| Review of: HD Pentax-D FA* 85mm F1.4 SDM AW by dcpropilot on Wed December 16, 2020 | Rating: 10 | View more reviews | |
Views: 47001
Reviews: 13
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I used to have the previous 85, the 1990's era, FA*85 1.4 and although an outstanding lens, I had focus and problems gear problems. This lens (the D-FA* 85 1.4) alleviated all that, and then some including weather sealing. Quick, silent and accurate autofocus, and it totally exudes the feel and quality of the high performance race car of lenses. Pentax really pulled out all the stops with this one. I was on the fence due to the price, but now using it for a couple of weeks, I can now safely say it is worth every penny.
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| Review of: SMC Pentax-F 35-70mm F3.5-4.5 by dcpropilot on Sat November 30, 2019 | Rating: 0 | View more reviews | |
Views: 389410
Reviews: 101
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Truly a lens that is a best bang for the buck bargain lens. Excellent image quality,full frame compatible, and macro ability. The only downside is that the contrast suffers in bright lightning. Get a deep hood and you'll be good to go.
 _IMG5382 by David Carman, on Flickr
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| Review of: HD Pentax-D FA 15-30mm F2.8 ED SDM WR by dcpropilot on Sat November 30, 2019 | Rating: 10 | View more reviews | |
Views: 124292
Reviews: 32
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This is my K-1 go-to lens for astro, architectural, and landscape. Sharp, excellent contrast, WR, and fast auto focus. The cons are the weight and size, as well the challenge of using ND filters. Other than that a very versatile lens with very pleasing results.
 IMGP5498 by David Carman, on Flickr
 IMGP0562.jpg by David Carman, on Flickr
 _IMG6807 by David Carman, on Flickr
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| Review of: SMC Pentax-DA* 55mm F1.4 SDM by dcpropilot on Sat November 30, 2019 | Rating: 0 | View more reviews | |
Views: 352234
Reviews: 72
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This is a lens that is a professional-grade lens that is even better on the K-1 than it is on my K-3. Some purple fringing in high contrast situations, slower autofocus, and the inability to convert to screw drive are the downsides. With that said, I have taken some of my favorite portrait photos with this lens. The sharpness and color saturation is excellent, and very desirable.
 30747700064_fabb2b0696_k by David Carman, on Flickr
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| Review of: SMC Pentax-DA 15mm F4 ED AL Limited by dcpropilot on Sat November 30, 2019 | Rating: 10 | View more reviews | |
Views: 411889
Reviews: 103
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This is a keeper when it comes to all the lenses I've owned. This is one very versatile lens that is my go-to when shooting APS-C and landscape. And the starburst characteristic is very special, which is missing to some degree with the newer HD version of this lens. Not sure if the HD is worth losing the starburst effect that this lens is known for.
 Selected-4935 by David Carman, on Flickr
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| Review of: HD Pentax-DA 40mm F2.8 Limited by dcpropilot on Fri August 9, 2019 | Rating: 0 | View more reviews | |
Views: 81680
Reviews: 17
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The 40 HD limited is just amazing. This lens is absolutely a wonder that they were able to design a sharp, fast-focusing, all around perfect lens in such a small package, and with the newer HD coatings and round aperture blades is a bonus worth the upgrade (although the SMC version is also a great lens). Paired with the 15 and 70 limiteds, you have a very compact combo to take some amazing photos.
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| Review of: HD Pentax-DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 Limited DC WR by dcpropilot on Thu August 13, 2015 | Rating: 10 | View more reviews | |
Views: 282641
Reviews: 65
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Just a super lens. Sharpness, color, contrast are nothing less than outstanding on my copy. Covering the range of other limited primes (21, 31, 35, and 40), WR sealing, silent DC motor, smaller size (compared to the DA*16-50 and Sigma 18-35), flare resistance, makes this lens very good solution for me. I've had this lens for a week and have yet to take it off my K-3.
 IMGP9775.jpg by Short_Final!, on Flickr
 IMGP9901.jpg by Short_Final!, on Flickr
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| Review of: SMC Pentax-FA 50mm F1.7 by dcpropilot on Mon February 23, 2015 | Rating: 10 | View more reviews | |
Views: 269328
Reviews: 42
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Truly an amazing lens. I actually sold my DA 50 1.8 to get this lens and I am happy I did. Focusing seems to be more precise, quieter, and locks focus with more confidence than the DA 1.8. Too bad this one is so rare. It is, in my opinion the best 50 1.7/1.8 autofocus lens Pentax has made.
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| Review of: SMC Pentax-F 70-210mm F4-5.6 by dcpropilot on Sun September 28, 2014 | Rating: 10 | View more reviews | |
Views: 276156
Reviews: 55
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This lens is one of the sharpest lenses I have. It's a little heavy, but the IQ in my opinion trumps the inconvenience. Focusing is fast, and usually very precise. Overall, an excellent lens that I don't think I'll ever part with (unless I purchase the Tamron 70-200 2.8 someday). IQ id say is between the pentax SMC 55-300 and the Tamron 70-200 2.8.
Here is a shot, with a little post processing in light room.
 IMGP3340.jpg by dcarman75, on Flickr
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| Review of: SMC Pentax-F 50mm F1.7 by dcpropilot on Wed January 15, 2014 | Rating: 10 | View more reviews | |
Views: 360833
Reviews: 99
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Awesome lens. I've had it for one day and it has put a smile on my face....with the speed at which it focuses and the quality of photos so far. Yeah it's loud but it means business. A very fun lens. I also have the DA40 limited, but the F-50 seems to do better at getting accurate focus at a higher speed.
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