Pentax SMC FA 645 120mm f/4 Macro

Review Pentax-FA 120mm f 4.0--one great macro lens! I have both the A and FA version of this excellent Pentax 645 lens. I use the A version on the Pentax K-1 full frame camera, and the FA version on the Pentax 645D and 645N. This is the best macro lens I have ever used in any format, and gives fantastic images for my flower photography. Images are sharp with true-to-life color and rendering. Actually, I do not use auto focus with either lens when using the FA version for macro purposes. Auto focus is useful, however, for other work. The lens is also an excellent portrait lens though somewhat sharp for women's closeup faces, and you will probably want to soften the images in post processing. The sharpness is really handy for landscape use, however. The A version is often available for $100-350 on eBay, and used copies of the FA version for less than a thousand--great value for the money. I wish the lens were weather resistant and SDM focussing, but if you need those features it is going to cost you because they are available in the Pentax-D FA 645 90mm f 2.8 for around $3,500, and the macro is only 1:2, not 1:1, but still a sweet piece of kit! The 120mm in either version is a great substitute.Read full review

Very sharp - some autofocus problems - lens can hunt in dim light etc Occasionally available on e bay and elsewhere on the used market, this lens can represent the best of most worlds for the user - a brilliant macro lens AND a very capable portrait lens. Care should be taken, however, when viewing such used items - the price variation on the used market can vary by as much as 100% - for very similar or identical items - like all used lenses/cameras, I would recommend buying only from a trader who can demonstrate a very high score (100% is ideal, of course) - however, even the most ethical and trustworthy e bay traders in the photographic field might be prone to the odd lapse - I would also avoid any trader who did not offer refunds - I have been bitten once or twice in the past - fortunately the traders accepted returns/refunds. This lens shares the excellent build quality of all of the Pentax Medium Format lenses. The results are very sharp indeed and the bokeh is superb, up to about f9 - the only downside in my experience has been the lens' tendency to "hunt" when in autofocus - sometimes necessitating a switch to manual to recompose and to refocus. The older, manual focus, 120 macro would be the sensible option for most purposes, because that equally awe-inspiring lens still allows the user to benefit from a form of autofocus by emitting an audible beep, coupled with a visual dot when the desired object is in optimum focus; for photographing animals and insects, eg, the autofocus version might just have the edge because it will autoconfirm in real time, thus facilitating that elusive shot to be taken during that very brief moment of optimum focus. This is NOT a zoom lens, however, and the shot must be composed by moving the camera either towards or away from the subject - with a top - end digital (e.g. Pentax 645D) at low ISO (100 or 200) the quality of image should be quite sufficient as to allow almost unlimited cropping/magnification, taking advantage of that camera's 40 megapixel sensor. For portrait work (not this lens stated raison d'etre, I admit) this lens is VERY impressive (again using the 645D) - all in all, therefore, a lovely and surprisingly versatile lens from the Pentax MF stable. I would recommend - the non autofocus up to £300 depending on the condition, and the autofocus up to £450, by the same token.Read full review

120mm fa - Get it . Very impressive lens, considering its age, and the fact the it outperforms the much newer d-fa 55mm that was made to work specifically with the high res sensors in the 645d and 645z, and at a fraction of the price. Even the older fa 75mm is better than the 55 dfa. Lens is very sharp closed down, soft edges opened up. Really happy with this purchased. The only other macro option is the 90mm dfa, which is slightly sharper, but is just 2 to 1 ratio and cost almost 5 grand. The 120 is 1 to 1, and can be found as low as $500 used, depending on condition. I was really surprised at the focusing speed, much faster than I expected. If you're thinking about getting this lens, go for it ! You will not be disappointed.