Worlds great lens makers
2,087 posts
Link
Posted 10/05/2013 - 09:18
Interesting link Mike, thanks for posting it !
Of course it would be more interesting to see the writer thoughts about the best lenses listed by mm because those at 15-25mm would likely be different to those at 30-50mm, and again to those above 100mm, and how many even made lenses in the 300-800mm category ? A very widely used focal length for almost all wildlife/birding togs. In that scenario, like them or hate them, it is impossible to leave Canon/Nikon off the list
I enjoyed some of the comments better than the article (my favourites posted here so everyone doesn't have to go through the whole list if they don't want to) !
When you're as big as Canon and Nikon you must appeal to the mean and the median. Your entire revenue and marketing machine depends on the norm. So there is merit in looking at smaller brands, such as the Pentax DA primes which are warm, sharp, compact, and phenomenally resistant to flare.
Poking a hornet’s nest? Here’s a blog you might find of interest:
http://www.addicted2light.com/2012/12/08/battle-of-the-50s-contax-60-vs-minolta-...
I wonder how many of those who find your listing of Pentax inconceivable have used, or even held, one of their best lenses.
Pentax fourth?
I used to think you were cool, Mike.
Though if there's a list for the Craziest Lens Makers, I fully expect Pentax to top it.
That's a good list of best lens makers at 35mm.
http://frogfish.smugmug.com/ Pentax. Pentax DA*300/4, Cosina 55/1.2, Lens Baby Composer Pro & Edge 80, AFA x1.7, Metz 50 af1.
Nikon. D800. D600. Sigma 500/4.5, Nikon 300/2.8 VRII, Sigma 120-300/2.8, Zeiss Distagon ZF2 21/2.8, Zeiss Distagon ZF2 35/2.0, Sigma 50/1.4, Nikkor 85/1.8, Nikon TC20EIII, Nikon TC14EII, Kenko x1.4, Sigma 2.0
Of course it would be more interesting to see the writer thoughts about the best lenses listed by mm because those at 15-25mm would likely be different to those at 30-50mm, and again to those above 100mm, and how many even made lenses in the 300-800mm category ? A very widely used focal length for almost all wildlife/birding togs. In that scenario, like them or hate them, it is impossible to leave Canon/Nikon off the list
I enjoyed some of the comments better than the article (my favourites posted here so everyone doesn't have to go through the whole list if they don't want to) !
When you're as big as Canon and Nikon you must appeal to the mean and the median. Your entire revenue and marketing machine depends on the norm. So there is merit in looking at smaller brands, such as the Pentax DA primes which are warm, sharp, compact, and phenomenally resistant to flare.
Poking a hornet’s nest? Here’s a blog you might find of interest:
http://www.addicted2light.com/2012/12/08/battle-of-the-50s-contax-60-vs-minolta-...
I wonder how many of those who find your listing of Pentax inconceivable have used, or even held, one of their best lenses.
Pentax fourth?
I used to think you were cool, Mike.
Though if there's a list for the Craziest Lens Makers, I fully expect Pentax to top it.
That's a good list of best lens makers at 35mm.
http://frogfish.smugmug.com/ Pentax. Pentax DA*300/4, Cosina 55/1.2, Lens Baby Composer Pro & Edge 80, AFA x1.7, Metz 50 af1.
Nikon. D800. D600. Sigma 500/4.5, Nikon 300/2.8 VRII, Sigma 120-300/2.8, Zeiss Distagon ZF2 21/2.8, Zeiss Distagon ZF2 35/2.0, Sigma 50/1.4, Nikkor 85/1.8, Nikon TC20EIII, Nikon TC14EII, Kenko x1.4, Sigma 2.0
Last Edited by Frogfish on 10/05/2013 - 09:19
Link
Posted 10/05/2013 - 09:53
In the 1980's I bought one of what now appears to be a s/h copy of the earliest version of the 8-element Takumar F1.4 to use on my even older (late 1950's) Edixa Prismat and Praktica MTL5 and it was one of the nicest lens I ever had - IIRC it fully lived up to the praises given to it on that thread. Then had to sell the lens to fund a move to Praktica bayonet mounts - but kept the Prismat which I still have, and won't ever get rid of because it is almost an heirloom to me!
K-3 II, K-3 and a K-70 from SRS
(having now relegated the K-30 /"K-50" to a backup body), & some Sigma and Pentax lenses (and a lot of old 35mm gear!)
K-3 II, K-3 and a K-70 from SRS
(having now relegated the K-30 /"K-50" to a backup body), & some Sigma and Pentax lenses (and a lot of old 35mm gear!)
Link
Posted 10/05/2013 - 10:10
The only problem with old lens tests is that we never know how the sample tested has been treated over the years, or whether it's a good or not so good example of the lens.
Interesting though.
Best regards, John
Interesting though.
Best regards, John
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petrochemist
Member
Essex
'The online photographer' Mike Johnson's take on the subject.
Neither Canon or Nikon are on the short list so it's not just swayed by advertising revenue.
Mike
.
Pentax:K5ii, K7, K100D, DA18-55, DA10-17, DA55-300, DA50-200, F100-300, F50, DA35 AL, 4* M50, 2* M135, Helicoid extension, Tak 300 f4 (& 6 film bodies)
3rd Party: Bigmos (Sigma 150-500mm OS HSM),2* 28mm, 100mm macro, 28-200 zoom, 35-80 zoom, 80-200 zoom, 80-210 zoom, 300mm M42, 600 mirror, 1000-4000 scope, 50mm M42, enlarger lenses, Sony & micro 4/3 cameras with various PK mounts, Zenit E...
Far to many tele-converters, adapters, project parts & extension tubes etc.
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