Author: | | Loyal Site Supporter Registered: October, 2018 Location: Quebec City, Quebec Posts: 6,493 3 users found this helpful | Review Date: November 17, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $265.00
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | Very SHARP, excellent contrast, true-to-life color palette. | Cons: | HEAVY, difficult focusing | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 10
Camera Used: Pentax 645Z + adapter
| | Picture below taken at 90 mm FL, 1/1000 sec @ f/11, ISO 200. Picture below taken at 120 mm FL, 1/3200 sec @ f/8, ISO 200. I've had the occasion to use this lens only a couple of times up to now. It is super HEAVY (over 6 pounds total with a medium-format digital camera body) but well-balanced and it is rather easy to use with a Pentax 645Z. It provides automatic exposure in Av mode simply by selecting the desired opening on the aperture ring (going from f/5.6 to f/45). Focusing is manual and the viewfinder image is quite manageable outside in good light despite being a little dark. Live View is an alternative if you use a tripod. The lens was bought used on eBay from Japan. As usual, the lens is like new, with a shiny barrel, crystal-clear optics and pristine mechanical functions. The mount seems to have never been used before, with no brassing or any friction wear traces. The focal length range (90 to 180 mm) is equivalent to a 75 to 150 mm zoom in FF. The lens was used here at f/8, f/11 and f/16 and demonstrated excellent sharpness at these apertures, smaller openings seemingly degrading the image quality due to diffraction. Contrast is excellent (should I say "deep") and no flaring was apparent even in high-contrast scenes. The lens can be used handheld, or braced against an immovable support, at higher shutter speeds. I love using this lens, like all the newer 67 lenses, on the 645Z. It makes a nice duo with the 67 M 55-100 mm zoom. Two VERY GOOD lenses ! Below I present a sequence of images (shot @ f/11 handheld as I didn't have time to set-up my tripod) of the Sainte Anne River. Unfortunately the sun disappeared for good just before I had time to select the longest 180 mm focal length. 90 mm 120 mm 150 mm Below I present pictures taken tripod-mounted from the same viewpoint at 90, 120, 150 and 180 mm and at apertures varying between f/8 and f/16. 90 mm 120 mm 150 mm 180 mm Finally I compare below the results achieved with two small apertures @ 90 mm FL : f/16 VS f/45. Diffraction kills resolution at the smallest opening. f/16 f/45 The lens should be used tripod-mounted and between f/8 and f/16 for best results. Christmas lights @ 180 mm FL and f/8 90 mm @ f/8 180 mm @ f/8 | | | | | Junior Member Registered: May, 2009 Location: S. Ontario Posts: 30 6 users found this helpful | Review Date: November 26, 2010 | Recommended | Price: $700.00
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | Great coverage - very sharp - good contrast | Cons: | None really at todays prices | | Yes, this lens is a bit slower, and maybe not quite as sharp as the smaller zoom, but what a range it covers. I mean, going from 90 to 180 in a single twist gives it a lot of versatility. Don't misunderstand me - it's a sharp lens - just down a tad from the smaller zoom.
I use the Lee bellows hood system with a compression ring holder to fit over the 95mm lens. Swap lenses, and a single compression knob removes the filter system from this zoom and quickly attaches to the smaller one - same size ring. This quick change versatility makes these zooms very attractive.
I love the feel of this lens - maybe a bit large to some, but after using the 300 or 400 lenses, this is just right for what it does. If I had to choose just one lens and use it the rest of my life - this would probably be it. It's that useful, and good at what it does.
No DOF scales is an issue, but I usually do the following to overcome this issue, and it allows me to keep my eye to the view finder. Focus on far object of the composition, then focus on the nearest object you want to be in sharp focus. Select an object about 1/2 way between the far and near focus objects - and do critical focus on it. Stop lens to f/32 or f/45 for a more extreme focus range, and this should put the near to far in sharp focus. A visual hyperfocal method that works.
You can check this method against a lens with DOF & Hyper focal markings that matches the zoom ie: 150mm setting for example to match the 150 lens. Focus the fixed lens the same way and see where the hyper focal distances fall, and adjust middle object focus accordingly.
| | | | Pentaxian Registered: February, 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,272 7 users found this helpful | Review Date: February 22, 2009 | Recommended | Price: $1,100.00
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | Sharp, versitile | Cons: | No DOF scales--weight | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 9
Camera Used: 6x7
| | This is one of my most used lenses and have owned it since it was introduced. The focal length range covers the most common lenses bought by owners of this system. I have not seen a cross section of this lens but it is safe to say that it is a two zoom group type like the 55-100 zoom. One difference from the 55-100 is the f/45 stop. This is somewhat radical for Pentax but I welcome the addition. Mamiya has done this for quite some time on their lenses for the RZ/RB. This lens has some limitations for landscape work due to its lack of DOF scale. Hyperfocal marks can be added to the barrel, as seen in the picture. It is best to use the prime lenses as a guide when putting hyperfocal marks on the zoom. Put temporary marks that can be taken off, since getting it right the first time is rare. Sharpness is nearly as good as the 55-100 zoom and slightly better than the 150 Takumar. It competes easily, regarding sharpness, with the prime lenses in its focal length range. My estimate for lp/mm is 80-85 in the f/8 - f/16 range. Distortion is very low, color rendition is excellent and no chromatic aberration has been seen. Its color rendition is better than most of the primes designed in the 70's. This zoom does very well in macro work, especially since it is in the right focal length range and has small stops. Its zoom ring can be used to focus in macro work since the focus does not hold when changing focal lengths when used up close. Its close focus ability without tubes is a foot shorter than the comparable 150mm Takumar and 200 Pentax (4 feet instead of 5 feet). This gives the zoom more flexibility when shooting portraits. Its DOF in landscape work is just amazing. At the 90mm setting and using f/45, one can shoot wildflowers that are fairly close to the camera and still have infinity in focus. Caution must be exercised when shooting at f/45 since diffraction is noticeable! This lens works well for travel work too, because of its focal length range. It is a heavy lens, expensive and somewhat slow but its benefits outweigh its negatives. It should be noted that the gray 1.4X converter will not fit on this lens. The 2x converter does fit however. The performance with the 2X seems about the same as when using the lens by itself. Only a very slight difference is seen. This zoom is not as tough as the primes so be careful. If you have landscape or macro work published, this is your lens. One of the best lenses in the lineup. It could have easily been given the M* designation. Between the two zooms, the 55-100 is slightly better due to its sharpness.
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