Outdated glass on cutting-edge cameras—is {that a} sensible transfer or simply nostalgia? The Pentax 645 45mm f/2.8 comes from an period when medium format meant movie, but many photographers nonetheless swear by its character as we speak. To see whether or not it could maintain its personal in 2025, I mounted it on two very fashionable programs: the Hasselblad X2D 100C and the Arca Swiss Pico view digicam.
The important thing query: Is the 80 mm picture circle of the Pentax 645 45mm large enough for severe shift pictures? If you happen to’ve labored in structure, you understand how important a beneficiant picture circle is when correcting perspective. With out it, converging strains and arduous vignettes are unavoidable. This take a look at dives into whether or not the Pentax could be a budget-friendly rival to Hasselblad’s XCD lineup.
Technical Construct and First Impressions
The Pentax 645 45mm f/2.8 was designed for analog medium format our bodies and interprets roughly to a 35mm full body equal. Its aperture vary of f/2.8 to f/22 makes it versatile sufficient for each daylight scenes and low-light work, offered you’re snug working totally handbook.
Focus and management: There’s no digital communication with fashionable cameras. Aperture and focus are totally handbook, however the focus throw is clean and exact.
Building: Strong steel, constructed to final, with the heft and sturdiness you’d anticipate from classic professional gear.
Comparability to fashionable Hasselblad lenses:
Hasselblad XCD 35V / 25V: Sharper, greater distinction, superior coatings, and autofocus.
Pentax 45mm: Bigger picture circle, softer rendering, and a extra “analog” look.
If sturdiness and flexibility matter greater than fashionable conveniences, the Pentax nonetheless holds its floor surprisingly nicely.
The Shift Check: Pushing the 80mm Picture Circle
Shift pictures calls for room to maneuver. The bigger the picture circle, the extra perspective you may right with out destroying edge high quality.
On the Arca Swiss Pico, I examined the Pentax’s limits by making an attempt a vertical panorama with most shift.
As much as round 15 mm of shift, outcomes remained fairly usable: sharp within the heart, reasonable edge softness.
Past 15 mm, sharpness dropped off rapidly, and chromatic aberrations appeared, particularly alongside high-contrast strains.
On the full 20 mm shift, the lens clearly struggled. Tender corners and noticeable coloration fringing required heavy correction in put up.
The decision: usable for reasonable shift purposes, however not a flawless resolution for demanding architectural work.
Picture High quality: Character Over Scientific Precision
At its finest, the Pentax 645 45mm f/2.8 delivers a really totally different look in comparison with fashionable Hasselblad optics.
Heart sharpness: Robust, particularly between f/8 and f/11.
Edges: Noticeably gentle with any vital shift utilized.
Shade and distinction: Softer, lower-contrast rendering than the Hasselblad XCD 35V, however with a filmic character that some artists will love.
Aberrations: Chromatic aberrations and coloration fringing seem typically within the periphery—manageable in Lightroom, however current.
Flare resistance: Older coatings imply stray gentle and veiling flare are actual points, although a lens hood helps.
It’s not the sterile, high-contrast look of the XCD lineup. As an alternative, it presents a gentler, extra atmospheric rendering—much less technically excellent, however wealthy in character.
Conclusion: Who Is the Pentax 645 45mm f/2.8 For?
This lens just isn’t going to dethrone Hasselblad’s fashionable optics, but it surely doesn’t have to. Its enchantment lies in character, value, and flexibility.
Strengths
Massive picture circle for reasonable shift work
Strong classic construct, clean handbook focus
Distinctive, analog-inspired rendering
Extraordinarily reasonably priced (round €300)
Weaknesses
Edge softness with heavy shift
Robust chromatic aberrations
No autofocus or digital communication
Coatings can’t match fashionable Hasselblad glass
Who Ought to Purchase It
High quality artwork and architectural photographers experimenting with shift pictures on a price range
Creatives preferring a softer, classic look over scientific sharpness
Who Ought to Stick With the Hasselblad XCD 35V
Professionals needing most decision throughout the body
Panorama and reportage shooters who depend on autofocus and stabilization
Anybody who needs a contemporary, high-contrast look straight out of digicam
At round €300 ($350), the Pentax 645 45mm f/2.8 is tough to dismiss. It might not ship excellent recordsdata on the extremes, however for photographers prepared to embrace its quirks, it presents a particular character that no fashionable lens can replicate.
