| Review of: SMC Pentax-F 17-28mm F3.5-4.5 Fish-Eye by manudikoi on Sat December 12, 2020 | Rating: 8 | View more reviews | |
Views: 96592
Reviews: 16
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I used a k17mmf4 for years and like a lot this fish eye lens , lot of fun , not everyday lens but unique pictures . The build is unique also
Except the build and the look, This zoom is better according to me. It handle strong light much better, Much more easy to use ( don’t have to take care of your fingers....) , A contact for dialog with the camera, more use with the range and at 17mm it’s a little wider than the K !!??. Colors great and very contrasty lens. Iq wise it’s a fish so extrem corners can’t be razor sharp but overall very good and as good if not better than the K.
Only regret is the not so close focus....
For the price I DO recommend this lens. Works well with k1. From F5,6 this lens has already good iq. A simple update with hd coating and Pentax would have a great fisheye with this one. I paid 200€ for this lens. After using it , I would accept to pay easily much more than twice that price. This old lens is still up to date /optics with k1.
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| Review of: SMC Pentax-FA 20-35mm F4 AL by manudikoi on Sat December 12, 2020 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Views: 191807
Reviews: 41
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This is really a nice and versatile lens with k1.
Very good optics, so light and handy.
My most used lens for landscape (I have 12-24 da, dfa 24-70. 2.8, k17 F4. , dfa 28-105., F17-28mm , hd fa 35mmf2 ’etc)
The zoom range is perfect , with my zoom F 70-210mm I have a good easy to carry allround kit for bright days. Shooting almost always between F5,6 to f11
The COLOR rendering is nice (ghostless coat as limited lens) and special. It’s maybe the only lens I don’t use post processing colors because I feel to lost a kind of special native rendering I like. Warm and a kind of small 3D pop ( nothing to compare with the 3D blue rendering of my fa77mm but really noticeable special rendering)
So remember, maybe not a pro star lens but a very good lens is a lens you use and always bring with you. And k1 is heavy...
I bought the new dfa 15-30.....maybe better but it mostly stays at home and will end by resale this heavy tank...
Really a nice little zoom. A prosumer zoom as Pentax used to say about it
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| Review of: SMC Pentax-FA 50mm F2.8 Macro by manudikoi on Thu October 15, 2020 | Rating: 10 | View more reviews | |
Views: 190642
Reviews: 45
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Amazing good value
Feed the k1 36mp sensor perfectly
Very sharp at po, crazy sharp above, maybe the sharpest lens I own
Contrast and COLOR rendition. Kind 3D pop effect .
Macro mode gorgeous but close ;\
Some say it’s ugly and yes small focus ring, af hunting sometimes (macro but use manual so...and fast on normal mode), some ac at 2,8/4 sometimes
But every pentaxian should test it.
This is unbelieve good value For the price and high grade optics with allround uses (normal, macro, landscape, portrait)
Nice balance on k1 , no hood required, weight ok. No zoom extension like dfa, metal barrel .
The kind of lens you always bring with you. A MUST HAVE
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| Review of: SMC Pentax-F 70-210mm F4-5.6 by manudikoi on Sat October 10, 2020 | Rating: 8 | View more reviews | |
Views: 276150
Reviews: 55
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Such small size for the zoom range . 49mm rotatif front element. First mount on the k1 ... quite loud af system but acceptable and really fast af !
First time use i was afraid...As I have a mint copy of a F star 300mm 4.5
But after somme pics.....damned !!!!
Except for low light and action (no pentax lens existing for action for me) Its really good with the k1 and the size is very Nice so you can bring it with you each Time . I love my fstar but i still find it big to bring it with me often.
Quite the same size and weight than my k135 f2,5.
F4 Po fully usable at 70mm, one or two stop after po Everywhere (F8 at 210 really sharp !!!) and its a real good Lens. Better than my da55-300 on k5. I always hated this da plastic zoom with such a poor and loud af system...this f70 is much better , faster and less loud and much better feeling handling
Nice Bokeh, contrast, Colors. Some few AC but easy correction
Very underestimated zoom and extraordinary bargain for the price. No wr, dont CARE...60€...
With a fa 20-35 , a fa50 2.8 macro and this zoom you have a good light allround kit with your beloved quite heavy k1 …. And sometimes i will add my fish zoom f 17-28 too ;\…
Try to find a good copy (old...) . If not sharp you found a lemon, no way so try again ;)
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| Review of: SMC Pentax 28mm F3.5 by manudikoi on Sun May 27, 2018 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Views: 294879
Reviews: 64
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Mine is mint copy
At F8 to F11 i have no 28mm Lens with such sharpness on borders and extrême corners. My kit zoom D-FA 28-105mm , wich i find no so bad at 28mm f8 , looks blurry when you make comparaison side by side on corners... this prime is razor Sharp on extrêmes.
Bokeh i dont care, this is not build as a fast Lens.
This is The Lens for landscape / infinity
Extrême corners and edges are such Sharp
Color rendering is really good and contrast
Build like all K
Manuel Focusing no problem with K1
I do recommended this Lens , it s quite cheap for the optical quality.
The Best Pentax 28mm prime choice for landscape at the moment
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| Review of: SMC Pentax-FA 50mm F1.7 by manudikoi on Mon February 5, 2018 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Views: 269325
Reviews: 42
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Had already a50 1,4, fa 50 1,4 etc...
this one mint conditions for 150$.The fa 1.7 is better from P.O. to 2.8.
1,4 are too soft until 2.2 for my taste
From 4.0 almost identical
Bokeh is nice, as COLOR rendering
Example, center cropped, wo pp=K1 direct jpeg at 2,5 iso 1600, no hood :(... :
Pure résolution at F4 (few cropped center ,k5 iso 800, with few pp for black tones of bad reflects daylight conditions, no flash, no hood)
I recommand, great with k1(and apsc) if you can find one but will be hard /rare and a keeper so will be pricey...
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| Review of: SMC Pentax 17mm F4 Fish-Eye by manudikoi on Thu February 1, 2018 | Rating: 8 | View more reviews | |
Views: 99803
Reviews: 21
| Update April 2018
Using this beauty more and more. Such fun and ease of use, amazing FOV for insides pics and good Optics
2 pics HANDHELD at 1/6 sec !!!!! iso 800 and 1600. Imagine on a steady tripod ISO 100... :
 
__________________________________________________________
This tiny little sweety is gorgeous . Mine is almost mint condition.
Amazing FOV/DOF, pentax colors
my dfa 28-105 at 28 seems a long tele , pics at F.8 just to compare :
(Direct jpeg from camera, no pp)
FOV Indoor   FOV outdoor flat day light :(   and the size !!!! ( on par with a FA 50mm 1,7) :
Just lovely lens, a kind of DA 15 limited for K1  (above shot with a Lester A Dine macro 105mm (=Kiron 105 2.8 etc...) at F.2.8+ISO 1600. This is also a beast of a lens.)
Great optics on k1. At least as good my Da 12/24 on k5 but with less ac.
I put 10 everywhere :rolleyes: (for what it is :UWA supercharge details /180º/qty of pixel information it has to record+very few ac +size+handling+price+build,such pleasant using it and fun)
Another smile lens with my fa77, The look ans mechanical build is such exceptional
The handling is a dream :
Focusing is the easiest ( af useless, infinity begins at above 1.1m distance lol)
You can shoot at half sec time exposure handheld ! Thanks K1 SR ans iso for low light
You can have a real fisheye 180º with lot distorsion and curiously have not so much and landscape view if good composition
I recommend this gem if you can find one, even though it s not an every day use lens.
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| Review of: SMC Pentax-DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 ED AL [IF] DC WR by manudikoi on Sat January 27, 2018 | Rating: 8 | View more reviews | |
Views: 622810
Reviews: 140
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Well rating this wide range zoom is not simple
But come on, rating the sharpness 3 or 5 is not serious regarding what it is = the range and the price....
(If you are a real pro with $$$$$ lenses ok but you never buy this in fact)
I have very hig quality primes in my quiver.I will say that optically that's not really great nor very good. BUT its a long range so not so surprising
Really very good performance withtin the center in the whole range
The (small) range 24-70mm is really good enough among the whole frame. In the others ranges ie 18-24 and 70/135 = poor corners
In fact the handling and range are such good that i used it a lot finally, with all weather conditions and shooting always at F8 + PP with DXO
If you don't want to carry several lenses with you THat the choice for good average results. This is already an improve in optics quality/ 18-55mm kit. the 16-85 is much better but bigger and a kind of short range and you may will feel the need to buy an additional mid tele prime or mid tele zoom so not the same budget and 2 lens to carry
I must say i took pleasure with this one. It's OK for general use / holidays. OK if your are advanced shooter you won't choose this one
I have some gems and Star lenses and i'am not ashamed to have used it. Now using K1 with great lenses, i keep it on my K5 for the no brain use and won't sell it.
Some nices PICS with it (i always use quick PP with DXO standard lens profile correction, an a polar filter with sea landscape) :
     
This one really shows the weaknesses : such poor borders and corners even with DXO. Not great yes but not so awful. its a nice souvenir taken from a "moving" small boat with no brain no fear.
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| Review of: SMC Pentax-DA 12-24mm F4 ED AL [IF] by manudikoi on Fri January 26, 2018 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Views: 345958
Reviews: 62
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I use this with a k5 only within the 12-18/20 range and almost 75% in the 12mm.
F4or F5,6 for indoor and F8 outdoor landscape, it really shines in these settings.
  
I shot outdoor and indoor pics
Some night ones too :
For an UWA lens, Outstanding IQ in center , very good borders.Contrast and Colors are Pentax da so really good!
Some people says some AC and purple fringing. Of course if you shoot a very high contrast situations such a tree in automn in foreground with white sky, you will see the best purple Fringing on the branches in the corners you probably ever seen, quite like quasi all lens, but much more here. .
The fact is that in the most most of the time in normal situations , you won’t feel and see it even printing on a A4 size.
Of course if you magnify x2 or x3 on your 24”pc screen, you won’T miss it.
Hey it’s an UWA so if you take a pic and want to be able to crop it quite generously without bother with Ac , choose a 50mm and take care of your composition!!!
For me, This lens is mandatory with an apc for the 12mm FOV and because it’s such a higher quality In IQ/clarity in the 18mm range already at F4 comparing to a normal zoom such a 18-135 at F8 for example.
At the opposite, The 24mm range of the 12-24 is not the best (but still very good at F8) comparing with the 18-135 which is normal as the 24-50mm range for my copy is the (only but quite superb ... but quite restricted range for such a zoom...) point of strength .
Look at the 77mm if you want use a (mandatory very high quality)polarized filter so Extra cost, personally I tried with and considering the FOV I found it useless and finding it gave too too much sky contrast to an already contrasty lens.
It’s a specialised purpose lens but for wide shooting it’s a winner in Pentax world.
The price can be high as new but finding one used Cheaper in very good condition can be a solution as it’s usually not a daily use lens.
You can’t be disappointed , try it !!!
this is it for APS-C only even if it works on apsc mode with the K1. For FF now i use the FA 20-35mmF4 (this one no interesting for APS-c/ range) as I hate this kind of restricted black border Windows in my OVF no way. Will post a review of this FA when more exhaustiv use but it smells very very good (35mm much much better than the 24mm of the 12-24
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| Review of: SMC Pentax 135mm F2.5 by manudikoi on Fri January 26, 2018 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Views: 372895
Reviews: 71
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Why I bought this lens ?
First when I bought my k1, I found my FA77 short as I was used to shoot with my crop k5 sensor so quite a 115/120mm equiv range
This old lady as such great optics (plus it’s a pleasure to watch such a big front piece of glass and the build)
On my K1 I shoot only at 2,5 For subject isolation because of such a mix of great IQ/contrast/COLOR rendering which seems very close to my fa77 on k5.
Notice if you want to stp down With this =M mode +use of green button metering And you have to set -0,7 manual exposition correction (because over expo And contraste loss)
IAM not fond of the green button mesuring ... but
This K2.5 is a gem for the pic rendering with isolation . It’s a fame lens and it deserves it
Don’t worry of the manual focusing even if you dislike, at the first pic at 2.5 you will have big smile.
Knowing this lens now I can tell you it worth easily a 150/200€ bill average with no discussion and suit the k1 lovely
Be careful of the m135 3.5 you can find everywhere on eBay. I bought it 4 years ago for my k5 and resold it 1week after. Absolutely not not the same league.
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| Review of: SMC Pentax-F* 300mm F4.5 ED [IF] by manudikoi on Fri January 26, 2018 | Rating: 10 | View more reviews | |
Views: 161450
Reviews: 45
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Bought an almost mint copy from Japan with tax ...950$ ;\\ five years ago and...
If I loose it I will buy another !!!!
Such great results, a joy to use because of IQ (you don’t have to think at what aperture to set, its a pro), Colors and size.
Not really for ultra speed action on night(and day) but for birding, kids running pics and non pro soccer matches it’s very good solution.
I love the size and the screw integrated hood, as iam a lazzy guy ! I hate carrying a big bag
The screw AF is reliable at least and fast enough to my taste
It’s feel indestructible comparing to modern prime
I even try to used it with a Tamron pfz az 1,4x with my k5 and the results were convincing iqwise and af. And I could crop after....if good weather/light clarity conditions.
Much better look and handling(size,hood/tripod mount...) than the FA
A keeper. Very High optic+size/handling+screw af reliability (forget sdm...)
 
this one cropped the 2 sides L/R and kept only the center area :
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| Review of: HD Pentax-D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 ED DC WR by manudikoi on Fri January 26, 2018 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Views: 167122
Reviews: 41
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Similar look and nice handling than 18-135 on my k5 but the comparaison stops here.
Much much better IQ among the whole frame within the whole range.
With the 18\135 always have to shoot at F8 mini To have a nice IQ (although still shitty extreme corners ...). In fact except within the short range of 24 to 50mm (very good across the whole frame here) it was just a good zoom for holidays.
This one at 4,5 on 28 it’s already very good for example. F8 sharp corner to corner
I find no weakness among the whole range ( except less brillant at 105 but already nothing to compare with the 135)
The size and use are great, Wr etc....AC no problem.
In fact I wish it’s not a constant F4 with the same size, such a killer but iam dreaming lol...always want more.....
With 3 or 4 specialised primes more in your bag you can go shooting almost everything with confidence and great results
A very high quality kit zoom
Absolutely no regret of the dfa 24-70 30kg tank small range...
rainy day :(
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| Review of: SMC Pentax-FA 77mm F1.8 Limited by manudikoi on Fri January 26, 2018 | Rating: 10 | View more reviews | |
Views: 439341
Reviews: 107
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After years using it on my k5, I can say this rocks with K1. Finding it easier to use it and catch the focus at F.1.8 with much better IQ. Was using it often at 2,8 or above with k5 .
Fov/Dov different with K1 of course but learning is quick (took me months with k5 to tame this beast...)
36Mp does not afraid it at all
PROS
IQ
COLOR RENDERING 3D pop
Blue tones lovely
I can say the picture took with it among 100 others pics.
CONS
Take time to learn it
You must check the micro setting AF adjustment within your camera ( thanks Vietnam QC :mad: : this is a sharp lens at all apertures including at PO although you don’t have to be drunk to achieve the right focus.
This is a smile lens : when you watch it, you take it In your hands, you shoot with it, and when you watch the pics
I own others good gems (k135 2.5, lester a dine macro 105 2.8, FA 50 1,7, F*300 4.5, czj Sonnar 135 3.5, and some others goodies...) but this one is my babe! A unique mix of IQ, contrast and color rendering and build./size.
A must in Pentax land if you can afford it
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