The Online Photographer Rates Pentax as a great lens maker

KDAFA · 05-10-2013, 10:26 AM

Originally posted by Ash

And it's something most of us here already know and are enjoying the fruits of. Excellent quality glass.

A big "+1" from me on that!

slocant · 05-10-2013, 10:33 AM

Originally posted by scratchpaddy

I think you mean the 100mm Macro. Tamron makes the 90mm Macro. Yes, it's an amazing lens, but the design somewhat old. I have the FA version, which was made before the DFA version, which was made before the current DFA WR version. The optics are the same. Frankly, I don't think any improvement in the optics was necessary, or even possible.

The full name of the lens is "HD PENTAX-D FA645 MACRO 90MmF2.8ED AW SR".

And there are some photos made with it here:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-medium-format-645-6x7-645d/214034-...0mm-macro.html

Cheers,

slocant · 05-10-2013, 11:07 AM

Originally posted by lesmore49

I'm not one to keep a scorecard of which lens was released when...

Mike Johnston "was talking more about "character" and what you might call a "house look" when [he] concocted that little list" [source].

It certainly isn't about recent releases. In fact recency doesn't matter at all. Specially since Pentax has available a range of lenses which have that purported "house look" and "character".

Since Mike has tested so many lenses over time, and knowing his tastes and views on photography (the art and the gear), I'm inclined to trust his opinion — for I have used only seven Pentax lenses (three kit zooms and 4 limiteds) and nothing else.

I do recommend reading his blog though.

I'd even recommend going back to the first posts on blogspot and going through all of it. There are so many treasures there.

He also had a column on The Luminous Landscape and wrote articles on Photo.net.

Cheers,

scratchpaddy · 05-10-2013, 11:09 AM

Originally posted by slocant

The full name of the lens is "HD PENTAX-D FA645 MACRO 90MmF2.8ED AW SR".

And there are some photos made with it here:

Pentax DFA 645 2.8 90mm Macro

Cheers,

Oh, okay. I stand corrected. Wow! Those are amazing shots. It is worth noting, though, that it's a $5,500 lens. It better be good at that price. Also, anyone willing to spend that kind of money on a lens is bound to be extremely good at photography. I bet @Ristretto could take pictures with a $5 lens that would knock your socks off.

Still, it's good to be reminded that Pentax remains a player in the medium-format world. Thanks for pointing that out.

twitch · 05-10-2013, 01:36 PM

Originally posted by MPrince

Is it 2019 already? My, how time flies when you're out shooting photos.

Not that hard to understand, last 10 years is pathetic compared to other makers (ie less but not none) and none i can recall in past 4 or 5 years.

twitch · 05-10-2013, 01:42 PM

Originally posted by lesmore49

I guess it all comes down to a matter of opinion. I disagree with you.

I'm not one to keep a scorecard of which lens was released when...but one that comes to mind that was released within the past few years and has received very high ratings is the Pentax 100 Macro WR F 2.8. I may not have the exact description....but check the Popular Photography test.

I don't know when the 12-24, 70 Limited, 40 Limited were released....but they are part of my arsenal and I'm impressed with their performance and the photo quality they produce.

I've cranked 1000's of pictures out of that 12-24 and this is a magnificent lens....IMHO.

Dfa100 is a re-skin of an existing lens, and those others were pre 2008. 5 years is a long time I think. Hopefully the limited zoom from the road map when it is released will break the drought.

johnmflores · 05-10-2013, 02:54 PM

Originally posted by twitch

Not that hard to understand, last 10 years is pathetic compared to other makers (ie less but not none) and none i can recall in past 4 or 5 years.

Does anyone have a more complete set of APS-C primes?

Uluru · 05-10-2013, 03:22 PM

It seems some are suffering from FF drug deprivation, and all the achievements in the last 10 years by Pentax are now a haze to them.

In the last ten years, world has seen the best and the most comprehensive APS-C lineup of lenses, made by Pentax. Best APS-C system, bar none.
And quite a few lenses made in that period are true art. Say, DA70, DA35 Ltd, DA15.

And I think that — how artful and unique lenses are that result in a unique photography quality — is what Mike was thinking about when compiling that list.

johnmflores · 05-10-2013, 03:53 PM

Originally posted by Uluru

It seems some are suffering from FF drug deprivation, and all the achievements in the last 10 years by Pentax are now a haze to them.

In the last ten years, world has seen the best and the most comprehensive APS-C lineup of lenses, made by Pentax. Best APS-C system, bar none.
And quite a few lenses made in that period are true art. Say, DA70, DA35 Ltd, DA15.

And I think that — how artful and unique lenses are that result in a unique photography quality — is what Mike was thinking about when compiling that list.

Also, has anyone made an APS-C zoom that exceeds the DA*50-135 F2.8? I don't have a lot of experience with other APS-C zooms, so I'm genuinely asking.

Uluru · 05-10-2013, 04:08 PM

Originally posted by johnmflores

Also, has anyone made an APS-C zoom that exceeds the DA*50-135 F2.8? I don't have a lot of experience with other APS-C zooms, so I'm genuinely asking.

Maybe DA*60-250, made by same that old horse Pentax

But I'm not quite sure in that; both lenses are magnificent, and different.
But overall, in build quality, weather resistance, optical quality, price, handling, etc. .. Pentax is unbeatable in the APS-C ground.

lytrytyr · 05-10-2013, 05:38 PM

Don't forget the 01 and 02 lenses for the Q.
Whatever your opinion about the value of that sensor size,
those are two very good new lenses from Pentax.

twitch · 05-10-2013, 08:31 PM

I'm not saying the lens line up poor, there's problems in it but there's problems in everyones line up. I'm saying very little of note has been released in K-mount for almost 5 years now. In that time according to my possibly faulty memory; we've had one super zoom, a re-skin of a (very nice) macro, and 2 plastic consumer primes to show for this past 4.5 years.

Since the DA15 was released in late 2008, Nikon as an example has had 20+ lenses

24mm f/1.4
28mm f/1.8
35mm f/1.4
50mm f/1.8
85mm f/1.4
85mm f/1.8
200mm f/2
300mm f/2.8
70-200mm f/2.8 VRII
70-200mm f/4
10-24 (DX)
18-200 (DX)
18-300 (DX)
55-300 (DX)
16-35mm f/4
17-35mm f/2.8
18-35mm f/3.5-4.5
24-85mm f/3.5-4.5
24-120mm f/4
28-300mm
80-400mm f/3.5-5.6
200-400mm f/4
60mm f/2.8 micro
and a couple of tele converters, flashes etc ...

I'm not crying into my skinny latte about this, and I'm enjoying shooting with my 20 year old FA limiteds and my K-5 a lot, however the lack of momentum for k-mount looks very real to me.

johnmflores · 05-10-2013, 09:12 PM

Originally posted by twitch

Since the DA15 was released in late 2008, Nikon as an example has had 20+ lenses

24mm f/1.4
28mm f/1.8
35mm f/1.4
50mm f/1.8
85mm f/1.4
85mm f/1.8
200mm f/2
300mm f/2.8
70-200mm f/2.8 VRII
70-200mm f/4
10-24 (DX)
18-200 (DX)
18-300 (DX)
55-300 (DX)
16-35mm f/4
17-35mm f/2.8
18-35mm f/3.5-4.5
24-85mm f/3.5-4.5
24-120mm f/4
28-300mm
80-400mm f/3.5-5.6
200-400mm f/4
60mm f/2.8 micro
and a couple of tele converters, flashes etc ...

Those are all new optical formulae?

twitch · 05-10-2013, 09:26 PM

Originally posted by johnmflores

Those are all new optical formulae?

No, some are some aren't, that's why I said since the DA15 we've had 4: DA18-135, DA35/2.4, DA50, DFA100 macro as compared to 20+ from Nikon. Look at the kind of lenses they've got in that time, then look our our list.

johnmflores · 05-10-2013, 10:10 PM

Originally posted by twitch

No, some are some aren't, that's why I said since the DA15 we've had 4: DA18-135, DA35/2.4, DA50, DFA100 macro as compared to 20+ from Nikon. Look at the kind of lenses they've got in that time, then look our our list.

So what lenses is Pentax missing? Your personal lineup seems pretty complete. And let's remember, this is a conversation about quality, not quantity.

05-10-2013, 01:36 PM	#35
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	Originally posted by MPrince Is it 2019 already? My, how time flies when you're out shooting photos. Not that hard to understand, last 10 years is pathetic compared to other makers (ie less but not none) and none i can recall in past 4 or 5 years. Last edited by twitch; 05-10-2013 at 01:49 PM.

05-10-2013, 01:42 PM	#36
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	Originally posted by lesmore49 I guess it all comes down to a matter of opinion. I disagree with you. I'm not one to keep a scorecard of which lens was released when...but one that comes to mind that was released within the past few years and has received very high ratings is the Pentax 100 Macro WR F 2.8. I may not have the exact description....but check the Popular Photography test. I don't know when the 12-24, 70 Limited, 40 Limited were released....but they are part of my arsenal and I'm impressed with their performance and the photo quality they produce. I've cranked 1000's of pictures out of that 12-24 and this is a magnificent lens....IMHO. Dfa100 is a re-skin of an existing lens, and those others were pre 2008. 5 years is a long time I think. Hopefully the limited zoom from the road map when it is released will break the drought. Last edited by twitch; 05-10-2013 at 01:50 PM.

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05-10-2013, 10:26 AM	#31
KDAFA Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 528	Originally posted by Ash And it's something most of us here already know and are enjoying the fruits of. Excellent quality glass. A big "+1" from me on that!

05-10-2013, 10:33 AM	#32
slocant Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Rio de Janeiro Posts: 65	Originally posted by scratchpaddy I think you mean the 100mm Macro. Tamron makes the 90mm Macro. Yes, it's an amazing lens, but the design somewhat old. I have the FA version, which was made before the DFA version, which was made before the current DFA WR version. The optics are the same. Frankly, I don't think any improvement in the optics was necessary, or even possible. The full name of the lens is "HD PENTAX-D FA645 MACRO 90MmF2.8ED AW SR". And there are some photos made with it here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-medium-format-645-6x7-645d/214034-...0mm-macro.html Cheers,

05-10-2013, 11:07 AM	#33
slocant Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Rio de Janeiro Posts: 65	Originally posted by lesmore49 I'm not one to keep a scorecard of which lens was released when... Mike Johnston "was talking more about "character" and what you might call a "house look" when [he] concocted that little list" [source]. It certainly isn't about recent releases. In fact recency doesn't matter at all. Specially since Pentax has available a range of lenses which have that purported "house look" and "character". Since Mike has tested so many lenses over time, and knowing his tastes and views on photography (the art and the gear), I'm inclined to trust his opinion — for I have used only seven Pentax lenses (three kit zooms and 4 limiteds) and nothing else. I do recommend reading his blog though. I'd even recommend going back to the first posts on blogspot and going through all of it. There are so many treasures there. He also had a column on The Luminous Landscape and wrote articles on Photo.net. Cheers,

05-10-2013, 11:09 AM	#34
scratchpaddy Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Phoenix Posts: 3,361	Originally posted by slocant The full name of the lens is "HD PENTAX-D FA645 MACRO 90MmF2.8ED AW SR". And there are some photos made with it here: Pentax DFA 645 2.8 90mm Macro Cheers, Oh, okay. I stand corrected. Wow! Those are amazing shots. It is worth noting, though, that it's a $5,500 lens. It better be good at that price. Also, anyone willing to spend that kind of money on a lens is bound to be extremely good at photography. I bet @Ristretto could take pictures with a $5 lens that would knock your socks off. Still, it's good to be reminded that Pentax remains a player in the medium-format world. Thanks for pointing that out.

05-10-2013, 02:54 PM	#37
johnmflores Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Somerville, NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,361 Original Poster	Originally posted by twitch Not that hard to understand, last 10 years is pathetic compared to other makers (ie less but not none) and none i can recall in past 4 or 5 years. Does anyone have a more complete set of APS-C primes?

05-10-2013, 03:22 PM	#38
Uluru Banned Join Date: May 2010 Location: Back to my Walkabout Creek Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,535	It seems some are suffering from FF drug deprivation, and all the achievements in the last 10 years by Pentax are now a haze to them. In the last ten years, world has seen the best and the most comprehensive APS-C lineup of lenses, made by Pentax. Best APS-C system, bar none. And quite a few lenses made in that period are true art. Say, DA70, DA35 Ltd, DA15. And I think that — how artful and unique lenses are that result in a unique photography quality — is what Mike was thinking about when compiling that list.

05-10-2013, 03:53 PM	#39
johnmflores Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Somerville, NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,361 Original Poster	Originally posted by Uluru It seems some are suffering from FF drug deprivation, and all the achievements in the last 10 years by Pentax are now a haze to them. In the last ten years, world has seen the best and the most comprehensive APS-C lineup of lenses, made by Pentax. Best APS-C system, bar none. And quite a few lenses made in that period are true art. Say, DA70, DA35 Ltd, DA15. And I think that — how artful and unique lenses are that result in a unique photography quality — is what Mike was thinking about when compiling that list. Also, has anyone made an APS-C zoom that exceeds the DA*50-135 F2.8? I don't have a lot of experience with other APS-C zooms, so I'm genuinely asking.

05-10-2013, 04:08 PM	#40
Uluru Banned Join Date: May 2010 Location: Back to my Walkabout Creek Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,535	Originally posted by johnmflores Also, has anyone made an APS-C zoom that exceeds the DA50-135 F2.8? I don't have a lot of experience with other APS-C zooms, so I'm genuinely asking. Maybe DA60-250, made by same that old horse Pentax But I'm not quite sure in that; both lenses are magnificent, and different. But overall, in build quality, weather resistance, optical quality, price, handling, etc. .. Pentax is unbeatable in the APS-C ground.

05-10-2013, 05:38 PM	#41
lytrytyr Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,310	Don't forget the 01 and 02 lenses for the Q. Whatever your opinion about the value of that sensor size, those are two very good new lenses from Pentax.

05-10-2013, 08:31 PM	#42
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	I'm not saying the lens line up poor, there's problems in it but there's problems in everyones line up. I'm saying very little of note has been released in K-mount for almost 5 years now. In that time according to my possibly faulty memory; we've had one super zoom, a re-skin of a (very nice) macro, and 2 plastic consumer primes to show for this past 4.5 years. Since the DA15 was released in late 2008, Nikon as an example has had 20+ lenses 24mm f/1.4 28mm f/1.8 35mm f/1.4 50mm f/1.8 85mm f/1.4 85mm f/1.8 200mm f/2 300mm f/2.8 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII 70-200mm f/4 10-24 (DX) 18-200 (DX) 18-300 (DX) 55-300 (DX) 16-35mm f/4 17-35mm f/2.8 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 24-120mm f/4 28-300mm 80-400mm f/3.5-5.6 200-400mm f/4 60mm f/2.8 micro and a couple of tele converters, flashes etc ... I'm not crying into my skinny latte about this, and I'm enjoying shooting with my 20 year old FA limiteds and my K-5 a lot, however the lack of momentum for k-mount looks very real to me.

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05-10-2013, 09:12 PM	#43
johnmflores Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Somerville, NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,361 Original Poster	Originally posted by twitch Since the DA15 was released in late 2008, Nikon as an example has had 20+ lenses 24mm f/1.4 28mm f/1.8 35mm f/1.4 50mm f/1.8 85mm f/1.4 85mm f/1.8 200mm f/2 300mm f/2.8 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII 70-200mm f/4 10-24 (DX) 18-200 (DX) 18-300 (DX) 55-300 (DX) 16-35mm f/4 17-35mm f/2.8 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 24-120mm f/4 28-300mm 80-400mm f/3.5-5.6 200-400mm f/4 60mm f/2.8 micro and a couple of tele converters, flashes etc ... Those are all new optical formulae?

05-10-2013, 09:26 PM	#44
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	Originally posted by johnmflores Those are all new optical formulae? No, some are some aren't, that's why I said since the DA15 we've had 4: DA18-135, DA35/2.4, DA50, DFA100 macro as compared to 20+ from Nikon. Look at the kind of lenses they've got in that time, then look our our list.

05-10-2013, 10:10 PM	#45
johnmflores Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Somerville, NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,361 Original Poster	Originally posted by twitch No, some are some aren't, that's why I said since the DA15 we've had 4: DA18-135, DA35/2.4, DA50, DFA100 macro as compared to 20+ from Nikon. Look at the kind of lenses they've got in that time, then look our our list. So what lenses is Pentax missing? Your personal lineup seems pretty complete. And let's remember, this is a conversation about quality, not quantity.