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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
07-22-2009, 02:52 PM
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The big advantage of the K20D is for hand held HDR, which I probably do more often than with a tripod.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-29-2009, 04:31 PM
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my $0.02
I have the Sigma 10-20 because the 12-24 was not quite wide enough (the 14 is very close to my 16-50). It's not a bad lens, but the build quality is not the same any of the Pentax lenses I have. The weird edge distrortion at the widest length is very strong and disconcerting.
I want Pentax to bring out a version of the Tokina 11-16 f2.8!
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
06-27-2009, 11:44 AM
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My interest is in 5 shot bursts for autobracketting and how long between taking the 5 shots and viewing, or taking the 5 and being ready for the next 5.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-26-2009, 12:12 PM
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That's an interesting perspective. Without the "value for money" aspect, then no, the current Pentax lenses are clearly not the best. No lens built for a DSLR (FF or APSC) is going to compete with even medium format, let alone large format.
If you constrain things to 'money no object DSLR lenses', then I would expect FF lenses & bodies to do better than APSC.
If you constrain things further still to 'money no object DSLR APS-C lenses', then I believe Pentax has lenses that would justify the label 'the best'.
Obviously not all Pentax lenses are better than all other lenses! But I think that lenses such as the limited range of primes and the SDM zooms can be considered 'the best'.
For instance, my look at 'standard' primes recently suggests the Pentax 55mm is better than any of the Canon standard primes, including the pricey f1.2. However, saying which is 'better' becomes complex - one will have lower distortion and another better color fidelity perhaps.
So, a very hard question to answer in a reasonable way, but an interesting one.
Just to reiterate, I feel that the Pentax in body stabilization makes the Pentax lenses much better than Canon or Nikon. When I eventually upgrade to the K-7, I will have better IS for all my lenses, protecting my real investment, which is in glass.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-26-2009, 12:00 PM
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-25-2009, 06:03 PM
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Why not medium format, or go the whole way, get a large format film camera and a wet drum scanner? It's all about price/performance, with 'performance' defined in many ways.
Life is compromise.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-25-2009, 06:00 PM
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I would second benjikan - huge jump from 12 to 15. There is also a huge leap from 12 to 10 fisheye!
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-25-2009, 05:49 AM
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Agreed - that is an great lens. Is it better than the Pentax 50-135? Possibly, but I don't think it is twice as good, and it is twice as much. (I realize it is a bit apples and oranges, as it is longer but lower f-stop)
I want to make sure that no one thinks I am saying that Canon and Nikon don't make some of the best lenses; they clearly do. And Pentax makes some cheap and crappy lenses to.
But, looking at similar price points, I found that Pentax was much better for my needs. Or looking at similar lenses (16-50mm f2.8), the Canon and Nikon were much more expensive.
Bodies will come and go, but lenses I will keep for a long time. And with body based IS, I can get better IS as technology improves without upgrading my lenses.
(As an aside, I much prefer Pentax's body ergonomics to Canon.)
YMMV, and I respect anyone who chooses Canon or Nikon. When I was looking for my first DSLR, I was told that any modern DSLR is capable of producing great images in the hands of a great photographer.
IMHO, the best upgrade you can make it so buy Amazon.com: The Photographer's Eye: Composition and Design for Better Digital Photos: Michael Freeman: Books
;}
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-25-2009, 03:16 AM
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That is very nice - I love the composition and balance. If you could post a link to a higher resolution image, that would be interesting.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-24-2009, 06:28 PM
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That's a nice selection of lenses. The only prime I have is the FA 100mm Macro.
I could buy from Amazon, as they have a great returns policy, but I was really looking for input so that I can start planning my budget.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-24-2009, 06:26 PM
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I would argue that lenses like the 50-135 rival anything Canon or Nikon have, at a much better price.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-24-2009, 03:43 PM
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I use Pentax not because the lenses are vastly superior to Canon, but the price/performance is vastly higher. If money is no object, then I think you can get very good glass from Canon and Nikon. I know people who only shoot Canon 'L' glass and get great images, especially when combined with the 5D.
Of course, the Canon/Nikon wide angle lenses have no stabalization, which is a little sad. I had a great time using my 10-17mm fisheye in low light - with IS, I could hand hold slow enough to blur people in a place where tripods were not allowed.
If you compare the Pentax 55mm f1.4 with the Canon 50mm lenses, the indication is that the Pentax is superior, even to the f1.2.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-24-2009, 03:33 PM
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Thank you - focusing on the personality of the lenses is much better. Do you have the 55mm to compare with? I understand the attachment people have to the 77mm - they describe it like many people talk about their children. I have absolutely no doubt that the 77mm would be a great lens to own; however, I would prefer a 55mm f1.4 with the same emotional temperament as the 77mm. On the other hand, if the 55mm is not as well behaved and endearing as the 77mm, the choice would be clear to me ;}
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-24-2009, 03:27 PM
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Consider the 10-17mm fisheye and the fisheye-hemi plugin. Quite remarkable results.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
06-24-2009, 03:15 PM
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I went for the K20D - I'd like to go for the 55mm f1.4, but we'll see how that goes.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
06-24-2009, 03:12 PM
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I use optical preview in my K20D - I find it much better for judging DOF than the digital method. I suspect the K-7 will be better with digital due to the better LCD.
On my IR converted K100D, the digital preview is needed for exposure; the balance of IR to visible light changes, so the built in meeter acts more as a guide than anything else.
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
06-23-2009, 05:20 PM
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Many thanks for the info!
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-23-2009, 05:10 PM
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I think that with different focal lengths, the solution would be to move the camera to achieve the same view - it would be slightly different perspective, but should be better than cropping.
Many thanks!
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Forum: Pentax DSLR Discussion
06-22-2009, 01:08 PM
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-22-2009, 01:04 PM
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Minawee, any chance of some more images?
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-22-2009, 01:03 PM
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I find that the technical tests give good insight into some of the capabilities of lenses, as long as you understand the limitations of that type of approach.
The thread you mention is very interesting - I am hoping for some other images to be added ;}
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-21-2009, 08:25 AM
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That is a very useful analysis - I appreciate everyone's input.
The technical analysis at SLR Gear indicates the 55mm is awesome: Pentax Lens: Primes - Pentax 55mm f/1.4 SDM SMC DA* (Tested) - SLRgear.com!
In fact, wide open (which is why I want it) it seems to be vastly better than the Canon 1.4:
"Prior to testing it, we'd heard the buzz that the Canon 50mm f/1.4 prime (non-zoom lens) was a little soft when shot wide open. Even with that preparation though, we about fell out of our chairs when we first saw its blur plots. Yikes! - This is a prime? At f/1.4, this lens has the dubious distinction of having one of the worst blur characteristics among the 20 or so lenses we've tested at this point."
And better than the Canon 1.2L:
"Given its L-class designation and lofty(!) price, we found the 50mm f/1.2 to be a bit of a disappointment. While the center-sharpness and shading (vignetting) are excellent over the full aperture range, the wide-aperture corner sharpness, the chromatic aberration, and the distortion performances were all subpar."
The 55mm SDM is heading towards the top of my shopping list.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-21-2009, 08:15 AM
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I would say the Bokeh is better on the first shot (assume Pentax due to FOV)
Great comparison - could I suggest two shots with adjustment for FOV? I would also be very interested in a wide open comparison as well.
Many thanks - most useful to me, if not my wallet ;}
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-19-2009, 10:58 AM
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I am mostly looking for the emotional response to the two lenses. I know how much people love the 77mm, and I've been tempted by it in the past. I'm curious to see if people have the same reaction to the 55mm - it seems to have the same potential for LBA. I was hoping the price would drop down a little more than it has, as it is expensive for a non-limited lens.
I'm not too worried about FF - I'm not sure Pentax will go FF even. I see FF as the new medium format - bigger, better quality, more expensive. My gut feeling is that Pentax will produce a true medium format digital camera and leave the 35mm FF space to others.
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Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
06-19-2009, 10:16 AM
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Is there really no one out there that owns both?
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