Pentax Camera & Lens Reviews

SMC Pentax-F 50mm f/1.7 Lens Review
Fast, sharp 50mm F Series vintage lens from Pentax. John Riley reviews this easily adapted, widely available f/1.7 classic, sharing sample photos, MTF & CA performance charts along with his verdict of this standard length K mount lens.

PENTAX 17 Film Camera Review
The PENTAX 17 is a 2024 compact film camera featuring vertical half-frame shooting, a fixed 25mm f/3.5 lens with zone focusing and is the first release from Pentax's Film Project. John Riley reviews this modern day take on film photography and provides sample photos along with his verdict.

HD Pentax-D FA 21mm f/2.4 ED Limited DC WR Lens Review
John Riley reviews the premium full-frame HD 21mm f/2.4 Limited lens from Pentax. How does this beautiful lens measure up, John shares MTF & CA Charts, along with sample photos and his verdict.

Pentax K-3 III Monochrome DSLR Review
John Riley takes a look at the recently released Pentax K-3 III Monochrome, which is an APS-C DSLR dedicated to black & white photography. John reviews & tests the performance of this stunning monochrome camera which offers crisper, noise-reduced images over its colour sibling.

SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/1.4 Lens Review
Superfast 50mm M Series vintage lens from Pentax. John Riley reviews this easily adapted, widely available f/1.4 classic, sharing sample photos, MTF & CA performance charts along with his verdict of this standard length K mount lens.

SMC Pentax-M 50mm f/1.4 Versus f/1.7
Supplementary article comparing bokeh and sharpness between two popular vintage versions of the M Series 50mm from Pentax.

SMC Pentax 135mm f/2.5 Lens Review
John Riley reviews the Pentax 135mm f/2.5 telephoto K Series lens with a bonus comparison with the Takumar (Bayonet) 135mm f/2.5 - John provides sample photos, MTF & CA charts along with his verdict on both lenses.

SMC Pentax 85mm f/1.8 Lens Review
Reviewed this time is the Pentax 85mm f/1.8 from the original K Series of lenses. With a focal length of 85mm typically ideal for portrait photography, John Riley put this vintage lens to test, providing sample photos along with MTF & CA charts.

SMC Pentax 28mm f/2 Lens Review
The Hollywood - John Riley puts the fast K series Pentax 28mm f/2 lens to test, providing sample photos, MTF & CA charts along with his verdict of this lens with a big reputation.

Zenit MC Helios-44K-4 58mm f/2 Lens Review
John Riley reviews the K mount version of the Zenit MC Helios 58mm f/2 lens, a vintage optic based on the Zeiss Biotar lens design that is ideal for portrait photography. John provides sample photos, MTF & CA test charts along with his verdict.

SMC Pentax 55mm f/1.8 Lens Review
John Riley reviews the Pentax 55mm f/1.8 manual focus K mount lens from the 1970s. Is this relatively inexpensive easily adapted lens worth buying? John puts it to test providing MTF & CA charts, sample photos and his verdict.

SMC Pentax-M 100mm f/2.8 Lens Review
John Riley reviews the slightly rarer 100mm f/2.8 telephoto from the Pentax M Series of lenses. How will this small & light lens perform? John provides his verdict along with sample photos and test charts to help answer that question.

SMC Pentax-F 1.7x AF Adapter Review
John Riley reviews this dual purpose Pentax adapter which not only acts as a 1.7x teleconverter, but also provides auto focus for older K Mount lenses, such as the M & A Series.

Pentax EI-2000 Digital Camera Review
John Riley takes a retrospective look at the 2MP Pentax EI-2000, one of the first Pentax digital cameras released. John provides sample photos along with his verdict. This mini review highlights just how much digital cameras have advanced to where we are today.

SMC Pentax-M 135mm f/3.5 Lens Review
Looking for some additional reach for your photography? This affordable vintage 135mm f/3.5 Pentax-M Series K mount lens could just be the answer. John Riley put the lens to the test and provides sample photos, MTF & CA charts along with his verdict.