Yeah John. This is why I love the Tamron 135mm f2.5 that I have. It is old and manual, and all metal, weighs a ton, but does some lovely things to skin, and skin tones whilst still appearing very sharp. Has great bokeh too. Only problem is that being 135mm, I am unable to use any of my flash guns with it in TTL mode (they all only zoom to 105mm), and manual flash photography is just one of the areas I know absolutely, (well, virtually) nothing about. I really do need to learn about this. I do know how to use the guide no. divided by distance to find f-stop equation, but this rarely suits me as I like to be able to choose my f-stop for depth of field control over exposure. I would be happy to use the Tamron exclusively if I could somehow find a way to use flash with it when needed, and still be able to choose my f-stops at will...
tan. ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Coyle" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Friday, December 05, 2003 10:57 AM Subject: Re: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom > Tanya, can't say that I have done too much genuine very-close-up shots with > this lens: about the closest was bloom on an African Tulip, where the area > framed was about 200x170mm. I might try a couple of subjects like postage > stamps, etc. just to see how it goes. > > With your portraits, sounds like a soft-focus lens might be a worthwhile > purchase! > > John Coyle > Brisbane, Australia > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Tanya Mayer Photography" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2003 10:32 AM > Subject: Re: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom > > > > John, how have you found it for closeup work using the "psuedo" macro > > function? Was it still sharp when focusing this closely? I tend to do my > > macro type shots different from the norm and like limited depth of field, > so > > how would it go if it were wide open at this focal length/focussing > > distance? > > > > I have discovered today upon receiving some film back that it is indeed > much > > too sharp for alot of my portraiture work. I have some shots back of an > > older lady and EVERY nook and crevice in her face is shown up! lol. Makes > > for interesting textures though! > > > > Hmmm, sand and lenses, not generally a preferred combination John... > > > > tan. > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "John Coyle" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2003 9:45 AM > > Subject: Re: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom > > > > > > > Tanya, I have this lens, with the manual too, if you need any info. I > > have > > > had it for about three years, and it's my standard walk-about lens. > Very > > > sharp, light, and fast enough to lock focus very quickly on both my MZ-5 > > and > > > MZ-S. It's been totally problem free in all that time, although the > focus > > > scale has drifted off (I think I got some sand in it from Peregian > > Beach!), > > > but still works fine. > > > Any specific questions? > > > > > > John Coyle > > > Brisbane, Australia > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > > From: "Tanya Mayer Photography" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > > To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > > Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2003 10:04 AM > > > Subject: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom > > > > > > > > > > Question - I just bought this lens, the Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom > > > f4-f5.6 > > > > (from ebay, for like au$150!!!). It is in PERFECT condition and I am > > very > > > > happy with my purchase. Course I don't use the powerzoom crap, but > the > > > lens > > > > itself is great. > > > > > > > > I also got a very pleasant surprise, when I discovered that at the > 105mm > > > > end, it is extremely close focusing. Almost to the point of being > > macro? > > > > Boz's site and the lens itself, say that it goes to .43mm focussing > > > > distance, but I am getting into even closer ranges with the lens > > spinning > > > > around to show a little flower symbol (if this makes any sense), that > I > > > have > > > > always taken to indicate a macro function? > > > > > > > > I know this might all sound very rudimentary to you guys and gals, but > > > until > > > > now I have only ever had a collection of manual focus Pentax lenses > and > > > all > > > > of my AF stuff has been third party. As this lens was purchased > > > > second-hand, I don't have a manual to go by. Does anyone else have > this > > > > lens and could they shed some light on this for me? I have found so > far > > > > that it is extremely sharp and I really love it. Does anyone know of > > any > > > > problems etc that I should be aware of when shooting with it? > > > > > > > > Many thanks, > > > > tan. > > > > > > > > > >
