Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

Reply
Show Printable Version Search this Thread
09-26-2009, 04:25 AM   #1
Pentaxian
Asahiflex's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Netherlands
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 2,795
A poinless exercise: trying several fast portrait teles

This is NOT a test: I was gathering ideas for the ultimate test of portrait lenses and as I was snapping away I tried to photograph the same subjects. Everything was handheld and wide open. The focus point may be off, metering may be bad. No conclusions whatsoever can be made based on the series below

Shot with my old Pentax *ist DS, in Av mode, auto WB, only converted from RAW to JPEG without further adjustments. Resized and sharpened with Absolute Sharpening.

OK, one conclusion that the A* 85/1.4 is a bit of a letdown. Way too much CA in my opinion, even stopped down.

1st subject:










2nd subject:










3rd subject:










09-26-2009, 04:29 AM   #2
Ash
Loyal Site Supporter
Loyal Site Supporter
Ash's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Toowoomba, Queensland
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 23,920
Nice little test.
Though here IMO the A* 85 is great.
I don't mind taking it from your hands...
09-26-2009, 05:10 AM   #3
Veteran Member




Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 484
Nice! I just made a request for a fast 85mm lens here:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/74545-forget-c...rait-lens.html
so this is very interesting to me. The 85mm f/2 sure looks like a gem! But to me there is no doubt that the 77mm is the winner here. I guess that shouldn't come as a surprise
09-26-2009, 06:14 AM   #4
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
dadipentak's Avatar

Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 11,590
Dude! You've got some magnificent lenses there!

09-26-2009, 06:28 AM   #5
Veteran Member




Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Boston, PRofMA
Photos: Albums
Posts: 3,026
Is it my imagination or is everything slighly underexposed...maybe .5 to 1 stop?

I'm happy w/ my 77Ltd :-)
09-26-2009, 06:42 AM   #6
Veteran Member




Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Ontario, Canada
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 366
Thanks for sharing your test results. Very interesting comparison. I was curious if they were all shot wide open or at the same aperture? Thanks.
09-26-2009, 06:47 AM   #7
Veteran Member




Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Saint-Petersburg, Russia
Photos: Albums
Posts: 410
Thanks for comparison!

Man, 85\2 is *TEH* lens for the money. Awesome.

09-26-2009, 06:56 AM   #8
Senior Member
wowtip's Avatar

Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: West coast
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 261
Nice test.

Except for the Komura and Meyer, which both seem a bit soft, I think they all perform great. My guess is that in real use, the difference in exposure and steadiness will make more difference for IQ than lens used, at the size of these images.

It would have been interesting throwing a new Samyang/Vivitar into your test and see how they would compare.
09-26-2009, 07:00 AM   #9
Site Supporter
Site Supporter




Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: National Capital Region
Posts: 739
May be I am not seeing what the OP saw but I thought the Pentax-A* did quite well. Of course, the 77 seemed to stay true to its reputation as usual.
09-26-2009, 07:21 AM   #10
Veteran Member
creampuff's Avatar

Join Date: May 2007
Location: Singapore
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 3,953
This test illustrates well why I don't buy or use old lenses... very poor contrast. Old lens coatings simply cannot make it, whatever the reputation of the lens.
09-26-2009, 10:21 AM   #11
Veteran Member
ryan s's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Madison, WI
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 2,383
Contrast adjustment is easy on the computer

Peter, it's funny how you can tell the Zeiss fans from the Pentax fans with the replies on MFL Like I said over there, the 77Ltd and Tak 85/1.9 win it for me. The out of focus rendering of the Pancolar is just a tad better than the 77...although it seems the 77 is a bit sharper and has more detail.
09-26-2009, 10:52 AM   #12
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
dadipentak's Avatar

Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 11,590
QuoteOriginally posted by ryan s Quote
Contrast adjustment is easy on the computer
Yeah, that's what I was thinking as well.
09-26-2009, 11:07 AM   #13
Site Supporter
Roland303's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Alberta, Canada
Photos: Albums
Posts: 61
Imho, I think the A*85 produces the most pleasing photos, followed closely by the FA 77. I prefer the Tak 85 f/1.9 over the 85 f/1.8 which aren't far behind the first two. Finally the M 85 f/2.0 surprised me with how well it does and competes very well with the best.

It would have been interesting to see the Helios 40-2 85 f/1.5 in there as well.
09-26-2009, 11:37 AM   #14
Pentaxian
Asahiflex's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Netherlands
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 2,795
Original Poster
Thanks for the interesting responses! It seems that there's never a lens that appeals to everyone's taste. It's fun to see (for me) that many choose the FA77 Limited over the other lenses, although it's not my own favorite. I do agree, however, that between the 85mm f/1.8 SMC Takumar and the 85mm f/1.9 Super-Takumar, the Super is preferred by almost 100% of the viewers (including myself).

Strangely, the A* does not appeal to me anymore. I know it's ultra sharp, but the CA is a big letdown for me considering the price tag of the lens. For instance the Pancolar does not show CA at all.

Tomorrow is my son's 2nd birthday. Today a few friends came over, and that was a great opportunity to take some portraits.

1.


2.


3.


4.


5.


6.
09-26-2009, 11:38 AM   #15
Veteran Member




Join Date: Sep 2006
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 5,697
QuoteOriginally posted by ryan s Quote
Contrast adjustment is easy on the computer
Although I do agree with you the lens does make a difference.
However I'm more worried about colour, and bokeh than contrast.

from the looks of those pic's I'm still interested in the 77mm, and I wouldn't mind a A* 85/1.4 as well.

Asahiflex, is there any chance you'll be doing the same test with a film camera soon?
It might be interesting seeing what those lenses would do on full frame. I wouldn't be suprised if the A* 85/1.4 shines in that test.
Reply

Bookmarks
  • Submit Thread to Facebook Facebook
  • Submit Thread to Twitter Twitter
  • Submit Thread to Digg Digg
Tags - Make this thread easier to find by adding keywords to it!
k-mount, pentax lens, portrait, slr lens, subject, test
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
People Portrait Exercise Jun 19 danielchtong Post Your Photos! 1 06-27-2010 06:58 AM
For Sale - Sold: EX+++ Canon EF USM 100mm f/2.0 Fast Portrait Lens, Worldwide Shipping wallyb Sold Items 1 12-01-2009 11:23 AM
For Sale - Sold: Minolta Rokkor 85mm f/1.7 Fast Portrait Lens converted to M42 Mount wallyb Sold Items 6 02-26-2009 10:55 AM
Examples from long teles which don't include birds? Jasvox Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 49 01-29-2009 11:10 PM
Who says Pentax don't have long teles? 2 x 780mm lens coming Katsura Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 3 09-26-2007 10:38 AM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 05:28 AM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top