I made the plunge

ordering a very special adapter from Fringer. I already have one which allows Canon EF lenses to be adapted to the Fujifilm GFX mediumformat camera - and it is the most stable, best working adapter of all on the market.

The Fringer P645-GFX adapter

is special because it allows to use all the older Pentax 645 lenses; FA 645 (with AF), more modern Pentax 645 DA (with AF), as well manual Pentax A 645 lenses (manual focus). Nice to have autofocus support with the new Fringer adapter.

Image stabilization smoothly registered

At the same time the adapter enables automatically image stabilization with Fujifilm GFX cameras - without you need to set anything manually. The wonderful thing is, that this even works with Zoom lenses; it will know which focal length to stabilize accordingly. No more manual registering, setting and changing to the correct focal length in the camera. This will work automatically now.

Which is simply great !!

Solid AF performance, according users

The AF performance with the latest firmware 1.1 is very good according to users who already work with the adapter. The latest firmware ensures that some of the longer Pentax 645 lenses work more stable (such as the Pentax 645 FA 150-300/5.6 IF ED.

Nice, because I bought that lens last year.

Naturally - GFX cameras with with PDAF in all GFX 100 camera series - which works better/faster - while with GFX 50 camera series - AF it is a bit slower, due to that you only use contrast based AF.

EXIF data with all Pentax 645 lenses

Not just with Pentax 645 AF lenses, but even with manual P645 lenses, you get both Image stabilization, but also EXIF data (!). Apparently this adapter also works with the more modern Pentax 645 DA lenses.

Even better: XIUP 84mm lens foot

I happen to see a perfect tripod collar exactly made for the Fringer P645-GFX adapter. Which is VERY useful. Last year when I worked with a simple adapter, with manual focus with the longer lenses like 150-300/5.6 - i felt it was no fun what so ever. Because when handheld, it was simply too shaky in order to get EXACT focus.

On top, neither the generic nor the new Fringer adapter have any tripod foot. But with help of the 84mm tripod-lens foot, it gives wonderful stability to longer lenses when working with the Fujifilm GFX. Plus that you can turn around the lens, between horizontal and vertical position.

Making it ideal for tripod work, and work in the studio. I love, when you can shift a lens between horizontal vs vertical position, without having to change the position of the camera on the tripod.

It is such a lovely way to work !

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My Pentax 645 lenses

That I buy this adapter, is basically my rejuvenation of Pentax 645 lenses.

Last year when I bought three Pentax 645 lenses - I wasn't really impressed by the handling of those lenses on the GFX camera (with a normal, dumb adapter). The problem was that when using it handheld with manual focus: It was shaky !

The longer the focal length, the more difficult it was to set the correct focus. The lenses optical performance is actually good - but was easily erased because you couldn't set the sharpness correctly. It felt frustrating.

So, it would require mostly tripod work...

The adapter, i am sure helps with the AF better, plus that it enables the Image stabilization as if i would use a Fujinon GF lens. Hopefully it will feel a bit more stable.

And when I work on a tripod, i can suddenly use vertical vs horizontal position, without ever having to tilt the camera + lens by 90 degrees on a tripod. So, the lens foot for the adapter, is a sublime way, making working on a tripod endlessly more fun !

A bit pricey

Yes. Fringer adapters ain't cheap. But they are damn good ! Since so many readers wrote positive about this adapter, being satisfied with it. It isn't super fast, but as long it is reliable and AF works - then i am happy.

The Fringer P645-GFX adapter costs 5700 SEK / 520 € (incl. Swe 25% tax) via Amazon. The lens-collar from China cost 630 SEK / 58 € (incl. Swe 25% tax)

I am excited !

Because if the adapter works well, or at least better than the handling was before - then it is more fun to take with me the longer Pentax lenses - to which I don't have any native Fujinon GF lenses.

I have the Pentax

• 645 FA 80-160 mm
• 645 A 150 mm ƒ3.5 (manual focus)
• 645 FA 120 mm ƒ4 Macro (1:1) - the macro lens has AF, but i often don't use that really.
• 645 FA 150-300 mm ƒ5.6 IF ED

The two Pentax zooms, are at their strongest optical performance at the short end - but a bit weaker at the long end (requiring to stop down 1-1.5 stops).

Possible bonus

Due to the Fringer AF implementation, it might also be possible to enable the Fujifilm GFX focus bracketing ! I don't know if it works, or how it is implemented (e.g. what kind of settings must be done in the camera to enable it). The manual did say something about that a zone can be set.

I will figure that out in... one month.

How to enhance a weaker lens (in terms of sharpness)

This of course, makes things even cooler. Because focus bracketing, can enhance sharpness even further, plus Topaz Photo AI, where you can add a slight amount of sharpening. Also Photoshop Noise AI, allows you to sharpen up finer details.

The total effect of the aforementioned techniques is, that a little weaker lenses - can really shine in terms of sharpness and fine detail definition.

I love that !

Below you see the Pentax 645 FA 150-300/5.6 IF ED at the longest 300 mm setting. Some light sharpening - and correction of contrast, shows that you can really work with the files and spice them up (without exaggeration). Totally useable. The euqivlaent of a 300mm mounted on a Fujifilm GFX is around 240 mm on a fullframe camera.

And... the Pentax 645 FA 150-300/5.6 IF ED is DIRT CHEAP !