Tanya, you might like to try the 135 with your flash (but not the built-in one) in aperture priority, using the guide number method to choose the aperture. I have usually found that TTL works well in this mode, quenching the flash at just the right exposure, provided that you haven't chosen too small an aperture so that the flash will never make it. In addition, although the coverage is theoretically inadequate, you will often find that the fall-off is outside your real subject area, particularly for portraits, and you will benefit from either unlit backgrounds in large rooms or a quite acceptable falling-off if you have a close background, rather like the oval vignetting found in Victorian era portraits.
Worth a try? John Coyle Brisbane, Australia ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tanya Mayer Photography" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Friday, December 05, 2003 11:40 AM Subject: Re: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom > 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. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
