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DougLee · 11-23-2010, 12:03 PM

I'm sure many folks will want to know how the new DA 18-135 WR perfroms.

liveincontrast · 11-23-2010, 12:12 PM

I'd like to see side-by-side comparisons of the wider fast primes- FA 31/1.8, FA 35/2, Sigma 28/1.8, Sigma 30/1.4.

dahlia · 11-23-2010, 12:50 PM

Originally posted by reeftool

Some helpful reviews would be to compare some lenses that appear to overlap, such as the DA 14, DA 15, DA 21, and the DA 12-24. There are a lot of opinions and lots of threads and those of us looking for a lens in that range often have a difficult decision.

I agree completely! As a street photographer, I'm trying to decide between the 15 and the 21. Both have large apertures (f4 and f3.2) that I'm not crazy about. Ideally, I would prefer a 28 mm (equivalent film terms) with a f2 or f1.4 lens. Small, fast, sharp, capable of 3D "magic"--where is it?

Pentaxor · 11-23-2010, 01:16 PM

Originally posted by Jonathan Mac

Without wanting to offend anyone, but is there much point in reviewing Zeiss glass, which is no longer produced in the K mount?

I agree with the Sigma 85mm review, but I think the comparison should be against similar counterparts that are available new: the Rokinon/Bower/etc 85/1.4, the 77 ltd, maybe the DA70 ltd.

there is already a user review comparison between the Rok and the Sigma on another site. as I had felt and seen eversince, the Rok's bokeh is much smoother and buttery compared to the Sigma, while the Sigma is much sharper and contrasty. this feeling was confirmed when I saw the samples. honestly speaking, if Samyang made a cheap AF version of it's 85 and decreased it's MFD, it would really sell extremely well as a portraits lens. and the Sigma would be more for general use, probably like the Zeiss or Pentax.

Jimfear · 11-23-2010, 01:34 PM

I think it would be nice if someone started systematically testing legacy glass, plenty of reviews on new lenses but only scattered tests of older lenses. A huge task but in time it could be an impressive collection of Pentax lens knowledge.

**NaClH2O** · 11-23-2010, 03:12 PM

Originally posted by Jimfear

I think it would be nice if someone started systematically testing legacy glass, plenty of reviews on new lenses but only scattered tests of older lenses. A huge task but in time it could be an impressive collection of Pentax lens knowledge.

+1 on this. I'd suggest starting with some of the "legends". I've already mentioned the K 135 f/2.5, but maybe the Pentax A 200* Macro, A 50mm f/1.2, K 85mm f1.8 etc. You know, the usual susupects.

NaCl(the ones that everyone salivates over)H2O

**robbiec** · 11-23-2010, 06:29 PM

Originally posted by NaClH2O

+1 on this. I'd suggest starting with some of the "legends". I've already mentioned the K 135 f/2.5, but maybe the Pentax A 200* Macro, A 50mm f/1.2, K 85mm f1.8 etc. You know, the usual susupects.

NaCl(the ones that everyone salivates over)H2O

Careful, think of the lba epidemic that would cause!

bikecoboss · 11-23-2010, 07:50 PM

W I D E angles: Sigma 10mm HSM fisheye, 8-16mm zoom

Damian · 11-23-2010, 08:58 PM

Originally posted by Jimfear

I think it would be nice if someone started systematically testing legacy glass, plenty of reviews on new lenses but only scattered tests of older lenses. A huge task but in time it could be an impressive collection of Pentax lens knowledge.

+2 on this. It would be great to see how the old glass stands up to newer. And yes, the LBA could possibly be an epidemic of world proportions.

twitch · 11-23-2010, 09:58 PM

Sigma 85mm vs FA*85 (and maybe the FA77)

axl · 11-24-2010, 01:23 AM

Originally posted by Damian

+2 on this. It would be great to see how the old glass stands up to newer. And yes, the LBA could possibly be an epidemic of world proportions.

make it +3 on both accounts

**arv** · 11-24-2010, 01:49 AM

I would suggest a kit lens, as most users (at least new) have it. It could be a kind of datum-line, showing what you are getting for extra money.

bdery · 11-24-2010, 05:57 AM

I'd like all the new stuff to be covered in priority (18-135, etc). Then what I'd like is comparative studies of similar lenses (135s, 50s, etc, including older models).

Damian · 11-24-2010, 08:33 AM

One more i was thinking about, which goes along with the old glass vs new glass theme, is a comparative look at various "famous" and maybe even some "infamous" macro lenses. For instance a look at how the Kiron/Vivitar/Panagor 105/100mm macro stacks up to a new Tamron 90mm or Sigma 105mm or Pentax 100mm. I'm interested to see how a good copy stacks up against modern lenses and if the going rate for the Kirons is justified. The other side would be to look at some of the lesser know macros like the old manual focus Sigma 50mm 2.8 macro vs the Pentax-F or FA 50mm macro and see how the unkowns compare the what is arguably some of the sharpest lenses ever made.

Adam · 11-24-2010, 06:09 PM

Oh boy, I have a lot of catching up to do. Let me review all the posts in this thread.

11-23-2010, 12:50 PM	#18
dahlia New Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 13	wide angles Originally posted by reeftool Some helpful reviews would be to compare some lenses that appear to overlap, such as the DA 14, DA 15, DA 21, and the DA 12-24. There are a lot of opinions and lots of threads and those of us looking for a lens in that range often have a difficult decision. I agree completely! As a street photographer, I'm trying to decide between the 15 and the 21. Both have large apertures (f4 and f3.2) that I'm not crazy about. Ideally, I would prefer a 28 mm (equivalent film terms) with a f2 or f1.4 lens. Small, fast, sharp, capable of 3D "magic"--where is it?

11-24-2010, 06:09 PM	#30
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,609 Original Poster	Oh boy, I have a lot of catching up to do. Let me review all the posts in this thread. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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11-23-2010, 12:03 PM	#16
DougLee Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Bar Harbor, Maine Posts: 110	I'm sure many folks will want to know how the new DA 18-135 WR perfroms.

11-23-2010, 12:12 PM	#17
liveincontrast Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Illinois Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 53	I'd like to see side-by-side comparisons of the wider fast primes- FA 31/1.8, FA 35/2, Sigma 28/1.8, Sigma 30/1.4.

11-23-2010, 01:16 PM	#19
Pentaxor Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,513	Originally posted by Jonathan Mac Without wanting to offend anyone, but is there much point in reviewing Zeiss glass, which is no longer produced in the K mount? I agree with the Sigma 85mm review, but I think the comparison should be against similar counterparts that are available new: the Rokinon/Bower/etc 85/1.4, the 77 ltd, maybe the DA70 ltd. there is already a user review comparison between the Rok and the Sigma on another site. as I had felt and seen eversince, the Rok's bokeh is much smoother and buttery compared to the Sigma, while the Sigma is much sharper and contrasty. this feeling was confirmed when I saw the samples. honestly speaking, if Samyang made a cheap AF version of it's 85 and decreased it's MFD, it would really sell extremely well as a portraits lens. and the Sigma would be more for general use, probably like the Zeiss or Pentax.

11-23-2010, 01:34 PM	#20
Jimfear Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 576	I think it would be nice if someone started systematically testing legacy glass, plenty of reviews on new lenses but only scattered tests of older lenses. A huge task but in time it could be an impressive collection of Pentax lens knowledge.

11-23-2010, 03:12 PM	#21
NaClH2O Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bronx NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,631	Originally posted by Jimfear I think it would be nice if someone started systematically testing legacy glass, plenty of reviews on new lenses but only scattered tests of older lenses. A huge task but in time it could be an impressive collection of Pentax lens knowledge. +1 on this. I'd suggest starting with some of the "legends". I've already mentioned the K 135 f/2.5, but maybe the Pentax A 200* Macro, A 50mm f/1.2, K 85mm f1.8 etc. You know, the usual susupects. NaCl(the ones that everyone salivates over)H2O

11-23-2010, 06:29 PM	#22
robbiec Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Cork Photos: Albums Posts: 1,882	Originally posted by NaClH2O +1 on this. I'd suggest starting with some of the "legends". I've already mentioned the K 135 f/2.5, but maybe the Pentax A 200* Macro, A 50mm f/1.2, K 85mm f1.8 etc. You know, the usual susupects. NaCl(the ones that everyone salivates over)H2O Careful, think of the lba epidemic that would cause!

11-23-2010, 07:50 PM	#23
bikecoboss Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Pemberton BC Posts: 238	W I D E angles: Sigma 10mm HSM fisheye, 8-16mm zoom

11-23-2010, 08:58 PM	#24
Damian Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: United States Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 278	Originally posted by Jimfear I think it would be nice if someone started systematically testing legacy glass, plenty of reviews on new lenses but only scattered tests of older lenses. A huge task but in time it could be an impressive collection of Pentax lens knowledge. +2 on this. It would be great to see how the old glass stands up to newer. And yes, the LBA could possibly be an epidemic of world proportions.

11-23-2010, 09:58 PM	#25
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	Sigma 85mm vs FA*85 (and maybe the FA77)

11-24-2010, 01:23 AM	#26
axl Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,183	Originally posted by Damian +2 on this. It would be great to see how the old glass stands up to newer. And yes, the LBA could possibly be an epidemic of world proportions. make it +3 on both accounts

11-24-2010, 01:49 AM	#27
arv Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 416	I would suggest a kit lens, as most users (at least new) have it. It could be a kind of datum-line, showing what you are getting for extra money.

11-24-2010, 05:57 AM	#28
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,363	I'd like all the new stuff to be covered in priority (18-135, etc). Then what I'd like is comparative studies of similar lenses (135s, 50s, etc, including older models).

11-24-2010, 08:33 AM	#29
Damian Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: United States Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 278	One more i was thinking about, which goes along with the old glass vs new glass theme, is a comparative look at various "famous" and maybe even some "infamous" macro lenses. For instance a look at how the Kiron/Vivitar/Panagor 105/100mm macro stacks up to a new Tamron 90mm or Sigma 105mm or Pentax 100mm. I'm interested to see how a good copy stacks up against modern lenses and if the going rate for the Kirons is justified. The other side would be to look at some of the lesser know macros like the old manual focus Sigma 50mm 2.8 macro vs the Pentax-F or FA 50mm macro and see how the unkowns compare the what is arguably some of the sharpest lenses ever made.

lenses you'd like to see reviewed

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