|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
08-19-2011, 10:59 AM
|
| |
Out of my current lenses I have 11 primes and 3 zooms. The ratio was much more toward zooms for the first few years, but I eventually sold off my kit-style zooms. Moving forward there are a few primes and zooms I'd like to eventually get for various reasons.
I like large aperture lenses, so primes are it. Show me a in-production zoom that's faster than f2.8 and then we can talk. :) Not to mention a prime will be small for what it is in general. I'd take a single fast normal prime any day over a standard 18-55mm...actually, most of my primes are in that range.
|
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
03-01-2011, 12:08 AM
|
| |
EDIT:
On the prime side of the battle, My weapon of choice for portraits DA* 55mm f1.4 SDM:
While I've been a little negative about the DA* 55mm in the past, I think it is the epitome of why primes still have a well defined place. It's the perfect portrait lens (even or rather especially at f1.4) by all accounts. It's one of those lenses that fits the "whole package" ideal to make it almost perfect (IMO it could stand to be faster focusing and have a metal barrel, but nothing is completely perfect).
1. SDM for quiet focus meaning great for shooting all events/locations/etc
2. 55mm in APS-C is one of those "magical" focal lengths that is great for people photography among other things.
3. Large fast aperture with great bokeh.
4. Very sharp contrast-y lens.
5. Manageable size (not too small or big)
6. I'll just throw in WR as a plus considering the small size of the lens.
7. The manual focus ring is great, not to mention quick-shift.
8. A direct and to-the-point lens. It knows what it is good at and excels in those areas.
9. flat field (only 0.6% distortion)
10. Low vignetting, even at f1.4
Zooms can't touch it.
|
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
02-28-2011, 11:46 PM
|
| |
I think it would be neat to have a "photography battle" of sorts so everyone could try and prove their reasoning for using primes or zooms. Chances are the results would turn out nullified toward a "winner" :D
|
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
02-27-2011, 04:42 PM
|
| |
I agree.
The only two zooms I currently own are the 50-200mm WR and 10-17mm Fisheye.
When I need range, I just carry two camera bodies.
For example I used this setup at a convention with success:
K-5 with the 14mm f2.8 (full body shots)
K-7 with the 55mm f1.4 (portraits)
The K-5 around my neck and the K-7 in a small bag that's easily accessible.
On the other hand I also used this setup at the same 3-day event:
K-5 with the 50-200mm WR for sit-down events in the main programming area (left in the bag until the event started).
K-7 with the 31mm f1.8 for general photos (usually 3/4ths body and portraits).
The K-5 is able to manage with a slow zoom lens like that. The K-7 works wonderfully with the 31mm so I don't have to switch out lenses.
|
|
Forum: Pentax SLR Lens Discussion
02-27-2011, 09:37 AM
|
| |
From photozone.de
DA 15 F4:
Barrel distortion: 1.5%
Vignetting @ F4: 1.3 EV - 0.33
MTF @ F4: 2308 - 1580
MTF @ F5.6: 2352 - 1716
Chromatic Aberrations: 0.69 - 0.8
DA 16-45mm @ 16mm:
Barrel distortion: 2.5%
Vignetting @ F4: 1.17 EV - 0.59
MTF @ F4: 2281 - 1741
MTF @ F5.6: 2321 - 1863
Chromatic Aberrations: 2.3 - 0.52
The zoom lens does have really strong resolution figures, but falls to the prime in barrel distortion and CA. For all intensive purposes they would produce similar images, except for the gigantic amount of CA the zoom might render. :D
|
