| Latest Review Posted | SMC Pentax-M 50mm F4 Macro
At the link below you can see how it performs at all stops compared to various other 50s-ish: the 50mm f/1,4 Takumar 8-elements design, the S-M-C 7-elements variant and a few others 50s (Contax Makro Planar, Minolta MD, Olympus OM Zuiko):
http://www.addicted2light.com/2012/12/08/battle-of-the-50s-contax-60-vs-minolta-vs-olympus-vs-pentax-takumars/
It would be basically a great bargain anyway, but at the actual ridiculously low price tag it's a "must have" lens, even if you, like me, don't do macro.
It gives you almost the same quality of the Contax Makro Planar, but in a package that weights maybe one forth!
As a dedicated macro lens I would have some reserve, but only because it doesn't reach 1:1 by itself; this may or may not bother you at all.
BTW, I gave it an 8 for handling, instead of a 9, only because I'm spoiled by the butter smooth focusing action of the old Takumars, not because there is anything wrong with the M macro.
To use it on a Canon full format (and possibly even on an aps-c, but I haven't tried), you'll need to file down or cut with a Dremel-like tool the rear aperture fin and the metal lip that protects said fin; it's pretty soft metal, all the procedure - included the time spent wrapping the lens in aluminum foil to avoid dirt entering the lens itself - it will take maybe 10 seconds top.
If you want to avoid the hassle just buy the m42 version. I didn't only because I wasn't able to find one at the right price at the right ... |
