| Review of: HD Pentax-D FA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 ED DC WR by steamloco76 on Wed March 13, 2024 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Views: 167086
Reviews: 41
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I gave this lens a 9 overall for two reasons, it does exactly what I expected it to do and the price I paid for it in used, but like new condition.
Having been exclusively an aps-c format digital shooter since my Pentax *ist D back in 2004, I finally took the full frame plunge recently by acquiring a used K-1. I had planned on using it with my large collection of SMC-A manual focus lenses, primarily for landscape and architectural subjects. I quickly realized the K-1 would be my go to camera for those subjects and trains, automobiles and people too. So I started looking to obtain a good standard zoom. My K-1 came with a Tamron 28-105 (the same lens as the Pentax FA 28-105). The lens was "OK" but just not sharp enough, requiring lots of help in post production. Reading the reviews of the DFA 28-105, I figured it would be the best bet, especially used. I was correct. A $250, including tax for a slightly used copy, I am extremely pleased. Stopped down to f8-11, there is nothing to complain about image quality wise. The excellent high ISO performance of the K-1 pretty much offsets the slow aperture and need to stop down a bit. So far AF has been very good too. The colors rendered by this lens have slightly less "pop" than my Pentax FA 20-35/4 and DA* 60-250/4, however a slight boost in PP fixes this.
Bokeh is meh. Not great but not terrible. The lens size is perfect on the K-1. Find a good used copy and buy it.
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| Review of: HD Pentax-D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6 ED DC AW by steamloco76 on Thu February 29, 2024 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Views: 159762
Reviews: 33
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I was fortunate to spot a used copy of the DFA150-450, with a tiny problem, for sale on PF Marketplace for only $1000. The flaw? The tiny plastic seal on the zoom lock had fallen out. Well, I really don't need the zoom lock, so I covered the switch with gaffers tape and have been using the lens well over two years with no issues.
The images produced by this lens can be truly outstanding. Sharp from wide open to 400mm and a half stop down from 400-450. Though at 450mm fine details do start to blend together.The color rendering and contrast in just about any lighting is superb. I shoot this beat handheld most of the time, and with the excellent IS in the KP and K-3iii, I can get tack sharp photos at fairly low shutter speeds. Autofocus is very good, but not quite up to Canon and Sony. I truly despise the focus buttons on the lens barrel! None of the buttons is in the correct position for my fingers. I take many wildlife photos while seated in my SUV, since I have mobility issues. I switched to a metal screw in hood after knocking the clip on original off on the car widow frame numerous times. On a crop sensor body there is no vignetting at 150mm with the barrel diameter metal hood, on the full frame K-1 there is.
When I know my photos will all need to be at 400mm plus, I leave this behemoth at home and choose my DA*300/4 and HD DA 1.4X converter for a 420mm f5.6. Brilliantly sharp and MUCH easier to handle. AF speed is the only downside. Files from my K-3iii and the 300/1.4X are always sharper than those from the 150-450 at 420-450, and are therefore able to be cropped more.
Speaking of the HD DA 1.4X converter, used on the DFA 150-450, my lens shows a pretty significant IQ loss zoomed past 375-400mm unless stopped down to f11 or so. Definitely limits the usefulness and requires a monopod or tripod to really work well.
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| Review of: HD Pentax-DA 40mm F2.8 Limited by steamloco76 on Sat December 2, 2023 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Views: 81660
Reviews: 17
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I had previously owned the SMC version of the 40/2.8 and found my copy to. be less than stellar. I sold it with a camera and swore I wouldn't buy another pancake lens.
Recently, I bought a silver K-5 Limited Edition and wanted a silver prime to display with the camera. Adorama listed a silver HD 40/2.8 in VG for $170. I pulled the trigger and I am extremely happy that I did. The lens is a stellar performer.
Accurate AF, great color rendition, sharp as the proverbial tack and NO flare, even taking photos directly into a very bright rising sun. The lens earned a place in my camera bag! My only complaint- the tiny screw in lens cap. I rectified that issue with a. $6 plastic pinch type cap from Amazon.
The HD 40/2.8 joins my four other Limited lenses, HD 15/4, SMC 21/3.2, HD 35/2.8 Macro and SMC 70/2.4. All excellent lenses, but the 40 and the 15 have"The special sauce"
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| Review of: HD Pentax-DA 1.4x AW AF Rear Converter by steamloco76 on Sat November 6, 2021 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Views: 114458
Reviews: 29
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The HD DA 1.4X is a must have accessory if you own a DA*300/4, FA*300/4.5 or F*300/4.5. Forty percent more magnification with almost no IQ loss, especially with the DA*300/4. The TC also works very well with the F and FA 100/2.8 macro lenses giving a very high quality 140/4 macro lens.
I’ve tested the converter with my DFA 150-450 and it works well for subjects under 100 feet away, after that, at least with my lens, IQ degrades to the point where enlarging files from the 150-450 alone gives better results. No such issue with the DA*300 which is the nearly permanent home for my converter.
I was lucky enough to find a used copy of this lens for $250, though I would still recommend it a the full $397 current asking price.
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| Review of: HD Pentax-DA 16-85mm F3.5-5.6 ED DC WR by steamloco76 on Sat February 6, 2021 | Rating: 7 | View more reviews | |
Views: 294645
Reviews: 43
| Updated: I can no longer recommend this lens. I have now owned THREE. The first is what I described in my review. I bought a second copy and used it gently however, the glue holding the aperture return spring in place failed and the spring detached, rendering the aperture uncontrollable. I sold that copy to someone who wanted to take a crack at the repair. I bought a third copy, open box, from MBP about a year ago. Optically it performed brilliantly. Today it failed. Same aperture spring glue failure as my second copy! The cost to repair the lens through Ricoh's only official repair station is nearly as much as another used copy. I give up on the 16-85. Back to carrying my 15/4 LTD and 18-135 WR or something. I really want to love this lens, however the longer I use it, the more aggravating it becomes. The 16-85mm focal length is perfect for a walk around lens. Zoom and manual focus actions are smooth and precise. Distortion is well controlled as is chromatic aberration and colors are accurate and saturated.
The issues with my copy of this highly rated lens are threefold and echo the comments of another reviewer, plus several posts in the forum. First, even when using my KP with its up to date AF system, the 16-85 blows focus badly at focal lengths from 16-35mm. Sometimes it nails it, other times it turns into a blurry mess. Second, the left side of the images recorded by my 16-85 are always visibly softer than the right, more so at the wide end. Decentering. Third, it has the very annoying “focus jumping” syndrome, especially in live view. I work fast and this lens forces me to pre-focus or manually focus much of the time. I’ve produced some very fine, memorable images with this lens. I’ve also lost what should have been easy-peasy photos because the lens hiccuped at the wrong time.
Even with the issues, the 16-85 is still visibly better than the18-135 on 24MP bodies. I didn’t see as big a gap when using my older K-5iis and its 16MP sensor. If you buy this lens, make sure you test it thoroughly so you don’t get stuck with a copy with issues!
UPDATE: 07/17/2022. The aperture control mechanism failed during a routine photo shoot today. Floppy stopdown lever and the aperture stays wide open. I wish I'd kept my Sigma 16-50/2.8.
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| Review of: S-M-C/Super Takumar 200mm F4 by steamloco76 on Tue September 29, 2020 | Rating: 8 | View more reviews | |
Views: 282549
Reviews: 42
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Great colors and contrast with less than stellar sharpness until f/8. The Super Takumar 200/4 Can make stunning images in good light on the right camera. Use a 10-16 megapixel APS-C DSLR like the K-r, K30 and K-50, and it’s is an “f/8 and be there Lens”. More modern 18-24 megapixel cameras highlight the lenses flaws, especially aberrations.
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| Review of: Takumar 55mm F2.2 by steamloco76 on Sat May 2, 2020 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Views: 26726
Reviews: 3
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I purchased this lens to display on my Asahi Pentax (AP) camera. My sample is in near mint condition, suffering only from stiff grease in the focusing helicoid. A nice feature of this old design is the two ring, preset aperture control. It makes stop down metering in AV mode a breeze and allows smooth intermediate aperture control. Reaching to the front of the lens is different, but not a real hindrance to operation. Used on my K5 and K5iis for general subjects, the limitations of the old five element, single coated design become apparent. Glowing edges and contrast loss due to flare can be an issue. However, get up close to your subject, especially one with vibrant colors and the rendering can be almost magical.
The perfect match has been my 12.1 MP K-r, a Takumar #1 Extension tube and the 55/2.2. Closeups of flowers. Wow. The milky smooth bokeh is a true winner. Colors render true and rich with the K-r, much better than the later bodies. Yes, contrast needs to be punched up a bit in post processing, and shooting in RAW is a prerequisite. A deep lens hood really is a requirement. I chose one which would definitely vignette on a full frame body. I definitely recommend this Takumar to vintage lens user-collectors who love old glass for its unique rendering. If you want perfection, look at newer designs like the SMC Takumar 55/1.8.
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| Review of: SMC Pentax-DA 16-45mm F4 by steamloco76 on Fri September 13, 2019 | Rating: 8 | View more reviews | |
Views: 462266
Reviews: 120
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I purchased my DA 16-45mm new way back in 2004 to use with my *1st D. Thousands of exposures later, it still rides in my camera bag from time to time.
The 16-45 can be a very capable lens when kept at middle apertures f5.6-11, and between 20-40mm focal length. Wide open there is a strong possibility of purple CA. Distortion is nicely controlled even at 16mm HOWEVER I’ve used this lens on seven different bodies and the autofocus between 16-20mm and at 45mm is completely unreliable. Severe back focus at the short focal lengths and front focus at 45mm. I’d wager this lens helped the “Pentax AF is terrible” complaints stick more than any other. If you use live view or the focus confirmation in the viewfinder to manually focus, results are much more predictable.
Many question the durability of this plastic lens. My copy has been used a great deal and has held up well. It does have some fine internal dust, typical of older zooms. If you buy a copy of this lens, make sure to check out the barrel for excessive wobble and also look for internal dirt.
Verdict, it’s better than kit lenses, especially at the wide end and if you use manual focus, not autofocus, results are very good to excellent. I’d say for $150 or less used, it’s a good buy.
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| Review of: SMC Pentax-A 400mm F5.6 by steamloco76 on Tue August 27, 2019 | Rating: 8 | View more reviews | |
Views: 117695
Reviews: 22
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I’ve owned two almost mint condition copies of this lens, both performing nearly identically.
The SMC-A 400 f5.6 has a number of things going for it. The build quality, typical of all A series lenses, is impeccable. Reasonably compact, with a built in tripod collar and lens hood, it travels well. Colors are saturated and warm, Another A series trait. No green button metering either, this lens communicates fully with modern digital Pentax bodies. Image quality and sharpness can be very good to excellent if you hit the “sweet spot” of close to medium distance and apertures between f9 to f13 or so. Flare is very well controlled, even when shooting a strong point light source.
I really wanted to love this lens, unfortunately it just doesn’t deliver the goods in these areas. Focusing is quite slow. The focus throw is very long and somewhat heavily damped, great for tripod use on stationary subjects but far from ideal handheld or for fast moving subjects. Performance at f5.6 to f8 is so-so at best.
Frame filling close subjects which require minimal enlargement in PP can look reasonably good. Subjects more than twenty yards or so away often look very soft, showing little fine detail. Not an ideal birding lens. Some color fringing is also evident in strongly lit, high contrast situations, though at f11 this is minimized.
The deciding factor to wether you will like the A 400 f5.6 comes down to cost vs. performance. Pentax doesn’t give one many viable options when it comes to long telephoto lenses. The excellent but exceedingly expensive and rare f2.8 400 mm lenses and the D FA 150-450mm which is also expensive are there for well heeled photographers. The older Takumar, SMC K and SMC M 400’s are less expensive but suffer from many more performance comprises and often have hazing or fungus issues. Third party 400mm’s are hard to find and usually aren’t particularly good. This leaves the A 400 f5.6 in a zone all by itself. Purchased between $300 to $425 or so, the lens represents a pretty good value in price vs. performance. Plus, you will never wear one out.
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| Review of: SMC Pentax-A 70-210mm F4 by steamloco76 on Mon August 26, 2019 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Views: 306537
Reviews: 65
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My review will be brief. The positive aspects of this classic Pentax A series zoom are impeccable build quality, SMC lens coatings, IQ from short to long, easy one touch zoom and focusing and very good to excellent sharpness across the frame from f5.6 to f11. The built in lens hood and 58mm filter size are a bonus. The macro capability at the 70mm end is useful, with good IQ and even at 210mm the lens focuses to a close 120cm/ 4 feet.
Negatives? Yes, there are a couple. Images aren’t exactly tack sharp at F4, though they are useable with some PP sharpening. Contrast often needs a small PP boost and magenta/green CA can appear at Wide apertures in high contrast lighting. Manual focusing is aided by the bright, constant F4 aperture, however I highly recommend using the Pentax 1.3X magnifying eyecup to increase accuracy.
Compared to my DA HD 55-300mm WR, the SMC-A lens holds its own in the center but kicks the modern zooms posterior where edge sharpness and distortion are concerned, especially at 210mm. Also, colors have that special Pentax look.
I really like this lens for shooting trains and cars. The lack of distortion and smooth tonal rendition of benefit in these situations.
Verdict, if you can find a clean copy for $80 or less, the SMC-A 70-210mm should follow you home.
I recently acquired a K-1, the 70-210 REALLY shines on full frame! From f4.5 to f11 at all focal lengths . | |
| Review of: SMC Pentax 200mm F2.5 by steamloco76 on Wed August 7, 2019 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Views: 140480
Reviews: 30
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I won’t bore you with a long review, the positive reviews of this lens are mostly dead on. The lens does have limitations, it is not the best in bright, high contrast lighting. My copy has very obvious red CA issues creating a halo in the highlights, especially wide open. However, if used in lighting appropriate to a fast, F2.5 telephoto the lens delivers truly excellent results.
Sharp. Yes starting at F2.5 IF you nail the focus! Practice and patients are needed to use this lens well when focused using the viewfinder. The bokeh is smooth, creamy and just shy of amazing. Colors are good and saturated. Contrast and sharpness respond well to post processing adjustments.
Due to the weight, rather long focus throw and need for best technique, this is not a lens for beginning photographers, it is a lens for those willing to work a bit and enjoy a true classic piece of Pentax kit!
I posted test photos in the Bokeh thread.
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| Review of: SMC Pentax-F* 300mm F4.5 ED [IF] by steamloco76 on Thu June 20, 2019 | Rating: 10 | View more reviews | |
Views: 161428
Reviews: 45
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Over the years I’ve almost purchased this lens on several occasions, however the $750 to $900 price tag kept me away. Recently I began shooting a great deal more birds and nature photos, renewing my interest in a compact, hand holdable 300mm telephoto lens. After three months of watching eBay and other sales forums, I scored a super clean copy, missing the tripod foot but with case for a great price.
I can’t add much to the glowing praise of this lens posted by almost every single reviewer on this forum. The 300mm f4.5 F* is sharp enough wide open, becoming razor sharp by f6.7 to f11. Color rendition is outstanding. Chromatic aberration is extremely well controlled. Autofocus performance is as good as any older screw drive lens, I just wish the default was infinity not minimum distance, a gripe with all Pentax AF lenses. Manual focus feel is excellent and positive.
The built in screw to lock hood is a brilliant idea! Why didn’t Pentax keep using this design?
The size, weight and layout of this lens make it an excellent walk around telephoto for handheld photography. I’m still refining my technique with this lens, but when I concentrate handheld, sharp images result at speeds as slow as 1/125th of a second. I wish I’d sprung for this lens twenty years ago, it would have been great for daylight high school sports instead of lugging my 300 f2.8 Tokina ATX around.!
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