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01-17-2020, 01:11 AM   #16
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QuoteOriginally posted by texandrews Quote
The 2 weakest ones in the lineup are the 45 and the 33-55. The FA 35 also has a field curvature issue, so has to be stopped down a bunch (the A doesn't have this problem, and it's corrected in the DFA 35). I have had the former, and it's a dead useful FL and a handy size, but it was noticeably softer than my other lenses
Does the A35 have better IQ than the FA35 (accepting sample variation)? When I researched the FA35 v 33-55 they both seemed to have field curvature issues so I went for the versatility of the zoom. I had always assumed the A35 and FA35 had the same formula?

I found it difficult to get reviews of the 33-55 on 33x44 sensors (most related to film). Edge sharpness on the D is OK for me if stopped down, I don't normally inspect the corners too much. Ideally the 28-45 is clearly a better choice, but its well over my budget. If the A35 is better than the FA, I might consider picking one up.

01-17-2020, 10:54 AM   #17
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QuoteOriginally posted by johnha Quote
Does the A35 have better IQ than the FA35 (accepting sample variation)? When I researched the FA35 v 33-55 they both seemed to have field curvature issues so I went for the versatility of the zoom. I had always assumed the A35 and FA35 had the same formula?
Something is different, because the A suffers less from field curvature, which was the main issue with the FA35. I didn't have it long enough to check it thoroughly---the main work I do requires deep DOF, so most of the problems were masked by that. Rick Denney on these forums has done some home user testing, so you should search for those examples. I found a DFA 35 at a great price and snagged it. No issues there.

QuoteQuote:
I found it difficult to get reviews of the 33-55 on 33x44 sensors (most related to film). Edge sharpness on the D is OK for me if stopped down, I don't normally inspect the corners too much.
Very true
QuoteQuote:
Ideally the 28-45 is clearly a better choice, but its well over my budget. If the A35 is better than the FA, I might consider picking one up.
Keep looking for the 28-45----I just got one from the marketplace here at a great price. The real issue with that lens is size and weight---it is a beast. Otherwise it's very, very useful.
02-08-2020, 03:22 AM   #18
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80-160

the FA80-160 is weak at the tighter end , say 120 to 160, per my experience and others here, so not always something I use as its quite large for an 80-120 and not really the focal length I would use it for
02-08-2020, 03:34 AM   #19
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QuoteOriginally posted by 672 Quote
the FA80-160 is weak at the tighter end , say 120 to 160
That is certainly not my experience, although I have only used this lens a few times.

Both wide open.





02-08-2020, 01:37 PM - 1 Like   #20
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From my experience, Pentax A 45mm is a underrated lens, I have A 45mm and FA 75mm, they both perform very well.
02-10-2020, 05:06 AM   #21
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The FA 80-160 mm f/4.5 performs admirably, according to my experience. It is a "front-heavy" lens and needs to be handled with great care, preferably tripod-mounted. I always use f/11 BTW. The upper picture was taken @ 108 mm and the lower one @ 143 mm FL.


02-10-2020, 12:32 PM - 1 Like   #22
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I have following lenses:
A 35/3.5
A 55/2.8
FA 75/2.8
A 150/3.5

All are excellent.

I would be happy if Pentax had something like 110/2 or 80/2 lens. However, I replaced those by adoptint Mamiya 80/1.9 to Pentax mount and using 67 105/2.4.

02-18-2020, 12:57 PM - 1 Like   #23
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QuoteOriginally posted by texandrews Quote
There's been a lot of stuff written about how Pentax has failed to come up with lenses for the digital age, and how Fuji's are so much better. I think the ones Pentax has come up with, the 25, the 28-45, the 55, and the 90 (all of which I have) put the lie to that---and I think the people you see posting on the medium format photo forum show that that's not true. I don't post there for several reasons I won't go into here, although I feel I should sometime this spring just to be a good contributor to these extremely helpful forums.

As for the rest of the older lenses---they are either just fine or really good. Are they as good as the Fuji's ? Maybe not---some very professional people have tested those lenses---but they haven't tested the Pentax ones, so we don't know for sure. But, remember that the perfect is the enemy of the good. Pentax has given me a system that I have been able to use for 5 years this spring, and has given me the ability to begin shooting professionally for very exacting clients at a time I need to make a transition in the type of work I do as I get older. I am grateful.
On the subject of Pentax 645 versus Fuji GF, I posted a thorough comparison of the Fuji GF 63mm f/2.8 and my trust SMC Pentax-A 645 45-85mm f/4.5 at 63mm over on DPReview: Two 63s: Fuji GF 63mm f/2.8 and SMC Pentax-A 645 45-85mm f/4.5: Medium Format Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review The Pentax lens can hold its head high as far as I'm concerned.
02-18-2020, 03:56 PM   #24
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QuoteOriginally posted by BorisKolo Quote
I have following lenses:
A 35/3.5
A 55/2.8
FA 75/2.8
A 150/3.5

All are excellent.

I would be happy if Pentax had something like 110/2 or 80/2 lens. However, I replaced those by adoptint Mamiya 80/1.9 to Pentax mount and using 67 105/2.4.
Did you adapt a Mamiya 645 or 6x7 lens to Pentax mount? Hadn't heard of this being done before. Was it difficult?
Thanks,
barondla
02-19-2020, 04:50 AM   #25
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QuoteOriginally posted by barondla Quote
Did you adapt a Mamiya 645 or 6x7 lens to Pentax mount? Hadn't heard of this being done before. Was it difficult?
Thanks,
barondla
1)There are no problems to use Pentax 67 lenses on the 645D body. You can use A mode and instant-return diaphragm will work. You just have to purchase proper adapter.
2) We have an excellent mechanic in Mosow (Nikolay Kurchavov) who had adapted hundreds of older film lenses mostly for Canon EOS cameras, but he also made proper adapting for other systems including Pentax 645. I had bought not expensive Pentax 645 ring to have metal bayonet for the transformation of Mamiya 80/1.9 lens. However, auto instant-return diaphragm not working on the adapted lenses. I have to focus manually on the open aperture and close it manually after focusing, alas.


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