I have the Non-SMC screw mount version of this lens, which I bought for ~$450.
It's a nice lens and delivers very good results. The manual aperture take some getting used to but was less of a problem than I initially expected. In my tests sharpness at f4.5 was not good, there was a big improvement at f 5.6 and another big improvement at f8, at which I could consider it very good to excellent. Comparing it ot other telephotos, stop for stop, I'd rate the Takumar as slightly sharper than the Tokina 400 f5.6; but not on par with the A* 400 f2.8, or the A* 400 with the matched teleconverter. But at it's price, it's a great buy and excellent bang for the buck in terms of quality. The biggest drawback, IMO, is the 10 meter minimum focusing distance. For birds etc I'd usually shot with a tube on the end, which can lead to vignetting at close distances. If the $575 is for an SMC K mount version, it's a great buy. It's also a good buy for a screw mount. If it is not the Super Multi Coated screwmount, make sure it is the 4 element 500 f4.5, and not the earlier 2 element 500 f4.5. - MCC At 08:10 PM 2/23/02 -0700, you wrote: >Hi, > >Ran across one of these for $575 usd at a local shop. At the time, I >didn't think to look closely at it, now I'm feeling a little "enabled". >I'm not sure if it is the K mount or screw mount, but I don't think that >it should make much difference since it's manual aperture and I have an >adapter. So, a couple of questions: > >1. What are anyone's opinions on handling, image quality, etc. >2. is this a decent price? The lens looked to be in about 7 or 8 >condition, assuming that the glass is fine. Is there much of a >difference in price between K mount and screw? I'm *pretty* sure that >it had a rubber focusing ring, so perhaps that means K mount. > >Any replies appreciated, > >William in Utah. >- >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 . - - - - - - - - - - Mark Cassino Kalamazoo, MI [EMAIL PROTECTED] - - - - - - - - - - Photos: http://www.markcassino.com - - - - - - - - - - - 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 .
