Tim,
I think you are pretty much spot-on with the advantages and disadvantages
of Novoflex lenses, and I was surprised at the rather negative response
your question to the list generated.
Of course an FA* 600mm lens will be better, but it's also a million times
more expensive. For an inexpensive route into bird photography, which is
what you wanted, I believe a Novoflex system still takes a lot of beating,
especially as using it on a DSLR will mean that the unsharp edges are
largely removed.
Bear in mind, too, that Pentax DSLR AF performance with long lenses has
been criticised. How nice to avoid the problem altogether.
The fact that the lens doesn't communicate with the body is also something
of a non-issue. These are quite slow lenses, and you will want to use
them wide-open. Av mode will work perfectly.
I too would be very interested to hear of users' experiences.
John
On Mon, 13 Mar 2006 00:50:40 -0000, Tim Øsleby <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
I decided not to go for Novoflex. Not because I think they are bad, but
because of the problems with adapters.
But on my way to this conclusion I read a bit. If I'm not mistaken
Novoflex
had a rather odd, but sensible designing philosophy. They are mainly
designed for shooting wildlife. Wildlife photographers wanted better
focusing. A focus system that made the photographer able to follow a fast
moving subject. (That's an enablement;-)) They also wanted to make high
quality glass. High quality glass is expensive. To prevent prising
themselves completely out of the marked they based the design on the idea
that wildlife shooters most of the time cropped the frame. And this is
where
it gets odd. Based on this Novoflex decided didn't have to think about
edge
performance. The result is, state of the art centre performance, and
crappy
edges. Does this sound familiar? Yeah, it does to me. Now digital lenses
are
designed after the same criteria.
If this is true, this is most likely the reason why the lenses have very
good reputation among some old-timers, and other will not touch them with
gloves.
Anyway. The "elders" on list know a lot more about this than I do.
I have decided against Novoflex for the moment. But I am curious about
how
they perform, both optically and "focuscally". Please drop a line, and
show
some results.
Tim
Mostly harmless (just plain Norwegian)
Never underestimate the power of stupidity in large crowds
(Very freely after Arthur C. Clarke, or some other clever guy)
-----Original Message-----
From: Toine [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: 12. mars 2006 20:43
To: pentax-discuss@pdml.net
Subject: Re: Novoflex any good? (Was:Advice on long glass for, "photodoc
on beachbirds")
Tim
It was my lucky day today and found a Novoflex Pigrif C 600mm. The one
in your ebay link is older. The biggest problem is finding a pentax
novoflex adapter (it's labeled penta). My first test in the backyard
looks very promising. In fact I'm impressed so far. On a istD I don't
see any big lens errors during "pixelpeeping". I don't have any long
pentax glass to compare this oldie against.
Now I only need to find time to shoot some wildlife.
Toine
On 3/4/06, Tim Øsleby <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> John Forbes recommends looking for a Novoflex lens. I know nothing
about
the
> system except that it looks like a prototype Russian "sniper
shotgun". I
> also have vague memory of seeing some adds in some older magazines. To
me
> they looked like toys then.
>
> Is John onto something, or has he lost it?
> No offence, John, just trying to add some humour to a rather boring
post.
>
> He is referring to something like this
> http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Novoflex-5-6-400mm-T-Noflexar-Fast-shot-
lens_W0QQitemZ
> 7595235104QQcategoryZ3340QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
>
> Follow up question. What should I look for? As I read the ad above, it
needs
> an adaptor. Am I right.
>
>
> Tim
> Mostly harmless (just plain Norwegian)
>
> Never underestimate the power of stupidity in large crowds
> (Very freely after Arthur C. Clarke, or some other clever guy)
>
>
>
>
>
>
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