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rfortson · 03-14-2009, 07:25 PM

Originally posted by Marc Langille

Just as Lance stated, they all have unique characteristics:

Cheers,
Marc

Marc, outstanding shots as usual, but the first two are amazing. I thought the hummingbird was going to fly out of my screen. And the soldiers in the second shot are just great! Was that taken at Pea Ridge? I want to go back there with my full kit.

Thanks for posting these!

Russ

**mtngal** · 03-14-2009, 07:54 PM

Well, I can see that the biggest limitation I have with photography is myself - the examples posted here are far better than I've ever managed. But I agree with those who can't really choose a favorite - I feel much the same.

As far as "best" - I'd have a tough time saying the 77 Ltd is better than the A*300, but it probably is (barely).

As far as favorite - a toss-up between the Viv Series One 105 macro, the A*300 and the 77 Ltd. The 12-24 is closely behind them (it's my favorite when I'm in a wide angle mood).

RioRico · 03-14-2009, 08:26 PM

An impossible question. Best for what? How likely is it to be on hand when needed?

Overall best for low light & portraits: FA 50/1.4
Sharpest small tele: Tele-Takumar 200/5.6 (410g)
Almost as good, more flexible: FA 100-300 (380g)
Sharpest fat heavy tele: Jupiter-21M 200/4 (950g)
Best humungous tele zoom: Sigma 170-500 (1350g)
Best manual macro: Vivitar (Komine) 90M/2.8 (470g)
Best enlarger: Schneider Betavaron 50-125 (820g)
Most useful general walkaround: DA 18-250 (450g)

My costs range from US$3 (Viv 90M) to US$1000+ (Sig 170-500) but there are no real 'superlenses' there. Yet. Maybe after my next lens buying spree... Oh yeah, that Schneider goes on the bellows for REAL macro zooming. If I'm driving around with full kit, some of those 2- and 3-pound lenses will be on hand. But if I'm walking up a steep hot canyon with my big Domke shoulder bag, I'll likely be schlepping less and lighter glass. Spirit is strong, flesh is weak, hey?

adamkean · 03-14-2009, 09:32 PM

for me its the da*50-135

i had an fa 135, then sold it, then wanted one back very badly, but not at the price of $480 USD. so i jumped in and have been very pleased with the da*. i'm not sure if is quite equal in terms of IQ at 135 compared to the FA, but with weathersealing and it being a zoom, i haven't regretted buying it.

now saving up for the da*300

Transit · 03-15-2009, 02:28 AM

DA14
very tricky question

Pete

Lance B · 03-15-2009, 05:04 AM

Originally posted by Marc Langille

Just as Lance stated, they all have unique characteristics:

FA* 300/2.8 - stunning image quality and color:

FA* 200/4 macro - same as above, and super creamy bokeh:

Example of clarity with the FA* 200/4 macro:

FA* 80-200/2.8 - good as a prime lens, although heavy:

DA 12-24 - awesome ultra wide angle zoom - very useful:

FA 77mm Limited - owned it, beautiful lens, and didn't use that focal length much... not doing much portraiture, so it had to go...

Oh, the the best and most underrated lens? The DA 50-200:

Cheers,
Marc

Stunning shots, Marc.

You know how much I love that bridge photo taken with the DA12-24 - is there a better example from this lens from anyone?, but the humming bird is simply gorgeous. Surely you could sell that to some nature mag for mega bucks

Cheers,

Lance

**G_Money** · 03-15-2009, 05:44 AM

Marc's work makes me ashamed to even own a camera.

estudleon · 03-15-2009, 06:17 AM

I know that lens is not SRL, but request permission to remember which for me was and is the best lens for 24 36 xs format:, the Summicron M 2/50 (any version but I love the third).

Said this, I like

SMC 1.8/50

pancolar 1,8/50

Flektogon 4/20,

CZJ 3,5/135

Biotar 1,5/75 (I haven't it yet)

Leica R APO 3,4/180

farfisa · 03-15-2009, 07:23 AM

The best lens I own?

The next one!

Parallax · 03-15-2009, 07:49 AM

Originally posted by farfisa

the best lens i own?

The next one!

_____

________

B Grace · 03-15-2009, 07:52 AM

Hey Marc L, if my memory serves me your bridge and mill image is of War Eagle? That's a beautiful shot of a beautiful area. Bonus points go to a person willing to get his feet wet.

The best Pentax lens I own would be my SMC Takumar 50/1.4. For best lens I own overall it would be toss up between the Tak and my Nikkor 60/2.8 Micro. It's an odd comparison of two lenses but they both produce images I'd describe as sharp yet smooth. If that makes sense.

aleonx3 · 03-15-2009, 08:28 AM

For me, it is between the 31mm ltd. and the 77mm ltd. The 31mm focal length is often used so it is my go-to lens.

**Marc Langille** · 03-15-2009, 09:02 AM

Originally posted by rfortson

Marc, outstanding shots as usual, but the first two are amazing. I thought the hummingbird was going to fly out of my screen. And the soldiers in the second shot are just great! Was that taken at Pea Ridge? I want to go back there with my full kit.

Thanks for posting these!

Russ

First off, thank you for the comments! It took a while to get that close - about 7-10 feet away in the open with the hummers.

The cavalry soldiers were indeed photographed in AR, but at Prairie Grove on the original battlefield. It's one of the few reenactments that occurs on the original battle site.

Cheers,
Marc

Ira · 03-15-2009, 09:03 AM

Marc, excuse me while I pause to wipe a tear from eye.

GORGEOUS!!!

**Marc Langille** · 03-15-2009, 09:07 AM

Originally posted by Lance B

Stunning shots, Marc.

You know how much I love that bridge photo taken with the DA12-24 - is there a better example from this lens from anyone?, but the humming bird is simply gorgeous. Surely you could sell that to some nature mag for mega bucks

Cheers,

Lance

Thanks Lance - hope everything's better on your side!

Send me a PM about the War Eagle Mills & Falls image (bridge photo) - we can work something out...

I'll have to check around for hummingbird specific publications - thanks for the suggestion! It's always worth a try...

Cheers,
Marc

03-15-2009, 02:28 AM	#80
Transit Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Whanganui NZ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,624	DA14 very tricky question Pete Last edited by Transit; 03-15-2009 at 02:21 PM.

03-15-2009, 07:49 AM	#85
Parallax Senior Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Dakota Photos: Gallery Posts: 19,333	Originally posted by farfisa the best lens i own? The next one! _____________

03-14-2009, 07:25 PM	#76
rfortson Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Houston TX Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,129	Originally posted by Marc Langille Just as Lance stated, they all have unique characteristics: Cheers, Marc Marc, outstanding shots as usual, but the first two are amazing. I thought the hummingbird was going to fly out of my screen. And the soldiers in the second shot are just great! Was that taken at Pea Ridge? I want to go back there with my full kit. Thanks for posting these! Russ

03-14-2009, 07:54 PM	#77
mtngal Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Wherever I’m Parked Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,003	Well, I can see that the biggest limitation I have with photography is myself - the examples posted here are far better than I've ever managed. But I agree with those who can't really choose a favorite - I feel much the same. As far as "best" - I'd have a tough time saying the 77 Ltd is better than the A300, but it probably is (barely). As far as favorite - a toss-up between the Viv Series One 105 macro, the A300 and the 77 Ltd. The 12-24 is closely behind them (it's my favorite when I'm in a wide angle mood).

03-14-2009, 08:26 PM	#78
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	An impossible question. Best for what? How likely is it to be on hand when needed? Overall best for low light & portraits: FA 50/1.4 Sharpest small tele: Tele-Takumar 200/5.6 (410g) Almost as good, more flexible: FA 100-300 (380g) Sharpest fat heavy tele: Jupiter-21M 200/4 (950g) Best humungous tele zoom: Sigma 170-500 (1350g) Best manual macro: Vivitar (Komine) 90M/2.8 (470g) Best enlarger: Schneider Betavaron 50-125 (820g) Most useful general walkaround: DA 18-250 (450g) My costs range from US$3 (Viv 90M) to US$1000+ (Sig 170-500) but there are no real 'superlenses' there. Yet. Maybe after my next lens buying spree... Oh yeah, that Schneider goes on the bellows for REAL macro zooming. If I'm driving around with full kit, some of those 2- and 3-pound lenses will be on hand. But if I'm walking up a steep hot canyon with my big Domke shoulder bag, I'll likely be schlepping less and lighter glass. Spirit is strong, flesh is weak, hey?

03-14-2009, 09:32 PM	#79
adamkean Marketplace Reseller Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Kitchener/Waterloo, Ontario, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 223	for me its the da50-135 i had an fa 135, then sold it, then wanted one back very badly, but not at the price of $480 USD. so i jumped in and have been very pleased with the da. i'm not sure if is quite equal in terms of IQ at 135 compared to the FA, but with weathersealing and it being a zoom, i haven't regretted buying it. now saving up for the da*300

03-15-2009, 05:04 AM	#81
Lance B Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 593	Originally posted by Marc Langille Just as Lance stated, they all have unique characteristics: *FA 300/2.8 - stunning image quality and color: FA* 200/4 macro - same as above, and super creamy bokeh: Example of clarity with the FA* 200/4 macro: FA* 80-200/2.8 - good as a prime lens, although heavy: DA 12-24 - awesome ultra wide angle zoom - very useful: FA 77mm Limited - owned it, beautiful lens, and didn't use that focal length much... not doing much portraiture, so it had to go... Oh, the the best and most underrated lens? The DA 50-200**: Cheers, Marc Stunning shots, Marc. You know how much I love that bridge photo taken with the DA12-24 - is there a better example from this lens from anyone?, but the humming bird is simply gorgeous. Surely you could sell that to some nature mag for mega bucks Cheers, Lance

03-15-2009, 05:44 AM	#82
G_Money Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: London, Ontario, Canada Posts: 598	Marc's work makes me ashamed to even own a camera.

03-15-2009, 06:17 AM	#83
estudleon Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 228	I know that lens is not SRL, but request permission to remember which for me was and is the best lens for 24 36 xs format:, the Summicron M 2/50 (any version but I love the third). Said this, I like SMC 1.8/50 pancolar 1,8/50 Flektogon 4/20, CZJ 3,5/135 Biotar 1,5/75 (I haven't it yet) Leica R APO 3,4/180

03-15-2009, 07:23 AM	#84
farfisa Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,274	The best lens I own? The next one!

03-15-2009, 07:52 AM	#86
B Grace Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Western Missouri Posts: 429	Hey Marc L, if my memory serves me your bridge and mill image is of War Eagle? That's a beautiful shot of a beautiful area. Bonus points go to a person willing to get his feet wet. The best Pentax lens I own would be my SMC Takumar 50/1.4. For best lens I own overall it would be toss up between the Tak and my Nikkor 60/2.8 Micro. It's an odd comparison of two lenses but they both produce images I'd describe as sharp yet smooth. If that makes sense.

03-15-2009, 08:28 AM	#87
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	For me, it is between the 31mm ltd. and the 77mm ltd. The 31mm focal length is often used so it is my go-to lens.

03-15-2009, 09:02 AM	#88
Marc Langille Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NW Arkansas, USA Posts: 4,710	Originally posted by rfortson Marc, outstanding shots as usual, but the first two are amazing. I thought the hummingbird was going to fly out of my screen. And the soldiers in the second shot are just great! Was that taken at Pea Ridge? I want to go back there with my full kit. Thanks for posting these! Russ First off, thank you for the comments! It took a while to get that close - about 7-10 feet away in the open with the hummers. The cavalry soldiers were indeed photographed in AR, but at Prairie Grove on the original battlefield. It's one of the few reenactments that occurs on the original battle site. Cheers, Marc

03-15-2009, 09:03 AM	#89
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	Marc, excuse me while I pause to wipe a tear from eye. GORGEOUS!!!

03-15-2009, 09:07 AM	#90
Marc Langille Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NW Arkansas, USA Posts: 4,710	Originally posted by Lance B Stunning shots, Marc. You know how much I love that bridge photo taken with the DA12-24 - is there a better example from this lens from anyone?, but the humming bird is simply gorgeous. Surely you could sell that to some nature mag for mega bucks Cheers, Lance Thanks Lance - hope everything's better on your side! Send me a PM about the War Eagle Mills & Falls image (bridge photo) - we can work something out... I'll have to check around for hummingbird specific publications - thanks for the suggestion! It's always worth a try... Cheers, Marc

The best lens you own

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