Re: Pentax lenses vs. the world? (was Re: 100mm 2.8 Macro vs. 100mm 2.8 long)
On 14 Jun 2002 at 15:06, Paul F. Stregevsky wrote: > Now to the 135mm contest: Pentax 135/1.8 vs. Vivitar Series 1 135/2.3. > Somehow, all my collected comments on the Pentax have been erased. The > comments I've collected about the Vivitar state that it's sharp at all > apertures. The Pentax, as I recall, must be stopped down a bit to become > truly sharp. Not surprising, since it's about two-thirds stop faster but > only 5mm wider in filter size. I was drawing an inference that it "can't" > be sharper than the Vivitar. Paul, You'd be wise not to draw solid conclusions on lens performance based on throw away comments by third party users or filter size. As you know I have the SMCPA*135/1.8 and I also had Contax equipment CZ135f2AE and CZ135f2.8MM. You can look up the CZ site and view the superb MTF diagrams for the 135f2.8 (the 135f2 I can send you) however more practically I can tell you that I tested these three lenses under controlled conditions (one film K25, ML, solid tripod, 40x mag etc). I found that the Pentax was better WRT flare resistance and absolute resolution at any aperture, I still own the Pentax lens and the CZ are long gone. Cheers, Rob Studdert HURSTVILLE AUSTRALIA Tel +61-2-9554-4110 UTC(GMT) +10 Hours [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://members.ozemail.com.au/~distudio/publications.html - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: Pentax lenses vs. the world? (was Re: 100mm 2.8 Macro vs. 100mm 2.8 long)
Knut, You're right about the 35/2 FA; I had forgotten about this autofocus lens. I guess I stand corrected about the Sigma 50 macro being sharper than the Pentax 50/2.8 FA. It sharpness is nothing short of phenomenal. Yoshihiko Takinami writes: "This macro is excellent not only for macro work but also for normal use. Better than Sigma EX because the SMC coating is better In my experiences, FA50/2.8 macro seems the *sharpest* with great resolving power and contrast. And David Collett of Oxford University: "My top two sharpest primes (from a subjective rather than objective measurement) are the FA50/2.8 macro and my k35/3.5. My A50/1.4 is a pretty close third." In favor of the Sigma, Tanya wrote, "Took the most three-dimensional-looking pictures I've ever seen." And there are also numerous superlatives, as I recall, by users at the various lens rating sites. I think Tanya's comment and others I've read left me with the impression that the Sigma was the macro to beat. Now to the 135mm contest: Pentax 135/1.8 vs. Vivitar Series 1 135/2.3. Somehow, all my collected comments on the Pentax have been erased. The comments I've collected about the Vivitar state that it's sharp at all apertures. The Pentax, as I recall, must be stopped down a bit to become truly sharp. Not surprising, since it's about two-thirds stop faster but only 5mm wider in filter size. I was drawing an inference that it "can't" be sharper than the Vivitar. I also agree with you that the lack of an autodiaphragm can be a big drawback. Paul Franklin Stregevsky - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: Pentax lenses vs. the world? (was Re: 100mm 2.8 Macro vs. 100mm 2.8 long)
Just to add: Formally tested the F 50/2.8 is definitely better than the Sigma 50/2.8 EX in contrast as well as resolution according to the www.photodo.com website. Knut - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: Pentax lenses vs. the world? (was Re: 100mm 2.8 Macro vs. 100mm 2.8 long)
In a message dated 6/14/2002 8:24:15 AM Pacific Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > Art directors have a funny way of > noticing little things like changes in colour rendition. > I found this to be such an issue that I changed from Nikon to > Pentax, partly to get similar rendition between my medium format > and 35mm work. This is the best reason I've heard for sticking to one maker of lenses. -Brendan MacRae - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: Pentax lenses vs. the world? (was Re: 100mm 2.8 Macro vs. 100mm 2.8 long)
I'm sure Pentax is surpassed at times, but I'm surprised at your statements concerning the following comparisons: 1) FA 35/2.0 AL versus Zeiss Jena 35/2.4 (M42) I would bet that resolution will be better for the Pentax, especially in the corners at at any f-stop below f4. I'm not sure in what 'overall' qualities the FA would be inferior to the Zeiss, since it also is extraordinarily contrasty and has surprisingly good bokeh (see Takinami's website). 2) The Pentax F/FA 50/2.8 macro is quite an extraordinary lens - what is the evidence, that the Sigma 50/2.8 is better? 3) Curious: do you have the source for the comparison of the A 135/1.8 and Vivitar Series 1 135/2.3? The A 135/1.8 is not quite as sharp as the A 85/1.4 -but I always thought that this is as sharp as 135mm lenses get. Would be interested to know if the Vivitar is really better (comparing same f-stops of course). Knut PS: Carl Zeiss Jena did produce some quite extraordinary lenses! I do think they are great! But the limitations of non-autodiaphragm screw mounts must be considered as well. At 10:18 14.06.02 -0400, you wrote: >I won't even get into which third-party lenses are as good as Pentax; there >are too many. But based largely on testimonials, I'd vouch that the >following third-party lenses are superior to their Pentax counterparts: > >Carl Zeiss Jena 20/4 (M42) vs. Pentax 20/4 or 20/2.8 in rectilinearity >Carl Zeiss Jena 35/2.4 (M42) vs. any Pentax 35/2 or 2.8 in overall qualities >Sigma 50/.28 and 100/2.8 vs. Pentax 50/2.8 and 100/2.8 in sharpness >Vivitar Series 1 135/2.3 (M42 or K) vs. any Pentax 135 (even the 135/1.8 >PKA) in sharpness >Carl Zeiss Jena 180/2.8 Sonnar (latter, autodiaphragm version) and 200/2.8 >Sonnar vs. Pentax 200/2.8 >Carl Zeiss Jena 300/4 Sonnar Auto Electric (M42) vs. Takumar 300/4 in >sharpness, linear correction, and color, and bokeh > >I've sold off six of my Pentax lenses. Of the 12 lenses that I still have, >only three are Pentaxes, and of those, only one below 200 mm. In fairness, >I parted with some of these because I had duplicates and felt that I didn't >need the "Pentax advantage" in that focal length. > > >Paul Franklin Stregevsky >- >This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, >go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to >visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org . - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
Re: Pentax lenses vs. the world? (was Re: 100mm 2.8 Macro vs. 100mm 2.8 long)
>"I would wager that no one could tell if the images were shot with or >without Pentax lenses any more than you could tell if they were shot with a >Nikon or Canon lens. Come on guys. Bokeh smokeh. Get real." I don't know about Canon, but I used to have some AF Nikkors. The colour reproduction from some of them appeared very different from the rather "pale" SMC lenses. I'd say they were particular great for landscapes. About the bokeh, most of my Pentax lenses don't have good bokeh (imo). But one thing remains true, SMC lenses are far more flare resistance than Nikkors. Unfortunately, Pentax don't mention that in their ads (so don't blame the customers didn't choose Pentax). regards, Alan Chan _ Join the worlds largest e-mail service with MSN Hotmail. http://www.hotmail.com - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
