Old Pentax glass ( SMC A 400mm f/5.6) still has that class

I'm no Luddite when it comes to photography and value the many advantages of modern AF lenses, of which I have my fair (?) share. There remains apart of me, however, that loves the discipline and challenge imposed by the use of old, manual-focus lenses. To whit, my recently acquired SMC Pentax-A 400mm f/5.6, which I matched with A K3 body for a quick visit to our local community woodland this afternoon. Notwithstanding the evident CA visible in some of these direct from camera JPEGs (save for cropping, a little noise reduction and resizing for upload), which is easily removed (especially in the corresponding RAW file) if it's presence offends, the following images demonstrate, IMHO, that old Pentax glass can still cut it.
















Jon

Fantastic series here, Jon! I think for the money it’d be hard to beat. Especially if one is au fait with manual lenses (as you clearly are)!

I like the originals as insets. They tell the whole story. I've got a really ancient Schneider Radionar 105mm that I have modified to take an M42 mount. I was in the garden with it today. Once I've processed the results I'll post some.

You're certainly getting some really good use out of it already John - it's always pleasing when one of my departed flock blossoms in the hands of another - keep them coming