All Forum Comments
Comment by Jonathan-Mac posted on A pod of tripods at 25/01/2019 - 12:16
Virtually all true macro lenses will be very sharp even if they're old. Where they're likely to be worse is in the coatings, which are likely to be less effective in reducing glare and increasing contrast. With Sigma it's also possible that they will add a very slight colour cast.
Comment by Jonathan-Mac posted on Scale of 1 to 10. How would you rate the old Sigma 50mm f/2.8 Macro lens today? at 02/01/2019 - 09:10
I think I've said this every year since I got my first DSLR:
A modern 35mm f/1.4 for APS-C only (to avoid excessive size, weight and cost). Something along the lines of the Fujifilm 35mm f/1.4.
Other than that, I think the DA limited line could do with some padding out. How about something a little longer, such as a 120mm f/2.8? Or, I'd accept the 35mm as only f/2 if it was a DA limited.
A modern 35mm f/1.4 for APS-C only (to avoid excessive size, weight and cost). Something along the lines of the Fujifilm 35mm f/1.4.
Other than that, I think the DA limited line could do with some padding out. How about something a little longer, such as a 120mm f/2.8? Or, I'd accept the 35mm as only f/2 if it was a DA limited.
Comment by Jonathan-Mac posted on New lenses for Pentax Cameras at 31/12/2018 - 16:31
I think that with such a large number of items it will be very difficult to sell this as one package. I would suggest selling separately with an indication of the price you're hoping to get.
Good luck with the sale - you have some very nice items.
Good luck with the sale - you have some very nice items.
Comment by Jonathan-Mac posted on Pentax K-3, lenses and flashes at 26/12/2018 - 11:52
barkin wrote:
I recently picked up a used Tamron 17-50. I wouldn't say the build quality is at all bad, given the price. For what I paid for it, I could wear out half a dozen for the cost of a used DA 16-50
Screw drive AF doesn't bother me - it seems damned fast on my K3, and I know the SDM won't fail...
Most importantly though, the images that it produces are top notch - if it got pinched, I'd get another in a heartbeat.
And it zooms/focuses the right way
The Tamron is a great lens if you get a good copy and in terms of value for money it can't be beaten. I only changed to the Sigma version due to the better build quality and the luxury of an in-lens focus motor, optically it's no better.I recently picked up a used Tamron 17-50. I wouldn't say the build quality is at all bad, given the price. For what I paid for it, I could wear out half a dozen for the cost of a used DA 16-50
Screw drive AF doesn't bother me - it seems damned fast on my K3, and I know the SDM won't fail...
Most importantly though, the images that it produces are top notch - if it got pinched, I'd get another in a heartbeat.
And it zooms/focuses the right way
MikeyBugs95 wrote:
The 16-85mm is also very good but doesn't fill a gap left by and f/2.8 zoom due to the slower aperture.Jonathan-Mac wrote:
The US forum did an analysis of the three fast standard zooms for Pentax APS-C - the DA* plus the Tamron and Sigma 17-50/2.8s and the Sigma won overall. The Tamron is just as good optically but with poorer build quality and screwdrive AF, while the DA* is not as good optically and has the dreaded SDM failure.
Yeah I know about the problems of the DA*. I have a well used one with a dead SDM and terrible optics. I'd be willing to give it a second try but I've, again, kinda decided to go with the 16-85 for the obvious reasons of the better optical quality and better AF motor.The US forum did an analysis of the three fast standard zooms for Pentax APS-C - the DA* plus the Tamron and Sigma 17-50/2.8s and the Sigma won overall. The Tamron is just as good optically but with poorer build quality and screwdrive AF, while the DA* is not as good optically and has the dreaded SDM failure.
Comment by Jonathan-Mac posted on WTB: Sigma 20-40mm f2.8 at 20/12/2018 - 08:47
I found a place that still has stocks of the Fuji "industrial" 100 ISO colour film so have ordered myself a half-dozen rolls. Found they had a bit of Adox Silvermax and Rollei RPX 25 (neither of which is very easy to get) so added a couple of each of them in for good measure (the RPX 25 in 120).
Comment by Jonathan-Mac posted on What's your latest acquisition? at 17/12/2018 - 21:13
Remember you can have lots of fun shooting old lenses (especially Pentax ones) on any mirrorless out there, all you need is the appropriate adapter. Old manual lenses generally work better on mirrorless cameras than they do on Pentax DSLRs (because of the crippled modern K mount).
Comment by Jonathan-Mac posted on so the end as come at 17/12/2018 - 21:11
The US forum did an analysis of the three fast standard zooms for Pentax APS-C - the DA* plus the Tamron and Sigma 17-50/2.8s and the Sigma won overall. The Tamron is just as good optically but with poorer build quality and screwdrive AF, while the DA* is not as good optically and has the dreaded SDM failure.
Comment by Jonathan-Mac posted on WTB: Sigma 20-40mm f2.8 at 17/12/2018 - 21:09
I'm sitting here setting up a new Samsung S8 mobile phone. My Mrs has had one for a few months and I have to say that the photos it can produce are impressive for a mobile, though it shares the main fault of all mobiles: a lens that's too wide to be a general use focal length (oh for a mobile with a 35 or 40mm equivalent focal length).
Comment by Jonathan-Mac posted on What's your latest acquisition? at 14/12/2018 - 18:07
I can second the suggestion of the Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8, it's a superb lens - sharp, fantastic colours (especially blues), contrasty and nice quick & quiet AF.
Comment by Jonathan-Mac posted on WTB: Sigma 20-40mm f2.8 at 14/12/2018 - 18:03
Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tripods