In a message dated 2/12/02 9:00:38 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: << For the moment I remain open minded. I will return the lens first, try a second and see what's what! There really are no alternatives left for me. I do not like Nikon, won't go back to Canon or Minolta (both too large and heavy and gizmo laden) and Contax offer nothing else that is as good value as the Pentax. Leica is way too expensive for me and in any case the R8 is too big and the R7 basically a Minolta XG-M in disguise. >>
Have owned 2 pieces of the 43/1.9. Used both, in Italy in indoor/night situations where lights of all sorts abound. Never used with sunlight. Used first "piece" when they came out. No flare at all. Wide open for night shots with car lights, street lights, monument lights all in Florence (David) Ponte Vecchio etc. Rome Venice. Then FOOLISHLY sold Pentax equipment. Bought back system 2 years later when I returned to Italy with the MZ-S Summer of 2001). Formerly used ZX-5n (2 years ago). My experience with all three limited lenses haS BEEN EXCELLENT. THEY WERE THE REASON I BOUGHT PENTAX. They and finally the MZ-S. In fact like limited lenses so much I bought a Silver MZ-S at list. In USA they don't exist. I use a B&W UV MC filter on each lens. The only problem I ever had was that the 77/1.8 was so sharp that my female subjects had peachfuzz. It resolves every blemish. To me Pentax is an ideal system. However, my primary outdoor lens is the Tamron SP 24-135. I've never kept equipment this long. I've used them all and can find no reason to leave Pentax for anything out there. Weight, reliability, optics etc, Pentax is my first and only choice. Yes, I'd like a "red" lit up center focus area, but I don't miss it. Nikon is too heavy and over engineered. Canon is too distracting and heavy. Besides I don't like Canon glass. Minolta has quality control problems. Contax G-2 is great, but I now know I MUST see my images focused and the RFs are excuses for adding on too many accessoriers to duplicate function. Try getting macro and telephot and find you must own an SLR. Besides the 24/2; 31/1.8; 43/1.9 and 77/1.8 teamed with a ZX-5n blow away the G-2 size and use. My 3 MZ-Ss and 2 ZX-5ns do it all. As for the charge of battery drainage. All my bodies have the EXCELLENT battery packs that accompany each model. They use the great AA Lithiums without endangering the camera circuitry. Why Pentax? Because there is nothing else out there that does it as well. I'm not a sports photographer. I never go over 200mm. I like architecture and scenics. I also find Limited glass as good as any G-2 Zeiss. Besides, I know I'm in focus. By ther way love that NEW MZ-S "crosshair" focusing screen. Burt NYC USA - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
