I'm curious what the gigantic 80-210/4.5 SMC-T lens could do!
DJE
Same normal zoom behaviour...
I will check the 3.5 version tomorrow (K-mount, as long as the 4.5 but fat). 85-210mm to be exact.
Andre
I checked my 85-210mm f/3.5 and distorsion is noticably better corrected than in the 4.5 lens (from a quick check: nil from 105mm to 120mm; builds up very slowly; only easy to see although still not important at the ends).
This lower distorsion is understandable as the 3.5 is a newer design (Pentax says: "a new optical formula to assure exceptional quality at all distances and focal lenghts"). I don't know... but I tried it once at 210mm f/3.5 on a low contrast subject and the slide was very acceptable although very slightly blurred, probably because my steady hand-hold grip at 1/60 using a fixed pole was still not steady enough.
Its front group is identical to the one found in the reknown 135-600/6.7. I have been told the 85-210mm f/3.5 had a street price of over $500 when it was available, in 1976. Its lens hood has a nice feature: it also screws reversed on the lens (as with the 400-600mm hood).
Andre
