I think that lens is regarded as good. Not as good as some, perhaps, but definitely not bad.

For £30.00, I'd certainly buy it, assuming the condition is good.

G

There most certainly is a normal 200mm tele in AF - the 1:2.8.

G

Mac,

I don't know if a 200mm macro was available in M42, but there have been two K-mount 200mm macros, and both are regarded as being at the very pinnacle of lens design and performance.

That's the good news.

The bad news is that they are rare as hens teeth, with prices to match. I've never paid £500 for a lens, but these go for nearer £1,000 or more (that's over Can$2,000).

You may recall that when I said my lens-buying career was over (for this year), the major exception was "either of the two SMCP-FA* 200mm lenses". One of these, of course, is the 1:4 macro.

This focal length is now the only serious gap in my lens line-up. I have the M 200mm, of course, and the F 70-210 zoom, of course. The former is OK, the latter excellent, (and they cost me very little) but both the FA* 200s are reportedly no less than magnificent (as are the A* 1:4 200mm macro and A* 1:2.8 200mm).

I've built my lens collection pretty cheaply (thanks largely to Ebay), with just the occasional splurge for a Limited lens or the F* 1:4.5 300mm, and of course the 12-24 which I haven't yet had a chance to try out. But the good 200mm lenses are in a different league, and so far when I've seen one for sale I haven't been able to raise the funds.

But one day!

G

The best Pentax macro is 200mm. Price tag to match.
Second, probably, is 100mm.
Third, 50mm.

IMHO.

G

Try another film with a mixture of pics taken with the Sigma and a proper (Pentax) lens. That'll determine whether it is the Sigma to blame, or bad processing/whatever.

Sigma lenses don't always work with the cameras they are meant to, but if it is a recent lens you may be able to get Sigma to repair it.

G

A vague and misleading manual? Now there's a new thing.

G

You'll do fine with the FA 1:2.8 100mm macro. Incidentally, it is a very well-made lens - construction quality is superb.

G

Chromatic aberration. Noticed as a purplish fringe. Common with non-Pentax lenses!

G

The quality on digital is superb. I know several of these lenses have come onto the used market in the States, and I can't understand why.

There was one report that somebody experienced some CA with this lens on a DSLR, but I haven't observed this.

I see no reason for it to perform differently on different DSLR bodies.

Mine's not for sale!

G

John

Psst, don't tell Kimbo. He'll want one too, and they haven't been discontinued yet.

G