The Pentax 6x7 is a beast of a camera, and it requires a beast of a lens. I have the mirror lockup (MLU) version of the 6x7, and without a lens attached it weights upwards of 4 pounds. Adding on the Takumar 90mm f/2.8 Leaf Shutter lens takes it up to around 5 pounds.
However, despite the added weight and some whispers of vague softness, I feel that the 90mm f/2.8 Leaf Shutter is a great lens well worth getting. It is cheaper and seemingly more readily available than the non Leaf Shutter 90mm and much cheaper than the 105mm f/2.4 (everyone’s favorite Pentax 6x7 lens).
As well, if you are looking to shoot synced with a flash or want to do multiple exposures, this lens is pretty much required.
Uses:
This 90mm lens has 3 main shooting modes/uses that are covered below.
STANDARD SHOOTING:
If you do not touch the lens shutter and leave it uncocked, this lens can be operated as any normal lens. The aperture stretches from 2.8 at the largest to 22 at the smallest. Fairly standard stuff.
MULTI-EXPOSURE:
To expose the same frame multiple times, this lens is pretty much a must have. By cocking the lens shutter, placing the U/S lever on S for “Special” and setting the camera’s shutter speed to the “Time” exposure mode which is between the 1/1000 and X speeds, you can expose the same frame multiple times. Some things to take into account however:
Set the lens shutter speed to your desired shutter speed - very important for correct exposures.
When shooting in multi-exposure mode, the camera’s mirror will be flipped upwards, rendering the camera’s viewfinder useless - make sure your shot is framed properly and double-check.
Using a cable-release is recommended to mitigate any camera shake, but you can release the lens shutter by moving the U/S lever from S to U and then letting go.
After you have exposed as many times as you want, move the camera’s shutter speed off of the “Time” mode and back to a normal setting to release the camera’s shutter.
LEAF SHUTTER/FLASH SYNC:
This is the mode I have the least experience with, so I will keep this section brief and mostly quote the lens’ manual which can be found here. The lens has shutter speeds ranging from 1/30 sec - 1/500 sec and can be synced up to a flash bulb or electronic flash. This process involves:
Setting the U/S lever to U (for Usual).
Setting the camera’s shutter speed to 1/8 sec to prevent it from interfering with the lens’ shutter.
Plug the flash sync cord into the lens.
Set the lens’ shutter speed, compose, and fire the lens’ shutter.
If you do NOT cock the lens’ shutter, the exposure will be taken using the camera’s shutter speed, so be sure to cock the lens shutter before exposing!
Sharpness (is it actually soft?):
When initially looking at this lens and reading around on the internet, quite a few posts seemed to say that this lens was fairly soft - at least in comparison to other Pentax 6x7 lenses. Granted I only have experience with this lens and the 105mm f/2.4, but I feel the reports of softness are fairly exaggerated.
Some sample images shot with this lens (keep in mind these had to be compressed to meet Squarespace’s file size limit):
I think the lens comes across fairly sharp, and I really adore the swirly bokeh and distinct depth of field you can get when shooting wide open and close up.
Could it be sharper? Probably. But coming from 35mm this lens blows everything else I have tried out of the park.
DISLIKES:
I’d be lying if I said there aren’t a few things about this lens that rub me the wrong way.
The weight: as said earlier, this lens in tandem with the 6x7 makes for a 5 pound dumbbell of a camera. Either get a strap, or like me you can 3D print a right hand grip for the camera to alleviate some of the poor ergonomics and weight strain.
Minimum focus distance: The lens can only focus up to 2.85 feet away. Swapping from 50mm lenses on 35mm cameras that can focus at around 1.5 feet, I have definitely had to think hard about how to shoot so that I can move back far enough to be in focus.
Accidental lens shutter cocking: Do NOT do this! Do not accidentally cock your lens shutter if you don’t intend on doing it. It has happened to me multiple times while using this lens, and has resulted in multiple occasions where after development I come back with blank frames. Just make sure before you start shooting that your lens has the correct settings for your shooting needs, and then double and triple check.
OVERALL:
Despite some of its foibles, I really have enjoyed shooting with this lens. As an alternative to the 105mm f/2.4 (and a much cheaper alternative at that) I find it gets you about 85 - 90% of the way there. It could be slightly sharper and easier to use, but the extra price and missing functionality from the 105mm f/2.4 does not seem worth it to me.
Overall, I enjoy the lens and definitely recommend it for someone looking for a cheaper normal focal length lens for their Pentax 6x7 - and it is a required lens if you are looking to shoot synced with a flash or are looking to do multiple exposures.