Hi ...
Bob, it was your comments about the lens that ultimately
motivated me to get one. Most folks here know I don't care
much for zooms, but this one is different. It's small, light,
agile, has a relatively short throw through the focal range,
and is pretty sharp and contrasty. It's not sharper, nor will
it replace any of the good Pentax primes in that range wrt
ultimate image quality, but it does come reasonably close,
especially if one is content with print sizes up to about
8x10, maybe 11x14 if using the proper fim/developer and taking
care while shooting.
Compared to the various Pentax 24~50 zooms, which a few people
like for their focal range, this lens is about 1/3 lighter and
about 1/3 smaller. The constant aperture is a great feature,
and the lens is just about as fast as some of the
well-regarded primes it might replace, such as the K24/2.8 or
K24/3.5, the K28/3.5, and the K35/3.5.
Because it's got a short focal range, it's ideal for making
slight cropping adjustments on the film, but you still have to
compose with your feet. It doesn't allow any of that
"cropping from a distance" business that some zooms allow,
which gives one an opportunity for closer involvement with the
subject. It's a great lens for working with people as it's
small enough that it's size is not intimidating. It's one
great general purpose lens, and my equipment case would be
much the poorer without it.
Another nice thing about it is that, because of the shorter
focal range, there are several very good lens hood options
that will protect against flare reasonably well throughout the
focal range, unlike, for example, the 24~50 zooms.
If you're a manual focus user, and want a great wide angle
zoom, this is it. Forget those Sigmas and Tamrons and
Tokinas. Make an effort to find one of these puppies. Treat
it well and it will provide years of great photos.
--
Shel Belinkoff
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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