[dadipentak]

A perfect eBay transaction: the lens arrived (with filter & case) fast and double-boxed and looks to be in immaculate condition. I'm glad it came earlier than expected--for some reason, I was looking forward to this one with unusual anticipation.

This thing is no lightweight: it's built like a tank

Here are some quick test shots (but keep in mind, the lens is certainly better than I am ;~) They're all processed, btw: I can't see the logic of posting resized but unprocessed shots. The first daffodil was taken wide open and the dog's basketball (she's a power forward ;~) at f3.2 (or whatever it is between f2.5 & f4). For the other daffodil (at f5.6), I used 48mm extension tubes.

I'm thinking I like this lens a lot.

---

Last edited by dadipentak; 12-28-2009 at 03:01 PM.

[jgredline]

Dave, looks like you have a real winner their. I look forward too seeing some of your bird images with it!

[dadipentak]

Yeah I think it's going to be fun, Javier. It's probably too short for birds, though--I prefer 300mm & above for that.

[Kerrowdown]

Enjoy your new lens, I've got its first cousin, SMC Pentax A* 200mm F2.8 ED and I love mine to bits.

[8540tomg]

This is one of my favourite lenses. I'm sure you will enjoy it too.

Tom G

[blende8]

I had this lens, but found the focus ring to be quite hard-steering.
Since it is so huge, it even slightly moved within the bajonet.

Well, I sold it for about $450.

[dadipentak]

I had this lens, but found the focus ring to be quite hard-steering.
Since it is so huge, it even slightly moved within the bajonet.

Well, I sold it for about $450.

Yes, actually, the focus ring is a bit stiff but I certainly prefer that to sloppy--I'm not known for having a delicate touch ;~) I don't think it moves in the mount, though--I'll watch for that.

Good to learn that my bid was close to your selling price, btw--thanks!

[fwcetus]

Enjoy your new lens, I've got its first cousin, SMC Pentax A* 200mm F2.8 ED and I love mine to bits.

It's just sematics, I'd guess, and I'm ~certainly~ not looking for an argument - <g>, but I would refer to the K 200/2.5 and A* 200/2.8 as older and younger brothers, while the K 135/2.5 is a first cousin - <g>.

All joking aside, these three lenses do share the same optical construction as each other (and with no other Pentax lenses), and I think that the two 200's are really very, very close.

The two 200's' coatings are different, and the A* does have ED glass (the presence of ED glass in the K is only rumor). Of course, the A* has the A-vs-K electrical differences. However, because of the diameter of the front element, the f/2.5 (as opposed to f/2.8) claimed for the K lens may be a bit "optimistic".

I once had a used but good A* 200/2.8, and then stumbled into a mint K 200/2.5, which I just had to buy (LBA - 'nuf said), and after owning both for a few months, I finally sold off the A* 200/2.8.

I hope you enjoy your new lens, dadipentak.

[dadipentak]

Thanks, Fred! Yup, these lenses do seem to have an interesting geneology--and a distinguished lineage.

I have to confess, btw, that I've snickered a bit at comments about the aesthetic qualities of this or that lens but now I see: this thing is magnificent (a knurled ring around the base of the retractable hood?--wow!)

To tell the truth, I'm not really sure what kind of shooting I'll end up using it for: it's not a lens bought to meet a specific photographic need--except perhaps to learn. I think if I spend some time with it, it'll let me know what it wants to shoot.

[8540tomg]

I think you will only come to appreciate this one more as time goes on Dave. It has that wonderful K series build quality and then some! I think you will find, as I did, that this one will be one of the two or three lenses you pick up when you want something special. It’s great for low light gyms, auditoriums, sports and I even use it for portraits from time to time. Here’s a shot from my son Jimmy’s guitar recital a few months ago. Typical dismal auditorium lighting. You will find focusing is very easy with this lens as it is so bright in the viewfinder. I found it easier still when I added a Katzeye focusing screen to my K10.




Of course, you will have to join the K Club and show us your stuff!

Tom G

[fearview]

@OP/dadipentak


will you mind showing us the picture of your new lens?

*please..please..please*

[dadipentak]

Ha, Fred--I just realized that you were one of the participants in the 2004 online discussion of this lens I stumbled upon in my pre-bid research .

Oh yes, Tom, I figure at least half the shots I take with it will be people but, given it's size and my MF skill-level, it's certainly not the right tool for some situations.

Sports seems counter-intuitive--I'm inclined to use AF lenses for that (not that the results have been very satisfactory)--but, once I get hyper-focal down, it may be interesting to give this lens a try.

Fearview, I'll post some pics later (after the sun comes up ;~)

[8540tomg]

It isn't so bad for sports Dave. Here's a few I took of a girl's field hockey game last fall.









Tom G

[dadipentak]

"It isn't so bad for sports..." In the right hands, obviously ;~)

[fearview]

Fearview, I'll post some pics later (after the sun comes up ;~)

bear in mind, i wanna see the picture of the lens, not from the lens.

--

just curious to see the detail of the lens body.