Best lenses for...
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Posted 18/05/2004 - 12:39
Well, here are some Pentax lenses I can wholeheartedly recommend 
Pentax SMC-F 50mm/f1.7 - stunningly sharp. Fantastic for theatre work and low light. Picked mine up for around £50 online.
Pentax SMC-F 100mm/f2.8 macro - wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. Love this lens! It's still expensive, but I managed to pick up one for £200. Produces achingly beautiful portraits too.
Pentax SMC-F 28mm/f2.8 - again, lovely glass. Got mine for a snip off eBay
The SMC-FA series are the newer version in black. Optically the same (I believe) to the SMC-F series, but the SMC-F is dark grey. All work an absolute dream on my *ist-D. Contrast is stunning, flare control second to none, solidly built. All in all - they're dream lenses.
Here's a few places to get you started looking:
www.mxv.co.uk www.ffordes.co.uk www.parkcameras.co.uk www.lcegroup.co.uk
Not all places state which series, so it's worth knowing what they look like so you can ask. The place to look is here: http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/index.html
Hope that helps you find them! They're definitely worth the effort finding!
Regards,
Matt
http://www.mattmatic.co.uk
(For gallery, tips and links)
Pentax SMC-F 50mm/f1.7 - stunningly sharp. Fantastic for theatre work and low light. Picked mine up for around £50 online.
Pentax SMC-F 100mm/f2.8 macro - wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. Love this lens! It's still expensive, but I managed to pick up one for £200. Produces achingly beautiful portraits too.
Pentax SMC-F 28mm/f2.8 - again, lovely glass. Got mine for a snip off eBay
The SMC-FA series are the newer version in black. Optically the same (I believe) to the SMC-F series, but the SMC-F is dark grey. All work an absolute dream on my *ist-D. Contrast is stunning, flare control second to none, solidly built. All in all - they're dream lenses.
Here's a few places to get you started looking:
www.mxv.co.uk www.ffordes.co.uk www.parkcameras.co.uk www.lcegroup.co.uk
Not all places state which series, so it's worth knowing what they look like so you can ask. The place to look is here: http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/index.html
Hope that helps you find them! They're definitely worth the effort finding!
Regards,
Matt
http://www.mattmatic.co.uk
(For gallery, tips and links)
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Posted 18/05/2004 - 23:46
"Stick to Pentax" is a good rule.
As you stated that you would be happy to buy AF or MF, I would suggest you look at Ebay where SMC Pentax-M lenses are common and cheap. They are almost all very good. The A lenses can also be found, but very few K lenses.
Incidentally, K lenses were the first lenses produced for the K bayonet, and are usually the same as the (superb) screw-mount Takumars that preceded them. They are not officially called K lenses, however. Unlike the Ms, As, Fs, etc., the K lenses are just called SMC Pentax, not SMC Pentax-K, as you might expect.
The 28mm f2.8, the 50mm f1.7 and the 135mm f3.5 are always available at low prices. There is only one Pentax lens of around 70mm, and that is the 77mm Limited. Very expensive! (And seldom on Ebay). The 85mm and 100mm lenses are superb, but pricey. There is a 24mm on Ebay at the moment. 20mm lenses are rare as hens' teeth. The 40mm pancake lens is amusing, but the 35mm f3.5 is considered better optically, and any 50mm lens is far better. The 43mm Limited is another splendid lens, but not at all cheap.
The 75-150mm f4 zoom is a lovely lens (thanks to the low zoom ratio), and might make up for the lack of a cheap prime lens in its range (the 135mm excepted).
Have a look at Stan's site for opinionated but knowledgeable comments on Pentax lenses. The M lenses are often compared adversely with the K lenses, but as you can seldom if ever find a K lens, the point is academic.
The Ms are damn good, anyway.
http://stans-photography.info/
George
As you stated that you would be happy to buy AF or MF, I would suggest you look at Ebay where SMC Pentax-M lenses are common and cheap. They are almost all very good. The A lenses can also be found, but very few K lenses.
Incidentally, K lenses were the first lenses produced for the K bayonet, and are usually the same as the (superb) screw-mount Takumars that preceded them. They are not officially called K lenses, however. Unlike the Ms, As, Fs, etc., the K lenses are just called SMC Pentax, not SMC Pentax-K, as you might expect.
The 28mm f2.8, the 50mm f1.7 and the 135mm f3.5 are always available at low prices. There is only one Pentax lens of around 70mm, and that is the 77mm Limited. Very expensive! (And seldom on Ebay). The 85mm and 100mm lenses are superb, but pricey. There is a 24mm on Ebay at the moment. 20mm lenses are rare as hens' teeth. The 40mm pancake lens is amusing, but the 35mm f3.5 is considered better optically, and any 50mm lens is far better. The 43mm Limited is another splendid lens, but not at all cheap.
The 75-150mm f4 zoom is a lovely lens (thanks to the low zoom ratio), and might make up for the lack of a cheap prime lens in its range (the 135mm excepted).
Have a look at Stan's site for opinionated but knowledgeable comments on Pentax lenses. The M lenses are often compared adversely with the K lenses, but as you can seldom if ever find a K lens, the point is academic.
The Ms are damn good, anyway.
http://stans-photography.info/
George
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Posted 24/05/2004 - 12:15
Hi,
Just to add to what Matt said. The 28mm FA is different optically to the earlier F version and performs alot better (5 elements in 5 groups rather than 7 in 7). Having said that the F version is no slouch but if you have the choice go for the FA. It also has a wider focus ring and is easier to use.
Kim
Just to add to what Matt said. The 28mm FA is different optically to the earlier F version and performs alot better (5 elements in 5 groups rather than 7 in 7). Having said that the F version is no slouch but if you have the choice go for the FA. It also has a wider focus ring and is easier to use.
Kim
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Posted 24/05/2004 - 14:43
Thanks for the clarification Kim!
As you said, the 28mm F is no slouch! It is lovely (but the SMC-DA 16-45mm has largely taken its place, and it's a wonderful lens )
Matt
http://www.mattmatic.co.uk
(For gallery, tips and links)
As you said, the 28mm F is no slouch! It is lovely (but the SMC-DA 16-45mm has largely taken its place, and it's a wonderful lens
)Matt
http://www.mattmatic.co.uk
(For gallery, tips and links)
Link
Posted 24/05/2004 - 23:44
Hi Again,
Just a thought, I am about to put my 35/F3.5 K lens on eBay. It's well used but 100% optically. Drop me a private message if you are interested. I hate to disagree with George (again ) but there are a number of good "K"s out there. A week ago in Bath, I picked up a 150/F4 for £59 in a sale and a couple of days later got a near mint 200/F4 in a dealers in Sevenoaks for £25. 
I must admit that one surprised me! Local shops do seem to have much more realistic prices.
Just a thought, I am about to put my 35/F3.5 K lens on eBay. It's well used but 100% optically. Drop me a private message if you are interested. I hate to disagree with George (again
) but there are a number of good "K"s out there. A week ago in Bath, I picked up a 150/F4 for £59 in a sale and a couple of days later got a near mint 200/F4 in a dealers in Sevenoaks for £25. I must admit that one surprised me! Local shops do seem to have much more realistic prices.
41 posts
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Posted 25/05/2004 - 15:49
...you are really helping me out. I will very likely go for:
-20mm f/2.8 A or 20mm f/2.8 FA
-28mm f/3.5 K;M or 28mm f/2.8 A;M
-35mm f/3.5 K or 35mm f/2 FA
-50mm f/1.7 F or 50mm f/1.4 K
This is my decision so far. What do you thing about it?
It seems that there is no dirt cheap 100mm macro to bid up
What would be the best decision for a little of money?
Good day to all of you, Pentaholics!
-20mm f/2.8 A or 20mm f/2.8 FA
-28mm f/3.5 K;M or 28mm f/2.8 A;M
-35mm f/3.5 K or 35mm f/2 FA
-50mm f/1.7 F or 50mm f/1.4 K
This is my decision so far. What do you thing about it?
It seems that there is no dirt cheap 100mm macro to bid up
What would be the best decision for a little of money?
Good day to all of you, Pentaholics!
Link
Posted 14/06/2004 - 18:46
Hi
I would heartily recommend the 50mm, I have the FA 1.4 and the K-series 1.7, both are fantastic lenses - whilst the FA 1.4 doesn't really appear second-hand very often (I struck lucky, £60 with really good UV filter and hood from Jessops, of all places!) the K f1.7 is everywhere, you should be able to get one from a shop for around £25 to £30.
I have got a Vivitar series 1 (manual focus) 105 f2.5 macro, it is very, very good and a lot cheaper than the Pentax equivalent. It goes to 1:1 macro. I would agree with George that Pentax lenses are your best bet, but I really do rate the vivitar, although I haven't the money to get the PEntax macro to compare and contrast them. It's built like a brick and gives great photos.
Cheers
Matt
I would heartily recommend the 50mm, I have the FA 1.4 and the K-series 1.7, both are fantastic lenses - whilst the FA 1.4 doesn't really appear second-hand very often (I struck lucky, £60 with really good UV filter and hood from Jessops, of all places!) the K f1.7 is everywhere, you should be able to get one from a shop for around £25 to £30.
I have got a Vivitar series 1 (manual focus) 105 f2.5 macro, it is very, very good and a lot cheaper than the Pentax equivalent. It goes to 1:1 macro. I would agree with George that Pentax lenses are your best bet, but I really do rate the vivitar, although I haven't the money to get the PEntax macro to compare and contrast them. It's built like a brick and gives great photos.
Cheers
Matt
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Posted 30/06/2004 - 11:41
Hi!
Thanks for all the answers about lenses...
I bought some lenses and stuff over the eBay and I were pleased.
Lenses: Cosmicar 70-200 f/3.5 - good, sharp...
Pentax SMC- A 50mm f/1.7 - very good
Pentax SMC- A 35-70mm f/3.5-4.5 - good
Cosina MC 28mm f/2.8 - I have to polish back element...?
Pentax SMC- M 100 f/4 - macro - do I have to say anything
Pentax 2X teleconverter
Pentax super-A camera with winder ME-II and flash AF280T - all O.K.
Now I'm after 135mm and 200mm. Any suggestions?
Regards - Saso
Thanks for all the answers about lenses...
I bought some lenses and stuff over the eBay and I were pleased.
Lenses: Cosmicar 70-200 f/3.5 - good, sharp...
Pentax SMC- A 50mm f/1.7 - very good
Pentax SMC- A 35-70mm f/3.5-4.5 - good
Cosina MC 28mm f/2.8 - I have to polish back element...?
Pentax SMC- M 100 f/4 - macro - do I have to say anything
Pentax 2X teleconverter
Pentax super-A camera with winder ME-II and flash AF280T - all O.K.
Now I'm after 135mm and 200mm. Any suggestions?
Regards - Saso
Link
Posted 09/07/2004 - 15:00
Just picked up a 75mm-150mm smc-m f4 for £69 on ebay, is this a good price or not? it's in mint cond, with caps.
Cheers ally.
Cheers ally.
Link
Posted 09/07/2004 - 16:16
The 75-150 zoom range used to be very popular and was somewhat superceded by the 80-200/70-210mm ranges. A 75-150 lens of any make is the sort of thing your likely to stumble upon at a real bargain price in second-hand shops and the like.
I would imagine however that you've got yourself a reasonable buy at £69 for such a superb lens, in mint condition.
I suppose it's true value, as with anything, depends upon how much you're going to use it and the personal value you place on the results - I guarantee you will not be disappointed with the performance and that surely must be worth every penny!
Die my dear doctor, that's the last thing I shall do!
I would imagine however that you've got yourself a reasonable buy at £69 for such a superb lens, in mint condition.
I suppose it's true value, as with anything, depends upon how much you're going to use it and the personal value you place on the results - I guarantee you will not be disappointed with the performance and that surely must be worth every penny!
Die my dear doctor, that's the last thing I shall do!
Link
Posted 10/07/2004 - 08:19
Hi!
As I said before as guest ( I forgot to log in) I have bought Pentax SMC-M 100mm f/4 macro among the others. I tested it and the results are more than satisfactory. I was shooting without the tripod on various apertures and the pictures were all the best. SHARP, BRIGHT, CONTRASTY... It is really joy to use it. I bought it second hand on eBay for 104 EUR. I thing it was a fair price if one is comparing to the same lenses that were sold before.
It was in mint condition really like new. So I'm very happy
Regards - Saso
As I said before as guest ( I forgot to log in) I have bought Pentax SMC-M 100mm f/4 macro among the others. I tested it and the results are more than satisfactory. I was shooting without the tripod on various apertures and the pictures were all the best. SHARP, BRIGHT, CONTRASTY... It is really joy to use it. I bought it second hand on eBay for 104 EUR. I thing it was a fair price if one is comparing to the same lenses that were sold before.
It was in mint condition really like new. So I'm very happy
Regards - Saso
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Saso E.
Member
I have two bodyes: Pentax Z-1 & Cosina CT-7. With that I have following lenses: Cosina 50mm-1.4, Vivitar 28mm- 2.8, Zeiss AF 28-70mm- macro & Pentax 80-320mm.
Cosina and Vivitar are not so good, they not very sharp and have poor contrast, Zeiss- Jena zoom has a little distortion and its a bit on the cold side. I would say that the 80-320 by Pentax is on top in my case.
What I wana to do is: buy the Pentax optics, fixed focal length, AF or MF, compatible with my SLR bodyes and they have to be SHARP, FAST & SOLID BUILT
Any suggestion where to buy used ones in good condition? I have an 20, 50 or 45, 70, 90 or 100(macro) and 135 or 150 mm in mind.
Thank you very much...S.E.