Pentax 645 150mm f3.5 vs 80-160

Hello,

I am new to both, this forum as well as medium format.

I am about to pull the trigger on a Pentax 645N with a choice of either a 150mm f3.5 lens or an 80-160mm f4.5, both MANUAL FOCUS.

My intended type of photography would be portraits (ala Cartier-Bresson!). I am tilting towards the zoom since it offers me the flexibility of being far/close to the subject, but I am not sure.

I am not too concerned if one is a bit less sharp than the other.

I am hoping you can help me solve this.

Also, how much more can I expect to pay for the 80-160 compared to the 150mm?

Thanks a lot!

Avi

I have briefly owned the 3.5/150mm, and found it to be a very sharp lens, really useful, with built-in hood. Great value for money.
I do not have the zoom, but bear in mind that the zoom will be heavy. The zoom has a very good reputation.
As for the smallest distance to focus, the 3.5/150mm was not very good there, one of the reasons to sell it when I acquired the 2.8/150mm. But sharpness or rendering were absolutely brilliant. I loved the lens, somethimes regret selling it, although I never carried it once I had the FA version.

MF Zooms are HEAVY and BIG. If you intend to do HCB style why not 35mm?

my choice

zoom lenses in medium format are problematic - they are large and heavy... i've never found them worthwhile and find i leave it behind more than i carry it, (hmmm, it's been sitting on the shelf for a while now!)

i 'd stick with prime lenses, especially with the, i think hcb would approve.

p.s i understand your desire to use medium format over - beautiful negative

I have assidously avoided 120 zooms as size, weight and functionality become a bit cumbersome, especially for street portraits. I've been shooting a street project on and off at mostly 645 format, and by far the best images I've gotten (on TMAX, mostly) have been with a Pentax FA 150. I know it's a slightly different beast than an SMC-A but still, the focal length counts most in this regard, and for 645 out in the open, 150 is wonderful, especially at f/2.8.