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| 03-04-2016, 08:48 AM | #1322 |
 Originally posted by jamesk8752  I've been collecting cameras and lenses for over 15 years now and have built up a substantial collection, much of it acquired used. Although most of my gear is Pentax, I also have Leica, Rollei, Fujica, Fujifilm, Zeiss, and other manufacturers' products gong back into the 1930s. At my last count, I have 344 lenses for Pentax in K-mount, M42-mount, and M37-mount (including 23 lenses in Adaptall-2 mount). I have another 220 lenses which are not for Pentax. I keep most of my stuff on display in glass-encased curio cabinets so I can enjoy seeing it. Maybe I should open a museum! You can see a list of the items in my photo gear collection here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/pzpckkyg0luk2fm/Camera%20Equipment%20Profile.doc?dl=0 Regards, Jim  Dennis | |
| 03-04-2016, 08:48 AM | #1323 |
| Originally posted by jamesk8752 I've been collecting cameras and lenses for over 15 years now and have built up a substantial collection, much of it acquired used. Although most of my gear is Pentax, I also have Leica, Rollei, Fujica, Fujifilm, Zeiss, and other manufacturers' products gong back into the 1930s. At my last count, I have 344 lenses for Pentax in K-mount, M42-mount, and M37-mount (including 23 lenses in Adaptall-2 mount). I have another 220 lenses which are not for Pentax. I keep most of my stuff on display in glass-encased curio cabinets so I can enjoy seeing it. Maybe I should open a museum! You can see a list of the items in my photo gear collection here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/pzpckkyg0luk2fm/Camera%20Equipment%20Profile.doc?dl=0 Regards, Jim I see why you have to link the list in Dropbox. 11 1/2 pages!?! Impressive collection! That tops it I guess (?) | |
| 03-04-2016, 09:36 AM - 1 Like | #1324 |
| Originally posted by jamesk8752 I've been collecting cameras and lenses for over 15 years now and have built up a substantial collection, much of it acquired used. Although most of my gear is Pentax, I also have Leica, Rollei, Fujica, Fujifilm, Zeiss, and other manufacturers' products gong back into the 1930s. At my last count, I have 344 lenses for Pentax in K-mount, M42-mount, and M37-mount (including 23 lenses in Adaptall-2 mount). I have another 220 lenses which are not for Pentax. I keep most of my stuff on display in glass-encased curio cabinets so I can enjoy seeing it. Maybe I should open a museum! You can see a list of the items in my photo gear collection here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/pzpckkyg0luk2fm/Camera%20Equipment%20Profile.doc?dl=0 Regards, Jim And thanks for showing us your list, it does remind me to never make a list of all of my other photo equipment: bodies, extenders, converters, flashes etc.... and now I can print your list out to show my wife if she ever sees all of mine. "No hon, I don't have a lot of photo gear, actually just a small amount, see Jim's list here? He's about average" Steve | |
| 03-04-2016, 10:49 AM - 1 Like | #1325 |
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Yes! When it comes to the dangerous point and my wife will ask: "So many...?", I can keep calm and show her Jim's list and the photo below, leisurely answering "Oh darling, that's nothing. This is how "many lenses" looks like!"   | |
| 03-06-2016, 03:47 PM | #1326 |
| 03-07-2016, 08:24 AM | #1327 |
| Originally posted by monochrome What are you going to do with all of this? Don't ask me. But the guy looks pretty happy when sitting in the middle of all that stuff. I'm wondering why so many of his lenses have no caps..? | |
| 03-07-2016, 01:31 PM | #1328 |
| Originally posted by jamesk8752 I've been collecting cameras and lenses for over 15 years now and have built up a substantial collection, much of it acquired used. Although most of my gear is Pentax, I also have Leica, Rollei, Fujica, Fujifilm, Zeiss, and other manufacturers' products gong back into the 1930s. At my last count, I have 344 lenses for Pentax in K-mount, M42-mount, and M37-mount (including 23 lenses in Adaptall-2 mount). I have another 220 lenses which are not for Pentax. Regards, Jim I might consider to move to Detroit if you are willing to lend me one or two :-) | |
| 03-07-2016, 02:04 PM | #1329 |
| Originally posted by monochrome What are you going to do with all of this? Originally posted by zzeitg Don't ask me. But the guy looks pretty happy when sitting in the middle of all that. | |
| 03-07-2016, 04:24 PM | #1330 |
| 03-08-2016, 11:53 AM | #1331 |
| Originally posted by jamesk8752 I keep most of my stuff on display in glass-encased curio cabinets so I can enjoy seeing it. Maybe I should open a museum! You can see a list of the items in my photo gear collection here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/pzpckkyg0luk2fm/Camera%20Equipment%20Profile.doc?dl=0 Regards, Jim But it's not fair Here we have listed Pentax glasses, or third party stuff usable on Pentax bodies. If i include non-PK stuff, my list would get...huge! I have more than two hundreds large format lenses, including many soft focus and a Voigtlander unmarked prototype made before 1862. Then there are medium format glasses, plus a few outstanding lenses which i'd like to adapt (if possible) to PK bodies. A few jewels i remember: some Visoflex/separable Leitz objectives (like a nice f/2 90mm), and the very good Konica f/1.8 40mm. Leitax makes an adapter for Visoflex lenses (an original Leica R adapter ring is needed, i already have one), but i don't remember if they make a PK bayonet for Konica (the register could make it an impossible task). Adapted lenses are not so difficult to use. In fact, both M42 and PK lenses without diaphragm lever are usable in Aperture Priority, and eventually with catch-in focus, provided that the right pin on the camera body is shortened. BTW, which pin is it? Instead of removing a lot of paint, scratching a small area would suffice... Writing about huge lens arsenals, it comes to my mind what i've read on another forum, about the availability of FF lenses for the upcoming K-1. Pentax fanboys say that the lenses are more than enough. Canikon fanboys say that many lenses are missing, for example fast primes, and that buying a new FF body, no matter how good, to use it with vintage glasses, makes no sense at all. I leave to other threads any comment about the current Pentax FF line-up, though i have to strongly disagree with the latter statement. Some of the best vintage lenses (often present in the best lists that have been posted) are still competitive, resolution/contrast wise (like the A Star teles). Then there are others, perhaps a bit soft wide open and with little fringing, which have a very peculiar optical signature, impossible to find in modern lenses. Let's not forget that a decent vintage prime usually performs better than present-day cheap "normal" zooms. On top of all that, let's evidence the availability on the used market of specialty equipments,that are NOT made anymore by Pentax. Two examples (both present in my list): high-magnification macros (for bellows use) and shift/tilt/tilt-shift lenses. I have an ukranian 35mm shift lens (good for FF), plus a shift Pentacon Six to PK adapter, that will be sent back to the front line when i will acquire a second-hand K-1. I will need to re-buy a MIR 55mm and a german (or russian) 80mm. There are tilt adapters as well, and a more expensive tilt-shift. Not as good as those wonderful Canon tilt-shift primes, but the quality/cost ratio is exceptional. Pentax doesn't manufacture bellows, nor bellows lenses. If you have a look at my list, link is in my signature, you'll see super good enlarging lenses, like Nikkor-EL N and Componon-S. Reversed, they turn into wonderful macros. I use them with reversing rings on a Panagor PK with diaphragm simulator, an Edixa Bellowsmat M42 (shift), and a Contax RTS tilt-shift bellows, used with M42 > Contax front ring, and Contax > PK camera adapter ring. I also have a Pentax f/4 100mm Bellows, same optics of the M and early A versions with focusing helicoid. Not so good at high magnification, i'd rather use the Sigma 70mm and 105mm AF for ratios close to 1:1, or specialized macro/repro lenses for higher ratios. Like the Mikrotar, or the full line of Tomioka-made objectives originally made for the second-generation Polaroid reprocamera. These lenses were front-mounted on a No.1 "press" leaf shutter. I adapted them with funky contraptions, but now i'd like to find an adapter to PK or M42, from either the thread of the back flange, or the front thread, of a No.1 standard large format shutter. I hope i've given some good ideas to the readers looking for new ways to widen their photographic horizons, without being limited by the current "holes" in Pentax equipment (APS-C or FF), and without spending a sizable amount of money on stuff that need a good technical expertise, and which could turn out to be not of your liking I think that this thread could be something more than the right place for boasting about our lens collections. It can be seen as a precious resource, showing the existence of a few not-so-expensive hidden jewels, present in the lists of those who have a long experience, and a good knowledge about vintage optics.. I have found a few nice ideas myself... Cheers P Last edited by cyberjunkie; 03-08-2016 at 12:05 PM. | |
| 03-08-2016, 05:00 PM | #1332 |
| Originally posted by Odinz smc PENTAX 17mm F4 Fish-Eye smc PENTAX 18mm F3.5 smc PENTAX 28mm F3.5 Shift smc PENTAX 30mm F2.8 smc PENTAX 55mm F1.8 [X2] smc PENTAX 55mm F2.0 smc PENTAX 85mm F2.2 Soft smc PENTAX 100mm F4 Bellows smc PENTAX 135mm F2.5 smc PENTAX 200mm F2.5 smc PENTAX Relfex Zoom 400-600mm F8.0-12.0 smc PENTAX-M 20mm F4 smc PENTAX-M 28mm F2.8 smc PENTAX-M 40mm F2.8 smc PENTAX-M 85mm F2 smc PENTAX-M 100mm F2.8 smc PENTAX-M 100mm F4 Macro smc PENTAX-M 120mm F2.8 smc PENTAX-M 135mm F3.5 smc PENTAX-M 150mm F3.5 smc PENTAX-M 200mm F4 smc PENTAX-A 16mm F2.8 Fish-eye smc PENTAX-A 20mm F2.8 smc PENTAX-A 24mm F2.8 smc PENTAX-A 28mm F2 smc PENTAX-A 28mm F2.8 smc PENTAX-A 35mm F2 smc PENTAX-A 35mm F2.8 smc PENTAX-A 50mm F1.2 smc PENTAX-A 50mm F1.4 smc PENTAX-A 50mm F1.7 smc PENTAX-A 50mm F2.8 Macro smc PENTAX-A* 85mm F1.4 smc PENTAX-A 100mm F2.8 smc PENTAX-A 135mm F2.8 smc PENTAX-A* 135mm F1.8 smc PENTAX-A 200mm F4 smc PENTAX-A* 200mm F2.8 smc PENTAX-A* 300mm F4 smc PENTAX-A 400mm F5.6 smc PENTAX-A 35-70mm F4 smc PENTAX-A 70-210mm F4 smc PENTAX-A 35-105mm F3.5 smc PENTAX-F 28mm F2.8 smc PENTAX-F 17-28mm F3.5-4.5 Fisheye smc PENTAX-FA 31mm F1.8 AL Limited smc PENTAX-FA 35mm F2.0 AL smc PENTAX-FA 43mm F1.9 Limited smc PENTAX-FA 50mm F1.4 smc PENTAX-FA 77mm F1.8 Limited smc PENTAX FA 135mm F2.8 smc PENTAX-FA 28-105mm F4-5.6 smc PENTAX-DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited smc PENTAX-DA 21mm F3.2 Limited smc PENTAX-DA 35mm F2.8 Macro Limited smc PENTAX-DA 40 F2.8 Limited smc PENTAX-DA 70mm F2.4 Limited smc PENTAX-DA 10-17mm F3.5-4.5 ED [IF] Fisheye smc PENTAX-DA 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 ED Al [IF] smc PENTAX-DA 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL smc PENTAX-DA 50-200mm F4-5.6 ED HD PENTAX-DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 ED Limited DC WR smc PENTAX-D FA 50mm F2.8 Macro smc PENTAX-D FA MACRO 100mm F2.8 WR TAKUMAR SMC Takumar 20mm F4.5 M42 TAKUMAR SMC Takumar 24mm F3.5 M42 TAKUMAR Super-Takumar 28mm F3.5 M42 TAKUMAR SMC Takumar 35mm F3.5 M42 TAKUMAR Super-Takumar 50mm F1.4 M42 TAKUMAR Macro-Takumar 50mm F4 M42 Preset TAKUMAR Takumar 55mm F1.8 M42 TAKUMAR Super-Takumar 55mm F1.8 M42 TAKUMAR SMC-Takumar 55mm F1.8 M42 TAKUMAR Super-Takumar 85mm F1.9 M42 TAKUMAR Takumar 105mm F2.8 M42 Preset TAKUMAR SMC-Takumar 120mm F2.8 M42 TAKUMAR Takumar 135mm F3.5 M42 Preset TAKUMAR Super-Takumar 150mm F4 M42 TAKUMAR Tele-Takumar 200mm F5.6 M42 Preset [X2] TAKUMAR Takumar 200mm F3.5 M42 Preset TAKUMAR Tele-Takumar 300mm F6.3 M42 Preset TAKUMAR Takumar 300mm F4 M42 Preset PENTAX-110 18mm F2.8 PENTAX-110 18mm F2.8 Pan Focus PENTAX-110 24mm F2.8 PENTAX-110 50mm F2.8 [X2] PENTAX-110 70mm F2.8 PENTAX-110 20-40mm F2.8 PENTAX-01 8.5mm F1.9 PENTAX-02 5-15mm F2.8-4.5 PENTAX-03 3.2mm F5.6 FE PENTAX-06 15-45mm F2.8 PENTAX-07 11.5mm F9 Pinhole PENTAX-08 3.8-5.9mm F2.8 ACCURA Supertel 105mm F2.4 T-Mount Preset APOLLO MC TV 15-150mm F1.8 C-Mount BEROLINA 135mm F1.8 T-Mount Preset CARL ZEISS JENNA Tessar 50mm F2.8 M42 Preset COSINA MC Cosinon-S 40mm F2.5 ENNA MUNCHEN Ennalyt 24mm F4.0 M42 HELIOS 44 58mm F2.0 M39 Preset HELIOS 44M 58mm F2.0 M42 HELIOS 44M-4 F2.0 M42 [X2] HELIOS 44-2 58mm F2.0 M42 Preset HELIOS MC 44-3M 58mm F2.0 M42 Preset HELIOS 44K-4 58mm F2.0 HELIOS MC 44K-4 58mm F2.0 HELIOS MC 77K-4 50mm F1.8 INDUSTAR 50-2 F3.5 M42 Preset INDUSTAR 61-L/Z MC 50mm F2.8 M42 ITOREX 50mm Pano [X2] JUPITER 9 85mm F2.0 M42 Preset LENTAR Super-Lentar 28mm F3.0 T-Mount Preset MEYER OPTIK GORLITZ TELEMEGOR 180mm F5.5 M42 Preset MTO 3M-5CA (MC) 500mm Mirror F8.0 MTO 11CA (MC) 1000mm Mirror F10.0 NIKON El-Nikkor 40mm F4 M39 [X2] NIKON El-Nikkor 50mm F2.8 M39 NIKON El-Nikkor 63mm F2.8 M39 NIKON El-Nikkor 75mm F4 M39 [X2] NIKON El-Nikkor 80mm F5.6 M39 [X2] NIKON El-Nikkor 105MM F5.6 M39 NIKON El-Nikkor 135MM F5.6 M39 NIKON El-Nikkor 150MM F5.6 M39 PENTACON 30mm F3.5 M42 Preset PORST Tele MC 135mm F1.8 M42 REVUE MC Macro Revuenon 24mm F4.0 M42 REVUE Revuenon 45mm F2.8 RICOH XR RIKENON 45mm F2.8 RICOH XR RIKENON 50mm F1.4 RISING 45mm F227 Pinhole SAMIGON 180 Degree F3.5 Fisheye SAMYANG 8mm F3.5 Fish-Eye SAMYANG 14mm F2.8 SEARS MC 28mm F2.8 SEARS 50mm F2.0 SEARS MC 50mm F1.7 SEARS MC 135 F2.8 SEARS MC 80-200mm F4 Macro SOLIGOR MC C/D 20mm F2.8 SOLIGOR 25mm F2.8 T-Mount Preset SOLIGOR 180mm F3.5 T-Mount Preset SOLIGOR 250mm F4.5 T-Mount Preset SIGMA 4.5mm F2.8 EX DC HSM Circular Fisheye SIGMA 8mm F4 Filtermatic Fish-Eye SIGMA 12mm F8 Fish-Eye SIGMA 15mm F2.8 EX Fish-Eye SIGMA 24mm F2.8 Super-Wide II [X2] SIGMA 28mm F2.8 Mini-Wide II [X2] SIGMA 28mm F2.8 Mini-Wide [X2] SIGMA 21-35mm F3.5-4.2 SIGMA 35-70mm F2.8-4.0 SIGMA 75-250mm F4.0-5.0 SIGMA 600mm Mirror F8.0 SIGMA 1000mm Mirror F13.5 SIGMA 8-16mm F4.5-5.6 DC HSM SIGMA 10-20mm F4-5.6 SIGMA 12-24mm F4.5-5.6 EX DG SIGMA 15-30mm F3.5-4.5 EX DG SIGMA 28-105 F4-5.6 UC II SIGMA 50-500mm F4-6.3 APO EX DG SPRIATONE PLURACOAT 18mm F3.5 M42 STIENHEIL Cassaron VL 40mm F3.5 M42 TAIR-11A 135mm F2.8 M42 TAIR-3S 300mm F4.5 M42 TAMRON SP 500mm Mirror F8.0 (55BB) TOKINA RMC 17mm F3.5 TOKINA RMC 500mm Mirror F8.0 [X2] TOKINA 20-35mm F2.8 AT-X Pro TOKINA 28-70mm F2.8 AT-X Pro TOKINA 80-200mm F2.8 AT-X Pro TOKINA 24-200mm F3.5-5.6 AT-X TOKINA 80-400mm F4.5-5.6 AT-X TOKINA 80-400mm F4.5-5.6 AT-X AFII VIVITAR Series 1 VMC 105mm F2.5 Macro VIVITAR Series 1 VMC 70-210mm F3.5 Macro Version 2 VIVITAR Series 1 VMC 70-210mm F2.8-4.0 Macro Version 3 P/K-A Mount VIVITAR Series 1 VMC 70-210mm F2.8-4.0 Macro Version 3 P/K-A R-P/K Mount VIVITAR Series 1 VMC 600mm Mirror F8.0 Solid Catadioptric VIVITAR Series 1 VMC 800mm Mirror F11.0 Solid Catadioptric [X2] VIVITAR P&B Tele 135mm F3.5 T-Mount Preset ZENITAR 16mm Fisheye F2.8 ZOMZ MIR-1 37mm F2.8 M39 Preset Giving a quick look at your interesting list, i've noticed a few more things. Apart from soft focus and Tamron SP Adaptall-2 lenses (you have already answered), i see that you like very much Takumar screwmount objectives, and that you don't mind keeping doubles, or K and M lenses which were superseded by later A models. I also see that you have many optics i own/owned. Some are specialized optics. There is a preference for Vivitar Series 1 glasses, too. Starting from the end: i see you have the 70-210mm Series 1 with PK-A mount, Komine-made, IIRC. Despite the age, and the fact that modern zooms should benefit a lot from computer-calculated complex optical layouts, it should still be more than usable. How is it? You also have the 105mm Macro and the two Solid Catadioptric. AFAIK, good desirable lenses. I am surprised you don't own the Series 1 90-180mm f/4.5 Flat Field, you have the best in most compartments! I have one in M42 mount. Bought short ago, i had no time to test it in macro (1:2). I'm unsure about machining a retention notch on the base of the lens, cause it's a sought-for, expensive objective. You have some "specialty" lenses i also own, or used to own. Some are soviet-era: one is the Zenitar 16mm fish-eye, the others are the MTO 500mm and 1000mm (russian catadioptrics, Maksutov type), and the TAIR-3S. I have the medium format version of the latter, with larger coverage and less sharp. It is the TAIR-33. Some lenses that are somewhat soft wide-open offer a rounded, almost 3D rendition, and beautiful bokeh. As soon as i get the adapter, i will see how it fares. I see various 58mm Helios. I have two. Great lenses. One has a very swirly bokeh, the other is not as swirly. Another russian lens we have in common: the Industar 61-L/Z M42. Not a proper macro, but better than most normals on bellows. I took a few outstanding shots with it. On film. Would be nice to see how it works on a FF 36 megapixel sensor. You also have the Porst 135mm f/1.8. Great build and very interesting wide-open, isn't it? I also have the smaller cousin 55mm f/1.2 (Tomioka made), along with the Revue 50mm f/1.2 (Cosina made). Both are poor man's substitutes for your 50mm f/1.2 series A. Superior coating and electric contacts make the difference, but the sharpness should not be dissimilar. Apart from proper doubles, there are many functional duplicates. For example you have various Pentax 20mm. When i purchased the 20mm f/2.8 series A, i sold the tiny series M f/4. You keep all of them. Two possible answers: you either have been bitten by the collector's bug, or you find extremely difficult to part with your optics Time ago i was immune, and i still consider myself a collector of large format lenses, and a USER of Pentax ones. Selling a lens has become more and more difficult, though. Two last thoughts. - no reference to macro beyond 1:1, just the 100mm f/4 Bellows (that i also own); do you still use it? bellows or tubes? - very happy for you cause you have so many desirable optics; i'm not full of envy it's not my nature, but i sorely miss a few of them: 28mm shift, 50mm f/1.2 A, 135mm f/1.8 A Star, and a few FA and DA Limited.Enough of this post, it is already too long... but i'm sure we could chat for hours about the peculiarities of some of your lenses I'm sorry for going a bit off topic, probably i've gone too far and annoyed some, but i think that a simple lists (or even just a bare numbers) aren't as interesting as comments, ideas, questions about the listed lenses and about the rationale behind certain choices, What do you think? Cheers Paolo Last edited by cyberjunkie; 03-08-2016 at 11:24 PM. | |
| 03-09-2016, 06:47 AM | #1333 |
|
Hi Paolo, I probably should respond via PM, but in the oft chance that others may have an interest I'll post it here. As an attempt to not annoy the rest of the group I'll break my response into smaller, easier to ignore, segments While I used to part with lenses either through trade or sale, over the years I have found it harder and harder to do so. Often times I'll think of getting rid of a lens and I'll look back and see a shot I had taken with such and such a lens and decide to keep it, I guess I've grown too attached to them. I didn't set out to amass this collection, but I would hear someone talk about how good or unique a lens was and I would want to see for myself.I used to have a fondness for Vivitar Series 1 lenses and I had a few more of them at one time. Not sure why I never accuired the 90-180, I did look for one just never found one before I moved on. The 105 macro is still my favorite of the bunch and I still use that quite often with film (not as much on digital since I got the DA100WR but it is unmatched in manual focusing) Originally the Solid Cats were very nice for photos of the moon but fell very short in day light shooting. The problem turned out to be the 1" deep hood can't effectively shade the front glass and unfortunately the lens diameter is somewhere around 106mm. The solution that I found was to use a lens hood from a Mamiya 500mm lens and it made a huge difference! As you can see I did go through a "mirror lens" phase at one point. The Vivitar 70-210 was one of my favorite lenses but to be honest I prefer the Pentax-A 70-210 (even with the fixed F4) they are macros at different ends of the zoom range but I find that the Pentax has less aberrations and blooming at the wider aperture, but as with anything it could be the samples that I have. ---------- Post added 03-09-16 at 08:54 AM ---------- I have a fondness for Russian lenses as well, some of them are quite nice (I think that the MTO 3M-5CA 500 is probably the best mirror lens that I own) The Helios 58's each have their own a slightly different bokeh. The 44-3M is actually a macro version where the optical component can be detached from the helicoid, I think originally for use on a bellows. My Tair-3S came with a complete Photosnaiper set and is a really nice 300mm lens, the Zenit-12s camera was actually kind of quirky and the light meter has since died, but the lens itself works great on digital. The Porst 135mm/1.8 is a very nice lens which sometimes doesn't get the best of reviews for contrast and sharpness (although I find a lot of sharpness complaints for most fast glass usually stems from focusing issues with such a narrow depth of field rather than any fault of the glass itself). As with most lenses, a lens shade can do wonders and this lens really requires a deep hood to get the most out of it. The Berolina lens is a monster of a lens (similar in appearance to the Vivitar 135 1.5 and actually the same rebranded lens as the Vivtar 135 1.8 preset) a shame that it is not sharper wide open as it does really well stopped down. Most of my actual duplicates were replacements for lenses that I liked that might have gotten damaged it some way from use, most are still perfectly functional but I just never got around to getting rid of all of them. The exception are the 55mm lenses which I usually accuired with a camera body. ---------- Post added 03-09-16 at 08:56 AM ---------- I did rid myself of many of my K series lenses and (apart from the two 55/1.8 lenses which came with my KX and MX cameras) I tried to keep only the ones that were functionally different than others that I accquired. For instance the 135 and 200 F2.5 lenses while I have several other lenses in these focal lengths these two rendered differnt enough to warrant keeping. The M series I kept due to their size, with the exception of the DA series these are some of the smallest lenses in their respective focal lengths and are a perfect balance on the MX. When I got my first A series lenses I didn't even own a camera that could benefit from the contacts. I was mostly using a Pentax LX and a Ricoh XR-7 at the time for 35mm work and neither had contacts, but that changed when I got the PZ-1 and the A series, along with preset lenses, are easiest manual lenses to use on digital. As for macro, to get beyond 1:1 I have several bellows units from Pentax screw mount to the Bellows-K as well as my favorite a unique Spiratone SST tilt shift bellows. I have reverse adapters, extension tubes, helicoids, macro attachments, etc. I used to use reversed wide angle lenses (that's why I still like to have an aperture ring on my lenses) but now I mainly use enlarger lenses like the El-Nikkors (forward and reversed) or if I really want to get close I'll use microscope objective lenses (you need a lot of light for these) and usually some sort of focus stacking. Steve Last edited by Odinz; 03-09-2016 at 07:03 AM. | |
| 03-09-2016, 07:36 PM | #1335 |
| Originally posted by Odinz Hi Paolo, I probably should respond via PM, but in the oft chance that others may have an interest I'll post it here. As an attempt to not annoy the rest of the group I'll break my response into smaller, easier to ignore, segments Though i will not write any more words if the readers don't confirm that they find all this useful/interesting Quote: While I used to part with lenses either through trade or sale, over the years I have found it harder and harder to do so. Often times I'll think of getting rid of a lens and I'll look back and see a shot I had taken with such and such a lens and decide to keep it, I guess I've grown too attached to them. I didn't set out to amass this collection, but I would hear someone talk about how good or unique a lens was and I would want to see for myself.I miss the 20mm M (that was given back when i acquired the 20mm f/2.8 A) cause it is so conveniently small! I also sold the MTO 500mm and the Zenitar fisheye, The latter because i bought a Sigma Filtermatic fisheye of the same focal (the two lenses were almost identical), and the former because i already had the Pentax-A Star 300mm with 1.4x-L and 2x-L converters, and the Pentacon 500mm f/5.6. Then i found that the Pentacon is not so convenient to carry, and the A Star is so beautiful and valuable that i never had the courage to carry the lens under the rain or in a difficult environment, like out in the mud of a swamp to shoot birds. I also sold the 80mm f/2, the 28mm f/3.5 and the 100mm f/2.8 series M. Of all the lenses i mentioned, only the fisheye is not missed! The one i miss the most is the 28mm f//3.5. On film it was VERY good, but i had just acquired the famous Pentax/Zeiss f/2 K, so i wrongly thought i didn't need another 28mm. The one i miss the less is the 135mm f/3.5 M, i have the f/2.5 K, that is definitely better. Quote: I used to have a fondness for Vivitar Series 1 lenses and I had a few more of them at one time. Not sure why I never accuired the 90-180, I did look for one just never found one before I moved on. The 105 macro is still my favorite of the bunch and I still use that quite often with film (not as much on digital since I got the DA100WR but it is unmatched in manual focusing) Originally the Solid Cats were very nice for photos of the moon but fell very short in day light shooting. The problem turned out to be the 1" deep hood can't effectively shade the front glass and unfortunately the lens diameter is somewhere around 106mm. The solution that I found was to use a lens hood from a Mamiya 500mm lens and it made a huge difference! As you can see I did go through a "mirror lens" phase at one point. The Vivitar 70-210 was one of my favorite lenses but to be honest I prefer the Pentax-A 70-210 (even with the fixed F4) they are macros at different ends of the zoom range but I find that the Pentax has less aberrations and blooming at the wider aperture, but as with anything it could be the samples that I have. I don't like mirror lenses. But they have one advantage: size! About MF zooms, i see you have both the Pentax-A 70-210mm f/4 and the 35-135mm f/3.5. For the current price, both are a must have. Electric contacts, awesome build, sharp, easy manual focusing, perfect for catch-in technique. Quote: I have a fondness for Russian lenses as well, some of them are quite nice (I think that the MTO 3M-5CA 500 is probably the best mirror lens that I own) The Helios 58's each have their own a slightly different bokeh. The 44-3M is actually a macro version where the optical component can be detached from the helicoid, I think originally for use on a bellows. My Tair-3S came with a complete Photosnaiper set and is a really nice 300mm lens, the Zenit-12s camera was actually kind of quirky and the light meter has since died, but the lens itself works great on digital. The Porst 135mm/1.8 is a very nice lens which sometimes doesn't get the best of reviews for contrast and sharpness (although I find a lot of sharpness complaints for most fast glass usually stems from focusing issues with such a narrow depth of field rather than any fault of the glass itself). As with most lenses, a lens shade can do wonders and this lens really requires a deep hood to get the most out of it. The Berolina lens is a monster of a lens (similar in appearance to the Vivitar 135 1.5 and actually the same rebranded lens as the Vivtar 135 1.8 preset) a shame that it is not sharper wide open as it does really well stopped down. They range from a little swirly to very swirly bokeh. They become convenient portrait lenses on cropped sensor. Perfect for portraits in the woods, with tree branches as background. AFAIK the best version of the Tair-3 is the one that came with the Photosniper. Removed from the "rifle", it should be a good, cheap 300mm, still very usable on APS-C, i wonder how it would perform on FF. When i was very young, a friend of mine bought the Photosniper, coming from the Soviet Union, complete with a Zenith camera. I love my Porst 135mm f/1.8, i'd like the Pentax-A*, or any f/1.5, but i doubt i would ever own one. Prices have gone crazy high. You're right, focusing is critical with lenses this fast. I wonder how the focus confirmation would work with the new K-1 (spot focusing with the high-sensitivity central sensors). Quote: Most of my actual duplicates were replacements for lenses that I liked that might have gotten damaged it some way from use, most are still perfectly functional but I just never got around to getting rid of all of them. The exception are the 55mm lenses which I usually accuired with a camera body. I did rid myself of many of my K series lenses and (apart from the two 55/1.8 lenses which came with my KX and MX cameras) I tried to keep only the ones that were functionally different than others that I accquired. For instance the 135 and 200 F2.5 lenses while I have several other lenses in these focal lengths these two rendered differnt enough to warrant keeping. The M series I kept due to their size, with the exception of the DA series these are some of the smallest lenses in their respective focal lengths and are a perfect balance on the MX. When I got my first A series lenses I didn't even own a camera that could benefit from the contacts. I was mostly using a Pentax LX and a Ricoh XR-7 at the time for 35mm work and neither had contacts, but that changed when I got the PZ-1 and the A series, along with preset lenses, are easiest manual lenses to use on digital. It is the only time Pentax acted quick and smart. Olympus won the headlines of photographic magazines with their OM line of small camera and lenses. Pentax promptly answered with the MX and the M lenses. The late switch from M42 to PK, and the long wait for the FF are a confirmation of Pentax prudent approach (maybe way too prudent!). I can't agree more with your opinion about the ease of use of A/F/FA series, and also of preset T2/M42 lenses. I like the lenses with electric contacts, cause i prefer to shoot in Tav or AV. Because of the idiotic decision to remove the diaphragm "feeler" lever from digital bodies, wonderful K and M lenses can be used only in M, pressing the green button immediately before shooting, without reframing. At least M42 lenses, and T2 lenses with PK adapter, allow to use AV (and, if needed, catch-in focus). Preset lenses are convenient: focus, quickly swing the diaphragm ring to the preset value, then immediately shoot. The +/- buttons allow to eventually adjust the exposure. Easy and practical! Inverted preset wide-angles are easy to use with bellows/tubes, though my preference goes to preset 100mm/300mm teles. Mainly german, but i'd like to find a nice Komura. They made wonderful lenses for Bronica and large format, i'd like to try a 35mm tele. Of course they went bankrupt, at that time 3rd party glasses had to be cheap! Quote: As for macro, to get beyond 1:1 I have several bellows units from Pentax screw mount to the Bellows-K as well as my favorite a unique Spiratone SST tilt shift bellows. I have reverse adapters, extension tubes, helicoids, macro attachments, etc. I used to use reversed wide angle lenses (that's why I still like to have an aperture ring on my lenses) but now I mainly use enlarger lenses like the El-Nikkors (forward and reversed) or if I really want to get close I'll use microscope objective lenses (you need a lot of light for these) and usually some sort of focus stacking. Steve It was sold with different names, and it's not easy to find, not to mention the price... I found a relatively cheap tilt-shift bellows kit for the Contax RTS, missing only the repro base. I use it with a Contax to PK ring, and at the front there is an adapter for M42 macro objectives. With another ring (to Leica threadmount) i can use enlarger lenses. For more than 1:1 i have rings to reverse the various Componons and the EL-Nikkor N. For extreme enlargements i have a RMS (microscope thread) adapter for the funnel shaped Canon 20mm, and i have to find a ring for the Tominons, which go down to 17mm focal length. Non-handheld macro isn't very popular these days. A pity, cause digital photo stacking allows for extremely good results, once simply impossible to obtain. In the field, modern AF macro lenses work very well, if the autofocus system can keep up with the lighting conditions. I have a Pentax-F 50mm, and two Sigmas: 70mm and 105mm, but in many conditions i still prefer MF lenses, moving back and forth to focus. I also have an old Sigma Apo Macro 180mm f/5.6, MF but with PKA mount. Very good but quite dark. One of the very few lenses i didn't buy second-hand, a pity i had not enough dough to buy the faster version  Which macro lenses you like the most, for field use? Cheers Paolo Last edited by cyberjunkie; 03-09-2016 at 07:48 PM. | |
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