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07-20-2015, 08:17 AM   #16
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QuoteOriginally posted by wtlwdwgn Quote
It's an easy lens to shoot with as it's not big and heavy compared to other similar zooms. The lens doesn't extend when zooming or focusing. The only strange thing is that the zoom is pulled back to zoom in and out to zoom out. If you can find a good copy it's a bargain too.
OK - thank you for the info - I'm currently hunting one down...

07-20-2015, 08:23 AM   #17
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Here's one from a few years ago, using a Sigma 28-84 zoom:

Last edited by paulh; 07-21-2015 at 10:13 AM. Reason: typo
07-20-2015, 06:57 PM   #18
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oops - I did buy another manual zoom........ SMC A 70-210mm f4...

she'll be here Friday or so...
07-21-2015, 09:19 AM   #19
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QuoteOriginally posted by pepperberry farm Quote
oops - I did buy another manual zoom........ SMC A 70-210mm f4...

she'll be here Friday or so...
Post some pics when you get it!

07-21-2015, 10:11 AM   #20
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QuoteOriginally posted by wtlwdwgn Quote
Post some pics when you get it!
you know it.... after the proper naming ceremony, she goes on the camera and out for a test run....
07-21-2015, 10:39 AM   #21
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QuoteOriginally posted by pepperberry farm Quote
I wondered why I would want a manual zoom to begin with.... and now I know: not just because of the amazing glass itself, but because of the amount of control you have and the fact (because it's manual) that I have to really think about the shot - composition, light, focus....
I have several older manual zooms that I used on 35mm cameras and since I love to manual focus I believe they can be used a long time yet on dSLR Pentax cameras. So, yeah this club can provide an enjoyable niche, thanks.
07-21-2015, 11:19 AM   #22
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QuoteOriginally posted by From1980 Quote
I have several older manual zooms that I used on 35mm cameras and since I love to manual focus I believe they can be used a long time yet on dSLR Pentax cameras. So, yeah this club can provide an enjoyable niche, thanks.
good - where are your pictures, though?

07-21-2015, 11:42 AM   #23
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My A 70-210mm is a great manual zoom. I wouldn't mind having an A 35-105 some day. I think the 35-105 f3.5 and the A 70-210 f4 are about the same quality wise - so why is the A 70-210 so cheap compared to the A 35-105? Never really understood that.

Anyway. A 70-210:

It does "casual photography" very well


It's the perfect zoo lens, I think


It can do birding if the birds cooperate...


And it's the perfect flower picture with its 1:4 macro


It's bokeh is particularly great I think!
07-21-2015, 11:55 AM   #24
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while I can't compare the two (yet), the A 35-105 is a sharp and very capable lense... maybe because of the 35-105's wide end, it commands a higher price?

to be honest, I paid less for my A35-105 than the A70-210...
07-21-2015, 11:56 AM   #25
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I paid $110 for my A 35-105 Macro. Seemed like an okay deal.
07-21-2015, 12:06 PM   #26
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A couple of Winter shots with the M35-70/2.8-3.5:


07-21-2015, 12:25 PM   #27
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The A 70-210 is also very sharp and capable. I sold my A 135 2.8 because I thought the zoom was better than the prime. I've since bought a Takumar Bayonet 135 2.8 in case I need the low light capability, and the Takumar seems a bit better than the SMC-A wide open - but that one was much cheaper since it's not SMC. I've also looked into getting the M 200 f4 but everything I read makes me believe that the zoom can keep its own against that prime as well, and at f4 the zoom might be sharper (the 200 f4 is said to be a bit soft wide open, sharpening up at f5.6 - the A 70-210, at least my copy, is already very sharp and contrasty at 200 f4).

Looking at KEH prices - 3 A 70-210s in EX condition ranging from 39-69 dollars. They have 3 EX/EX+ A 35-105s for 149 to 175 dollars. Even their bargains are twice as expensive as the 70-210 EX... Adorama has two A 70-210 that would probably fall under "bargain" by KEH and they are 15 and 25 dollars each. The prices for this zoom have steadily fallen since I came to Pentax.

Don't believe the A 70-210 is sharp wide open at 200 f4? It gets sharper by f5.6, but at f4 it's already sharp enough. These are all wide open:






Last edited by ChristianRock; 07-21-2015 at 12:32 PM.
07-21-2015, 12:31 PM   #28
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A 70-210 on a K-50. It's probably one of my favorite lenses.
07-21-2015, 12:32 PM   #29
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You guys are making a great case for the 70-210! Is zoom creep an issue with this lens?
07-21-2015, 12:33 PM   #30
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QuoteOriginally posted by paulh Quote
You guys are making a great case for the 70-210! Is zoom creep an issue with this lens?
Yes. It depends on the copy.

Mine didn't have zoom creep when I got it about 2 years ago, but now it's creeping a bit (I don't think the original owner used it that much...). KEH sells copies with zoom creep for about half the price of copies that don't have it.
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