Pentax smc FA 645 33-55mm f/4.5 AL Wide Angle Zoom Lens
The Pentax 33-55mm f/4.5 AL is a 33–55mm f/4.5 lens designed for Pentax 645 mount cameras. Used copies start from $311.78 on GearFocus, with buyer protection on every purchase.
Pentax smc FA 645 33-55mm f/4.5 AL Wide Angle Zoom Lens
Used Pentax 33-55mm f/4.5 AL Listings on GearFocus
Lens Overview — Pentax 33-55mm f/4.5 AL
Key Features — Pentax 33-55mm f/4.5 AL
33-55mm Wide-Angle Zoom: Covers a useful wide-angle range on medium format, well-suited to landscape, architectural, and editorial work.
Pentax 645 Native Mount: Designed exclusively for the Pentax 645 medium format system, ensuring full native compatibility with 645 camera bodies.
Medium Format Coverage: Image circle engineered for medium format sensors and film, delivering the broader tonal and detail capture that medium format offers over smaller formats.
Constant f/4.5 Aperture: Maximum aperture remains consistent at f/4.5 across the entire zoom range, keeping exposure settings stable when recomposing shots.
Autofocus Support: AF motor enables autofocus operation on compatible Pentax 645 bodies, with full manual focus override available when needed.
Aspherical Lens Element: The AL designation indicates an aspherical element is included, helping to reduce distortion and aberrations across the wide-angle range.
Lens Specifications — Pentax 33-55mm f/4.5 AL
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use Cases | Studio, Travel |
| Lens Type | Wide-Angle |
| Format | Medium Format |
| Zoom/Prime | Zoom |
| Focal Length | 33–55mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/4.5 |
| Camera System | Medium Format |
| Lens Mount | Pentax 645 |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Focus Type | Auto, Manual |
| Image Stabilization | None |
| Filter Thread | 82mm |
Description — Pentax 33-55mm f/4.5 AL
The Pentax smc FA 645 33-55mm f/4.5 AL is a wide-angle zoom lens built for the Pentax 645 medium format system. Its focal length range of 33mm to 55mm covers wide-angle perspectives well suited to landscapes, interiors, and editorial work. The consistent f/4.5 maximum aperture across the zoom range ensures predictable exposure settings throughout.
Both autofocus and manual focus are supported, offering flexibility for different shooting scenarios. The 82mm filter thread makes it straightforward to use popular filter sizes for landscape and outdoor photography. At 570g, it is a manageable option within a medium format kit.
There is no image stabilization, so stable shooting conditions or appropriate shutter speeds are recommended when working handheld. This lens is designed exclusively for the Pentax 645 mount and the medium format camera format, making it a purpose-built choice for photographers working within that system.
Pros — Pentax 33-55mm f/4.5 AL
- ✓Dual focus modes: supports both autofocus and manual focus (focusType: Auto, Manual)
- ✓Wide zoom range from 33mm to 55mm on medium format (minFocalLength: 33, maxFocalLength: 55)
- ✓Consistent maximum aperture of f/4.5 across the zoom range (maximumAperture: 4.5)
Cons — Pentax 33-55mm f/4.5 AL
- ✗No image stabilization included, which can be a challenge when shooting handheld (imageStabilization: None)
- ✗Maximum aperture of f/4.5 is relatively modest for low-light or shallow depth-of-field work
- ✗Exclusively compatible with the Pentax 645 mount, limiting its use to that specific system (mount.lens: Pentax 645)
Videos — Pentax 33-55mm f/4.5 AL
Learning PENTAX Lenses: A lens for Every Photographer — Ricoh Imaging
Frequently Asked Questions — Pentax 33-55mm f/4.5 AL
What camera mount does this lens use?+
This lens is designed for the Pentax 645 mount and is compatible with the Pentax 645 medium format camera system. It will not mount on other systems without an adapter.
Does this lens support autofocus?+
Yes, the lens supports both autofocus and manual focus operation. This gives photographers the flexibility to switch between focusing modes depending on their shooting needs.
What is the focal length range of this lens?+
The lens covers a focal length range of 33mm to 55mm, placing it in the wide-angle zoom category for medium format photography.
Does this lens have image stabilization?+
No, this lens does not include image stabilization. Photographers shooting handheld in lower light conditions should factor in appropriate shutter speeds to minimize camera shake.
What filter size does this lens accept?+
The lens has an 82mm filter thread, which accommodates standard 82mm circular filters such as polarizers and neutral density filters.
How heavy is this lens?+
The lens weighs 570g, which is a reasonable weight for a medium format wide-angle zoom lens.