I would like to thank the both of you for your replies !
Originally posted by Pentaxor for me, it should be around $200-$300.
Okay, so the price seems to be right. Doesn't make my choice any easier, but well...
Quote: take note, the other 55/1.2 such as Cosina, Tomioka could be the same lens as the Porst. the softness can be attributed to the thin DOF rendering, not because the lens is really soft, but the sharp focus area at f1.2 is very thin especially at 55mm, although having said that, the 50/1.2 Pentax are sharper. nailing perfect focus at f1.2 would require a lot of hardwork and certain shot angles and distance inorder for the focus to appear even sharp all over. stopping down to f1.4 up to f2 would make it easier to nail focus all over if that was your objective.
f1.2 usage would be for extreme lowlight, artistic rendering, and general photography use as you can use it at smaller apertures which look great as well.
The f1.2 gallery is full of great shots, and that made me lean towards the Porst...
The speed in itself makes it a great companion for the FA*.
However, I think the Porst is more inclined to give such soft focused image than the others (see the link for the lens in the database : the picture with the "kissers" is what I'm talking about).
Originally posted by georgweb I have had a nice sample of the Porst imo but this lens will definitely give you soft and milky images wide open (mid to inf. distances).
This is a 6-lens design which is unheard of in an f/1.2 standard lens. Nice lens anyway.
So, if I understand correctly, when this lens is not used at portraiture distance, it will most likely produce milky images?
Quote: I'd say yes, cause you can use the lensmount for the 1.7 and maybe get a nice 1.4 later and use the same mount for it.
If it is really wide open clarity (sharpness, contrast, colors) in a lens you are looking for, the Contax Zeiss stuff is for you.
In Asahi/Pentax land I would try any 55/1.8. The 1.7 and 1.4 designs are not so crisp wide open (mid to inf. distances, excl. DA55).
You might have nailed it...
Thing is, I would like to use the lens in low light, so the faster the better. However, I wish for a reasonable amount of sharpness and contrast. Maybe I should go for the Contax Zeiss...
However, the price, with the modified mount, is about the same (within a reasonable percentage) of what the porst would cost.
However, I didn't even think about changing lens while keeping the mount : it makes the upgrade a bit less painful! Thank you very much !
How much is the difference between f2 and f1.7? Half a stop? A third?
Quote: If you're a tinkerer,
here's a zero budget solution for your Contax on PK.
Cheers, Georg
Thanks! The problem is I don't have the tools necessary (no drill). So only "soft" stuff for me
The zeiss 1.7 might be the most sensible choice... And I can't exactly go wrong with it, right?