Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-25-2021, 03:53 AM
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I do want to make you aware that AF hardware failure on the old FA85 is not unheard of, and salvaged parts to fix it are essentially non-existent. If investing in a lens today to use for the long-term the DFA is the more reliable choice.
I would also verify the sharp yet soft rendering of the old lens mentioned by UncleVanya, something lacking on the new version. So yeah trade-offs. I almost regret not keeping both.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-25-2021, 03:41 AM
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Firstly, you're not going to be disappointed with any of these - your A*85 is a great lens and so are all of the potential replacements you have listed, technically the FA77mm (or HD version) has the most similar optical design so in some ways this may be the right choice.
Your shooting technique/style has the sensible step of stopping down slightly - almost every lens will benefit from being used in this way (dependent on the result you are looking for), and the same will be true for your 4 candidates. The one exception to this is the D-FA*85, this lens does produce stunningly sharp results at full aperture but that doesn't mean it will give the "look" you want, that ultra-thin depth of field can be great for some shots but I suspect your style may be retained better by stopping down slightly.
If I had to choose it would be the D-FA*85 (and I have used all of the lenses you proposed - apart from the HD FA 77) - but I will re-iterate my first statement, you will enjoy any of these!
Good Luck with your agonising :lol:
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Forum: Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories
11-21-2021, 09:27 AM
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Raindrops on the Web
KP, SMC -DA 35/2.8 Macro Limited
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Forum: Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras
11-01-2021, 03:28 PM
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I have a Pentax ME and the battery compartment was corroded. I cleaned it with vinegar, however I could see all the times in the viewfinder but the shutter didn't respond. I thought I had to open it to check the electrical connections, but then I saw your post. So I tried your sugestion of firing 40 shots and for me it worked again :).
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-26-2021, 08:35 PM
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I hear this lens can be a dream if you get a good copy. In my personal experience, however, I found it to be wanting. While the optic itself was awesome, I couldn't get it to focus accurately on my K-5 (which was the camera I was using it with at the time). One minute it would front focus and the next it would back focus, even on a tripod. Perhaps this was more a reflection of the AF abilities of the K-5 than the lens. Who knows? I sold it for what I paid for it.
I'm also fairly leery about older Sigma lenses that sport HSM focusing at this point. I recently went through the rigmarole I'm trying to get my Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 HSM II serviced so that it would work on my K-1. After 6 months of trying and two attempted firmware / motherboard updates from my country's Sigma authorized repair centre, I'm left with a paperweight for anything newer than a K-5ii body. It freezes up my K-1 as soon as it's mounted. I need to detach the lens and pull the battery out of the camera to even get the camera to turn off. 😭
As it turns out, not all Sigma lenses are as updateable as I was lead to believe when I bought the dang thing. While Sigma still puts forward that they offer free updates for legacy lenses, I'm hesitant to believe that Pentax will remain a brand that they will concern themselves with, at this point. I got burned, YMMV.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-24-2021, 02:49 PM
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I don’t own the k1 or d fa 85. I don’t shoot concerts either. I did own the A* 85 and I gave up using it and sold it due to eyesight myself. I replaced it with the FA* 77 f1.8 partly because the same rough optical formula is used in both lenses. I haven’t ever felt like this was a mistake. Take all of this into account in this reply.
Also as for the D FA 85 - I’m certain it is a better lens optically than the FA* 77. But if you like the rendering of your A* the FA* 77 will be closer. This is particularly true if you normally use the A* at f2 vs f1.4…
Bear in mind my experience is with the k3 and KP and pz-1.
So pro FA* 77:
* Similar rendering / optical formula to A* 85
* small and light
Con for FA* 77
* Not as good wide open as D FA 85
* slower
* purple fringing
Pro for D FA 85
* super image quality wide open
* Optically faster
* silent focus
* aberration handling
* AW; less likely to cry over a spilled beer on you and the equipment.
Con for D FA 85
* larger & heavier
* $$$
I would be hard pressed to choose in your situation. If flaring and high contrast made the A* a bit less than great then the D FA or the HD FA* 77 would be my recommendation depending on the nature of the problem. If the weight with the A* was just about as much as you want to carry then the FA* 77 is for you. If money is tight, SMC FA*; if money is no object D FA 85 looks like a winner.
Only you know all the factors. Hope this helps.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-24-2021, 12:47 PM
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I'd also recommend the 77mm or the new 85mm. I've been really pleased with my FA 77mm. I especially enjoy its size and weight.
However, the wide open performance of the 77mm against high contrast areas (such as you'll find during concert photography) will be outstripped by the newer optics of the DFA 85mm in terms of CA.
Similarly, the DFA 85mm is sharper wide open at middling distances and offers (in my opinion) more pleasing rendering of specular highlights such as OOF stage lights in the corners of the frame. Here, the 77mm becomes more swirly and slightly more hard edged.
I would imagine that the new 85mm would likely improve low light autofocus performance, but I don't have any evidence to back up that claim as I do not own that lens personally.
In regards to AF noise, the 77mm is fairly quiet on a K-1. The slap of the shutter is much noisier.
In the end, each of the lenses you've mentioned are great choices for concert photography.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-24-2021, 03:53 AM
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Fun with the K1 ii. This is the only camera I have ever owned where I have to dial down on saturation, rather than up.
FA 77mm f1.8 Ltd.
A 50mm f2.8 Macro
FA 77mm f1.8 Ltd.
K 55mm f1.8 |
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
10-23-2021, 11:51 AM
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---------- Post added 10-23-21 at 11:58 AM ---------- I'd like to see the final lens in series DFA120/2.4 Limited WR
Why 120 mm? 77+43 mm :)))) ---------- Post added 10-23-21 at 12:01 PM ----------
I suppose no any sense comparing different lenses of different brands...Even with the same focal length.
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Forum: Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories
10-06-2019, 06:47 AM
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It was on my phone (Huawei P20 Pro) so it's not perfect but I do think the computational wizardry in these smartphones is very good. It's Beadnell Bay in Northumberland, England. Stunning part of the country.
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Forum: Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories
09-24-2019, 05:43 PM
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Sunset over Corner Inlet and Wilson's Promontory, South Gippsland, Victoria, Australia. K-3 + FA 77 Ltd, 20 images stitched in Microsoft ICE. (X-posted from sunsets thread) |
Forum: Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories
09-20-2019, 07:48 PM
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Wild horses. Three landscape frames stitched in Lightroom. IMGP0629-Pano by Miles Shaylor, on Flickr
smc PENTAX-FA MACRO 100mm F3.5 on a K5ii
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Forum: Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories
09-17-2019, 12:07 PM
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This is a hand held pano of Portland UK, with Chesil beach. I took 23 shots with small incremental movements and stitched in LR6.
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
09-15-2019, 03:29 PM
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Coloured Daisies |
Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
09-15-2019, 02:39 AM
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1. ready, steady, g......... |
Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
09-13-2019, 06:08 AM
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1. laying eggs |
Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
09-13-2019, 03:01 AM
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
09-12-2019, 12:52 PM
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
09-11-2019, 12:47 PM
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Pentax A 645 120mm Macro with the K1
Just a test. It was evening, so this was at 3200ISO at F8.
I think I am going to like this lens! |
Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
09-10-2019, 04:21 PM
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Out testing new lenses--not on my camera, but in my eyes after cataract surgery.
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Forum: Pentax K-1 & K-1 II
09-10-2019, 02:41 AM
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on my balcony the other day
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
09-13-2019, 03:22 PM
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IF Pentax were to officially shutter (I'm not a believer that this is imminent, by the way), I would likely buy a K1 to compliment my K5ii, add/swap a couple of lenses and then be set for the rest of my life.
I have occasionally regretted not buying a Nikon D7000 when I bought my K5, but there were reasons then that I did not and they were sound. As long as Pentax is an option for me, I'm in.
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Forum: Pentax News and Rumors
09-13-2019, 04:41 PM
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You know, I am actually pretty happy with the pace of Pentax's releases. They don't put out a ton of mediocre products a year for the sake of doing it. They don't pass off firmware updates as new models. They're the quiet guy who doesn't talk until he has something to say.
For me, my k70 is a better camera than I am a photographer. My sad little collection of flea market lenses (and my 15mm Limited) serves me well enough. If it doesn't, the used market is always there. And every once in a while, a treat of a brand new lens. The camera itself is a Sherman tank. It's the klr650 of cameras. And it sits nicely in its own little spot of advanced beginners. When it's time to upgrade, we'll see what's out. Maybe a K mount mirrorless?
As a hobbyist with a family and bills and other interests, I am part of the problem. Yeah, you got me for life, but I'm not spending a ton of money.
Anyways, I don't particularly care directly about a new camera*. I'd love to see a different surprise. Maybe kick ass firmware updates? Maybe they're selling in brick and mortar stores in the US? They don't right now. A couple government contracts would be cool. I think we're just a bit early for another go at the k-01. But if it's nothing, then at least it won't be a time waste something.
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