how WOULD you judge a lens?
Posted 07/12/2006 - 17:44
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Here in the Netherlands there is foto konijnenberg.
They have quite a lot of Pentax lenses in their program, and if you ask them they will get the lens for you and you can test it out before you buy.
I am going there next week to try out the Sigma 17-70 and the Pentax 16-45. (and the 50-200, but I am allmost sure that I will buy that one...)
They have quite a lot of Pentax lenses in their program, and if you ask them they will get the lens for you and you can test it out before you buy.
I am going there next week to try out the Sigma 17-70 and the Pentax 16-45. (and the 50-200, but I am allmost sure that I will buy that one...)
Camera:K20D|Ist*DS|Spotmatic II|MZ-10
Pentax Lenses: DA16-45|DA50-200|50A 1.7
Tamron Lenses: 28-200
Takumar Lenses: SMC 55 1.8
Sigma Lenses: EX DG 50-500 'Bigma'|EX 50mm Macro
Flashes: Metz 58 AF-1|Samsung SEF-36PZF|Pentax AF-220T
Pentax Lenses: DA16-45|DA50-200|50A 1.7
Tamron Lenses: 28-200
Takumar Lenses: SMC 55 1.8
Sigma Lenses: EX DG 50-500 'Bigma'|EX 50mm Macro
Flashes: Metz 58 AF-1|Samsung SEF-36PZF|Pentax AF-220T
Posted 07/12/2006 - 18:17
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I'll be interested to know your opinion of those two lenses, both are on my list of possible kit lens replacements (at that mythical time in the future when I can afford it lol)
Posted 07/12/2006 - 21:15
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I will post pictures taken with both lenses online, if possible in RAW, but I don't have a FTP server where I can put those larger files on. I will convert them to DNG to save valuable space.
Camera:K20D|Ist*DS|Spotmatic II|MZ-10
Pentax Lenses: DA16-45|DA50-200|50A 1.7
Tamron Lenses: 28-200
Takumar Lenses: SMC 55 1.8
Sigma Lenses: EX DG 50-500 'Bigma'|EX 50mm Macro
Flashes: Metz 58 AF-1|Samsung SEF-36PZF|Pentax AF-220T
Pentax Lenses: DA16-45|DA50-200|50A 1.7
Tamron Lenses: 28-200
Takumar Lenses: SMC 55 1.8
Sigma Lenses: EX DG 50-500 'Bigma'|EX 50mm Macro
Flashes: Metz 58 AF-1|Samsung SEF-36PZF|Pentax AF-220T
Posted 07/12/2006 - 23:23
Link
Lens testing is a demanding procedure if it is to be done properly and is well outside the scope of this forum. There are plenty of books on the subject, some old, some new.
I would suggest you make up a still life set of various items with lots of different colours and masses of fine detail and take lots of identical pictures at all apertures and with all the lenses you want to compare. Then have a close look at the results at high magnification. Alternatively, perhaps photograph a sheet of newspaper or a map. The disadvantage of a flat subject is that the lenses might not have a flat field so the results could be misleading.
Use of a tripod for the testing is absolutely essential. It doesn't matter so much if you shoot RAW or JPEG, just that the settings are the same every time. This will give a good idea of the general qualities of the lens, but the best test of all is how it works for the type of pictures you make.
I would suggest you make up a still life set of various items with lots of different colours and masses of fine detail and take lots of identical pictures at all apertures and with all the lenses you want to compare. Then have a close look at the results at high magnification. Alternatively, perhaps photograph a sheet of newspaper or a map. The disadvantage of a flat subject is that the lenses might not have a flat field so the results could be misleading.
Use of a tripod for the testing is absolutely essential. It doesn't matter so much if you shoot RAW or JPEG, just that the settings are the same every time. This will give a good idea of the general qualities of the lens, but the best test of all is how it works for the type of pictures you make.
Best regards, John
Posted 08/12/2006 - 08:09
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I am mostly interested in real life performance and the fit&finish of the lens.
Camera:K20D|Ist*DS|Spotmatic II|MZ-10
Pentax Lenses: DA16-45|DA50-200|50A 1.7
Tamron Lenses: 28-200
Takumar Lenses: SMC 55 1.8
Sigma Lenses: EX DG 50-500 'Bigma'|EX 50mm Macro
Flashes: Metz 58 AF-1|Samsung SEF-36PZF|Pentax AF-220T
Pentax Lenses: DA16-45|DA50-200|50A 1.7
Tamron Lenses: 28-200
Takumar Lenses: SMC 55 1.8
Sigma Lenses: EX DG 50-500 'Bigma'|EX 50mm Macro
Flashes: Metz 58 AF-1|Samsung SEF-36PZF|Pentax AF-220T
Posted 08/12/2006 - 08:57
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I favour Stan Halpin's site for an initial look and then ask the opion of those whose judgement I trust.
Kim
Kim
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2891 posts
19 years
Wiltshire,
England
OK fine, I take your point, online testers can be biased or just not know what they are doing.
So, assuming you don't have access to a local shop carrying a wide range of PKAF fit lenses which will let you test the ones you like the look of, how WOULD you decide which to get?
If the answer is drive/fly/swim to the nearest such shop, where can such a shop be found? I have yet to find anywhere with a decent range of Pentax gear in stock.