> I have tried them all and find the first one (70-210mm/3.5 with > the 67mm filter mount made by Kiron) to be the best of the bunch. > I have one now in the PK mount and wouldn't sell it.
> The three of them are regarded as good lenses. I have the first one and > consider it a great lens, optically as well as mechanically. Most people > seem to prefer the first and third versions over the second one. Personally, > I prefer the constant aperture. However, just the other day, a PDMLer said > here that he likes the second generation better... I have used only the second generation version (constant f/3.5, 62mm threads) extensively, so I cannot make a comparison amongst the 3 versions myself. However, Modern Photography magazine, in its review of the second generation version, compared it to its review of the first generation zoom a few years earlier, and found: 1. The second generation version did not focus as closely in macro range (only 1:4, compared to the first generation version magnification of 1:2.2), but its macro action was smoother and its macro edge sharpness was somewhat improved. 2. In the quantitative tests for resolution at all apertures at 70mm, 150mm, and 210mm, the first generation version generally performed a little better for center resolution, while the second generation version generally performed a little better for corner resolution. >From the above and from other statements made, it appears as if both lenses were very different lenses, yet both achieved very good overall performance. (Nonetheless, I still prefer the Pentax A 70-210/4 to the Vivitar 70-210/3.5 that I used to use.) Fred - This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe, go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
