| Review of: SMC Pentax-FA* 250-600mm F5.6 ED [IF] by Marc Langille on Wed January 20, 2010 | Rating: 10 | View more reviews | |
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Reviews: 3
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Brilliant, even on digital: I highly doubt I will ever part with this lens. The FA* 250-600/5.6 is definitely better - not by a big margin - than the Sigma 500/4.5 EX DG APO lens I used. That's because it's sharp wide open, while the Sigma is best when stopped down a bit. Buy the Sigma if it's available though - it's truly a fine lens.
This heavier lens - like any larger super telephoto - requires top shelf tripod + gimbal head gear to bring out the best images. I have a Gitzo GT3541XLS, Wimberley WH-200 gimbal head and Wimberley P-50 lens plate - three screws hold the almost 7" long plate to the tripod collar foot. I've not really tried it on a monopod yet, but I now have a Wimberley C-10 QR clamp to mount on my monopod so I am looking forward to seeing it in action.
As Ron and Kerrick indicated, it's a fantastic lens. This is by far the better lens of choice and the MFD kicks the competition around by a good margin. Most 600/4 lenses start at 15.5 feet and go up - that's the lowest in class of any 600mm - next 600mm is 15 feet - great for shooting in a blind/hide. Only Nikon's newest 600/4 is on par with the FA* 600/4 in that aspect. Having a max. aperture of F/5.6 is but a small trade off for it's flexibility. When the light is getting that low, it's becoming a compromise anyway. All wrapped up into a unique FL zoom.
What's astounding is that the FA* 250-600/5.6 is unbelievably sharp even wide open throughout the entire FL range. The proof is in the images I have taken with it. If it's a tad soft at 600mm wide open, then that is an issue with the photographer's technique, nothing more. This is another example of the pinnacle of Pentax optical engineering mastery.
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| Review of: SMC Pentax-FA* 200mm F4 Macro ED [IF] by 35mmfilm_user on Sun February 4, 2007 | Rating: 10 | View more reviews | |
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Reviews: 7
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Price paid was for the last one, a demo unit at Pentax Canada. This lens is no longer in production... :(
It's a typical FA* lens with full metal construction, including the plastic twist lock hood. A nice feature of all the FA* series lenses is the AF/MF clutch focusing ring.
Pentax made approximately 900 - 1100 copies of this lens, if the information I have is correct. It's status is legendary amongst macro aficionados. There are reports that the lens mount or an adapter was used to allow it to be mounted to either Canon or Nikon bodies. Dates of manufacture were 2000-2004, which is unusual, compared to other FA* lens manufacture dates.
Length without hood: ~ 7.5 inches or ~ 19cm
Length with hood: ~ 10.6 inches or ~ 26.9cm
Sharpness: 10 (even wide open)
Bokeh: 10
Colour rendition: 10
Handling: 10
I am not kidding when I say "stunning clarity". This lens is nothing short of phenomenal in it's ability to render images with true colors and clarity that's unprecedented or unmatched by possibly any other macro lens (except it's MF predecessor, the A* version). The FA* 200/4 macro is quite possibly the pinnacle of Pentax optical engineering in the FA* line of pro film lenses.
I've seen time and time again that the lens exceeds my camera sensor (shooting RAW), and come spring I can test it with my K10D.
One notable feature of this lens: the minimum working distance (MWD) is probably the shortest in existence amongst the 90-200mm range. ONLY 11 inches or 28cm from the front element! All the more amazing, given it's focal length.
The tripod collar is a definite must in low light conditions. Hand holding is possible, but bright subjects/lighting is needed, or using an external flash to compensate. The lens/hood combination is too long to use the pop-up flash when the subject is close - you'll get bad vignetting on the bottom of the image. Most of my macro work is on a tripod and sometimes remote trigger cable, depending on the shutter speeds.
If you can find one and afford it - BUY IT if the seller is reputable. Do not hesitate if you love macro photography. Otherwise, get the Sigma 180/3.5 - evidently it's a good performer.
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| Review of: SMC Pentax-FA* 300mm F2.8 ED [IF] by 35mmfilm_user on Sat January 13, 2007 | Rating: 10 | View more reviews | |
Views: 99830
Reviews: 11
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Currently this is one of the few FA* lenses still in production. Normally this lens (and the FA* 600/4) must be ordered; it is then subsequently manufactured in Japan and shipped to the retailer. Obtaining a used one is normally something only on an online auction site every 6-12 months. Prices are normally much higher than what I paid.
It's a typical FA* lens with full metal construction, including the metal screw-on lens hood. A nice feature of all the FA* series lenses is the AF/MF clutch focusing ring.
AF is very fast, and the focus limiters' range is set as follows:
2m-4m, 4m-15m, 15m to infinity.
Sharpness: 10 (even wide open)
Bokeh: 9
Colour rendition: 10
Handling: 8.5 (front heavy - min. of a monopod is recommended, or a sturdy support system on a tripod)
The lens comes with a carry case w/strap, lens hood, lens hood cover, 112mm PF front filter, a 43mm Normal drop in rear filter, and a set of six more drop in filters: 056, R60, UV, Y48, Cloudy and Skylight.
The lens comes with carry strap lugs. These are a must - the lens is too heavy to hang solely from the camera body. For that, I use the Lowepro Transporter strap, since it cannot flex, and has a rubberized shoulder pad to prevent slippage.
A nice touch by Pentax is the lens hood cover: it completely covers the lens hood (when mounted) or over half the lens/hood (when reversed). The cover is a bonus when carrying the camera/lens combination over your shoulder, and they hang out of the way at your side or the small of your back when using another camera. The lens hood stays protected from scuffs, etc. This also protects the PENTAX logo that is so prominent on that $279 hood... :eek: :eek: assuming you can buy one from Japan... :(
I first used this lens during a Civil War Reenactment during the first weekend of December, 2006. What impressed me the most was the reach it gives you - and the narrow viewing angle of 8.2 degrees allows for selective shots to be more easily obtained within a group of people. Being further away means the photographer's presence mimizes their influence/impact on the subjects.
If you are tall that means your FOV (field of view) through the viewfinder is above everyone else... no obstructions.... :)
For the outdoors, coupled with the Pentax-F 1.7x AF adapter means a 510mm, F/4.76. Still fast, and minimal image degradation. Stacking is not recommended, although you can get two combined for 867mm, F/8.1!!
This lens is a keeper, no question.
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