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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 10-09-2019, 06:10 AM  
Pentax * lenses do they live up to the reputation and why
Posted By kaipa
Replies: 84
Views: 12,503
Probably you had the bad copy of DA* 200. I owned both DA* 200/2.8 and now have FA* 200/2.8 that is optically the same. Very little PF even in extreme conditions. The real PF beast from star lenses was FA* 400/5.6 that had to be stopped down to f8 to eliminate PF.

I had a 'star lens sickness' some time ago, and owned or still own following lenses:

A* 85/1.4 -- sold, still regret. A fantastic lens.
A* 200/2.8 -- sold, kept K 200/2.5 instead, that is the same lens minus ED element
A* 200/4 Macro -- sold and bought back. Very special one.
A* 600/5.6 -- great for moonshots and to impress people.
F* 300/4.5 -- tele lens classic
FA* 24/2 -- my most favorite one. I like it much more than FA 31.
FA* 85/1.4 -- this one is special. I would use it more often if I do not have FA 77.
FA* 200/2.8 -- great light relatively small tele. Use it often in travel.
FA* 300/4.5 -- sold in favour of F* version
FA* 400/5.6 -- sold, could not make it usable for me
FA* 28-70/2.8 -- sold, too many great primes in this range :)
FA* 80-200/2.8 -- for sports and events. Unfortunately, my current camera is KP so PZ does not work. But I am going to try it on my old K5 soon to avoid manual zooming.
DA* 200/2.8 -- sold it in favour of lighter FA* 200/2.8, but built quality of DA* is better.

In the current line-up I might want to try DA* 11-18 when the prices go down a bit.
Forum: Ricoh GR 06-07-2018, 07:11 AM  
Ricoh GR Hands-on and Lots of Photos...
Posted By kaipa
Replies: 855
Views: 224,357
I was happy to grab GR II silver a couple of months ago. Yes, 'god' mode is my favorite. Few pics:

1. Through the train window:



2. Close up. Love the 'grain' here:



3. Lonely bike:



4. Kids at bikes (shot riding at the bike myself):



5. Sun lane:



6. Autoportrait:

Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 06-04-2018, 03:21 PM  
The one lens you just never "clicked with"
Posted By kaipa
Replies: 64
Views: 4,348
Absolutely.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 06-04-2018, 08:36 AM  
The one lens you just never "clicked with"
Posted By kaipa
Replies: 64
Views: 4,348
FA 31 on APS-C. Believe me or not. Still keep it just in case I decide switching to FF one day, but do not use at all. Prefer FA* 24 or FA 43 instead.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 02-12-2018, 05:26 PM  
Pentax * lenses do they live up to the reputation and why
Posted By kaipa
Replies: 84
Views: 12,503
I love star lenses. They have their magic and will outlive many cameras.

Currently have six: FA* 24, FA* 85, FA* 200/2.8, A* 200/4 Macro, F* 300/4.5 and A* 600/5.6. All superb lenses that are pleasure to use.
Owned in the past and sold another six: A* 85/1.4 (still regret), FA* 28-70 (too bulky to me), DA*/A* 200/2.8 (FA* is better), FA* 300/4.5 (F* is better) and F* 400/5.6 (could not get it to work well for me).
Forum: Mini-Challenges, Games, and Photo Stories 02-02-2018, 08:31 AM  
Thematic Show me your ......MOON !
Posted By kaipa
Replies: 1,185
Views: 109,087
Few of mine:

1. A* 600/5.6 with 1.4 or 2.0 converter, do not remember. Handheld with support from the balcony. The original image is 2800x2800 size from K5. June 2015, Zhukovsky.



2. K 1000/11 Reflex. Handheld with support from the balcony. June 2015, Zhukovsky.



3. Full Moon rising at Mallorca. FA* 24 wide open. Sep 2014.



Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 11-21-2017, 03:49 AM  
To FA* 24/2 or not?
Posted By kaipa
Replies: 60
Views: 5,485
I have FA 20, FA* 24, had other 20s and 28s. To me FA* 24 is the most convenient and versatile lens for APS-C at 20-30mm range. I even prefer it to FA 31 Limited. Surprisingly enough, some sharpness concerns I had with this lens at K-5 were gone when I upgraded to K-P. Looks like more accurate focusing and better algorithms do the job. The lens is very versatile, with unique rendering at close and middle distances, but for landscapes there are better lenses. Don't get me wrong, FA* 24 is not bad for landscapes at all, but it does not resolve as much details as some others, mostly due to lower micro-contrast. It produces excellent colors and overall 'look' though. So if you are looking for the landscape tool with maximum detail, K 20/4, or FA 20/2.8 or Zeiss lenses with close FLs may be better choices.
Forum: Lens Clubs 05-04-2017, 03:18 PM  
Voigtländer LBA - post your pics, notes and thoughts.
Posted By kaipa
Replies: 1,226
Views: 247,065
Tube lushness -- yes, this is I understand. For me the similar feeling is the reason to stay with Pentax system and pre-digital lenses in general and avoid conikons :)
Forum: Lens Clubs 05-04-2017, 01:48 AM  
Voigtländer LBA - post your pics, notes and thoughts.
Posted By kaipa
Replies: 1,226
Views: 247,065
Hi Les,

I did not find focusing ring of 125 and 180 too stiff. For the macro distance it does not matter and for the mid and long distance you just need a tiny bit of rotation to focus properly. In fact, long Pentax primes are also quite stiff (e.g. 200/4 macro) if you compare them to Pentax Limiteds. Rotating huge amount of glass requires some force. Only IF long lenses are very easy ones.

I once bought Zeiss 50/1.4 as and sold it with no regret. It was just a dull lens (to me). Nokton and Pentax-A 50/1.2 are better. (well, I have tough relationships with Nokton -- I bought it twice, and sold it twice, but still think this is an excellent lens). I've heard that Zeiss Makro (both 50 and 100) are extraordinary, but somehow have no desire trying them. As for your 135 -- that is a great conversion experience and should be a descent lens. It would be interesting to compare it to Voigt 125, but I doubt it is doable given the rarity of both.

A couple test shots from 125:



Forum: Lens Clubs 05-03-2017, 02:29 PM  
Voigtländer LBA - post your pics, notes and thoughts.
Posted By kaipa
Replies: 1,226
Views: 247,065
Finally all folks have gathered together. Some Voigtlander porn from the crazy owner of royal flush.





Topcor is SL version of Nokton 58/1.4, it has never been in K-mount, only Nikon and m42. It is a little bit out of the crowd. All other lenses are K-mount ones, including very rare SL version of 40/2 and 75/2.5.

125/2.5 was the latest I acquired, thanks to Les. (Les, in fact I grabbed it only two weeks ago -- long way). All lenses are fantastic, but I use 125 and 180 more than others, since Pentax has its own decent primes in 40-85 range. My personal favourite was 180 so far, will see if 125 manages to take this place.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 10-26-2016, 08:07 AM  
55mm/f1.2 Porst versus Revuenon writeup
Posted By kaipa
Replies: 16
Views: 5,186
Right. f/16 is similar to Cosina family lens (60cm MDF, 9 diagram blades, 58mm filter thread). f/22 is older Tomioka design (45-50cm MDF, 8 diagram blades, 55m filter thread). There could be some versions in the middle, probably. Older f/22 Porst version is more common.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 10-25-2016, 06:51 AM  
55mm/f1.2 Porst versus Revuenon writeup
Posted By kaipa
Replies: 16
Views: 5,186
Since I have Tomioka, I know what it is about )

The story is that m42 Tomioka was the first f1.2 lens for 35mm SLRs. It has been produced under different sub-names (Tomioka Cosinon, Tomioka Revuenon, Tomioka Tominon, Tomioka Chinon and Tomioka Yashinon). There is a good web site dedicated to this lens history: Preload Tomioka e main
I am the proud owner of multi-coated Tomioka Cosinon version, that is one of the rarest.

Later on Tomioka stepped off producing lens by its own name continuing to make glass and lenses as an OEM manufacturer. f1.2 lens design has been bought or licensed by Cosina and produced as K-mount Cosina Cosinon-S lenses and Porst. So, Porst is optically the same lens design as legendary Tomioka, though have lower quality contruction and probably lower quality glass. I tested Porst and Tomioka side by side -- the picture is very close.

Later on, Cosina has developed its own f1.2 design that we can see under names of Revuenon/Cosina/Rokinon/Vivitar in K-mount in two different exteriors. This lens have better contrast, but this plays back negatively in out of focus areas. Tomioka/Porst produce more dreamy images. Rumors say that glass for new Cosina lenses has been produced by Tomioka (actually, I've read it somewhere on the forum, most likely in f1.2 lens club thread https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/122-lens-clubs/74819-post-your-1-2-photos-1-2-only.html)

So it is all twisted here and there.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 10-11-2016, 09:07 AM  
55mm/f1.2 Porst versus Revuenon writeup
Posted By kaipa
Replies: 16
Views: 5,186
Excellent analysis and comparison. I owned both lenses in the past (and now still have Tomioka 55/1.2 -- pre-Porst, and Vivitar 55/1.2 -- clone of Revue) and my impressions are similar to yours.
Forum: Lens Clubs 10-02-2016, 04:04 PM  
F* & FA* club!
Posted By kaipa
Replies: 928
Views: 212,621


FA* 200/2.8
Forum: Lens Clubs 09-13-2016, 02:44 PM  
Post your ƒ1.2 Photos! (ƒ1.2 ONLY!)
Posted By kaipa
Replies: 2,087
Views: 525,287
Look at octagons in the background. They are produced by aperture blades. Wide open there should be clean circles.
Forum: Lens Clubs 09-08-2016, 04:11 AM  
Post your ƒ1.2 Photos! (ƒ1.2 ONLY!)
Posted By kaipa
Replies: 2,087
Views: 525,287
The picture above is not wide open, so a little bit off-topic in this thread :)
Forum: Lens Clubs 08-17-2016, 07:35 AM  
F* & FA* club!
Posted By kaipa
Replies: 928
Views: 212,621
FA* 24:

Forum: Pentax Price Watch 06-21-2016, 03:00 PM  
Takumar 83mm 1.9
Posted By kaipa
Replies: 68
Views: 7,074
This lens (Tak 93/1.9 m42) is definitely real. There are several copies here on the forum (I have one as well). The estimated batch size is small, probably 100-200 copies, so it is rare. The price is not real, though. It is usually sold for much less.
Forum: Sold Items 06-17-2016, 08:09 AM  
For Sale - Sold: Voigtlander 125mm Macro APO-Lanthar F2.5 SL Pentax K-mount
Posted By kaipa
Replies: 10
Views: 2,532
Ah. I've been in Toronto month ago. Could be a deal. More complicated now...
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 06-02-2016, 01:45 PM  
Question for the A*135mm 1.8 owners
Posted By kaipa
Replies: 6
Views: 1,111
Yes, from my experience with A* 85, the PF looks very similar.

It is quite strange indeed, that even the lenses with the same optical formula are more PF prone in A-series, than others. E.g. K 50/1.2 does not have PF, but A 50/1.2 does. FA 20/2.8 does not have PF (almost), but A 20/2.8 does. Probably there are others. An exception is A* 200/2.8 that has less PF than its sibling K 200/2.5.
Forum: Lens Clubs 05-17-2016, 04:45 AM  
DA Limited Zoom Club
Posted By kaipa
Replies: 1,024
Views: 230,919
Nice shot! How do you like it in the snow mountains? I used to use primes there (DA15, 21, FA 43), but sometimes changing the lens is not convenient, especially on the lift chair :)
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 05-13-2016, 04:31 AM  
FF wide angle?
Posted By kaipa
Replies: 19
Views: 2,868
I would add a few more:

- Pentax K 20/4 -- arguably the best 20mm Pentax lens, hard to find
- Pentax A 24/2.8
- Cosina Voigtlander 20/4 Color Skopar -- still available new in some stores
- Cosina Zeiss 18/3.5 and 21/2.8 -- outstanding but very expensive lenses, also hard to find in K-mount (ZK).
Forum: Lens Clubs 04-12-2016, 02:36 PM  
The FA Limited Club
Posted By kaipa
Replies: 11,821
Views: 2,134,616
FA 43:


FA77:




Forum: Sold Items 04-12-2016, 09:38 AM  
For Sale - Sold: Pentax Refconverter A - Rotating Angle Finder 2x Magnifier RARE w/case & eyecup
Posted By kaipa
Replies: 3
Views: 1,318
Nice and rare accessary. I found it very handy when doing astro photo with long lenses.
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 04-05-2016, 07:11 AM  
Exactly how rare is the 'Sonnar' Takumar 58mm f2?
Posted By kaipa
Replies: 3
Views: 2,489
This is a collectible item, so the prices may be very different. $300-400 is probably the good price for the good copy. Lucky ones can get it under $200.

Performance wise -- it is great for portraits, not incredibly sharp and contrasty (but not soft either), with smooth bokeh and 3d effect. Tiny capable lens with the history.
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