[normhead]

This started out with my FA 35-80. It did well, but in some circumstances it vignetted. What the heck, it's supposed to be a full frame lens.





Today was 70-210

'









The last few are images from my FAJ 18-35 and one crazy fisheye from the 10-17 fisheye at 14mm

FAJ 18-35

18mm


35mm


10-17 fisheye at 14mm


Sigma 70-300 macro


Sigma 70-210 - $70
FAJ 18-35 - $100
Sigma 70-300 - $80
FA -35-80 - $50

Total cost... $300

You can buy new "modern" lenses but you don't have too. $3000 for a K-1 and those four lenses. K-3II with 16-85, 12-24 and, 150-450... you are looking at least 4k.

If you aren't shooting extreme telephoto, these lenses will give you better resolution on a K-1 than equivalent APS_c lenses on a K-3, If all your shooting is done at 200mm or less, it would actually be cheaper to buy the above, in terms of IQ. In that case, the K-1 may be the cheaper option.

Many thanks to jsherman, for making this argument, with regards to Nikon gear.

---

Last edited by normhead; 10-12-2016 at 06:11 PM.

[surfar]

Cute cabin, and I agree.Theres plenty of cheaper glass that will provide good images(like these).


I don't own a DFA lens(yet) but make do with the DAs that function "ok" on the K1 in FF mode.As well as the FF film era lenses in my collection.

[rod_grant]

Did I miss something? Norm Head has a K-1?
(I don't think it matters what Norm has, he takes lovely images on his walking/canoeing/birding/whatever activities.)


...another good series Norm.

[normhead]

Cute cabin, and I agree.Theres plenty of cheaper glass that will provide good images(like these).


I don't own a DFA lens(yet) but make do with the DAs that function "ok" on the K1 in FF mode.As well as the FF film era lenses in my collection.

If this camera was going to cost me another $500, it wasn't going to happen.

Did I miss something? Norm Head has a K-1?
(I don't think it matters what Norm has, he takes lovely images on his walking/canoeing/birding/whatever activities.)


...another good series Norm.

yes, a K-1, sooner than I ever thought it would happen.. and has used his purchase to demonstrate how a K-3 is better.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/122-lens-clubs/55946-300mm-plus-lens-club...ml#post3799391

[rod_grant]

and has used his purchase to demonstrate how a K-3 is better

OOOOOH that hurts doesn't it!
I guess everyone has different opinions/criteria/etc - some seem to be very happy!
Keep shooting Norm, with whatever is in your hand.

[Obin Robinson]

Those are some excellent photos with the old lenses you have there. I have been using my older Promaster and Sigma lenses with the K-1 and I am pleased with the results as well. Of course the newer lenses are probably quieter, sharper, and weatherproof but for a fraction of the price the old lenses cannot be dismissed.

obin

[surfar]

for a fraction of the price

YES!....i'll wait to see what primes are released till I part with any $$$$ for DFA.

[normhead]

Those are some excellent photos with the old lenses you have there. I have been using my older Promaster and Sigma lenses with the K-1 and I am pleased with the results as well. Of course the newer lenses are probably quieter, sharper, and weatherproof but for a fraction of the price the old lenses cannot be dismissed.

obin

In my lens test for both 50mm and 35mm, some people prefer the look of the older glass, and the newer glass may be nominally sharper, but it can be real hard to prove that.

Horse #2 got 17% of the vote in this poll/ That's my 35-80. 18% of poll respondents favoured this image, as a reduced in size image. That would mean close to one in three Pentax users would prefer the 35-80 images to the DA 35, the next poll was different of course... but hey....

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/302815-35mm-find-prime.html

But out in the real world, it's often something other than MTF sharpness that make a lens loved. The fact that the new lenses may be better test chart performers doesn't mean they'll produce images you'll like better.

I suspect most people blow me off when I post stuff like this, but honestly, what's wrong with my 35-80? It feels so fragile I'm afraid it's going break with just normal (for me ) usage. Apart from that, I can get along just fine with it. I've got a 28-200 lined up for the K-1, just need to pick it up form the step-son's, and I'm really looking forward to comparing it with my 18-135 on APS-c.

OOOOOH that hurts doesn't it!
I guess everyone has different opinions/criteria/etc - some seem to be very happy!

I'm quite happy with mine. Looking at the big picture, it was the next Pentax thing for me to buy.. But for the things I expected the K-3 to be better at, it is. And it's also been better un-expectedly in some cases. As in 400 ISO K-3 being less noisey than ISO 800 K-1 in this afternoon's side by side test. That was unexpected and still unexplained.

[C_Jones]

I have a 35-80 that I used to use with my Pentax K-1000 film camera. It gave some real nice shots. When I bought my K-20D after it came out I used the 35-80, then I bought a Pentax 18-55 AL II and I was amazed at the use of an AF lens on my K-20D camera. The 35-80 did seem like a very useful range though.

Nice shots normhead.

[normhead]

I have a 35-80 that I used to use with my Pentax K-1000 film camera. It gave some real nice shots. When I bought my K-20D after it came out I used the 35-80, then I bought a Pentax 18-55 AL II and I was amazed at the use of an AF lens on my K-20D camera. The 35-80 did seem like a very useful range though.

Nice shots normhead.

The FA 35-80 is AF.
SMC Pentax-FA 35-80mm F4-5.6 Reviews - FA Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

You must have had the SMC Pentax-A 35-80mm F4-5.6
SMC Pentax-A 35-80mm F4-5.6 Reviews - A Zoom Lenses - Pentax Lens Reviews & Lens Database

[reeftool]

I suspect most people blow me off when I post stuff like this, but honestly, what's wrong with my 35-80? It feels so fragile I'm afraid it's going break with just normal (for me ) usage. Apart from that, I can get along just fine with it. I've got a 28-200 lined up for the K-1, just need to pick it up form the step-son's, and I'm really looking forward to comparing it with my 18-135 on APS-c.

The images speak for themselves.

I have never used a test chart. When I buy a lens, new or used, I just go out and shoot the kind of shots I bought the lens for. If they don't look good, I first look to my own technique and most of the time that is where the problem lies. One lens that I own that you posted a shot with is the incredibly cheap Sigma 70-300. I have taken hundreds of great shots with that lens, many of which I have sold (motorcycle racing mostly). It is easily dismissed because you really need to stop it down to get the best out of it. But why is that bad? For the shots I am taking with it, I need to stop it down to keep a group of racers in focus through a turn. This is a DOF issue. I would still be shooting at f/11 with a DA*300.

How many people buy a lens, take a dozen shots and dismiss the lens? I see threads fairly often where that happens. I also see overexposed highlights, motion blur, lack of understanding about depth of field and I can go one and on. I may not own a K1 anytime soon but no doubt I will probably own a FF body in the future. I will also very likely buy a new lens or two but I will also be using my legacy glass. That is the main reason why I have stayed with Pentax through the years. If you buy into the argument that you need all new glass if you buy a K1, they why not buy a Canon or Nikon?

[surfar]

If you buy into the argument that you need all new glass if you buy a K1, they why not buy a Canon or Nikon?

Well, for the price of the equivalent (?) Canik body, Pentaxians can afford a lens or 10(if you buy legacy!)

[jimr-pdx]

I'm still waiting for everyone's favorite* old zoom, the Quantaray 28-90mm w/1:2 closeup. My current variant is the Sigma 28-80 1:2, I'd love to see a K-1 with one of these!

*well mine and a few others.. hmm then where are my reviews?

[clackers]

I'm still waiting for everyone's favorite* old zoom, the Quantaray 28-90mm w/1:2 closeup.

Yeah, I've tried it, Jimr-pdx, and it's perfectly serviceable, in fact has good contrast.

[jimr-pdx]

Yeah, I've tried it, Jimr-pdx, and it's perfectly serviceable, in fact has good contrast.

Yaay Thanks!

By the way great shots Norm! Glad you have a K•1 in hand!