Old Lenses on a New Body
4,018 posts
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Posted 15/04/2009 - 13:09
It's not your imagination - coatings have changed over the years and can have very different effects on certain parts of the colour spectrum.
One things for sure though; the old Taks are very capable lenses!
Joining the Q
One things for sure though; the old Taks are very capable lenses!
Joining the Q
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Posted 15/04/2009 - 22:13
hefty1 wrote:
One things for sure though; the old Taks are very capable lenses!
One things for sure though; the old Taks are very capable lenses!
I couldn't agree more, (check out my sig below) I have quite a collection and enjoy using them all, more so than my modern Pentax lenses at the moment.
I always have one Tak permanently attached to my DS and My favourite would be the SMC 35mm f2, the 400mm is also super sharp with excellent contrast.
Once you get your technique down, they aren't difficult to use.
I use them in AV mode, set the aperture, focus wide open using the auto switch and then switch back to manual to take the shot.
Camera:|K-7|
Pentax Lenses:|DA12-24/f4 ED AL|DA35Ltd Macro|FA31Ltd|FA77Ltd|FA50/1.4|F70-210|FA20-35 f4/AL|A*200/f4 Macro ED|A50/1.7|A50 Macro f2.8|1.7xAF adapter|
Voigtlander|125/f2.5SL Macro APO Lanthar|
Sigma Lenses:|EX DG 100-300 f4|2X & 1.4X TC|
Flashes:|AF540FGZx2|RingFlash AF160FC|
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Posted 16/04/2009 - 17:57
Clarky wrote:
I couldn't agree more, (check out my sig below) I have quite a collection and enjoy using them all, more so than my modern Pentax lenses at the moment.
I always have one Tak permanently attached to my DS and My favourite would be the SMC 35mm f2, the 400mm is also super sharp with excellent contrast.
Once you get your technique down, they aren't difficult to use.
I use them in AV mode, set the aperture, focus wide open using the auto switch and then switch back to manual to take the shot.
hefty1 wrote:
One things for sure though; the old Taks are very capable lenses!
One things for sure though; the old Taks are very capable lenses!
I couldn't agree more, (check out my sig below) I have quite a collection and enjoy using them all, more so than my modern Pentax lenses at the moment.
I always have one Tak permanently attached to my DS and My favourite would be the SMC 35mm f2, the 400mm is also super sharp with excellent contrast.
Once you get your technique down, they aren't difficult to use.
I use them in AV mode, set the aperture, focus wide open using the auto switch and then switch back to manual to take the shot.
I am most interested in your technique, could you explain a bit more how you set it up. I have smc m lenses, use them on my Pentax LX with B&W film, but I am experimenting using them on the K20 D. I set the camera to manual and in the Custom Settings, number 36, "using aperture" number 2, "permitted". At these settings, when you first switch on the camera, you then set the focal length of the lens manually and you are ready to shoot. I note you say you use AV mode and I am curious to learn why? perhaps I am doing something wrong here and would appreciate you input.
Not everything in life is Black & White, If only it were!
Kind Regards,
Rees
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Posted 16/04/2009 - 20:07
If I can answer for Clarky, he was refering to the Takumar M42 lenses. There is no aperture coupling on these so when he switches the lens to manual it actually stops down. He can then use Av to expose as the camera is setting a shutter speed basis the actual light that is coming through the lens.
With your M lenses you have no switch on the lens. So you have to use Manual exposure mode (green Button or DOF switch)to set an exposure, and then take the picture.
You can use Av also.....BUT the picture will always be at maximum aperture.
There is a method to change an M lens so you can use Av , but this will mean your lens will stop down as you turn the aperture ring and the viewfinder will darken. Perhaps another can explain it.
Finally , do you find you get overexposure with the M lenses at small apertures ?
Peter
My Flickr page
With your M lenses you have no switch on the lens. So you have to use Manual exposure mode (green Button or DOF switch)to set an exposure, and then take the picture.
You can use Av also.....BUT the picture will always be at maximum aperture.
There is a method to change an M lens so you can use Av , but this will mean your lens will stop down as you turn the aperture ring and the viewfinder will darken. Perhaps another can explain it.
Finally , do you find you get overexposure with the M lenses at small apertures ?
Peter
My Flickr page
11 posts
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Posted 16/04/2009 - 20:43
Well I spent a part of a free afternoon today in Edinburgh trying out my K200D with a 55mm f2 lens from the old days. The results were not stellar. I thought I'd figured it out. I needed to dial in some more light since the first pictures I shot in the back garden yesterday were really dark. I got a bit more light. I didn't figure out the whole depth of field thing at all and will need to work a bit more on that.
[tried to post a couple of images - need to read up on how to do that here]
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LWstRrS8Z5w/SeeJ13BVUvI/AAAAAAAACSI/wyqV3YVoC_4/s1600-h/Greyfriars+Bobby.jpg
and
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LWstRrS8Z5w/SeeJ_Hc3ljI/AAAAAAAACSQ/QKrh1_KKNDQ/s1600-h/IMGP6505.JPG
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I'm a poet - I describe stuff!
K100D, SMC PENTAX DA 18-55mm & 50-200mm, SIGMA 75-300
SP1000, TAKUMAR 3.5/28, 2/55, 3.5/135, 3.5/200
http://raspberry_rabbit.blogspot.com
[tried to post a couple of images - need to read up on how to do that here]
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LWstRrS8Z5w/SeeJ13BVUvI/AAAAAAAACSI/wyqV3YVoC_4/s1600-h/Greyfriars+Bobby.jpg
and
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LWstRrS8Z5w/SeeJ_Hc3ljI/AAAAAAAACSQ/QKrh1_KKNDQ/s1600-h/IMGP6505.JPG
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I'm a poet - I describe stuff!
K100D, SMC PENTAX DA 18-55mm & 50-200mm, SIGMA 75-300
SP1000, TAKUMAR 3.5/28, 2/55, 3.5/135, 3.5/200
http://raspberry_rabbit.blogspot.com
Last Edited by rwarren4 on 16/04/2009 - 20:45
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Posted 16/04/2009 - 21:01
You have got the DOF thing spot on in the first photo!
I dont know what metering is like with the K200D, I only know there are issues at smaller apertures with the K10D and K20D.
If you use manual exposure and expose as I outlined above you should be ok.
The old SMC 55mm 2.0 is a solid lens isn't it .....exudes quality.
Peter
My Flickr page
I dont know what metering is like with the K200D, I only know there are issues at smaller apertures with the K10D and K20D.
If you use manual exposure and expose as I outlined above you should be ok.
The old SMC 55mm 2.0 is a solid lens isn't it .....exudes quality.
Peter
My Flickr page
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Posted 16/04/2009 - 23:22
I've been a bit surprised at how difficult it is to focus. I guess it's one of those things you take for granted and then find out that it's easier to be 'off' than you thought and the shots come out looking rather dire. I'd have said that the majority of what I shot today was 'off'.
There's a technique, I'm sure.
R
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I'm a poet - I describe stuff!
K100D, SMC PENTAX DA 18-55mm & 50-200mm, SIGMA 75-300
SP1000, TAKUMAR 3.5/28, 2/55, 3.5/135, 3.5/200
http://raspberry_rabbit.blogspot.com
There's a technique, I'm sure.
R
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I'm a poet - I describe stuff!
K100D, SMC PENTAX DA 18-55mm & 50-200mm, SIGMA 75-300
SP1000, TAKUMAR 3.5/28, 2/55, 3.5/135, 3.5/200
http://raspberry_rabbit.blogspot.com
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Posted 16/04/2009 - 23:32
If you really want to do manual focus (I do) then get a split prism focus screen. You know, the ones all cameras had before they invented autofocus, and we all got lazy.
Peter
My Flickr page
Peter
My Flickr page
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Posted 16/04/2009 - 23:48
I remember one of my chums had a camera with one of those. We considered it an innovation for the partially sighted and mocked him for it. What does replace (on a spotmatic, for example) to get a split screen?
Rob
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I'm a poet - I describe stuff!
K100D, SMC PENTAX DA 18-55mm & 50-200mm, SIGMA 75-300
SP1000, TAKUMAR 3.5/28, 2/55, 3.5/135, 3.5/200
http://raspberry_rabbit.blogspot.com
Rob
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I'm a poet - I describe stuff!
K100D, SMC PENTAX DA 18-55mm & 50-200mm, SIGMA 75-300
SP1000, TAKUMAR 3.5/28, 2/55, 3.5/135, 3.5/200
http://raspberry_rabbit.blogspot.com
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Posted 17/04/2009 - 02:20
Do you not get the focus beep with the old lenses??
GX20 with grip, Pentax 18-55II, Tamron 70-300, Asahi 50mm 1.7
GX20 with grip, Pentax 18-55II, Tamron 70-300, Asahi 50mm 1.7
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Posted 17/04/2009 - 08:53
pschlute wrote:
Finally , do you find you get overexposure with the M lenses at small apertures ?
Finally , do you find you get overexposure with the M lenses at small apertures ?
No the exposures are fine, I just noted that Clarky was using the AV setting and wondered why?
Not everything in life is Black & White, If only it were!
Kind Regards,
Rees
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Posted 17/04/2009 - 08:54
HeavyD wrote:
Do you not get the focus beep with the old lenses??
Do you not get the focus beep with the old lenses??
No, there's no beep with 'M' lenses.
Not everything in life is Black & White, If only it were!
Kind Regards,
Rees
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Posted 17/04/2009 - 09:31
Rees wrote:
No, there's no beep with 'M' lenses.
No, there's no beep with 'M' lenses.
Isn't there? I always have the beep turned off, but you do get the green hexagon focus confirmation. It's a useful check, but it's not very quick - I keep going past it, and going backwards and forwards to find it.
I have just put a focus screen with split image prism into my K100D, but I haven't used it enough yet to really say how much difference it makes.
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rwarren4
Member
Initial reactions are mixed. First of all it's a crap day up here in Scotland - we're socked in with fog and so it's a dark day.
I didn't know what the camera would do (k100d). I half expected it to come up with a little note on the screen saying 'What the hell is this, bozo!" but no. It went to 'aperature priority' even though the little dial was set to 'auto pict' and it took a shot.
Comparing the same shot with the Takumar and with the 18-55 Pentax zoom at the same focal length I notice that the modern lens is trying to make it look like a better day and the old lens seems satisfied to shoot a crap day.
The pictures are 'different' though in ways that I can't quite get my head around. I'd have said that the pictures from the old lens look much what I remember kodachrome looking like back in the day - including the red handles on the wheelbarrow glowing rather spookily. There appears to be a lot more colour generally in the pictures taken with the old lens but perhaps a bit more 'crispness' in the new lens.
You'd almost want to use stereo language about digital and analog but that might be a stretch.
What I'll do is wait til the weather changes and fire off a couple of identical shots at the same focal length from a tripod and post them here to get your opinion and comments.
thanks
Rob
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I'm a poet - I describe stuff!
K100D, SMC PENTAX DA 18-55mm & 50-200mm, SIGMA 75-300
SP1000, TAKUMAR 3.5/28, 2/55, 3.5/135, 3.5/200
http://raspberry_rabbit.blogspot.com