Hey Tanya, Have you considered that you don't have to have the zoom of the flash matching the lens focal length. The only real issues are that the beam is thrown wide enough to get full coverage and there is enough power. So in practice, you can shoot your 135 with the flash zoom at 85 (beam is wider than the 135) as long as you are not too far away. I suspect your flash will indicate if it had enough power to light the subject. Of course, if you were shooting the *istD, you could just look at the shot and see for yourself.
-- Best regards, Bruce Thursday, December 4, 2003, 5:40:21 PM, you wrote: TMP> Yeah John. This is why I love the Tamron 135mm f2.5 that I have. It is old TMP> and manual, and all metal, weighs a ton, but does some lovely things to TMP> skin, and skin tones whilst still appearing very sharp. Has great bokeh TMP> too. Only problem is that being 135mm, I am unable to use any of my flash TMP> guns with it in TTL mode (they all only zoom to 105mm), and manual flash TMP> photography is just one of the areas I know absolutely, (well, virtually) TMP> nothing about. I really do need to learn about this. I do know how to use TMP> the guide no. divided by distance to find f-stop equation, but this rarely TMP> suits me as I like to be able to choose my f-stop for depth of field control TMP> over exposure. I would be happy to use the Tamron exclusively if I could TMP> somehow find a way to use flash with it when needed, and still be able to TMP> choose my f-stops at will... TMP> tan. TMP> ----- Original Message ----- TMP> From: "John Coyle" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> TMP> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> TMP> Sent: Friday, December 05, 2003 10:57 AM TMP> Subject: Re: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom >> Tanya, can't say that I have done too much genuine very-close-up shots TMP> 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 TMP> my >> > macro type shots different from the norm and like limited depth of TMP> 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. TMP> 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 TMP> 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), TMP> that >> I >> > > have >> > > > always taken to indicate a macro function? >> > > > >> > > > I know this might all sound very rudimentary to you guys and gals, TMP> 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 TMP> of >> > any >> > > > problems etc that I should be aware of when shooting with it? >> > > > >> > > > Many thanks, >> > > > tan. >> > > > >> > > >> > >>
