Review of: SMC Pentax-A 100mm F2.8 Macro by pepperberry farm on Fri December 29, 2023 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Views: 90751
Reviews: 12 |
the SMC A 100mm f2.8 Macro is an amazing, interesting beast - why would Pentax create a singular lens in both size and composition, and never use it again?
- the lens is bigger in every dimension than the A 100/4 Macro
- the lens' composition is completely different than the A 100/4 Macro and also not carried over to the later F/FA/D FA macros....
granted, the following lenses were good in their own right, and the D FA series should be labeled as 'Limited' lenses...
anyways....
prices for the A 100/2.8 Macro are just about the only downside I could find - prices range from expensive to just silly.... I count myself lucky in finding a good copy at B&H for a decent price...
and everything else you can think of, this lens honestly excels at - being a macro, the clarity and sharpness are to be expected, but the bokeh is really smooth, colors are the expected-Pentax warm (even on my Fuji's)...
it is not an overly-heavy lens, but feels well-built and handles very nicely, especially the monster focus ring...
but what about the photos?
glassware by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
thistle seed head by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
frosted by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
rain drop by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
sunrise by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
as I stated in my SIC review, I wish I had chased a copy of this lens down much sooner....
the rest of this lens' album:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pepperberryfarm/albums/72177720312873631/ | |
Review of: SMC Pentax A* 85mm F1.4 by pepperberry farm on Sat July 1, 2023 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Views: 163181
Reviews: 19 |
what a stunner of a lens - I used this lens for my Single In Challenge in June and could possibly do several more months with this lens....
my copy is a bit of a beater - missing paint in spots, cleaning marks on the front element, slow-reacting aperture blades....
but the glass is clean and sooooo capable!
the MFD is a bit long, but I use a macro-focusing helicoid adapter to solve that...
beyond that small hurdle, everything else this legendary lens brings to the table is excellent - color, clarity, bokeh, and is it sharp?!?!
some shots:
ladybug by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
black-eyed susans by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
crossing Main by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
cherry tomatoes by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
fog with doe by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
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Review of: SMC Pentax-D FA 645 55mm F2.8 AL [IF] SDM AW by pepperberry farm on Mon May 29, 2023 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Views: 75330
Reviews: 13 |
this is an epic lens that mates perfectly with the 645D, and brings out everything that I love about working with the 645D
as expected for a 'modern' medium-format lens, it's sharp, contrasty, makes beautiful bokeh, the AF is reasonably quick...
the lens' MFD is a bit long at 18" or so, but it's so sharp you can crop as much as needed...
I carried this combo all over this past month and it's been a joy, every time I pick it up...
some of my favorites this month:
sunset by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr (this one hit 'explore')
ornate tortoise by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
cottontail by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
thistle by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
daisies by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
wildflowers, abandoned lot by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
and the rest of my flickr album for this lens:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pepperberryfarm/albums/72177720307101596
simply put - if you are shooting with either a 645D or Z, this is the walk-around lens to have....
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Review of: SMC Pentax-FA 645 45mm F2.8 by pepperberry farm on Fri February 3, 2023 | Rating: 8 | View more reviews | |
Views: 53164
Reviews: 8 |
I used this lens for the January Single In Challenge - this from my end of month review there:
starting the year of with a new-to-me camera format (MF) - the camera/ens I've had for a few months, but this'll be the first time through a SIC...
firstly, the elephant in the room: size/weight....
once you get your hand/shoulder/brain around that fact, shooting with this rig is just like any Pentax DSLR you've ever used - controls are all familiar and similarly-placed, etc....
and this month's lens, the FA 645 45mm f2.8, is better than the reviews here give it credit...
the lens is sharp, colorful, contrasty, quick to focus, even nice bokeh... all the things you could want in a walk-around length prime....
I do wish it had a shorter MFD, but that's a normal complaint for me, and there is some barrel distortion if you are shooting at wide-open or close to apertures....
some of my favorite shots with this lens:
hibiscus by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
paving bricks, street corner by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
asters in sunrise, frosted by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
caged by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
sunset under the willow by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
Valdani threads by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
and the rest of my flickr album for this lens:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pepperberryfarm/albums/72177720300004601/with/52178601250/ | |
Review of: SMC Pentax-DA 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 ED AL [IF] by pepperberry farm on Mon November 1, 2021 | Rating: 8 | View more reviews | |
Views: 256942
Reviews: 50 |
early on, I had a used copy of the DA 18-250mm f3.5-6.3 ED AL (IF) and loved it; when the focus gears wore out, I sent it off for repairs and it was determined that the parts were not available for a repair with out a donor lens, so I had to let it go...
I've missed it... and tried to fill that hole with several other superzooms and none of them ever had the colors or focus of the 18-250 - I've had a good copy of the DA 18-135mm for a while, but that lens just wasn't "it"...
so when I came across a NIB copy of the 18-250, I bought it.... and here we go:
it is a superzoom with a 'slow' aperture that gets worse the further out you go in focal lengths.... so you need a truckload of light to avoid having to run higher ISO....
MFD is reasonable, but allows for close up shots at the further focal lengths...
significant barrel distortion at 18-20mm, but almost any post-processing software will cure that, plus the lens will also give you purple fringing if you aren't careful about bright highlights/backlighting...
typical plastic build quality for a consumer zoom lens - zoom ring is nicely-damped, but the tiny focus ring has that expected plastic grittiness to it...
but - it is a superzoom, not a highly-corrected prime, so this is a lens of convenience not art...
or is it?
gimme some bokeh:
spider in web by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
bokeh under the willow by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
jelly beans by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
or how about some color:
turning maples by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
pop stand by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
pumpkins & chrysanthemums by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
and the convenience of the superzoom is hard to ignore...
at 18mm:
lawn chairs, west field by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
at 250mm:
white-capped sparrow by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
so - hugely capable, convenient, and actually quite competent....
the rest of my flickr album with this lens:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pepperberryfarm/albums/72157719858443634/page1 | |
Review of: SMC Pentax 35mm F2 by pepperberry farm on Sat October 2, 2021 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Views: 122055
Reviews: 16 |
what a great versatile lens - all month long, I was continually impressed by this lens...
the lens' clarity, sharpness, color rendition, even its MFD was a joy to use all month long....
occasionally, I would find that wide-open, it would be a bit 'glowy' and I'd lose some contrast in strong light, but stopping down a bit would easily solve that issue....
also, I did find its bokeh a bit harsh with sharp-sided hexagons, again, only occasionally....
I rarely found myself wishing for a different lens while working with it....
and the shots:
sunflower & bee by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
copper... by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
tiny tortoise by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
lawn chairs, west field by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
sunrise by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
and the rest of my album for this lens:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pepperberryfarm/albums/72157705243816581/page1
in short, hugely capable and versatile - should be on your short list for a fast wide angle MF lens....
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Review of: SMC Pentax-FA 77mm F1.8 Limited by pepperberry farm on Tue September 14, 2021 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Views: 438845
Reviews: 107 |
this one lives up to the legend - full stop.....
what a month - there are only two nit-picks for this lens.. everything else is simply glorious about it - color, bokeh, sharpness, clarity, all in spades....
it's a tidy, nearly-pancake of a lens, with a built-in hood and legendary Limited build quality...
two weeks into the month, I was sold on this lens - so much so, I sold off my DA70 Limited....
the two caveats - MFD and CA; the minimum focusing distance is a bit long, but this is soooooo sharp, you can crop as much as you like and still be happy...
the other issue is with occasional purple fringing in high-contrast edges; again, not a huge issue with today's post-processing software...
some shots with this lens:
utility by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
fake flowers by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
sunset in the garden by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
jeans & pegs by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
alley, biker by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
fence bokeh by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
and the rest of my flickr album for this lens:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pepperberryfarm/albums/72157718723973613/page1
in short - if you need a telephoto lens that produces pretty much any shot you could ask for, this is it....
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Review of: SMC Pentax-A 50mm F1.2 by pepperberry farm on Mon July 5, 2021 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Views: 295861
Reviews: 33 |
an incredibly useful lens - all the speed you could want, colorful, clarity, sharpness, and bokeh to dream about....
so why am I not in love with it?
there isn't anything wrong with it, other than the MFD is a bit long.... so the only thing I can put a finger to is the focal length...
I'm just not a 50mm shooter...
some shots with the 50:
daisies by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
lightning by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
sunset, tall grass by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
lily & raindrops by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
sunrise by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
the rest of this lens' album:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pepperberryfarm/albums/72157718850068686/page1
in short - an amazing lens; I just don't want one....
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Review of: SMC Pentax-FA 31mm F1.8 AL Limited by pepperberry farm on Sat April 3, 2021 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Review of: SMC Pentax-A 20mm F2.8 by pepperberry farm on Wed July 1, 2020 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Views: 152247
Reviews: 22 |
what a phenomenal lens this little package is...
I remember thinking it was either this or a Voigtlander Color-Skopar 20mm f3.5 at the time that the Pentax lens popped up on eBay.... and I cannot imagine that I am missing a single thing with this lens...
there aren't any negatives to this lens, so let's hit the highlights: beautiful colors, amazing clarity, and sharp as razor - I was consistently surprised at how sharp landscapes, street scenes, etc were with the A20/2.8....
even decent bokeh wide open; stop this lens down and you'll get funky penta-bokeh chunks that can be distracting occasionally...
superior build and handling - the lens feels good in your hand as you focus; it's not a bulky lens by any means, but it is of solid heft....
ok, enough of that - let's see some shots:
crossing Main St by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
sunset by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
lawn chairs, west field by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
so you expect this lens to be great in the big, wide shots.... but how about up close?
Tilly in the box by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
post and wire by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
corn stalks by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
in short - if you are in the market for a wide MF lens - put this one on your list to seek out....
the rest of my flickr album for this lens:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pepperberryfarm/albums/72157712776195288/with/49602106236/ | |
Review of: SMC Pentax-DA* 55mm F1.4 SDM by pepperberry farm on Sat October 5, 2019 | Rating: 10 | View more reviews | |
Views: 351837
Reviews: 72 |
I bought my DA* 55mm f1.4 SDM used from Adorama a couple of weeks before the SIC started and was a completely unexpected purchase; I had not expected to find a decent copy at such a low price, so here I am...
what an epic lens - great color, bokeh, clarity, sharpness... everything you want in a lens (minus one) is here....
yeah, the hood is a little larger and the autofocus is a bit slower than a screwdrive, but this is the price you pay for an over-engineered lens like this...
I used/abused this lens all month and it never disappointed - it has such a character to its captures, you'd swear there were things that it couldn't do... you'd be wrong...
my only ding against this lens is its minimum focusing distance - it is not a macro, I know, nor even a close-focusing lens, but I had to recompose more often than I'd like....
that's it - the only negative thing I can think of to really hit this lens with... and it's sharp enough, you can crop 'til your heart's content...
some of my favorite shots:
web in fog by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
chrysanthemums, morning light by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
Valdani thread by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
Domino by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
crossing by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
sunrise by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
and the rest of the album for this lens:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pepperberryfarm/albums/72157710359674372/page1
just a note about lens-buying: don't settle for a lens that you didn't want vs the one that you do.... it'll be miserable and you'll end up buying two lenses, when you only wanted one of them....
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Review of: SMC Pentax-D FA 100mm F2.8 Macro WR by pepperberry farm on Sat August 3, 2019 | Rating: 10 | View more reviews | |
Views: 460076
Reviews: 106 |
what a lens...
I traded my copy of the FA43 Limited for this lens - it was 'like new', in box with all papers, OEM caps and hood.... and I honestly feel that I got the better part of the deal...
the D FA 100mm f2.8 Macro WR is everything you would expect from a modern, super-corrected macro lens...
it has all the boxes ticked, such as quick-shift, weather-resistant, beautifully built, full 1:1 macro - there are very few items missing from this lens' list of specs and none of the missing bits are detrimental to it...
could it have a DC or SDM motor? yes, at the cost of its svelte exterior...
could it have an aperture ring? yes, but none of the current/modern lenses do and going forward, the idea of an aperture ring is becoming more and more rare...
could it have a focus-limiter? yes, but again, at the cost of that slick exterior barrel...
I would have been happy with all the optics packaged in a plastic, manual focus barrel, at anything nearly twice its size - it's that good...
I shot everywhere this month; the library, the zoo, downtown, in the fields - and not once did this lens let me down... you point it, it delivers...
beautiful bokeh, crisp colors, amazing details - anything you ask of it, it's good at...
downsides? yeah, it's a little long occasionally, causing me to re-compose.. and, yeah, because it's a macro lens, the focus travel is long...but that is the price you pay for that macro capability...
oh, and the shots?
paint by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
at the library by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
green boa by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
dragonfly by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
hay bales by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
shop pup by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
and the rest of the album:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pepperberryfarm/albums/72157709298772337/page1
no mystery about this lens - if you need a macro lens in the 70 - 100mm range, there's no reason to not put one of these in your bag....
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Review of: SMC Pentax-FA 43mm F1.9 Limited by pepperberry farm on Sun June 2, 2019 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Views: 400617
Reviews: 100 |
I finally bought a copy (used from the Marketplace) of the venerated FA 43mm f1.9 Limited - slightly intimidating, given its status as one of the Three Princesses (or Amigos, or whatever you call this trinity), but here we go:
of course, there's the build quality of the FA Limited - all metal, tight tolerances, engraved markings, all the things we've come to know and love about these lenses - she's a beauty...
two shortcomings for me are immediately apparent from the get-go: MFD of just under 18" and no quick-shift, but this lens was designed in a different time, to a different spec so I'll just adjust...
beyond those two issues, however, all is a land of sweet bokeh, beautiful colors, and rendering that is just delectable...
witness:
daisies by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
spring storm by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
chainmail by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
snake in the box by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
there is one quirk I learned about the FA 43 Ltd during my month with her: do not force the lens; what I mean is, this lens has a definite, distinct style of shooting that gives you the opportunity to see why it's a legend....
I tried to force the lens into MFD, wide-open shots as I would any other close-focusing or macro lens I own and the results were not pleasing to the eye at all - flat, busy bokeh, uninspiring shots were the result...
but give the lens the chance to flow, to allow the Art to happen, and it's sooo rewarding...
my flickr album for the FA43 Limited:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pepperberryfarm/albums/72157678017630147/page1 | |
Review of: Pentax Mount Adapter K (M42 Screwmount to K Mount) by pepperberry farm on Mon November 26, 2018 | Rating: 10 | View more reviews | |
Views: 62303
Reviews: 18 |
mine came in a bundle with a couple of other accessories and then sat in a box for a couple of years...
finally became confident enough to buy an M42 lens (Super Takumar 55mm f1.8) and tried it initially on one of my K-3 bodies....
liked it well enough to buy a dedicated-body to be my M42 DSLR and mounted this adapter on the camera, with the intent to never remove the adapter...
it does what it's intended to do perfectly: allow you to use M42 mount lenses on a K-mount body
a comment on current pricing - I noticed that B&H currently has them listed at $79.95, which seems ridiculously high.... check the Marketplace here, post a 'Wanted' ad, and look also on eBay for a good used copy....
used copies will still be higher than knock-offs, but you'll be getting an adapter that is designed for your camera and less likely to leave you with it stuck on the body...
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Review of: HD Pentax-DA 35mm F2.8 Limited Macro by pepperberry farm on Sat June 30, 2018 | Rating: 10 | View more reviews | |
Views: 149410
Reviews: 26 |
I bought my copy on a lark; I was hoping that this lens would stave off the interest I had for the DA20-40 Limited zoom, so I was watching/waiting for an SMC copy of this lens to show up at my price-point, when an HD copy on eBay turned up: I can't tell that it was ever used, but that's fine with me...
firstly, as a Limited lens, it's all you would expect: small, metal-build, exquisitely machined, but with red highlights rather than the green I've become accustomed to (HD vs SMC) - it does give the K-3 a bit of snarkiness, but all Limiteds do that...
the built-in hood is well-executed, as is the bespoke push-on front cap, especially when compared to the DA 40 Limited... no WR, but since I've switched to BBF, the quickshift has rapidly become useful for me...
overall, the color rendition, sharpness, bokeh, and the general usefulness of this lens is amazing - and the fact that it is a true 1:1 macro lens only increases its utility for me, even if that macro ability increases the size of the lens from what you would normally expect from a Limited lens... in shooting all month, I've noticed that subjects are captured with a distinct 'pop', a true separation from the background, and its ability to render fine details borders on the amazing...
I thoroughly enjoyed shooting with this lens (Esmerelda) all month, without the normal third-or-fourth week doldrums settling - I will probably revisit this lens as a Single In lens later in the year....
in fact, the ONLY negative I have found in the last month is the macro facility of the lens: in order to pull a true 1:1 macro shot from this lens, you have to be quite close to your subject... while inanimate objects aren't a problem, frogs & insects may not sit still while you invade their personal space... beyond that, there is absolutely not reason to not have a copy of this lens in your bag...
some of my favorite shots so far:
onions by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
Finn, Stormy, and Laney by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
lily by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
mockingbird, in flight by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
and the rest of my flickr album for this lens:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pepperberryfarm/albums/72157696313578554/page1
(and if you are curious: yes, I am no longer in the hunt for a DA20-40mm Limited zoom - this lens is that good)
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Review of: SMC Pentax-A 200mm F4 by pepperberry farm on Thu May 31, 2018 | Rating: 8 | View more reviews | |
Views: 73675
Reviews: 15 |
all month with a 200mm prime.. whose genius idea was that? I just finished using the SMC A 200mm f4 in the Single In Challenge for May.
the SMC A 200mm f4 is a beautiful lens; my copy was purchased used from eBay for $27 (it was listed incorrectly) and no bids when I bid on her.. she is near-mint with almost no signs of use except one nick in the edge of the built-in hood...
typically, the A200/4 is a joy to use: buttery-smooth focus helical, beautiful Pentax color rendering, pleasing bokeh, clarity and sharpness that you would expect of a Pentax film-era prime lens... then why the grousing?
only one downside to this lens: the 2-meter minimum focusing distance is an absolute gorilla to carry around... nothing else slowed me down with this lens, not the daily grind, not the occasional 'safety' shot, nothing.. but that MFD caused me to recompose all month long and that can really put the damper on the creative flow....
the occasional CA I encountered with this lens were minor and easily remedied in post...
anyways - this lens is dreamy when you can use it as intended: a longer telephoto with a decent aperture-range and a long-throw focus helical that requires you to slow down and think about subject/composition/light and become part of the process...
oh - and the photos she's capable of:
geese against the sunset by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
bumblebee and spiderwort by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
sunrise, tall grass by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
sunset by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
and the rest of my flickr album for this lens:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pepperberryfarm/albums/72157657324833803/page1 | |
Review of: SMC Pentax-D FA 50mm F2.8 Macro by pepperberry farm on Sun April 1, 2018 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Views: 237636
Reviews: 39 |
my review of the D FA 50mm f2.8 Macro:
Wow - what a lens...
I had been searching for a replacement for my DA50/1.8 - it is very sharp, contrasty, all the things that you read and hear about it, but there's very little character to the lens.... I have other 50/55mm lenses that are loaded with character, but I wanted an autofocus 50 with some soul...
When these came up on clearance at Aden Camera in February, I figured I'd give it a try - I read very little concerning the D FA 50 other than what it is the reviews here, but it didn't seem that anyone was out using one...
I received a new, old stock (roughly from 2006, according to the documentation in the box) lens and away we went.
First, and foremost, this is a true 1:1 macro lens, and has the focus travel to prove it - if you don't mind a slight delay in focus, the focus travel won't bother you (I'm am not offended by it). The barrel does extend, nearly the length of the included hood at the close (1:1) end of its focus travel.
It is a plastic/composite lens, with a deep hood, aperture ring, and a distance/range/macro scale behind a plastic window. It does have quickshift, a metal mount, and is not weather-resistant. It is not a heavy lens, but is decidedly heavier and larger than the DA50/1.8. Mounted on a K-3 or K-50, it is not a significant piece, but doesn't disappear like a pancake Limited, either.
Forget that this is a macro lens, and use it as you would any standard nifty fifty and it will deliver: bokeh, color rendition, clarity, all if it in bags. Being a macro lens, however, you would expect resolution and details beyond the standard 50, however, and this lens will not disappoint.
As far as any negatives, only two come to mind: the focus travel and maximum aperture. Focus travel can be cumbersome, especially in low-light/low-contrast shooting - waiting for the screw-drive to decide on the focus (of course, quickshift or even manual focus negates this issue). Maximum aperture of f2.8 can hamper the lens' ability in low-light, but a corresponding bump in ISO usually mitigates that problem.
but the photos:
beads by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
grass tuft in sunrise by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
grain silos and crepuscular rays... by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
bridal wreath spirea by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
on the counter... by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
the rest of the album I've shot so far with this lens:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pepperberryfarm/albums/72157693711520145 | |
Review of: SMC Pentax-DA L 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED by pepperberry farm on Sat March 17, 2018 | Rating: 8 | View more reviews | |
Views: 217712
Reviews: 44 |
Cannot be beaten for the money - for a 300mm consumer zoom lens, this lens punches well above its budget specs.
Mine was purchased for $120US from eBay, without a hood - I purchased a knock-off PH-RBG58, also from eBay. Mine seemed to be unused and may have been from a kit (broken up and sold separately).
Negatives: plastic-build quality; you can feel the plastic and the cheapness here - the zoom ring glides smoothly, but the focus ring is truly awful in its complete lack of tactile feedback. Because of the 55 to 300mm range, the focus can be slow and somewhat loud due to its screw drive. Sharpness at 300mm - this is the downfall of probably all consumer zooms; it is not quite as sharp as I would like, depending upon subject, light, wind, etc; if I know that I need the 300mm for the shot, I'll take a prime along with me.
Positives: color - typical Pentax saturation and rendition. Clarity - as my technique has improved, clarity of focus has come along and if I use a monopod (or even a tripod), my keeper-rate at the long end has gone up. Up to about 250mm or so, this is very sharp for a consumer zoom.
I recommend this lens all the time when the question comes up in the forums: what xx-300mm zoom should I get for less than $200 or $150? The lack of WR or quickshift should definitely be noted - if you need weather-resistance, this is not for you. Some shooters like the quickshift option - I don't miss it in this application.
The plastic mount or the lack of hood are non-issues for me; the lens does not weigh enough to be an issue for the mount and the lack of hood is quickly & easily remedied by a visit to either eBay or Amazon.
and the pics:
Laney by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
armadillo by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
lilies by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
Northern Harrier at work by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
sunset, on the pond... by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
and the rest of my album on flickr for this lens:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pepperberryfarm/albums/72157665364097036/page1 | |
Review of: SMC Pentax 35mm F3.5 by pepperberry farm on Sat December 2, 2017 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Views: 208317
Reviews: 41 |
for November's Single In Challenge, I used my recently-purchased copy of the SMC 35mm f3.5 (aka K35/3.5) - I was told before I bought the lens that the lens has a sterling reputation and that I should enjoy it...
they were right - this thing drips with pixie dust...
the only negative thing I can think of for this lens is its relatively-slow maximum aperture of f3.5 - if you are OK with this, you'll love this lens; if you are a low-light fanatic, you're going to be frustrated unless you like bumping up the ISO...
fine, negativity out of the way, let's talk color - point this lens at reds, I was told... it loves red; it also loves blue and green and orange and yellow and brown... any color, the K35/3.5 loves it...
bokeh is not always smooth with the five-blades in the iris, but you'll see old-school penta-bokeh if you're less than wide open...
typical of K-series lenses, this one is built like a tank and is a joy to operate - smooth focus ring, snickety-goodness on the aperture ring, and well built all around...
and the pics:
library by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
rust by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
Christmas decorations... by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
sunset by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
and the rest of my album for this lens:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pepperberryfarm/albums/72157689257424935/page1
in short - no reason to not want a copy of this classic; slap it on and have a ball with it....
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Review of: SMC Pentax-A 50mm F1.4 by pepperberry farm on Fri November 3, 2017 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Views: 297089
Reviews: 58 |
purchased used and recently CLA'd by Advance Camera (highly recommended) due to wear and tear, she came back to me in fine fettle...
the A50/1.4 is a bit heavier and larger than the A50/1.7 it is regularly compared to, but not negatively so... it's still a smallish prime on your camera that gives you a utilitarian focal length, A-ring convenience, and a large 1.4 aperture should you need it...
nothing but positive aspects to this lens - color rendition, clarity, bokeh, handling - all are aces for me... add a small hood on the end of her and leave her on the camera....
I like the slightly longer barrel of the 1.4 vs the 1.7; to me it gives the lens a small advantage in handling and eases the use of the focus ring... the 1.4 has given me the thought to sell off my A50/1.7 since I like the handling, color, bokeh, and sharpness so much more...
but the pictures....
snickerdoodles by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
color in the garden by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
zinnias by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
light-trails and starbursts by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
orb weaver by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
and the rest of my album for this lens:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pepperberryfarm/albums/72157680930924384/page1
so - as a Nifty Fifty, definitely a lens to keep in your bag/on your camera....
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Review of: SMC Pentax 24mm F2.8 by pepperberry farm on Fri March 31, 2017 | Rating: 8 | View more reviews | |
Views: 234573
Reviews: 34 |
my month with the SMC 24mm f2.8 (Ariane) was quite the surprise for me, as I thought it would more of a struggle to come to grips with this older, fully-manual lens.
I was wrong - this lens is a joy to work with...
the K24/2.8 was a lens I traded for, giving away a Vivitar (Cosina) 24mm f2.8, and a SMC M 50mm f4 Macro for it...
of course, as film-era Pentax, the build quality and feel of the lens are stellar - my copy seems nearly-unused, except for some cleaning marks on the front element and missing the white mount-nub..
the worst thing about the lens is the fact that it is a manual lens - no 'A' on the aperture ring, no auto-focus, none of that - and that makes me think so much more about what I'm shooting; I have to fully think about the exposure and lighting and shutter speed and ISO....and makes me practice the craft of photography...
I love the color rendition of the lens, especially blues - this lens does amazing things with landscapes and blue skies; bokeh is only 'ok' with this lens, but not as harsh or busy as other wide-angle lenses; focus is better at center than edges, but not horribly so...
it is very versatile - with a MFD of less that a foot, I could bring subjects in quite close for detail and texture; and with the 24mm of width to work with, it's easy to use for street photography or landscapes...
some of my favorites from the month:
crepe myrtle by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
Remy Jane by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
wild rose hips by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
tall grass at sunset by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
and the rest of the album for this lens:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pepperberryfarm/albums/72157673786059476
I entered the month with the idea that I would be listing this lens for sale in March - I'm glad that I did the diligent thing and shot the K24/2.8 for February, because it's a keeper....
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Review of: SMC Pentax-DA 14mm F2.8 ED [IF] by pepperberry farm on Fri March 31, 2017 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Views: 223665
Reviews: 48 |
review for my lens of the month: DA 14mm f2.8 ED(IF)
I bought this lens to end my quest for a good UWA - everybody's solution for a UWA on APS-C is to buy the DA15 Ltd.... in fact, it almost seems to be a reaction: UWA? DA15!
I'm contrary, I can't help it and somedays, I just revel in it...
I even bought the Tamron 151B in the hopes of staving off the obvious... I almost bought a copy of the Tamron AF 14mm lens.... then I stumbled across the DA14, both the lens club for it here and on Flickr.... I was sold...
Let's get the elephant in the room handled up-front: this lens is NOT svelte by any definition. it weighs nearly a full pound on the front of your camera, while the DA15 Ltd is less than 7oz... the DA14 has a 77mm filter ring, while the DA15 Ltd is only 49mm, so if you are ready for a larger prime vs smaller debate, here it is...
with that out of the way - this lens is amazing!
internal-focus, ED glass, quick-shift, reasonable minimum-focusing-distance, fast at f2.8..... this list goes on...
I found it to be quite versatile, both at the wide/landscape end and the candid/in the face shots - either way, it is crisp and renders colors so very vividly.... and decent bokeh, especially from UWA (unheard of!)...
there is some distortion of straight lines at the edges of the lens' view in wide shots, but nothing that isn't manageable or expected...
one other issue with my copy, and I've read that it is not unusual, is that it does have difficulty focusing close to/at infinity in low-contrast shots; overcast or clear skies seem to confuse it occasionally (I am usually in manual-focus mode then anyways) so be aware of that of you like to shoot sunrise/sunsets/sky like I do...
my favorites of the month:
Finn by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
blue skies, cherry blossoms... by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
Foremost milk truck by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
sunrise by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
spring storm pano by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
a couple of this month's shots were tagged for flickr's explore.... I highly recommend the lens!
the rest of this len's shots:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pepperberryfarm/albums/72157676407425784 | |
Review of: SMC Pentax-DA 70mm F2.4 Limited by pepperberry farm on Sat February 4, 2017 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Views: 419914
Reviews: 102 |
What A Lens!
I was hesitant to buy this, simply because I did not hold a lot of interest in the focal length - I have 55's, a 58, and a 90 - but nothing between and honestly did not think that the gap needed to be closed.... I figured, why not, so I bought a second-hand SMC (not HD) copy from eBay.
I was wrong, flat-out wrong. This is a great focal length and this lens will definitely be staying with me.
Let me get the one negative out of the way, so I can continue to wax poetically about this lens. The minimum focusing distance is a pain... really it is. Yes, I know it's not a macro lens, etcetera - but 27"? Really? Many shots had to be recomposed simply because I ran into the MFD.... regularly... Granted, once I was used to it, it was less of an issue (and more of just a grousing point)...
OK - done with that, back to the wax....
This lens is all about the smooooooth...the rendering, colors, bokeh, how the lens handles, all so smooth...
The technical parts are special - it's small size, like the rest of its Limited brethren, makes it a joy to use on your camera. The built-in hood works perfectly with the slip-on cap; I never felt the need to remove the hood/cap and use a generic set up on the DA70 (yes, I'm looking at you DA40 Ltd). The autofocus works as advertised, yes it is a screwdrive so not as quiet or exotic as DC or SDM, but works perfectly fine, is accurate, and quick.
But it's the colors and bokeh that make this lens a keeper for me. Throughout the month, I had to adjust colors minimally - the joy of using a Pentax lens, as they render colors closer to my true vision than any other manufacturer. Bokeh is another triumph here - almost buttery, it's so smooth - if you want bokeh balls, you got 'em; you want a DOF that just fades away, you got it.
and the pictures?
golden bokeh by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
Remy Jane by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
Remy by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
glass and light by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
and the rest of my album for the DA70 Limited:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pepperberryfarm/albums/72157676850138601/page1
my advice is similar to my other Limited lenses: buy one...
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Review of: SMC Pentax-DA 21mm F3.2 Limited by pepperberry farm on Sun December 4, 2016 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Views: 383409
Reviews: 96 |
my review for the SMC DA21mm f3.2 AL Limited (Ambrosia)...
I attempted to Single with the DA21 a couple of months ago, but discovered that it was no longer focusing at infinity, so off to Advance Camera for what was essentially a CLA job...
all the things that you read about the DA21 Ltd are true: quality feel/build, comfortable FOV on a crop-sensor body, warm color rendition, quick/accurate AF.... all of that is present in my copy of the lens...
but so much more - the hood/lens cap arrangement is so much better than the DA40 Limited; I never considered anything but the stock hood on the lens, and therefore the stock lens cap works perfectly...
it's light and unobtrusive on the front of my K-3, almost as much as the DA40, and makes for a nice working combination for so many things: street shooting, landscapes, candids, set-up compositions...
bokeh is just OK - you can get decent bokeh from it, but the shorter depth of field from this lens really does not lend itself to dreamy bokeh...
and don't forget about the starbursts - legendary.... almost too easy to create starbursts from almost any point of light...
only a couple of negatives: I wish the MFD was a little shorter (at about 7", it's not bad, but I kept finding myself having to recompose just because I was too close), and that it was a little faster (f3.2 is not awful, but maybe f2.8 or 2.4?)... my only complaints at all during the month...
this is an easy lens to own - not a doubt in my mind that this one is a keeper for me...
and the pictures... a few of my favorites:
".... it's another flamingo sunset....." by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
sunflowers by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
fall colors by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
black-eyed susan against the sunrise by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
the rest of my album with the DA21:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pepperberryfarm/albums/72157667854525090/with/25344046009/ | |
Review of: SMC Pentax-DA 35mm F2.4 AL by pepperberry farm on Sat November 5, 2016 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Views: 766687
Reviews: 157 |
what can you say about such a lens - inexpensive, versatile, useful.... I bought mine used from KEH for $79 and could not tell it from a new lens...
the ergonomics of the lens do leave something behind - if you intend to use this lens manually, you'll be sorely disappointed... the all-plastic build is does not offer any tactile-feedback, especially if using the focus ring...
however - you didn't expect this to perform as a manual lens, since it is a DA lens (why is it not a DA L lens?) and designed specifically for a DSLR and to be controlled entirely through the camera body...
now then - my month with Marigold was awesome - wide enough, fast enough to do just about anything you ask of a standard-length lens... typical Pentax color rendition, quick to focus, flare-resistant - there truly are not many things wrong with the lens...
but can a lens be too sharp and clinical? I've read discussions on this point for this lens, that it tends to render images almost sterile in their lack of aberrations, or character...
there has also been discussions on the lens' AF and how it occasionally will need to be point away from the scene at hand, focused, and brought back to allow it to focus properly - is that a lens problem or a camera problem (this is a very occasional issue and I have found it with my DA 50 also)...
the lens is a keeper, based on its performance in October (Single In Challenge)...
sample images:
tree frog by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
jeans and pegs by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
morning light - desaturated by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
vanilla by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
my flickr album for the DA 35:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pepperberryfarm/albums/72157666281579370 | |
Review of: SMC Pentax-DA 40mm F2.8 Limited by pepperberry farm on Thu June 30, 2016 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Views: 575567
Reviews: 148 |
the end of the month review - SMC DA 40mm f2.8 Limited (not the newer HD version)
What an amazing piece of kit.
So tiny, it disappears on the front of the K-3, rendering the camera nearly a point-and-shoot. I shot everything this month and could not find anything that it did poorly. Strong daylight street-shooting, intimate selfies, and everything in between, Daisy delivered. Renders color spectacularly, flare doesn't seem to affect it, no noticeable CA. I never wondered for a different focal length (if I needed/wanted wider, I stitched) and it never left me frustrated and having to come back with another lens to get the shot. It's fast enough to shoot in low-light, especially with the useable ISO-range of the K-3.
The build/feel of the DA40 Limited is special - tight tolerances, even the miniscule focus-ring turns oh-so-nicely. It's small enough that you could carry three of them in your bag and you'd never know it.
Granted, with the word 'Limited' after the lens' name, it's supposed to be good - but the prior model is highly-praised, as is the DA 40XS, so there is something right in the arrangement.
The only bad thing I can come up with is the absolutely bad hood/cap arrangement. Nearly guaranteed to be misplaced at least once a week. I replaced it whilst shooting for the Single with a standard hood/pinch cap arrangement and shelved the original.
my flicker album for the lens:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pepperberryfarm/albums/72157666240057890
favorites:
silk and bokeh by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
eastern amberwing by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
fog this morning by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
if you don't have one and are thinking of a new prime in your bag - do it, don't hesitate, just buy one....
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Review of: SMC Pentax-DA 50mm F1.8 by pepperberry farm on Sat June 11, 2016 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Views: 429457
Reviews: 74 |
The DA 50mm f1.8 holds a special place with me: it is the first prime I bought when I bought into the Pentax DSLR scene. I bought my gently-used copy from another PF member here through the Marketplace.
I call it 'Sunday Morning' since it's so easy...to shoot with. First and foremost - why is this NOT a DA L lens? Plastic mount, relatively inexpensive to manufacture, minimal markings (no distance scale, no aperture ring), and nearly without a focus ring.
AKA the 'plastique fantastique' - this is an amazing lens for the money. I bought mine used from another shooter here on PF for less than $100 and have been amazed pretty much every time I mount it. One of the criticisms I've read about the DA50 is that it has little character, that is produces shots that can be clinical in quality. I prefer to look upon it as a positive, and revel in its clarity, detail, and honest color rendition. The lens is easy to handle and practically makes my K-3 (and K-50 before that) a point-and-shoot camera.
I used this lens in May for the Single In Challenge and I enjoyed the month (especially after the 135 desolation of April) with the DA50 - it never let me down, it was able to produce quality images pretty much every day, and seemed to have few limitations. On the downside, it's lack of aperture ring and poor focus ring really can try your patience if you're wanting to work more manually. Its minimum-focus-distance of about a foot and a half can be trying at times, but take a step back and let it fly.
my flickr album for this lens:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pepperberryfarm/albums/72157659617279172
I love this lens and it's a no-brainer to me: need a near-standard prime? toss this in your kit and it will not disappoint...
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Review of: SMC Pentax 55mm F2 by pepperberry farm on Fri April 1, 2016 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Views: 93306
Reviews: 19 |
An amazing lens - supposedly less desirable than the K55/1.8, but I cannot see why...
Superb handling due to it's quality construction and well-damped focus ring. Sure, it's not an 'A' lens, so you have to remember to think a bit before you shoot (green button, dude), but how hard is that? You're using a 40-year-old manual lens; you're going to have to be involved in your shot, period.
Color rendition, smooth bokeh, reasonable MFD - it's all here in one package.
I used this lens for the Single In February challenge and it did not disappoint:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pepperberryfarm/albums/72157663633315590
If you are wanting to try your hand using manual lenses, this is a good place to start.
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Review of: SMC Pentax-A 35-105mm F3.5 by pepperberry farm on Fri April 1, 2016 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Views: 342585
Reviews: 79 |
I'll state the obvious up front: I love this lens...
I ignore the clunky focus-shift into and out of 'macro'...
I ignore the weight and length of a zoom that only goes to 105mm....
all of this for several reasons - it's well-built and all that weight gives it a seriousness to it's handling... and it looks good on your camera...
oh - and don't forget the pictures:
Stormy Grace by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
bridal wreath spirea by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
Spud & Chloe colors... by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
sunset tonight... by Pepperberry Farm, on Flickr
they call this lens the Stack of Primes for its abilities and I know that has been debated in the forums time and time again, but I tend to agree that when you nail a shot with TSOP, there's not going to be much difference between that shot and a prime at the same FL...
if you find one of these lenses that is in decent shape for a decent price - add it to your kit, just do it...
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Review of: SMC Pentax-DA L 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 AL WR by pepperberry farm on Mon February 15, 2016 | Rating: 7 | View more reviews | |
Views: 83037
Reviews: 13 |
This lens was part of the 2-lens kit when I bought my K-50 in December 2014. The K-50 and this lens (and the DA L 50-200) are my first DSLR and lenses, so I had nothing to judge my results against... to begin with, anyways.
We see in the PF, time and time again, out of hand routing of the kit lens... seemingly just because it is the kit lens. I recently went back to the 18-55 (mine is called Betty) as my lens for the Single In January challenge and found some surprising things.
Firstly - there is nothing wrong with this lens, just because it is a 'kit' lens. It takes fine pictures, it's WR, and it's nearly-free.
What more could you ask for?
Well, you could ask for another f-stop (3.5 at the wide, down to 5.6 at 55mm) - just remember this if the light starts failing on you.
You could ask for a bit more range, but the DA 18-135mm costs how much more?
You could ask for a hood, which is not provided with the kit, but a quick purchase from eBay for $10 solved that (OEM knock-off - be sure to get the hood for the correct model of the 18-55).
You could ask for a better build - and here is the downfall for me. I used it every day in January and by the end, I didn't want to pick it up any more. That's how bad the plasticky-feel is and it doesn't get better when you actually handle the lens extensively. The zoom and focus rings have nearly-zero damping to them and merely the enhance the low-cost feel to the lens. The oft-mentioned plastic (vs metal) mount is a non-issue for me, since the weight of the lens will not stress the mount in any way.
Now - all that said.... as a first lens, which is the DA L 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL WR's purpose, it will do just about anything you ask of it. Some of it better, some not-so-much.
Here is my flickr photostream of the Single In January challenge with Betty:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pepperberryfarm/sets/72157660715415533 | |
Review of: SMC Pentax-DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 ED AL [IF] DC WR by pepperberry farm on Sat January 2, 2016 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Views: 622302
Reviews: 140 |
Firstly - Pentax, you have to do something about all the acronyms in this lens' name... it's just ridiculous....
After that being said, this is a very versatile lens.... it has a permanent spot in my bag and is probably mostly likely to be used as a walkabout lens... Typical Pentax color-rendition, which is to say a bit warmer than what you find with Sigma or Tamron lenses, which is a good thing.
It does not like low-light situations; if you can't bring up the ISO to help it, the AF will do a fair amount of hunting before either finding your spot or just giving up.. fortunately, it is a quick-shift lens, so you can always take control away from the AF system and do it yourself...
This is my first 'modern' DA zoom lens, in that the focus ring is between the zoom ring and the camera body; that took some getting used to; plus, with the quick-shift, the focus ring has almost no tactile response whatsoever and will spin all the way around the barrel.
I switched about halfway through the month from my K-50 to a new K-3 and did start seeing better resolution and overall better shots.
About the only truly negative feedback I can give is the low-light performance; but that isn't why you buy this lens to begin with...
I used this lens in the December Single In Challenge; here is my Flickr album for the DA 18-135mm:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pepperberryfarm/albums/72157661141055566 | |
Review of: SMC Pentax-DA 10-17mm F3.5-4.5 Fish-Eye ED [IF] by pepperberry farm on Thu December 31, 2015 | Rating: 10 | View more reviews | |
Views: 306085
Reviews: 101 |
I used this lens for the Single in November Challenge and what I have found is nothing short of amazing..
First, the elephant in the room: it is a fish-eye lens; those aren't distortions in the lens' ability.... that's how it is supposed to look... the nice thing about the DA 10-17mm, however, is that by 14mm, the FE effect is lessening and by 17mm, it is pretty much gone... the FE effect will also depend upon how you use the lens and how you learn to control it...
That being said, the DA 10-17mm is simply amazing - great color rendition, quick autofocus, great build quality... with it being such a close-focus lens, do not expect great bokeh from it; it's possible, just not readily so.
Although not a macro lens, it's close-focusing ability is great! Many interesting angles and shots taken with this lens at very close distances....
My Flickr album for this lens: https://www.flickr.com/photos/pepperberryfarm/sets/72157659032799212
My final thought: this one is a no-brainer; if you can find one at a reasonable price, buy it...
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Review of: SMC Pentax-A 100mm F4 Macro by pepperberry farm on Sat October 31, 2015 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Views: 90068
Reviews: 12 |
I used this lens for the Single in September challenge:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/133285589@N05/sets/72157655785123363
This is an amazing piece of kit - well-built, a dream to handle and focus, stunning detail and color rendition to die for. The only short-coming would actually be on me: sometimes I found the 100mm length tricky to use and I wished it was a 50mm or 85mm lens.
That's it - everything else about it is just about perfect. So nice, in fact, I named my copy "Butter"... soooo smooooth...
:)
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