| Review of: HD Pentax-DA 16-85mm F3.5-5.6 ED DC WR by dadipentak on Thu January 14, 2016 | Rating: 10 | View more reviews | |
Views: 294415
Reviews: 43
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Within specs, this is really an excellent lens, delivering superior IQ. It's not fast so it won't deliver shallow DOF shots--but you knew that right?
It was my most used lens on my recent trip to Cancun, giving way to other, specialized, lenses when I needed telephoto, fast or UWA. It's definitely going to be my main knock-about lens for the foreseeable future.
FWIW while it's hard to squeeze bokeh out of this lens given the aperture limitation but when you are able to get enough separation between the subject & background, the oof areas are quite nice--maybe not exquisitely buttery, but certainly calm.
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| Review of: SMC Pentax-FA 20-35mm F4 AL by dadipentak on Sun January 25, 2015 | Rating: 10 | View more reviews | |
Views: 191678
Reviews: 41
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I can't add much to the previous reviews--it's just a wonderful little lens. I was unaware of its existence until quite recently but quickly decided I had to get me one. I was right: it's going to get a lot of use--because it's so easy to carry and because it delivers the shots.
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| Review of: SMC Pentax-F* 600mm F4 ED [IF] by dadipentak on Sat October 18, 2014 | Rating: 10 | View more reviews | |
Views: 47926
Reviews: 4
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This was a "yeah, you only live once--I'm doin' it." purchase (I don't think there's any other way to go in to it) and--in spite of the required belt tightening it necessitated--I've got no regrets.
Yes, it's long and heavy (it's a 600/4 for Pete's sake ;~) so not something I take out wandering. So far, I've only used it to shoot from the porch where it's excelled. I do plan to take it out in the field--but only to sites where the game is set-up & wait. I've been using it on the K-3, often with the Tamron AF-Pz MC 1.4x, with which it matches very well. I generally shoot TAV 1/800-1/1000, f 6.3 - f8. Although it doesn't have the ED like the FA*, aberrations have not been an issue but maybe I'm not looking hard enough.
With the TC:
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| Review of: SMC Pentax-A* 135mm F1.8 by dadipentak on Thu May 5, 2011 | Rating: 10 | View more reviews | |
Views: 133054
Reviews: 18
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I've got a lot of nice glass but this is totally the top of the line. My copy is very sharp wide open and the rendering is magnificent. I'm quite fond of the FL and also have an FA 135mm f2.8 which is a very nice lens (and useful when AF is required) but this A* can take it to another level.
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| Review of: SMC Pentax-FA 50mm F2.8 Macro by dadipentak on Fri March 25, 2011 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Views: 190489
Reviews: 45
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This is a great lens--terrific results. Too short for close-ups of rattlesnakes but I like the perspective of a 50mm when I can get away with it.
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| Review of: SMC Pentax-A 50mm F2.8 Macro by dadipentak on Wed March 16, 2011 | Rating: 10 | View more reviews | |
Views: 184556
Reviews: 37
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I've got other good macros but rarely take them out strolling or traveling because of the bulk. This is a very nice lens: it's amazing that it can be had for under $250!
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| Review of: SMC Pentax-DA* 300mm F4 ED [IF] SDM by dadipentak on Sun June 20, 2010 | Rating: 10 | View more reviews | |
Views: 363355
Reviews: 81
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I've had this lens for a couple of years now and use it with a K20D--a nice, very portable, easy to handle package. The more my skills improve, the more I appreciate how good it really is. I'm getting very good results with 1.4x, 1.7 and even 2x TCs--a real testament to its superior optical quality. The SDM has proven able and reliable and manual focusing is a breeze.
The tripod mount rates a big thumbs up: with SR, hand-held shooting is certainly a viable option but for best results--especially with TCs--monopod or tripod support is highly recomended.
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| Review of: SMC Pentax-A* 400mm F2.8 ED [IF] by dadipentak on Tue February 16, 2010 | Rating: 10 | View more reviews | |
Views: 72053
Reviews: 5
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I second everything Tom said above. The IQ is superb (and I'm talking about the complete package--resolution, clarity, color, contrast & bokeh.)
I've only had mine for about three months now and I'm starting to get the hang of it. It matches up virtually seamlessly with the Pentax FA 1.7x AF and 2X-L TC's. What surprised me this weekend was that it's giving me shots with that "Pentax pop" that I associate with the FA Limiteds.
So it's big, heavy and expensive--$500 400mm f/2.8 pancake lenses are hard to find. ;)
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| Review of: SMC Pentax-DA 55-300mm F4-5.8 ED by dadipentak on Sun September 27, 2009 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Views: 526589
Reviews: 119
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Excellent value for the money in terms of image quality and versatility.
I have some primo primes and a premium zoom in this range but this lens has a definite niche in my kit. I have a Sigma 70-200mm and a DA*300mm. They're great but they're both big and heavy so I never carry them simultaneously (more than 5 feet ;~). I'll often substitute the DA 55-300mm for the one I leave behind. Is the 55-300mm as good as the one left behind? No. Is it worth taking along? Absolutely! It's capable of delivering very fine photographs.
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| Review of: SMC Pentax-A 70-210mm F4 by dadipentak on Sat September 19, 2009 | Rating: 8 | View more reviews | |
| Review of: SMC Pentax 1000mm F8 by dadipentak on Sat June 13, 2009 | Rating: 8 | View more reviews | |
Views: 48263
Reviews: 2
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This lens came available at KEH at a time when I had some spare change and I couldn't resist. No regrets. It is what it is--a big, heavy, slow, fully manual 1000mm K-mount lens with a minimum focusing distance of 30 meters--there are no comparables as far as I know. Sure, a close-focusing 1000mm f2.8 AF pancake would be nice but get real.
IQ, in terms of rendering and resolution, is quite good (better than the 500mm f4.5 Takumar, IMHO) It does have some tendency toward green/magenta/purple fringing--but, again, not as bad as the 500mm Tak. Focusing is done with a control under the lens rather than a focusing ring: it seems a bit primitive but works well: once you get the hang of it, it's not that hard to nail the focus. The "gun-sight" is also unusual but it really is very helpful in "subject acquisition" at long distances.
Obviously, a lens of this (focal and physical) length puts a premium on stabilization. I've even found the Manfrotto Gimbal Head wanting in that regard but that may be operator error to some extent.
Bottom line: it's a unique and rewarding lens for the slightly eccentric pentaxian with a temporary cash surplus.
UPDATE (3/3/11):
1. I cured the vibration issue by upgrading to sturdier tripod legs. The Manfrotto Gimbal works well.
2. With vibration under control, I'm really very pleased with the resolution the lens delivers--really quite impressive and holds up well with the addition of a TC.
3. Min focus distance can be shortened with the use of extension tubes.
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| Review of: SMC Pentax-FA 135mm F2.8 [IF] by dadipentak on Tue April 21, 2009 | Rating: 8 | View more reviews | |
Views: 133307
Reviews: 35
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I bought this lens because I like to take candid indoor portraits and prefer to do it discretely, sans flash, and at a reasonable distance from my subjects. This is the perfect lens for the job: unobtrusive, sharp, fast, reliable AF, nice IQ. For that specific application, I'd certainly rate it a 10.
It does have fringing issues, however, which have discouraged me from using for other purposes. While I can usually address the fringing in pp with decent results, it makes more sense to use other, less susceptible lenses in high contrast situations.
I agree with others who've noted that the focusing ring, while well-placed, is quite narrow and feels a bit sloppy. Since I only use AF, that's not really an issue for me but it does compromise an otherwise solid build.
Not that it really matters, but this is not a pretty lens--looks like a piece of plumbing to me.
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| Review of: SMC Pentax-A 35-105mm F3.5 by dadipentak on Wed August 27, 2008 | Rating: 9 | View more reviews | |
Views: 342739
Reviews: 79
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This is a really unique lens with an unconventional (but, for me, very useful) FL range. It certainly has it's quirks. Although I prefer two-touch zooms, the zoom ring on this lens is awkward: very narrow and close to the aperture ring. And, while I don't find it really heavy, it's certainly front-weighted and doesn't balance well on on camera. Also, the lens barrel (and front element) rotates while focusing which make the use of a polarizing filter difficult.
Why, then, with all those issues, did I rate it a 9? It's all about the IQ--absolutely superb. Resolution, if you nail the focus, is amazing, bokeh is sweet and color and contrast are unsurpassed by any lens I've ever shot with.
I've got some very high-quality primes within this zoom range and, while I'm not about to unload them, this lens has a secure place in my kit. It's not one I'd use for moving subjects (street, candid portraits or wildlife.) It's the kind of lens you put on the camera to see where it wants to go. If any lens deserves a "cult following" this is one. http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=8994133 | |
