http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/lenses/noctilux.shtml

http://www60.tok2.com/home/collector/50095cnl.html

Anyone speak Japanese?

There are a few Canons on eBay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Canon-RF-50-0-95-Minty-Rare_W0QQitemZ7535424413QQcategoryZ30027QQssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Canon-7-50mm-0-95-lens-ORIGINAL-BOX-for-Camera-Lens_W0QQitemZ7546300694QQcategoryZ30027QQssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

and a couple more besides!

You're most welcome Mac.

.....oh dear!


Those of us lucky enough to have two healthy eyes can see in stereo and can view a scene in 3D. It can be important to consider this when composing a shot because we are converting a three-dimensional, life-sized scene into a negative two-dimensional 35mm format image.
All fascinating stuff for the scientifically minded I'm sure but photography is primarily an art form and granny Smith isn't really interested in the science behind it when you show her a photo taken at aunt Sally's wedding.

Why has the image of worms escaping from cans just flashed through my mind :

Oops, forgot to login - that was me

BTW, the magnification of the Z1-P viewfinder is 0.8x (50mm lens set at infinity).

hmm, perhaps I misunderstood - I thought you were using the camera without your eye to it ie; on a tripod and tripping the shutter remotely.

If eyecups / diopter lenses don't work for you, you could try a hood (like the ones used with plate cameras) but perhaps the most obvious solution would be to wear contact lenses instead of spectacles - might that be an option for you?

Here's one on eBay:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Pentax-Eyepiece-Cover-for-ME-Super-P30-etc_W0QQitemZ7545646254QQcategoryZ29982QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

.....but I'm sure they're only £3 or £4 direct from Pentax

Yes, that pretty much sums it up!

Pentax supply (with most bodies) an eyepiece cap that slots on in the same way as the rubber eye-cup you referred to.
I suppose you could create your own with a piece of card or plastic and a couple of strips of velcro, or just set the cameras for manual exposure.
You could order a cap from the manufacturer or try to find it second-hand - shouldn't cost a lot!

I concur with what has been said so far, most manufacturers have produced some very good lenses esp. Sigma, Vivitar and Tokina but you have to choose carefully!
Here in the UK, Jessops 'Centon' brand are 'cheap and nasty' but the 50mm is actually pretty good and represents excellent value for money if you want to buy new but this just confirms that it is easier to produce a decent prime lens than a quality zoom.
The only independant that I've found to be consistantly good is Tamron, one of my first being the Adaptall2 28mm f2.5. I was prompted to buy it after a photo mag. suggested that it was good enough for professionals and I was not disappointed although it is susceptible to flare and a hood is a must.
You can expect to pay more for a top marque such as Pentax but you can be assured of very high quality and perfect compatability to the camera body.
I have a number of Pentax lenses - (used to have M 50mm f2) A 50mm f2, A 50mm f1.4, F 50mm f1.7, F 35-135mm and FA 28-105 power-zoom.
All are superb, the 35-135 is a touch softer than the 28-105 but still excellent for a close to 4x zoom.

In summary, always look for a Pentax but if you fancy an independant, do a bit of research and if possible, 'try before you buy'.

A previous discussion on this topic:
https://www.pentaxuser.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1249&highlight=radioactive+takumar

This lens is actually the multi-award winning Tamron, that first appeared around '93. I believe the latest version is still available new and only differs slightly from the original.
Obviously, Pentax were also highly impressed and struck a deal with Tamron to produce a re-badged version to their specifications.

A fine lens indeed, considering the focal length range available.

Matt, the only one that I can comment on is the Tamron - surprise, surprise!

I have model 01B but I think it's optically identical to the later 01BB that had the plastic window over the focus/aperture scales - the difference is purely cosmetic and updates the appearance of the lens to match the styling of most AF lenses.

It is a very good lens and a fine substitute for a marque lens, I'm sure you wouldn't be disappointed.
I paid £65 for mine from Jessops (second-hand), quite a few years ago and I expect you'll be able to pick one up from eBay for less - don't forget you'll need a PKA Adaptall2 mount too!