| Showing all 18 reviews by aaacb | |
| Review of: HD Pentax-FA 77mm Limited F1.8 by aaacb on Tue February 28, 2023 | Rating: 10 | View more reviews | |
Views: 15967
Reviews: 5
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This is my second FA limited after having the SMC 43 for a number of years. I like the improvements in this iteration, in particular the SP coating on the front element. Otherwise, it's all the same as before and that's a good thing. I even like having screw autofocus because it keeps the lens extremely compact and feeling similar to my 43. Perhaps my favorite aspect in terms of image quality is color rendering; in good light, everything pops without being too high contrast. It's very sharp, but has flaws in fringing, this lens really wants good light and then it is fantastic.
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| Review of: SMC Pentax-M 200mm F4 by aaacb on Sat July 17, 2021 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Views: 303186
Reviews: 66
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I've had this lens on the k3ii a few years ago and sold it, on apsc a 55-300 made more sense with all the modern conveniences. Got a second one for the K1ii and I'm finding it much more useful, I'm using it for landscapes and abstracts.
The main advantages over other vintage lenses in this range (had fa 80-320, have vivitar s1 70-210 for example) are the combination of nice image quality, build quality, and compact size; with the others it's often pick two of these features. It's not bitingly sharp, but the images are pleasing with nice color and moderate contrast, quite unlike modern rendering. Chromatic aberrations aren't bad, but it's one area that could be a little better.
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| Review of: SMC Pentax-D FA 50mm F2.8 Macro by aaacb on Sun July 4, 2021 | Rating: 10 | View more reviews | |
Views: 237884
Reviews: 39
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I'll repeat most of what I said in my review of the F 50/2.8 macro: image quality is, as expected from the same design, very good, except for minor CA. But I prefer this newer lens because it's using quick shift and 49mm filter threads. It's also smaller, though you don't get the added protection of a recessed front element. Build quality is good but not as good as the F, there's tiny bit of wobble when fully extended but no worse than some of my other lenses such as DFA 28-105 and DFA 100 macro.
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| Review of: SMC Pentax-F 50mm F2.8 Macro by aaacb on Sun July 4, 2021 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Views: 90187
Reviews: 14
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Had this lens for a short time. Image quality is great and nothing less: sharpness, bokeh, colors are all very nice. Build quality is surprisingly solid for a plastic exterior. There's a small amount of bokeh fringing but not bothersome. Took a couple points off from autofocus in comparison to the newer DFA 50 macro because it's noisier and there's no quick shift. Handling is good, but I took points off for the tiny focus ring (not a problem, more a preference), and the 52mm filter threads which are again different from most other small primes that use 49mm.
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| Review of: SMC Pentax-FA 80-320mm F4.5-5.6 by aaacb on Wed December 16, 2020 | Rating: 8 | View more reviews | |
Views: 250667
Reviews: 45
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I wanted a longer zoom that was small and had autofocus. This was my choice, and despite the lower points I'm giving it, I like it.
It's less sharp than my other lens in this range (Vivitar S1 70-210), however, it's sharp enough especially under 200mm and around f8-f11. Build quality is ok except that both zoom and focus are loose, but I don't know if that's from use or it is supposed to be like this. The color and overall rendering is nice, there's something pleasant about the images, which is why I like this lens.
320mm
180mm
108mm
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| Review of: HD Pentax-DA 21mm F3.2 Limited by aaacb on Sat August 25, 2018 | Rating: 10 | View more reviews | |
Views: 132961
Reviews: 17
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I had the smc version, sold it only to realize after just how much I was using it, then go the hd version a long while after. I don't buy and sell that many lenses, but this is the only one I bought again.
The lens is as sharp as I'll ever need, with beautiful rendering, close focus, and it's a very useful focal length.
The hood makes it easy to walk around with it without worrying about the front element getting damaged or dirty, but it's also compact and not a clumsy add-on (similar to the other limited lenses).
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| Review of: SMC Pentax 55mm F2 by aaacb on Sun August 19, 2018 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Views: 93474
Reviews: 19
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In the center, at f2 (max aperture) it's at least as sharp as the FA 50/1.4 at f2, with just slightly less contrast; it's much sharper than my M 50/2 at f2. The same holds at f5.6, although by then the M catches up. It's about as large as the FA 50/1.4. Solid build quality.
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| Review of: SMC Pentax-M 135mm F3.5 by aaacb on Thu August 9, 2018 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Views: 453406
Reviews: 112
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It's a nice lens with good iq. It sharpens up well when stopped down, bokeh is beautiful, and colors are pleasant. The compact size makes it easy to bring anywhere. There's some CA, there's some flare and loss of contrast if abused against bright light sources, but when used outside of extreme situations it performs rather well. On the k3ii, catch in focus works very accurately in my experience.
Including two shots on digital, followed by two on film.
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| Review of: HD Pentax-DA 16-85mm F3.5-5.6 ED DC WR by aaacb on Wed July 4, 2018 | Rating: 10 | View more reviews | |
Views: 294658
Reviews: 43
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I got this lens as an alternative to primes, it's more convenient when traveling. It fits that purpose well, the focal range is very handy. Paired with another lens, it allows for a flexible two lens kit:
- with a prime depending on the situation (normal, portrait or macro)
- with the 55-300 to cover a wide range
- with the da 15 if I need even wider angle and less flare
Across the range it's sharp. At 85mm it's better to stop down to f8. At 16mm it has some chromatic aberration and distortion is visible, but darktable comes with effective lens correction presets.. Flare control is good, especially considering the number of elements. Compared to the da limiteds, it's probably as sharp, but the rendering and color are not as special.
Bokeh is rather busy in close-up photos if branches or grass are in the background, otherwise bokeh is smoother (but not exceptional). I'm not rating how blurry the background can get but how I perceive its quality, it's not a large aperture lens.
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| Review of: SMC Pentax-FA 35mm F2 AL by aaacb on Sat April 7, 2018 | Rating: 10 | View more reviews | |
Views: 329860
Reviews: 82
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I initially bought this lens to use on film, since it has an aperture ring. I also use it on my digital camera often (both pictures below are on digital).
I've always liked its image quality both on digital and film, the color profile is less vibrant than the da 40 but it's pleasant and well balanced. [s]Haven't done side-by-side comparisons, but[/s] it's very sharp and I've never noticed any bothersome ca.
edit: after writing this review, I did side-by-side comparisons with the da40. I took down a point each on sharpness and aberrations because of the corners at f2.8 (which is the max aperture of the da40). In the center and stopped down to f5.6 they're equally great. I don't particularly care for corner sharpness wide open but astro photographers might, my overall liking of this lens is unblemished.
It's one of the most consistently focusing screwdrive lenses that I have: once micro-adjusted, it focuses precisely shot to shot.
I'm taking a point off for handling because I can't easily remove and attach the front cap with the hood on. As a result, I rarely if ever use the lens hood. The lens has good flare resistance and nice contrast, but I still like having a hood to protect the front element.
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| Review of: HD Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4.5-6.3 ED PLM WR RE by aaacb on Sat March 3, 2018 | Rating: 10 | View more reviews | |
Views: 169458
Reviews: 46
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In a similar focal length range, I used to have a 60-250 but I sold it because it was too big after I mostly stopped shooting sports. Comparatively, the 55-300 plm has colder colors, is slightly less sharp (in relative terms, I have no issue using this one at max aperture), but has better contrast and smoother bokeh. It's f4.5 up to about 150mm, which means this lens can do most but not all of what the bigger and more expensive alternative can. I like the 55-300 plm, for me it works best in terms of performance and value.
Build quality is on par with the 16-85, which is good but utilitarian. The retractable design doesn't bother me and I appreciate the more compact size.
260mm f5.6
300mm f8
edit: I removed the narrow focus ring as a downside after getting used to manually focus with my left thumb, the rest of the hand normally supporting the camera/lens from underneath. I also can confirm after more use that af (speed, accuracy, tracking) is quite good on the k3ii.
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| Review of: SMC Pentax-FA 50mm F1.4 by aaacb on Tue April 18, 2017 | Rating: 8 | View more reviews | |
Views: 530968
Reviews: 160
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I got this lens for concert photos in smaller venues that are generally poorly lit. The relatively short focal length works well for this on apsc, and with a little care at f1.4 it still has enough depth of field to get usable results of artist+instrument not blurred into oblivion. Sure, you can get very blurry portraits when focusing very close, but for my needs I'd rather use f2.8 for greater dof if lighting would allow. AF is a little slower than my other screwdrive lenses, nonetheless precise and consistent, no complaints. Handling is nice because it's compact and light, but I'm taking some points off since it lacks quick shift.
It's softer and has less contrast compared to modern lenses, especially at f2.8 and larger; stopped down it's sharp though. Highlights, for example reflecting off of polished metal, have a nice glow, I like the look. Despite the relative softness, it is worth using in low light at f1.4. Compared to the DA limited 40mm under the same light and shot in RAW at ISO 3200, the final image quality is clearly better with this one because noise washes away any extra detail that the DA lens might have captured (f1.4 and ISO 3200 for the 50mm vs f2.8 and ISO compensated in pp from 3200 to 12800).
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| Review of: SMC Pentax-DA* 60-250mm F4 ED [IF] SDM by aaacb on Sat October 22, 2016 | Rating: 10 | View more reviews | |
Views: 376791
Reviews: 65
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This is a versatile lens for sports, the range lets you cover the entire width of the field for soccer, football and such. It has some focus breathing but it's only noticeable for very close distances and especially at 250 (almost but not quite 400mm equivalent on 35mm); if the subject is across the field, 250mm really helps and focus breathing is not an issue.
AF tracking works nicely assuming camera settings are right for the situation, but point-to-point af could be a little faster. f4 is fast enough for me, especially since image quality is solid at max aperture, but it is a little softer at 250mm. If you are able to stay under 200mm, no worries at all. Using the lens hood is a must, the lens doesn't flare badly but it is no hd prime either.
Mounted on the k3ii with no battery grip it is hand holdable and it's small enough to move quickly, but not if you are planning to keep it to your eye constantly. I need to look around anyway for what's going on on the the field, so I find using it with no mono/tripod just fine.
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| Review of: SMC Pentax-D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro WR by aaacb on Fri September 23, 2016 | Rating: 10 | View more reviews | |
Views: 460353
Reviews: 106
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I've had this lens for a few months. Initially I was mostly using it for macro, at which it excels (surprise! :) Recently I've also shot sports and concerts with this lens. And it's pretty good at that too! It's not able to track over long movements towards/away from the camera, but I'd say it's more than usable within its limitations.
fwiw: the first lens I received had a problem, the focusing ring was not turning smoothly, and it's been exchanged promptly; this happens, no big deal.
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| Review of: HD Pentax-DA 40mm F2.8 Limited by aaacb on Thu August 4, 2016 | Rating: 10 | View more reviews | |
Views: 81660
Reviews: 17
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Iq and build quality are nice, and for most situations I think it is fast enough, especially because it is pretty great right from f2.8. I like that it is compact and easy to carry around, although some might consider it a little too small (lens cap, hood, focus ring are all quite narrow).
I got this in addition to the 35/2.4 because, while the plastic lens has great iq, the lack of quickshift was an issue for me. Surprisingly, the 40 also has much quieter af compared to the plastic 35, even though it is still screw drive; about the same speed. I don't see a difference in terms of angle of view, it gives about the same perspective as the 35; the 40 is slightly narrower than the 35, but it looks "normal" enough to me.
edit: After a few months of using it, it's a great lens to have and I've never really felt it too long for a normal. Compared to the plastic 35/2.4, colors are better even though they're both sharp.
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| Review of: HD Pentax-DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited by aaacb on Tue May 31, 2016 | Rating: 10 | View more reviews | |
Views: 152241
Reviews: 31
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With such a wide angle, it can be used for street photo without the viewfinder, at most you'll need to crop the result a little. As with other limited primes, the build quality, colors and contrast are great! I find sharpness to be perfectly fine, but I guess the edges are a little softer than the center wide open. I don't know what to think about the cap... it feels nice and I use it, but I wish it was push-in like on the 70mm.
edit: updated the aberrations rating to account for the coma it shows at max aperture. Does it matter? No, not really, I only noticed after starting to use it indoors and at night. Anything less than f/4 reduces the issue almost entirely so I am not changing the overall rating.
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| Review of: SMC Pentax-DA 35mm F2.4 AL by aaacb on Sat May 21, 2016 | Rating: 10 | View more reviews | |
Views: 767149
Reviews: 157
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This one stays on my camera more than any other lens that I have, despite being the cheapest by far. If I ever buy a limited 35mm, things might change. Maybe it is because I am used to shoot at normal focal length, also because it is light and compact. Image quality is good. It has some slight chromatic aberations but I only noticed that on the computer, not in prints. Single autofocus is actually fast, it could be that the k3 ii focuses faster than some other bodies. I don't miss a lens hood as much as I dislike the back cap, it doesn't catch the tabs so you just push it in. The aperture has a pretty crude shape, so don't expect round out of focus lights. Highly recommended!
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| Review of: HD Pentax-DA 70mm F2.4 Limited by aaacb on Sat May 21, 2016 | Rating: 10 | View more reviews | |
Views: 93939
Reviews: 17
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Do not underestimate how much it matters that this lens weighs 120 grams, it is just a joy to walk around. The only slight downside is that in order to use a filter you need to unscrew the lens hood. I don't mind the focus ring moving at all because I support the camera with my left hand, not the lens, it is a little too small for that. A funny side effect of being so compact is that people, especially on the street, are less weary when they see this lens.
As most people say, image quality is indeed great - objectively and subjectively - and unless you obsessively pixel peep nothing offends except some occasional purple fringes. While this is not the brightest lens out there, portraits look great!
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