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Old glass on cutting-edge cameras—is that a smart move or just nostalgia? The Pentax 645 45mm f/2.8 comes from an era when medium format meant film, yet many photographers still swear by its character today. To see whether it can hold its own in 2025, I mounted it on two very modern systems: the Hasselblad X2D 100C and the Arca Swiss Pico view camera.
The key question: Is the 80 mm image circle of the Pentax 645 45mm big enough for serious shift photography? If you’ve worked in architecture, you know how essential a generous image circle is when correcting perspective. Without it, converging lines and hard vignettes are unavoidable. This test dives into whether the Pentax can be a budget-friendly rival to Hasselblad’s XCD lineup.
Technical Build and First Impressions
The Pentax 645 45mm f/2.8 was designed for analog medium format bodies and translates roughly to a 35mm full frame equivalent. Its aperture range of f/2.8 to f/22 makes it versatile enough for both daylight scenes and low-light work, provided you’re comfortable working fully manual.
- Focus and control: There’s no electronic communication with modern cameras. Aperture and focus are fully manual, but the focus throw is smooth and precise.
- Construction: Solid metal, built to last, with the heft and durability you’d expect from vintage pro gear.
- Comparison to modern Hasselblad lenses:
- Hasselblad XCD 35V / 25V: Sharper, higher contrast, advanced coatings, and autofocus.
- Pentax 45mm: Larger image circle, softer rendering, and a more “analog” look.
If durability and adaptability matter more than modern conveniences, the Pentax still holds its ground surprisingly well.
The Shift Test: Pushing the 80mm Image Circle
Shift photography demands room to move. The larger the image circle, the more perspective you can correct without destroying edge quality.
On the Arca Swiss Pico, I tested the Pentax’s limits by attempting a vertical panorama with maximum shift.
- Up to around 15 mm of shift, results remained quite usable: sharp in the center, moderate edge softness.
- Beyond 15 mm, sharpness dropped off quickly, and chromatic aberrations appeared, especially along high-contrast lines.
- At the full 20 mm shift, the lens clearly struggled. Soft corners and noticeable color fringing required heavy correction in post.
The verdict: usable for moderate shift applications, but not a flawless solution for demanding architectural work.
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Pentax 645 45mm with +/- 20mm shift
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Hasselblad XCD 25V
Image Quality: Character Over Clinical Precision
At its best, the Pentax 645 45mm f/2.8 delivers a very different look compared to modern Hasselblad optics.
- Center sharpness: Strong, especially between f/8 and f/11.
- Edges: Noticeably soft with any significant shift applied.
- Color and contrast: Softer, lower-contrast rendering than the Hasselblad XCD 35V, but with a filmic character that some artists will love.
- Aberrations: Chromatic aberrations and color fringing appear often in the periphery—manageable in Lightroom, but present.
- Flare resistance: Older coatings mean stray light and veiling flare are real issues, though a lens hood helps.
It’s not the sterile, high-contrast look of the XCD lineup. Instead, it offers a gentler, more atmospheric rendering—less technically perfect, but rich in character.
Conclusion: Who Is the Pentax 645 45mm f/2.8 For?
This lens is not going to dethrone Hasselblad’s modern optics, but it doesn’t need to. Its appeal lies in character, cost, and adaptability.
Strengths
- Large image circle for moderate shift work
- Solid vintage build, smooth manual focus
- Unique, analog-inspired rendering
- Extremely affordable (around €300)
Weaknesses
- Edge softness with heavy shift
- Strong chromatic aberrations
- No autofocus or electronic communication
- Coatings can’t match modern Hasselblad glass
Who Should Buy It
- Fine art and architectural photographers experimenting with shift photography on a budget
- Creatives who prefer a softer, vintage look over clinical sharpness
Who Should Stick With the Hasselblad XCD 35V
- Professionals needing maximum resolution across the frame
- Landscape and reportage shooters who rely on autofocus and stabilization
- Anyone who wants a modern, high-contrast look straight out of camera
At around €300 ($350), the Pentax 645 45mm f/2.8 is hard to dismiss. It may not deliver perfect files at the extremes, but for photographers willing to embrace its quirks, it offers a distinctive character that no modern lens can replicate.