is also a little expensive than total of both 150mm and 75mm.

Similar Products Used:

FA200/4, FA75/2.8, A120/4. EL150/4.

Customer Service:

Nil

Would you like to Comment?
Join PhotographyReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Rating
Reviewed by: Roy Borghouts
(Intermediate)

Review Date
July 2, 2000

Overall Rating
4 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Review 3 of 3

Model Reviewed:
SMCP-FA 645 80-160mm f/4.5

Summary:

A dreamlens for scenics and portraits. Sharpness and contrast are as good as the 45-85mm, so together these are a fine combination for almost every purpose. Only drawback is the weight. Use higher shutterspeeds for best sharpness!

Strengths:

I bought this lens in combination with the 45-85mm zoom. This combination is magnificent for travel and day to day-photography. It assures the same characteristics as its little brother, the 45-85mm. Sharpness and contrast are best you wish for when using this format. The zoom range is useful and handy, and fast in use for, say, portraits. I prefered this lens to the new 150, as it is more versatile.

Weaknesses:

Price? Maybe, but with the Pentax lenses I feel you get good quality for a reasonable price. Heavy!

Similar Products Used:

Nikon 2.8 pro-zooms, Leica M-lenses, Pentax 67-lenses, Mamiya 7-lenses, Zeiss-lenses.

Customer Service:

Bit arrogant, now and then.

Would you like to Comment?
Join PhotographyReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.