Site Supporter Registered: November, 2012 Location: North Wales Posts: 2,870 | | Review Date: April 20, 2021 | Recommended | Price: $50.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | classy construction and handling | | Cons: | optical performance doesn't quite match.., more prone ot fringing than other vintage 400mm. | | Sharpness: 7
Aberrations: 6
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 10
Value: 9
Camera Used: K3-ii, KS2, samsung NX20, Lumix G1
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I took a long time to find a PK mount version of this lens - for a good price, that is. Eventually I acquired one cheaply but with fungus, and it sat in my to-do box until I recently took the plunge and set to it. I had been put off by a forum thread by a guy who had failed to reassemble his. In the end, I don't know what his problem was, I had none, see here. There is always a small question as to whether the reassembled lens is corrrect and therefore representative, all I can say is that the performance seems absolutely par in comparison to a couple of other (non-pk) examples of this lens from which I have sample pics taken with my mirrorless cameras.
I have a nice little collection of komine lenses because of the combination of good optical quality and classy, trad metal 'n glass construction. This lens is no exception, it is probably the best made of the viv 400's with typical komine looks, mechanics and operation Unusually, the focus is just extension of the lens away from the camera rather than changing the separation of the front and rear groups like the tokina 400's and the generic 400's. This results in a long focus throw (which, while super smooth, is just a bit "heavy" on my lens), which gives very accurate focus, at least in mechanical terms. But not fast focus. Closest focus is only a class average 6m/20' - the tokinas get to 4m. I would have liked the aperture ring to be a bit bigger and have more positive clicks
But add in a good hood, and a solid tripod ring and foot that is close to the natural balance point with a dslr mounted, and you have a lens that certainly looks and acts the part.
Optically it is a 5 element lens with a triplet objective. However I have to say IMO the lens promises more than it delivers. Performance at f5.6 is, IMO, only average - infderior, for example, to the panagor lens it might be sibling to in the pic above. Some might say tending to mediocre. Resolution improves a jump at f8, and again at f11 at which F I can suggest its good, actually, equal to the panagor. Contrast is so so, normally requiring enhancing in PP. The lens tends to be relatively free of CA in good light, but eg reflections can immediately produce pronounced fringing eg see the boat pic below.
Test crops:
Although mechanically the lens lends itself to accurate focus, visually the focus is not snappy but tends to be indistinct, even though I use an OVF magnifier. To-and-froing the focus to a middle position is standard technique and focus confirm cues help, as does judicious focus bracketing. The blackbird pics below were taken by eye.
These sample images testify that the lens can produce very worthwhile results, specifically stopped down, but as and when I get my 400mm multi lens mega test comparison up and running, I don't think this lens is going to challenge for a top spot. A worthwhile, and something of a classic lens, but there are better out there.
Big crop - 1400px resized to 999px.
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New Member Registered: May, 2020 Posts: 2 | | Review Date: May 9, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $50.00
| Rating: 8 |
| Pros: | build, handling, CA control | | Cons: | none | | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 8
Value: 9
Camera Used: Olympus E-M10
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This lens is very solid in construction and handling. Focus is kinda stiff on the long end (maybe just my copy).
Pictures are sharp starting at f/8-f/16, CA is well-controlled as well especially if the in-build hood is used.
The tripod collar is also useful or you need a body with IBIS at least 3 stops to use this lens.
More shots here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/_joms_/albums/72157713069315012 | |
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