Thanks everyone for the input! Just lately I've been somewhat attracted to
the compactness of it. Lots more subtle than a 28-70 2.8 (don't need a
70-200 2.8 to intimidate people). Pity it's not AF..
Another query which definitely has been asked before (This should all be
archived somewhere shouldn't it..) which AF 50mm's best optically, how much,
and roughly how often on Ebay (or where else would I get one..)
Thx!
Ryan
- Original Message -
From: Joe Wilensky [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Wednesday, October 15, 2003 10:57 PM
Subject: Re: Pancake SMC-M 40mm 2.8
I've had two experiences with this lens, and a different attitude on
my part the second time around is what made me realize its benefits.
The first time I bought one, about three years ago, I used it on an
ME Super. The size was wonderful, but my problem was that I was
trying to use it like the 50mm f/1.7 or 50mm f/1.4 -- I was using it
for available light photos indoors and was not pleased with its
performance wide open. Since even the 50/1.7 performs much better
than the pancake lens at f/2.8 (and can go more than a stop faster,
too, of course), I felt it was always a tradeoff when I chose the
40/2.8, even when I was outdoors, since I kept thinking I could be
carrying a faster lens instead.
I traded the pancake at some point, but I always missed it a bit.
More recently, I picked one up for a more reasonable price and this
time, I had two MXes and a different attitude. While the lens hadn't
changed, I now appreciate its tremendous compactness and I don't take
it along when I think I'm going to be shooting at f/2 or focusing in
dim light. But it delivers very nice performance at most apertures,
and seems fine at f/4 too, and even f/2.8 will do in a pinch if
that's all you have. But it's no slower than Pentax's 28mm f/2.8 and
24mm f/2.8 lenses, and it's faster than the screwmount 35mm, 28mm,
and 24mm f/3.5 lenses I've had. So it's really all a matter of
perspective. It's a great walkaround lens, it gives the camera a
different balance (it tips a little bit backward instead of forward
-- the balance in the hand is more like a rangefinder!), and it has
the 40mm focal length, which really is a nice compromise between the
35 and 50. It has the SMC coatings, doesn't need a lens hood and
delivers nice saturated results.
$125-$150 for one in nice condition is about right.
Joe
This has probably been asked before, but I was wondering how good this
lens
(SMC M pancake 40mm 2.8) is and what it's worth.. Any experiences to
share?
Optically, it is an okay lens imho, good but not great. The problem
is that the focus ring is too narrow to use comfortably. The eBay
price used to be unbelievably high, and many being tricked to
believe it was rare, but should be quite a bit cheaper now. I think
US$150 is a good price for a mint sample.
Alan Chan
http://www.pbase.com/wlachan
_
The new MSN 8: advanced junk mail protection and 2 months FREE*
http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail
--
Joe Wilensky
Staff Writer
Communication and Marketing Services
1150 Comstock Hall
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853-2601
e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
tel: 607-255-1575
fax: 607-255-9873
