All Forum Comments
Comment by George Lazarette posted on Yet another lens question...sorry. at 11/08/2007 - 15:00
Quote:
Lighten up and have a laugh and don't take life so seriously.
?????????????????Lighten up and have a laugh and don't take life so seriously.
What on earth brought that on?
Lighten up yourself.
G
Comment by George Lazarette posted on Pentax K10D Advert at 13/08/2007 - 12:59
Quote:
Which 70-300, the Sigma or the Tamron. The Sigma looks really good from SRS as the FAJ75-300 2nd hand I've seen is expensive at £89 and the Sigma is £99 NEW.
EDIT: Are they both 2:1 in 'macro'?
Sorry, I was referring to the Pentax 75-300 that the OP mentioned. I somehow managed to increase its focal length at the bottom end.Which 70-300, the Sigma or the Tamron. The Sigma looks really good from SRS as the FAJ75-300 2nd hand I've seen is expensive at £89 and the Sigma is £99 NEW.
EDIT: Are they both 2:1 in 'macro'?
G
Comment by George Lazarette posted on Need Teleprime or Telezoom. at 10/08/2007 - 20:16
I believe that the 80-320 is not too bad. The 70-300 is less well-thought of.
The FA* 24mm, being a star lens, is considered by many to be superb on film, but not so good on digital. Around this focal length, the best prime is probably the DA 21mm Ltd.
You'd be lucky to find a good long prime before September, but if you do happen across the SMCP-F* 300mm 1:4.5, snap it up. It's probably the most usable of all long Pentax lenses, and optically it is quite lovely.
G
The FA* 24mm, being a star lens, is considered by many to be superb on film, but not so good on digital. Around this focal length, the best prime is probably the DA 21mm Ltd.
You'd be lucky to find a good long prime before September, but if you do happen across the SMCP-F* 300mm 1:4.5, snap it up. It's probably the most usable of all long Pentax lenses, and optically it is quite lovely.
G
Comment by George Lazarette posted on Need Teleprime or Telezoom. at 10/08/2007 - 18:04
Quote:
I have owned a number of bodies and lenses over the years, but only one of these lenses (the power zoom).George Lazarette wrote:
Be aware that there are three Pentax-FA 28-105 lenses.
The first, the big, black, power-zoom (PZ) is perhaps the best optically.
The next, which is also 1:4-5.6 is perhaps the least good.
The current model (or last one) is slightly faster wide-open (1:3.2-5.6), and considered to be almost as good as the PZ. It's also a lot smaller and lighter.
G
George how do you get to test all these lenses Do you own them all or are you in the know with a supplier. Just curious. Be aware that there are three Pentax-FA 28-105 lenses.
The first, the big, black, power-zoom (PZ) is perhaps the best optically.
The next, which is also 1:4-5.6 is perhaps the least good.
The current model (or last one) is slightly faster wide-open (1:3.2-5.6), and considered to be almost as good as the PZ. It's also a lot smaller and lighter.
G
But it's no secret that there are two holy books for all Pentax collectors - the gospel according to Boz, and the gospel according to Stan, and I am sufficiently familiar with both that I can usually recall the salient facts about a piece of kit without looking it up.
The PDML (which is where Stan Halpin got his info) is also an excellent resource, as is the AOHC for screw-mount stuff.
Incidentally, although he doesn't brag about it, JR has owned more lenses than most people have had hot dinners.
G
EDIT:
http://stans-photography.info/
http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/ (AKA Boz)
Comment by George Lazarette posted on Mid range zoom lense advise please at 14/08/2007 - 08:23
Be aware that there are three Pentax-FA 28-105 lenses.
The first, the big, black, power-zoom (PZ) is perhaps the best optically.
The next, which is also 1:4-5.6 is perhaps the least good.
The current model (or last one) is slightly faster wide-open (1:3.2-5.6), and considered to be almost as good as the PZ. It's also a lot smaller and lighter.
G
The first, the big, black, power-zoom (PZ) is perhaps the best optically.
The next, which is also 1:4-5.6 is perhaps the least good.
The current model (or last one) is slightly faster wide-open (1:3.2-5.6), and considered to be almost as good as the PZ. It's also a lot smaller and lighter.
G
Comment by George Lazarette posted on Mid range zoom lense advise please at 10/08/2007 - 18:11
The question was about image quality. The OP is on a budget, and sensibly rates image quality higher than convenience.
G
G
Comment by George Lazarette posted on Close Up at 10/08/2007 - 12:47
Pretty damn good.
G
G
Comment by George Lazarette posted on Close Up at 10/08/2007 - 11:14
There's some good pics here. They deserve a gallery where they can be viewed together.
G
G
Comment by George Lazarette posted on The seventh EDIT(and subsequent) Oshkosh pics. at 10/08/2007 - 17:53
Quote:
What the others are saying is right. In a moment of pure self-indulgence I bought a K10D (I have an ist ds). The former is bulkier and heavier. However, after a day wandering around shooting I think I am clear that it works very well and is extremely good value for money. Oddly enough, I noticed the weight less and less since it is very comfortable in use.
On the other hand, I am sure George is right about spending the money ob good glass. I have two Tamron's, the "Pentax" 28-105 and 28-200, both of which suffer from flare. I also have two Pentax 18-55s (due to kit pricing) - offers welcome for one, mint condition!
So, exactly what glass would I buy in a perfect world, or even this one?
Paul,What the others are saying is right. In a moment of pure self-indulgence I bought a K10D (I have an ist ds). The former is bulkier and heavier. However, after a day wandering around shooting I think I am clear that it works very well and is extremely good value for money. Oddly enough, I noticed the weight less and less since it is very comfortable in use.
On the other hand, I am sure George is right about spending the money ob good glass. I have two Tamron's, the "Pentax" 28-105 and 28-200, both of which suffer from flare. I also have two Pentax 18-55s (due to kit pricing) - offers welcome for one, mint condition!
So, exactly what glass would I buy in a perfect world, or even this one?
It depends, of course, (in this less perfect world), on your budget, and on what you want to do.
But in this age of zooms - some of them very good indeed, I have to admit - I think everybody should have at least one really good prime lens to act as a reference point. And the best reference prime, on balance, is a 50mm lens.
All Pentax 50s are extremely good, so it doesn't matter too much which you buy. If you have the funds, get an FA 1.4. If cash is tight, forgo AF and get an A 50mm 1:1.7.
After that, it's up to you.
G
Comment by George Lazarette posted on I need convincing! at 13/08/2007 - 23:29
I think I have decided to hang on to the Ds rather than get the K10D, tempting though it is now....
So I am in the market for more glass instead
I'm thinking of getting a prime. I have a 50mm 1.7 A, but want something a bit wider for landscapes and general use.
Would you go for the DA 40mm 1:2.8 limited, the 43mm 1.9 limited or something else? The 31mm is out of my price range.
All suggestions are welcome! I won't go into a rant I promise
Of the 28mm lenses, the FA is considerably better than all the others.
G