Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

Reply
Show Printable Version Search this Thread
01-04-2010, 11:10 PM   #16
Banned




Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: WA
Photos: Albums
Posts: 3,055
The Nokton is a great lens. Superb build and mechanics and excellent optics - this lens is very sharp. There is no comparison with the SMC Takumar 55mm f/1.8 really - that is a reliable lens, but it's not in the same class. The Nokton is in the same class as the Pentax Limiteds.

I use a magnifier loupe to help me with manual focusing and it works great for me.

Here's a rather pedestrian shot transformed by the Nokton magic:


01-05-2010, 12:54 AM   #17
Veteran Member
vinceloc's Avatar

Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Philippines
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 367
How sharp is the Nokton 58/1.4 SLII? I shoot exclusively in RAW. For my standard PP workflow, I generally apply a set value on sharpening under CS2 once the RAW file has been converted to JPG. I do this regardless of the lens I use, whether zooms or primes (K55/1.8, DA40/2.8, FA50/1.4, M135/3.5 are the primes I have owned)

The Nokton's optimum aperture is at F5.6. At that aperture, applying my standard sharpening is not recommendable as it already produces halos!

These were shot at f8 RAW converted to JPG applying my standard workflow for PP:






These were shot at f5.6 in RAW converted to JPG. Couldn't apply any sharpening on this one as halos would begin to appear:



01-05-2010, 06:47 AM   #18
hcc
Pentaxian
hcc's Avatar

Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 3,999
I use the Nokton 58mm f1.4 with the K-7. I really enjoy the lens for its superb quality build, the image quality and the low-light performances.

Like other members, I find the manual focus sometimes 'tricky'. I wonder if you could share your experience in terms of manual focus with the same setup (K-7+Nokton 58mm). Especially is the AF assist reliable:
- how helpful is the AF focus indicator light (in the viewfinder)?
- do you prefer to use the central spot light in the spot metering frame? (I set the focusing point to the center.)

I found the AF focus indicator light (in the viewfinder) not that reliable, but the central spot light is sometimes more helpful.

Thanks for any advice.

Last edited by hcc; 01-05-2010 at 06:49 AM. Reason: Typos
01-05-2010, 11:51 PM   #19
Banned




Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: WA
Photos: Albums
Posts: 3,055
Here's my recipe for manual focusing and as I said, a magnifier loupe really helps (O-ME53):

- I look for some detail in the area I want to focus on (eye usually - iris or eye lashes)
- I then simply focus manually and try to nail the perfect spot by switching back and forth, trying to converge on the proper setting
- I pretty much ignore autofocus lights - I frame before I focus, so the AF lights are usually not near where I actually focus

With practice, you get better. You can also try burst shots while adjusting the focus so that you get one shot well - I do that sometimes with moving subjects. Also, my eyesight is not perfect - I wish it was.


Last edited by Laurentiu Cristofor; 01-06-2010 at 02:04 AM.
01-06-2010, 03:08 PM   #20
axl
Veteran Member
axl's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 7,183
Original Poster
Thanks guys,
some good reading, one more Q though. How does Voigtlander compare to SMC in terms of coatings/flare resistance?
01-06-2010, 05:22 PM   #21
Veteran Member
creampuff's Avatar

Join Date: May 2007
Location: Singapore
Photos: Gallery
Posts: 3,953
QuoteOriginally posted by axl Quote
Thanks guys,
some good reading, one more Q though. How does Voigtlander compare to SMC in terms of coatings/flare resistance?
The SMC coating has changed over the years imo, so I don't know which lens you have in mind. The 58mm has very good flare resistance. I don't use any filters on it at all just a hood, and so far I got no complaints with it. I made some quick comparisons with the A 50mm f/1.4 and I rather prefer the Voigtlander's colour rendition.
01-07-2010, 02:29 AM   #22
axl
Veteran Member
axl's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Nove Zamky, Slovakia
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 7,183
Original Poster
Thanks creampuff,
I was thinking direct comparison with K55 but generaly, SMC lenses are renowned for their flare resistance abilities. So even comparison with A50/1.4 is good...

thank you
Peter

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, nokton, pentax lens, slr lens, smc
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
FA43/1.9 vs. K55/1.8--which is which? heatherslightbox Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 46 06-11-2009 09:27 AM
Nokton 58 1.4 OrenMc Post Your Photos! 5 05-04-2009 01:33 AM
LBA x 2: M28/3.5 + K55/1.8 heatherslightbox Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 18 03-29-2009 06:01 AM
Nokton at The Market OrenMc Post Your Photos! 13 11-17-2008 09:20 AM
For Sale - Sold: [EU] F50/1.7 | AF TC 1.7x | 28-200 | DA18-50 II | FAj 18-35 | K55/2 | ZX5 + GR barbosas Sold Items 9 08-29-2008 04:13 PM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 02:16 PM. | 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