|
Forum: Lens Clubs
11-27-2010, 08:49 AM
|
| |
Well I looked, and I called, and I decided to go with a Super Takumar 150 mm f/4.0. from KEH. I though long and hard about a 135 f/2.5, but I already have the incomparable K version of that lens, and I thought I'd try something just a bit longer. So now I have the (sorta) middle and the long end at 55mm and 150mm respectively. I'll post some shots with the 150 as soon as I get it.
Back to a previous question, does anybody have any info on the Soligar 28mm f2.8? Adorama has one listed for $64 in ex condition. I need to go there anyway to pick up a few items.
NaCl(besides I'm not sure that the sales help there could stand the shock of me walking out w/o at least one lens!)H2O
|
|
Forum: Lens Clubs
11-27-2010, 08:13 AM
|
| |
Thanks. So the Super Takumar 135 F2.5 is a slightly older version of the SMC Takumar 135 F2.5, with different coatings? (And maybe different designs)?
NaCl(the more I'm learning the confuseder I get)H2O
|
|
Forum: Lens Clubs
11-27-2010, 07:39 AM
|
| |
Thanks everybody for their input. Now I've got some more questions about specific models.
Anybody know anything about a Soligor 28mm f/2.8 screwmount? It's not listed in the misc lens database that I could find.
What exactly is the difference between the "SMC Takumar 135mm F2.5 (58)" and the "Super Takumar 135mm F2.5 (58)"? Over at KEH there is about a $50 difference between the two lenses at comparable conditions and accessories. I had been under the impression that Super Takumar and SMC Takumar were synonymous but obviously not.
NaCl(the nomenclature is more confusing than I thought)H2O
|
|
Forum: Lens Clubs
11-26-2010, 01:12 PM
|
| |
OK, youse guy have convinced me. (actually I was convinced a looooonnngggg time ago but I procrastinate :o )
So I want a small 3 or 4 lens tak kit. I already have the Tak 55 mm f/1.8 and a gen-u-ine Pentax adaptor. So what other 2 or 3 lenses should I get? I mostly do landscapes/architecture/gardens/flower close ups (I do macros also but I've already got a good kit for that). Not so much portraits. I also somewhat prefer wide to long.
NaCl(prefer to stay below $150/200 per lens)H2O
|
|
Forum: Lens Clubs
07-24-2009, 03:15 PM
|
| |
Well I fixed the metering problems with the simplest solution. I returned the lens. I put the lens thru it's paces and when I got around to processing the shots I found that while the lens is plenty sharp it has bokeh problems. To me (and I'm the only judge that matters) the bokeh is at best middling. Coupled with the metering problems and the slightly yellowed glass, I decided to return the lens. I can put up with slightly yellowed glass, I can put up with finicky metering, I can even put up with middling bokeh, but I can't put up with all three together. So yesterday it went back to Adorama. I had no hassles with the return.
NaCl(sometimes the solution to a problem is simple)H2O
|
|
Forum: Lens Clubs
07-22-2009, 05:05 PM
|
| |
My new-to-me SMC Takumar 35 f2.0 has some strange metering quirks. (or maybe it's the 20D, but I do not find this strangeness with the SMC 55 F1.8.
First of all AV and M modes come up with different values, M mode is at least one sometimes two stops slowerr. Forinstance: aperture is set to f5.6 in AV mode the camers shoots at 1/125 sec. If I then switch to M mode exact same focus point and hit the green button the camera will choose 1/60 or 1/30 of a sec. The closer the aperture is to either end (ie 2.0 or 16) the more likely is it will be 2 stops.
In addition I'm also having this problem: In AV mode at apertures 5.6 and higher if I'm focused on a light object (especially yellow for some reason) with a dark background the camera will overexpose even if the object fills more than half the viewfinder. I'm also not getting spot metering to work. It is bad at 5.6 and the smaller the aperture the worse it gets. At 4.0 and below it's not so bad. Wide open is a bit underexposed in all cases but usable. I tried my 43 ltd on the same subject and it metered perfectly in all three modes (tho spot was a bit underexposed) Curiously enough (or maybe not considering the 1st problem) M mode gives much better results than AV mode.
So what gives here? Why should a yellow subject be so much worse than a white one? And why does the camera meter perfectly with a FA lens attached in all three metering modes (spot, CWA and matrix) but not with a Tak attached? I know that I can't use matrix but I thought I'd be able to use spot, I can with my "K" lenses. And why the big differences between AV and M modes when metering at 5.6 and above? The AV/M differences happen no matter what or where my subject is, bright sun, shade, bright object, dark object etc.
I need to mention that the lens is somewhat yellowed, about the hue and lightness of a #2 warm filter. Is this causing the weirdness?
NaCl(Its got me scratching my head)H2O
|
|
Forum: Lens Clubs
07-21-2009, 03:41 PM
|
| |
Thanks Mike, that makes sense. But don't all Danish seacaptains read Japanese? :eek:
NaCl(and if I had thought a little I would have come up with that --- doh! )H2O
|
|
Forum: Lens Clubs
07-21-2009, 06:57 AM
|
| |
Ah! but Mike you got some nice chilled nuts for your trouble! :D
NaCl(what's a nice cold watermelon when you can have chilled nuts! )H2O
|
|
Forum: Lens Clubs
07-21-2009, 06:54 AM
|
| |
Nice shot Mike, but I'm surprised that the tug's name is in english lettering rather than Japanese.
NaCl(are all harbor craft like that?)H2O
|
|
Forum: Lens Clubs
07-16-2009, 07:22 PM
|
| |
So I went and got myself a SMC Takumar 55mm F1.8. I decided to see for myself what all the brouhaha was about with these lenses. I must admit I'm pretty impressed. Sharp, good color rendition, good to excellent bokeh, decent flare and CA resistance, main thing I don't care for is that they are VERY tricky to meter in backlight situations. Got a lot more overexposed shots than I'm used to. Of course I'll get the hang of that once I start shooting with it regularily. My other main niggle (and it really is a niggle) is that my copy is a bit soft wide open, but then again so is my K 50 F1.2. Already decided I'm in the market for a 35 f2 if I can find one reasonable. In any event On With the Show!!!
Note that I'm not in the habit of, nor will I get into the the habit of writing down shot specifics. So I have no idea what the aperture any of these are. You can probably get a pretty good guess at least as far as open, middle and narrow.
I call this one "Blink" for obvious reasons
Side lit Day Lily
It showered briefly the night before, shaded plants had some fun water droplets
I call this one "Final Approach" I'd love to say I waited hours for the darn bee to arrive, but the truth of the matter is I didn't even know it was there until I opened it on my 'puter.
NaCl(thanks for looking)H2O
|
|
Forum: Lens Clubs
06-24-2009, 09:13 AM
|
| |
Thanks everybody for all the info. I have two questions.
If you are shooting in AV mode, that means that you will be focusing with whatever aperture you are going to shot at, no?
If that is the case, then is it hard to focus with small aperture? Say for instance like that great waterfall shot Mike C just posted.
Which reminds me, Mike mentioned a linear polorizer, I've got a bunch of CP's, do I also have to get LP's?
NaCl(newbies are noudges)H2O
|
|
Forum: Lens Clubs
06-24-2009, 04:59 AM
|
| |
OK, I finally broke down and got an official pentax screwmount adapter and am ready to enter the wonderful world of screwmount lenses. I mean, I don't have enough LBA with K mount, so now I need M42 LBA too.
So I've got a bunch of questions.
1) Is there a site like B. Dimitrov's wonderful Kmount site for the Taks?
2) I've got a Kmount TC, would that work with screwmount lenses? (Body/TC/Screwmount adapter/lens)? Or do I have to get a screwmount TC?
3) Say for instance I am switching back and forth between a couple of screwmounts and K mounts. Should I get an adapter for each M42 lens? Or should I just use the one adapter, and juggle it between the different M42 lenses?
4) I'm assuming there are other screwmounts out there beside Takumars. Is it just a lens here and there or is there a body of XBrand screwmounts?
5) I'm especially looking for a fast screwmount in the 35mm focal range, recommendations? Something on par with the Pentax A or FA 35mm F2.0?
6) When shooting with M42 lenses, do I follow the same stop down metering procedure I use with manual K mount lenses? (focus/greenbutton/shoot) Or does the camera meter w/o the green button?
NaCl(at least this time around I know which questions to ask)H2O
|
