Ah Fred, that reminds me that the min. focus disctance at 1.7m makes the lens partly useless. I often get much closer than that. Can any zoom handle that better?
It's primes for now then. :-) Paul Delcour > From: Fred <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2003 00:36:48 -0400 > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Re: Pentax A28-135/4 --- SMC 135/2.5 > Resent-From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Resent-Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2003 00:36:58 -0400 > >> The SMC-A 28-135/4 did not last long in my outfit, because I had >> to draw the line at holding a heavy lens that had such severe >> rectilinear distortion. <heavy frown> > > It is true that the A 28-135/4's strongest point is certainly not > its distortion (it does have a fair amount of pincushion distortion > at the wide end of its zoom range, and it does show more distortion > in this regard than its sibling, the A 35-105/3.5), but it ~IS~ a > good lens overall (considering that it ~is~ a zoom and that it > ~does~ cover a rather wide range). Yes, it's heavy, too, but I've > gladly lugged one of these critters over many a mile - it's one of > my favorite "walking around" lenses. > > Some quotes from a review of the lens from Amateur Photographer for > August 6, 1983: > > "28-35mm must be the most versatile 'standard lens' around. Other > examples of this focal length are on the way but Pentax were first > on the scene." > > "The lens incorporates most popular wideangle and telephoto lengths, > plus everything in between. The f/4 aperture is modest but quite > good considering the range. It's a fairly large lens and very heavy, > but feels comparatively well balanced on camera." > > "Focusing ring is large with a chunky grip, with minimum focusing > distance of 1.7m. Behind this, the zooming ring has a short throw > (like the focusing ring) with a click stop at the 28mm setting. > Turning past this click stop engages the 'macro' mode, which enables > focusing down to under 8in. Because the focal length at this setting > is still wideangle, this isn't particularly close and well off true > 1:1 macro." > > "Focusing and zooming controls on our sample were not particularly > smooth; the zooming ring was also a little stiff. Despite this, the > short twist required to zoom or focus makes for fast handling. > Overall, the lens is built to a high standard." > > "Filter size of 77mm means more expensive filters - but this can't > really be avoided if you want the range and decent working maximum > aperture." > > "Handling is fast and generally as good as a lens of much shorter > range. It matches well with the Super A body." > > "It's one thing to design a lens with such a long range, but quite > another to build in good performance. here the Pentax comes as a > pleasant surprise." > > "Definition was very adequate throughout, with edge performance > lagging just a little behind the centre. Softness was evident at > full aperture and one stop down (f/5.6) at the edge, but otherwise > the lens will cope with most assignments on any type of film." > > "The 28-135mm lens is expensive but takes the place of three or four > other lenses comfortably." > > "Overall Performance - Very Good" > "Central Definition - Very Good" > "Edge Definition - Good" > "Image Contrast - Very Good" > "Optical balance - Good" > "Best Central Definition - f/8, f/11, f/16" > "Best Overall Definition - f/11" > "Best Edge Definition - f/11" > > Fred > >
