New Zhong Yi Optics 200mm f4 Macro 1X Lens converted to Pentax K mount
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Posted 25/07/2023 - 19:11
Thanks for the review. Not clear if Pentax mount will be offered or if this was a one off?
If a one off, could the mount conversion be part of the issues you experienced?
And how weird if not being made with a Pentax mount that they go to the trouble of converting the lens (where'd they get the mount from?) and asking a Pentax shooter to review it.
If a one off, could the mount conversion be part of the issues you experienced?
And how weird if not being made with a Pentax mount that they go to the trouble of converting the lens (where'd they get the mount from?) and asking a Pentax shooter to review it.
Last Edited by JohnX on 25/07/2023 - 19:18
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Posted 25/07/2023 - 22:28
GeoffMoore wrote:
I hope you enjoy the video and the images at the end.
I hope you enjoy the video and the images at the end.
I did indeed
. It seems to me to be a fair and reasonable review, points made clearly and concisely and no superfluous waffle.I don't think I'll be getting one to replace my Irix 150mm macro, though, even if they do release it in K mount...
Steve
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Posted 26/07/2023 - 12:00
JohnX wrote:
Thanks for the review. Not clear if Pentax mount will be offered or if this was a one off?
If a one off, could the mount conversion be part of the issues you experienced?
And how weird if not being made with a Pentax mount that they go to the trouble of converting the lens (where'd they get the mount from?) and asking a Pentax shooter to review it.
Thanks for the review. Not clear if Pentax mount will be offered or if this was a one off?
If a one off, could the mount conversion be part of the issues you experienced?
And how weird if not being made with a Pentax mount that they go to the trouble of converting the lens (where'd they get the mount from?) and asking a Pentax shooter to review it.
Its a good question John. From my discussions with Zhong Yi, the mount conversion was not a problem at all. It's not something they stipulate or mention on the website however, so i suspect the target audience is the mounts they mention. I too thought it slightly odd, reaching out to me as Im very obviously a Pentax shooter on social media and YouTube channel. --- I'm happy to reach out to ZhongYi and ask for clarification if it helps though?
As for the mount conversion and issues I experienced. Its quite possible I suppose, but I wouldn't have thought so as the lens is 100% manual and without any data transmission from the lens to camera and back again, that's true for K Mount version they supplied me as it will be for any other mount, however, I think its the issue of the light transmission through the optics being low and using the Optical viewfinder on the K1 over the Live View.... retrospectively I should have been a little more specific in my review/usage (it was my first attempt at doing a review) that the live view mode on the K1 was useable, but the low resolution of the Pentax K1 LCD made focusing difficult. There simply isn't enough fidelity/resolution on the 1037K dot display to see what your doing with complete certainty with this lens.
Thanks for you comment though, plenty to think about.
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Posted 26/07/2023 - 12:07
Mike-P wrote:
From the mounts available and no contacts the lens is obviously meant for mirrorless bodies where dark viewfinders aren't an issue.
I would guess the only thing in its favour over the Irix 150mm would be price.
From the mounts available and no contacts the lens is obviously meant for mirrorless bodies where dark viewfinders aren't an issue.
I would guess the only thing in its favour over the Irix 150mm would be price.
Yes, this make more sense to me now. I have covered this thought in my reply to John above. But in summary and as i mentioned in the review, the lens probably would really shine on a modern Mirrorless body for macro work so Its nice to read that at least 2 of us think the same
As regards the Irix, I have the Pentax 100mm 2.8 Macro and you really are on top of the subjects often, so the working distance of the Zhong Yi offering made for a considerable improvement in working distance, I suspect the middle ground of the 150mm gives the best of both worlds, not that I have used the Irix, maybe something to try in the future.
Cheers Mike
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Posted 26/07/2023 - 12:09
Lubbyman wrote:
I did indeed. It seems to me to be a fair and reasonable review, points made clearly and concisely and no superfluous waffle.
I don't think I'll be getting one to replace my Irix 150mm macro, though, even if they do release it in K mount...
Steve
GeoffMoore wrote:
I hope you enjoy the video and the images at the end.
I hope you enjoy the video and the images at the end.
I did indeed
. It seems to me to be a fair and reasonable review, points made clearly and concisely and no superfluous waffle.I don't think I'll be getting one to replace my Irix 150mm macro, though, even if they do release it in K mount...
Steve
Thanks Steve,
I'm pretty wedded to the Pentax 100mm, that being said I f I was using a different brand, and now being spoilt by the 200mm working distance the price of the Zhong YI lens at release price of 499$ would be tempting. I'm sure that price will drop in the future too.
Website: My adventures in Landscape Photography
YouTube: Pentax Landscape Channel
Facebook: Photography Page Weekly Updates and Musings
Twitter: Photography Mini Thoughts
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Posted 26/07/2023 - 14:50
At minimum focus distance (1:1 mag), the working distance for the Irix 150mm is 13cm with hood attached, which is close to the 14cm you give for the Zhong Yi with hood attached - so much the same for a biting insect evaluating the threat from a manually focussing photographer! Without lens hood, the subject distance to front of lens is about 18cm for the Irix, about 10cm less than the 28cm you give for the Zong Yi without hood. But of course, the Irix lets you focus with aperture wide open at f2.8 as well as having full aperture control from the camera (so you don't have to put your hand on the lens and closer to biting insects if you want to change aperture 
).
However, for bothering bugs and wee timorous beasties, and for any other macro subjects that require the photographer to do strange and unnatural contortions of the body, I reckon that the ergonomics of camera + lens is even more important than the technicalities of the lens. If you find it comfortable to handle and operate you might get the shot, if you don't then you probably won't. And that's impossible to cover in a review because everbody is different (which is a Good Thing or life would be so boring...).
Steve
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).However, for bothering bugs and wee timorous beasties, and for any other macro subjects that require the photographer to do strange and unnatural contortions of the body, I reckon that the ergonomics of camera + lens is even more important than the technicalities of the lens. If you find it comfortable to handle and operate you might get the shot, if you don't then you probably won't. And that's impossible to cover in a review because everbody is different (which is a Good Thing or life would be so boring...).
Steve
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Posted 26/07/2023 - 15:21
Lubbyman wrote:
At minimum focus distance (1:1 mag), the working distance for the Irix 150mm is 13cm with hood attached, which is close to the 14cm you give for the Zhong Yi with hood attached - so much the same for a biting insect evaluating the threat from a manually focussing photographer! Without lens hood, the subject distance to front of lens is about 18cm for the Irix, about 10cm less than the 28cm you give for the Zong Yi without hood. But of course, the Irix lets you focus with aperture wide open at f2.8 as well as having full aperture control from the camera (so you don't have to put your hand on the lens and closer to biting insects if you want to change aperture).
However, for bothering bugs and wee timorous beasties, and for any other macro subjects that require the photographer to do strange and unnatural contortions of the body, I reckon that the ergonomics of camera + lens is even more important than the technicalities of the lens. If you find it comfortable to handle and operate you might get the shot, if you don't then you probably won't. And that's impossible to cover in a review because everbody is different (which is a Good Thing or life would be so boring...).
Steve
At minimum focus distance (1:1 mag), the working distance for the Irix 150mm is 13cm with hood attached, which is close to the 14cm you give for the Zhong Yi with hood attached - so much the same for a biting insect evaluating the threat from a manually focussing photographer! Without lens hood, the subject distance to front of lens is about 18cm for the Irix, about 10cm less than the 28cm you give for the Zong Yi without hood. But of course, the Irix lets you focus with aperture wide open at f2.8 as well as having full aperture control from the camera (so you don't have to put your hand on the lens and closer to biting insects if you want to change aperture
).However, for bothering bugs and wee timorous beasties, and for any other macro subjects that require the photographer to do strange and unnatural contortions of the body, I reckon that the ergonomics of camera + lens is even more important than the technicalities of the lens. If you find it comfortable to handle and operate you might get the shot, if you don't then you probably won't. And that's impossible to cover in a review because everbody is different (which is a Good Thing or life would be so boring...).
Steve
Quite agree... and with age, those contortions you mention lol 😂
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GeoffMoore
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I hope you enjoy the video and the images at the end. Here are a couple of my favs...
Website: My adventures in Landscape Photography
YouTube: Pentax Landscape Channel
Facebook: Photography Page Weekly Updates and Musings
Twitter: Photography Mini Thoughts
Instagram: Yes, Here
Flickr: Yes Here