Finally got my Pentax 50-135

benjikan · 11-14-2007, 01:55 PM

Originally posted by jena

I look forward to your views on this lens. I am saving for this one to complement the 50 - 135 which is superb.

I will post my opinion once I have tried it for at least fifteen minutes. Ten minutes seemed to cause some consternation. I figure if I give it about 50% more time the level of plausibility will increase as well...

button · 11-15-2007, 03:58 PM

Thanks to everyone who have posted shots with this lens. Would anyone be so kind as to post some shots at 100% crop that show extreme local contrast variations (like a the edge of a sunlit white object on a dark background, the moon, or a streetlight at dusk)? I want to get a feel for how this lens handles CA (something that probably shouldn't bother me, but does).

Much appreciated,
John

jeffkrol · 11-16-2007, 06:10 AM

Originally posted by Gruoso

You know I love your pictures Ben. I really do. I was refering to Matix comments on Tom. I think that you both are great photographers, of course I have my preferences but I wont tell this work is better than this other or where are your pictures or my **ck is bigger than yours. I think that somebody with lots of experience can discern if a lens is good or not faster than an unexperienced one, but I also understand that an interested part is not the person to trust when that person is trying to sell items. Now, if you tell me your opinion on, say, the Zeiss Flektagon 20 f4 I will believe every point and I will adore you even more.

You realize that says more about "our attitudes" then Ben's.....

Kaimarx · 11-16-2007, 06:58 AM

Dam! what a fine lens and the resolution is incredible, thanks all for sharing the pics and opinions. I was sold on the 77 till i saw this post...might wait a lil and see whats around the corner now

Not Registered · 11-16-2007, 07:23 AM

Originally posted by jeffkrol

You realize that says more about "our attitudes" then Ben's.....

Realized

jgredline · 11-16-2007, 08:10 AM

Last night i was using this lens on my K10D and was surprised how much faster it uto focused on my K100D super..I thought it would have been the same. Is their a firmware update for the K100D super? Does anyone know and use it on the super?

egordon99 · 11-16-2007, 08:14 AM

Does your K10D have the latest firmware (1.30) ? Otherwise it's just using the old motor-in-the-body screwshaft focus mechanism. I believe the K100D super comes "SDM-enabled" from the factory.

My 50-135mm focuses really fast on K10D with SDM (Firmware 1.30)

jgredline · 11-16-2007, 10:09 AM

Originally posted by egordon99

Does your K10D have the latest firmware (1.30) ? Otherwise it's just using the old motor-in-the-body screwshaft focus mechanism. I believe the K100D super comes "SDM-enabled" from the factory.

My 50-135mm focuses really fast on K10D with SDM (Firmware 1.30)

Yes, I do have the Latest on my K10D and it focuses really fast..So much so that I noticed it focuses allot faster than it does in my K100D super...Infact I see no difference between the focus speed of my k110d and my K100D Super and I do have the super..
The firmware on my K110D is 1.02
The firmware on my K100D super is 1.00
When I go to pentax website, I see no firmware upgrade for the K100D super

Thanks a bunch for the help.
javier

benjikan · 11-16-2007, 03:11 PM

Originally posted by button

Thanks to everyone who have posted shots with this lens. Would anyone be so kind as to post some shots at 100% crop that show extreme local contrast variations (like a the edge of a sunlit white object on a dark background, the moon, or a streetlight at dusk)? I want to get a feel for how this lens handles CA (something that probably shouldn't bother me, but does).

Much appreciated,
John

As I am extremely busy at this moment, I don't how too much time for an in depth test. When I can find some spare time I will try to prepare more images for you to scrutinize.

Best Wishes
Ben

button · 11-17-2007, 08:34 AM

Originally posted by benjikan

As I am extremely busy at this moment, I don't how too much time for an in depth test. When I can find some spare time I will try to prepare more images for you to scrutinize.

Best Wishes
Ben

Thanks, man- no hurry!

John

weaponx525 · 11-18-2007, 09:26 AM

Can anyone reply or answer to how this lens compares to the "prime" lens or "limited" lens lineups within the same range? I am getting really confused about the lens differentiations ie "prime", "limited", "star" etc ...

Kresica · 11-18-2007, 01:42 PM

I simply bought 50-135, instead of 77 Limited. Had them both in hands for a week or so, but AF is so much faster, and versatility of a zoom is nicer to use, resolution on par, and sharpness to die for, ah, in love with that zoom

rvannatta · 11-18-2007, 02:17 PM

Originally posted by weaponx525

Can anyone reply or answer to how this lens compares to the "prime" lens or "limited" lens lineups within the same range? I am getting really confused about the lens differentiations ie "prime", "limited", "star" etc ...

"Prime" is usually a name applied to fixed focal length lens, i.e. non-zooms.

Star and limited are marketing monikor's applied by Pentax to some of their lenses. At a minimum it implies they are a bit special. If you are a cynic you will say 'special high price', otherwise you will say 'special high performance'.

Pentax has often made similar in function lenses with different performance levels
and applies the * (star) to the high performance ones. For example the focal length range
of the basic 'kit lens' and the DA* 16-50 isn't much different but the price difference is eye opening. The limited moniker has usually been applied as a marketing label to high priced primes of odd (or maybe I should say 'non-traditional') focal lengths. The thing that makes them special may not be 'high speed' but in same cases has been uniquely small size such asa the 'panacake' lenses.

jgredline · 11-18-2007, 02:24 PM

Originally posted by Kresica

I simply bought 50-135, instead of 77 Limited. Had them both in hands for a week or so, but AF is so much faster, and versatility of a zoom is nicer to use, resolution on par, and sharpness to die for, ah, in love with that zoom

I have both lenses and have parked my 77 as well...That 50-135 is simply an amazing lens...

BrianK · 11-18-2007, 10:18 PM

Not on a high contrast background but 100 percent crop. I just snapped this at the Eagle Fest in Mission / Harrison BC today. I have to play around with this lens to get used to it but so far I love it. The weather has not been very nice around here so this was the first outing with this lens.

This eagle was under a tent in an educational display. He was imprinted on humans as a very young bird and cannot be released to the wild.
Download to see full size image.

11-15-2007, 03:58 PM	#77
button Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 241	Thanks to everyone who have posted shots with this lens. Would anyone be so kind as to post some shots at 100% crop that show extreme local contrast variations (like a the edge of a sunlit white object on a dark background, the moon, or a streetlight at dusk)? I want to get a feel for how this lens handles CA (something that probably shouldn't bother me, but does). Much appreciated, John Last edited by button; 11-15-2007 at 04:19 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Finally got a chance to use the K20 & DA* 50-135 =) PICTURE heavy!	DuckysDoll	Post Your Photos!	23	01-21-2009 10:13 PM
My Pentax ME finally paid off...	lithos	Photographic Technique	23	06-23-2008 08:48 PM
Finally - UK Cashback from Pentax at last !!!!	Confused	Pentax DSLR Discussion	5	06-11-2008 06:26 PM
Sears 135/2.8 vs. Pentax M 135/3.5	Alvin	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	11	04-07-2007 06:18 AM

11-14-2007, 01:55 PM	#76
benjikan Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Paris, France Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,308 Original Poster	Originally posted by jena I look forward to your views on this lens. I am saving for this one to complement the 50 - 135 which is superb. I will post my opinion once I have tried it for at least fifteen minutes. Ten minutes seemed to cause some consternation. I figure if I give it about 50% more time the level of plausibility will increase as well...

11-16-2007, 06:10 AM	#78
jeffkrol Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Wisconsin USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,434	Originally posted by Gruoso You know I love your pictures Ben. I really do. I was refering to Matix comments on Tom. I think that you both are great photographers, of course I have my preferences but I wont tell this work is better than this other or where are your pictures or my **ck is bigger than yours. I think that somebody with lots of experience can discern if a lens is good or not faster than an unexperienced one, but I also understand that an interested part is not the person to trust when that person is trying to sell items. Now, if you tell me your opinion on, say, the Zeiss Flektagon 20 f4 I will believe every point and I will adore you even more. You realize that says more about "our attitudes" then Ben's.....

11-16-2007, 06:58 AM	#79
Kaimarx Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Auckland Photos: Gallery Posts: 452	Dam! what a fine lens and the resolution is incredible, thanks all for sharing the pics and opinions. I was sold on the 77 till i saw this post...might wait a lil and see whats around the corner now

11-16-2007, 07:23 AM	#80
Not Registered Guest	Originally posted by jeffkrol You realize that says more about "our attitudes" then Ben's..... Realized

11-16-2007, 08:10 AM	#81
jgredline Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: LosAngeles, Ca. Photos: Albums Posts: 10,628	Last night i was using this lens on my K10D and was surprised how much faster it uto focused on my K100D super..I thought it would have been the same. Is their a firmware update for the K100D super? Does anyone know and use it on the super?

11-16-2007, 08:14 AM	#82
egordon99 Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Outside of Philly Posts: 1,561	Does your K10D have the latest firmware (1.30) ? Otherwise it's just using the old motor-in-the-body screwshaft focus mechanism. I believe the K100D super comes "SDM-enabled" from the factory. My 50-135mm focuses really fast on K10D with SDM (Firmware 1.30)

11-16-2007, 10:09 AM	#83
jgredline Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: LosAngeles, Ca. Photos: Albums Posts: 10,628	Originally posted by egordon99 Does your K10D have the latest firmware (1.30) ? Otherwise it's just using the old motor-in-the-body screwshaft focus mechanism. I believe the K100D super comes "SDM-enabled" from the factory. My 50-135mm focuses really fast on K10D with SDM (Firmware 1.30) Yes, I do have the Latest on my K10D and it focuses really fast..So much so that I noticed it focuses allot faster than it does in my K100D super...Infact I see no difference between the focus speed of my k110d and my K100D Super and I do have the super.. The firmware on my K110D is 1.02 The firmware on my K100D super is 1.00 When I go to pentax website, I see no firmware upgrade for the K100D super Thanks a bunch for the help. javier

11-16-2007, 03:11 PM	#84
benjikan Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Paris, France Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,308 Original Poster	Originally posted by button Thanks to everyone who have posted shots with this lens. Would anyone be so kind as to post some shots at 100% crop that show extreme local contrast variations (like a the edge of a sunlit white object on a dark background, the moon, or a streetlight at dusk)? I want to get a feel for how this lens handles CA (something that probably shouldn't bother me, but does). Much appreciated, John As I am extremely busy at this moment, I don't how too much time for an in depth test. When I can find some spare time I will try to prepare more images for you to scrutinize. Best Wishes Ben

11-17-2007, 08:34 AM	#85
button Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 241	Originally posted by benjikan As I am extremely busy at this moment, I don't how too much time for an in depth test. When I can find some spare time I will try to prepare more images for you to scrutinize. Best Wishes Ben Thanks, man- no hurry! John

11-18-2007, 09:26 AM	#86
weaponx525 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 138	Can anyone reply or answer to how this lens compares to the "prime" lens or "limited" lens lineups within the same range? I am getting really confused about the lens differentiations ie "prime", "limited", "star" etc ...

11-18-2007, 01:42 PM	#87
Kresica Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Zagreb, Croatia Photos: Gallery Posts: 105	I simply bought 50-135, instead of 77 Limited. Had them both in hands for a week or so, but AF is so much faster, and versatility of a zoom is nicer to use, resolution on par, and sharpness to die for, ah, in love with that zoom

11-18-2007, 02:17 PM	#88
rvannatta Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Apiary, Oregon Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,181	Originally posted by weaponx525 Can anyone reply or answer to how this lens compares to the "prime" lens or "limited" lens lineups within the same range? I am getting really confused about the lens differentiations ie "prime", "limited", "star" etc ... "Prime" is usually a name applied to fixed focal length lens, i.e. non-zooms. Star and limited are marketing monikor's applied by Pentax to some of their lenses. At a minimum it implies they are a bit special. If you are a cynic you will say 'special high price', otherwise you will say 'special high performance'. Pentax has often made similar in function lenses with different performance levels and applies the * (star) to the high performance ones. For example the focal length range of the basic 'kit lens' and the DA* 16-50 isn't much different but the price difference is eye opening. The limited moniker has usually been applied as a marketing label to high priced primes of odd (or maybe I should say 'non-traditional') focal lengths. The thing that makes them special may not be 'high speed' but in same cases has been uniquely small size such asa the 'panacake' lenses.

11-18-2007, 02:24 PM	#89
jgredline Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: LosAngeles, Ca. Photos: Albums Posts: 10,628	Originally posted by Kresica I simply bought 50-135, instead of 77 Limited. Had them both in hands for a week or so, but AF is so much faster, and versatility of a zoom is nicer to use, resolution on par, and sharpness to die for, ah, in love with that zoom I have both lenses and have parked my 77 as well...That 50-135 is simply an amazing lens...

11-18-2007, 10:18 PM	#90
BrianK Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 128	Not on a high contrast background but 100 percent crop. I just snapped this at the Eagle Fest in Mission / Harrison BC today. I have to play around with this lens to get used to it but so far I love it. The weather has not been very nice around here so this was the first outing with this lens. This eagle was under a tent in an educational display. He was imprinted on humans as a very young bird and cannot be released to the wild. Download to see full size image.