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07-20-2010, 11:52 AM   #1
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What are good zooms for film?

Can anyone suggest good zoom lenses for film cameras such as the K1000 and MZ-6? or are there no such thing? It could be a K or M zoom ;P.

07-20-2010, 12:24 PM   #2
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Since film doesn't have the resolution of of you Kx's sensor, any non-DA zooms will do. The best general-purpose zoom is probably the hulking classic Vivitar Series 1 Version 1/2/3 70/200, or the equally classic Takumar-A 70-200/4, or almost any Vivitar or Sears or Tamron or whatever in that range. Any of those should sell for well under US$50. Shorter and longer zooms abound, also. See the lens reviews here for evaluations of many bits of glass.
07-20-2010, 01:02 PM   #3
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Hehe I have looked around there... but I was really looking for someone to recommend me their favourite one. I guess I learned something new! that 12mp is better resolution than 35mm film... I had a lot of respect for it ;(.

Well... YAY ;D I get my retro kicks from these. I love the look... (and probably feel) of the old school zooms.

Thanks for the info ;D.
07-20-2010, 03:43 PM   #4
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QuoteOriginally posted by RioRico Quote
Since film doesn't have the resolution of of you Kx's sensor, any non-DA zooms will do. .


Huh? What film do you use?

07-20-2010, 04:20 PM   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by Pål Jensen Quote
Huh? What film do you use?
Beat me to it.
07-20-2010, 04:23 PM   #6
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QuoteOriginally posted by NecroticSoldier Quote
Can anyone suggest good zoom lenses for film cameras such as the K1000 and MZ-6? or are there no such thing? It could be a K or M zoom ;P.
One of my personal favorites is the M75-150. Compact and amazingly sharp.
I also enjoy my Sigma 17-35/2.8 EX DG. 17mm on film is great fun.

In a pinch, the DA55-300 is nice on film at F8 or smaller.
07-20-2010, 04:48 PM   #7
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Sarcasm regarding film resolution aside, I would like to know where rico gets the Series I Viv for under $50.


Steve

07-20-2010, 05:03 PM   #8
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I think I would be most interested in the A/35-105: it's very similar to my favorite old Canon zoom and very well-regarded by those who know them. (I prefer my standard zooms on the longish side.) I've had pretty nice luck with this Sigma 28-105 2.8/4, here: a fun range on digital, and good AF. I haven't used it much or at all with film: I pretty much confine myself to primes, there.

Decent longer zooms of the 70-200ish range aren't hard to find.
07-20-2010, 09:54 PM   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by GeneV Quote
In a pinch, the DA55-300 is nice on film at F8 or smaller.
It's full-frame ?????

QuoteOriginally posted by stevebrot Quote
Sarcasm regarding film resolution aside, I would like to know where rico gets the Series I Viv for under $50.
eBay, natch. Mine (M42) was US$32.75 including shipping. Check COMPLETED SALES and you'll see them still going for under US$50. Not always, but enough.

Resolution: In this discussion at mflenses.com, cooltouch describes resolution tests, and is unsurprised that pro MF gear is available cheap now. The former users dumped their analog Pentaxes, Bronicas, Fujis et al, because digital is just better. And fine-grain 135 film just doesn't compare to a 12mpx sensor, doesn't even come close. I still use it (occasionally) but I'm a perv.

So, back to 135 cams and lenses. Anything from the Kodachrome era is probably quite good. For instance, I have four similar zooms that each cost me US$9: a PK Takumar-A 70-200/4, and three Korean-made near clones: KR Sears 70-210/4, AI Albinar 80-200/3.9, and M42 Sears 80-200/4. For a little more stretch, there's a KAR Promaster (Tamron) 60-300/4-5.6, cost me all of US$13 total.

Zooms aside, there are compelling reasons to shoot 135 SLRs. One is film -- each roll is a string of frames that are clean sensors, in whatever emulsion you desire. No need to IR-mod a camera, just drop in a cart of IR film. Or copy film, or s-l-o-w B&W, or whatever. Another reason is power, or the lack thereof. I keep some ancient folder and boxes and SLRs around because they don't need batteries, so I'm good for an extended blackout.

But the greatest reason is: WIDTH. I don't usually keep a long zoom on my ZX-M or the M42 cams; I get all the reach I need with any tele on my K20D. No, the 135 cams mostly mount WIDE lenses. My Lentar-Tokina 21/3.8 (US$24) is as wide as a DA14 I can't afford would be on the K20. My Sigma-Z 24/2.8 (US$3) has the coverage of a rectilinear 16mm on APS-C. My Zenitar 16/2.8 is actually a fisheye. THAT is what 135 SLRs are good for -- to load down with cheap wide glass.

Forget long zooms. Go short.
07-21-2010, 09:01 PM   #10
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My choice without any doubt would be the Pentax SMC A 35-105 paired with the SMC A 70-210. I think you'd get nearly universal agreement from anyone who has used these lenses that they are the best MF zooms produced by Pentax.

-steve
07-22-2010, 08:53 AM   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by Steven7 Quote
My choice without any doubt would be the Pentax SMC A 35-105 paired with the SMC A 70-210. I think you'd get nearly universal agreement from anyone who has used these lenses that they are the best MF zooms produced by Pentax.

-steve
Wow, those look quite impressive.
07-22-2010, 12:05 PM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by NecroticSoldier Quote
Can anyone suggest good zoom lenses for film cameras such as the K1000 and MZ-6? or are there no such thing? It could be a K or M zoom ;P.
For the MZ-6 I would suggest the F 35-70/3.5-4.5 or the FA 28-70/4. For manual focus good A series zooms include the A 35-70/2.8-4 and the A 35-105. There are some good Vivitar Series 1 zooms also but you need to do your homework on those.
07-22-2010, 02:39 PM   #13
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QuoteOriginally posted by RioRico Quote
Since film doesn't have the resolution of of you Kx's sensor, any non-DA zooms will do. The best general-purpose zoom is probably the hulking classic Vivitar Series 1 Version 1/2/3 70/200, or the equally classic Takumar-A 70-200/4, or almost any Vivitar or Sears or Tamron or whatever in that range. Any of those should sell for well under US$50. Shorter and longer zooms abound, also. See the lens reviews here for evaluations of many bits of glass.
Here is an interesting stat for all you Pentax APS-C 12mp camera owners.

I’ll take my recently purchased K1000 film camera and K55/2 lens combo, that I paid $60.00CDN and use this Adox film.


ADOX® CMS 20
No other film is sharper, no other film is more fine grained, no other film resolves more lines per mm (up to 800 l /mm).
If used in pictorial photography the film achieves 20 ASA of usable speed in ADOTECH developer. If used for high contrast purposes the usable speed increases to 80 ASA. If developed in non dedicated low contrast developers (HC 110, cafenol etc) it can be exposed at 6-12 ASA. The film achieves grain free enlargements of up to 2,5 meters diagonally. This equals mathematical about 500 Megapixels. 12 Megapixel, which is today's standard in high end digital cameras equals 2,4% of 500 Megapixel. This just as a little comparison on the side....


You guys can use your Pentax DSLR and any lens you like. Then we can compare which has the highest resolution.

Phil.

PS My K1000 & K55/2 is also FF!!

http://www.adox.de/english/ADOX_Films/ADOX_Films/ADOX_CMS_Films.html
07-22-2010, 04:20 PM   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by gofour3 Quote
Here is an interesting stat for all you Pentax APS-C 12mp camera owners.

I’ll take my recently purchased K1000 film camera and K55/2 lens combo, that I paid $60.00CDN and use this Adox film.


ADOX® CMS 20
No other film is sharper, no other film is more fine grained, no other film resolves more lines per mm (up to 800 l /mm).
If used in pictorial photography the film achieves 20 ASA of usable speed in ADOTECH developer. If used for high contrast purposes the usable speed increases to 80 ASA. If developed in non dedicated low contrast developers (HC 110, cafenol etc) it can be exposed at 6-12 ASA. The film achieves grain free enlargements of up to 2,5 meters diagonally. This equals mathematical about 500 Megapixels. 12 Megapixel, which is today's standard in high end digital cameras equals 2,4% of 500 Megapixel. This just as a little comparison on the side....


You guys can use your Pentax DSLR and any lens you like. Then we can compare which has the highest resolution.

Phil.

PS My K1000 & K55/2 is also FF!!

- ADOX CMS Film -
Wonder if I can afford that... ;((, might be worth it to get the MZ-S then ;D

I don't really get what this 20 ASA because I've never seen ASA that low before. And I don't really get what CMS film is either.

Since you brought it up... I'm sorta interested in this ;P.

Thanks for the cool info!
07-22-2010, 04:32 PM   #15
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hi blue,do you know anything about takumar 50-200 zoom?
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