I received a Pentax M 85/2 to replace my stolen Tamron 90/2.5 with. There
was a lot of discussion recently and someone wrote he prefers the Tamron
over the small Pentax, I want to add my two pennies on the handling. Since
I didn't get any pictures back yet, it is just the handling.
I use (used) both lenses with a Pentax MZ-5n which is as you know
lightweight. The smaller and lighter Pentax lens clearly blances better
with that. I always perceived the Tamron (macro till 1:2 magnification) as
heavy.
I read comments on the 85/2 being slow to focus, but I can't confirm this.
The rotation required from infinity to about 10 times focal length (85cm
in this case) is similar to my M135/3.5 till 150cm which again is about 10
times focal length (about 225 deg). For sure the Tamron was way steeper
which I never liked. I regarded this as a side effect of the lens having
macro focusing. I prefer the more precise (but slower) focusing on the
Pentax lens.
The (used) Pentax is more expensive (in UK) than a used Tamron 90/2.5
would have been. The Tamron is usually easier to find and the adaptall is
easy to adopt to different MF mounts (becomes less and less an issue with
Nikon F80 being incompatible with AIS lenses).
For me having a limited interest in macro shooting the Pentax is a clear
winner with respect to handling (My old point: Don't buy a macro lens if
you don't want it). I expect the Pentax to an improvement with respect to
flare (the old Tamron version I owned had some problems in this
department). I am curious how it does in the optics department.
Hope this is of interest to at least some members.
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