Originally posted by krs Thanks for the observations, dosdan. Just out of curiosity, what sort of "discoveries" have you found in terms of old lenses, and what results did you find when using them?
Some good discoveries - some bad. As a beginner, I've made a couple of mistakes too.
I suggest you try holding an old lens, particularly a zoom lens because they physically move in and out and so are prone to sucking in air, up to the light and look through the body end of the lens and move the lever to open the aperture. I'm seeing a lot of lint, dust and even a little fungus that I don't see when I take a cursory glace down the big end of the lens. Most of this does not noticeably affect the picture quality.
Here are the lenses I have. Except for the Sigma kit lens, they've all come from Ebay, where the cost was between $31-71 AUD:
Pentax-A 70-200mm/F4 I didn't know this came in a SMC version (70-210/F4) that is supposed to be considerably better. It's long and heavy. I had problems with contrast with mine. It has improved now that I've cleaned the outside surface of the recessed rear lens. It's a challenge mastering the combined focus (left-right) and zoom (front-back) collar, particularly for moving things like a flying seagull, but that's how they did it in the old days. The focus-zoom control, due to its weight, moves fully forward when the front hangs down when you carry the camera around your neck, so if you want to keep it at an intermediate zoom position and also to relieve the drag around your neck, you end up carrying it in a horizontal position in your left hand and a crooked left arm, holding it via the lens near the camera. It does make your arm ache after a while from doing this. I like it (I like a challenge) but I may end up swapping it for the SMC version.
Pentax-F SMC 35-105mm/F4-5.6 Pretty happy with this lens. Good quality pictures. Would like a bigger aperture, but at what cost (price & weight)?
Super Takumar M42 50/F1.4 My favourite. Plenty of character. Initially got the wrong M42 adapter: flange-type instead of recessed. Was amber coloured due to the effect of the radioactive thorium in it. Had to leave it out in the sun for about 6 weekends until the amber faded. (We had a lot of bad weather which reduced the number of sunny weekends.) A challenge to focus correctly wide open. Gives a nice look to skin. Warm colours.
Pentax-A SMC 50/F2. I also had an Pentax-M version of this lens but I sold it to get one with auto-exposure. Much smaller, lighter and easier to focus than the Super Takumar. Good as a standard prime.
Sigma 18-50 F3.5-F5.6 DC It's a pity that, here in Australia, the Pentax distributor offered this kit lens (to reduce the cost). The Pentax kit lens is supposed to be much better.
What I'm after now is a 28mm for close, indoor work and a 300-400mm prime for bird shots. These may be M42-mount lenses.