| Latest Review Posted | SMC Pentax-A 70-210mm F4
I bought this lens new in 1984. My copy of this lens is mediocre. However, it is way better than most Sigma and Tamaron lenses of the day that had the same zoom range. I spent extra money for this lens because the others were not nearly as good. This lens was a staple for my journalism job at the time. It was a very easy lens to get the right focal length and focus in quick order.
This lens took some real abuse and stayed as tight as the first day I bought it. Most one piece zoom/focus barrells get wobbly after use and abuse. Mine stayed tight and is still functional today.
As others have stated, zoom creep and weight are the negatives. The zoom creep is the trade off for a fast zoom action.
But this is not a lens for the arts. This lens is for quick photography. It is sharp for a lens in this focal range, but it is not sharp enough for the best photography. Also, the contrast is low, especially at the 210 focal length.
One of the great things about the apeture on this lens, despite only being an f4, is the fact the apeture is an f4 no matter where the focal length is at. Most zooms are faster at the minimum focal length with a loss of a stop over the zoom range. This lens is nearly f4 all the way through. It does have a very slight drop in light between 190 and 210mm.
Overall, this lens was worth the money. However, it is no where near perfect and I was always disappointed with the sharpness and contrast. But if you want a 70-210 for an older b... |
