| Showing all 3 reviews by smc | |
| Review of: SMC Pentax 400mm F5.6 by smc on Tue December 28, 2010 | Rating: 8 | View more reviews | |
Views: 56036
Reviews: 7
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I picked up this lens after purchasing a "box of lenses" and knew little about it or how it might perform. I was pleasantly surprised after my first outing with the lens. I quite like the colour, sharpness and contrast it produces. It's build quality is typical for a K series lens, with it being very solid and smooth focusing.
This lens is also extremely light for it's focal length and age, making it suitable for a moderate hike or walk. You will also need to take a tripod, as you would with any 300+mm lens. It does take some care as the tripod mount is not balanced and it has a tendency to shake on the tripod, but if you use the 2 second delay or remote, don't mind manual focus, and are patient, chances are you'd be very happy with a copy of the lens.
As mentioned by gofour3, you need to be 27 feet / 8 meters away from your shooting subject. I have found this to be a limiting factor when using the lens.
I have much more expensive telephotos, but they all have their drawbacks and given a limited budget, the K400 would be one lens I would look for.
A shot taken with the K400......
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| Review of: SMC Pentax-A* 1200mm F8 ED [IF] by smc on Sat August 7, 2010 | Rating: 10 | View more reviews | |
Views: 63571
Reviews: 3
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There are two reactions when someone sees this lens. One group thinks that you must be able to take unreal pictures with ease (not the case), and the other group offers advice on how to take advantage of the capabilities of this lens (thanks!).
I would highly recommend anyone thinking of buying a lens over 300mm to read the following post (the A*1200 is 23X compared with the 25X telescopes listed);
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-slr-lens-discussion/29502-tips-using-big-mirror-lenses-like-c5.html
First the challenges:
Long lenses can be extremely difficult to use. Pressing the shutter button can cause shake to continue for 3 seconds or longer, ruining a good shot. Trying to find your target takes a lot of practice and taking a shot at reasonably close range wide open can create the area of focus to be less than a centimeter (half an inch). You can have a bird’s eye in focus and the beak blurred. Good luck if the bird moves, which they do constantly.
This is also a heavy lens, which requires a heavy tripod and support. Expect to invest on a tripod and head, which can support the weight. If you take into account the challenges, how are you going to track that duck moving or even adjust for the moon (it can move out of frame due to the earth's rotation from the time you setup, focus, and hit the 2 second timer), let alone nail a shot of an eagle if you are only using a studio tripod? I can pack it and the tripod a ways by folding the legs and resting it on my shoulder, but I am not going on a hike and I am in reasonable shape. The lens weighs almost 19 pounds and then you need to add the tripod and head.
Now the positive:
The clarity, crispness and saturation are superb for any lens, let alone one that is a huge distance from its subject. CA/Purple Fringing are ridiculously controlled for such a lens. The reality is that there is no other Pentax lens that can capture shots where the subject is difficult to get close to, in as high quality as this lens. Adjusted to today’s dollar, this is a $30,000 lens and there is a reason for it. Anything over 500mm can’t use regular glass and correct fringing. This lens uses low dispersion glass, which at this size took forever to produce, creating few copies at huge cost.
Build quality is unbelievable; it is built like a tank. Focusing is smooth and quick, and it feels right when using such a large monster of a lens. If you have read the post I provided earlier in this review, you can understand what it might be like finding a moving target at this focal length. With this lens, and the right tripod, I have been able to track wind surfers and birds in flight with limited trouble. It is well balanced and fast to focus.
I really enjoy using this lens. It delivers shots that are in much better shape than could be possible with cropping. Expensive yes, but worth it.
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| Review of: SMC Pentax 15mm F3.5 by smc on Sun February 15, 2009 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Views: 95358
Reviews: 14
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One of the greats. I'm lucky enough to have the aspherical. With it's range and bowed front element....you will usually have to watch for flare.....but I shield it with my hand and seems to work...
I regret selling my copy after looking back at the pictures it took, so I just picked up a replacement. It might be an oddity, but it is worth it.
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