Steve Jolly wrote:
David Zaninovic wrote:
Did anybody tried these two lenses ? Are they any good ?
Fisheye MC Zenitar-K (Pentax) 16mm f/2.8 MC Mir-47 Pentax K 2.5/20 Lens
I've got the MC Mir - there's a lengthy review of it by me somewhere in the list archives (back in February I think?). The short version: not a small lens, and very soft, even stopped down. Distortion and other aberrations were well controlled. Flare wasn't. Excellent value for money though - there aren't that many wide aperture super-wide-angle lenses out there! Contrary to my findings, other people have reported the lens to be very sharp - I *think* I've worked this one out: on many Pentax bodies (certainly M series bodies, with their large, high-magnification viewfinders) using the rear-element filters blocks the mirror, so I've been using the lens without them. However, they are not plain glass - they're slightly concave; I plan to extend the mount out a little (losing true infinity focus, but that's not necessarily a problem with 20mm-lens depths of field) and see if that helps.
S
I have the Zenitar fisheye, and on both the ME-Super and Super A, the rear element isn't a problem. Different design to the 20mm I suppose.
The fisheye is a mighty fun lens to use. It can get a little flarey, but not excessively so. And for these sorts of shots I like a bit of flare - I can take pics directly into the sun without too much hassle. You can see what I mean here:
http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~derbyc/2004_09_17_2_26.jpg
Do use a body with manual focusing aids though. It is really difficult to see if you are in focus using just the ground glass. The split image prism is very handy here. And get into the habit of checking around the edges of your shot for stray fingers, camera straps, and shadows. It isn't the sharpest lens in the world (even with the rear filter on). But for $A170, there is nothing to complain about.
http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~derbyc/2004_08_17_1_16.jpg
Oh wait, I do have one thing to complain about. The lenscap is designed to fit the built in hood but doesn't stay on very well. Rather than risk losing it, I just keep it in my bag when I'm walking around shooting.
D
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