> I'll chime in again about the SMC-A 70-210 f/4. It's a great zoom > -- I love mine, in spite of the less-than-stellar capability of > the macro function. (By the way, Taka, another outstanding zoom -- > the constant-aperture SMC-A 35-105/3.5 -- has macro capability > that's considered quite good.)
I also love the A 70-210/4 - it's a really nice lens. However, the main reason for this post to this thread is to comment on the so-called "macro" functions of four Ka "macro zooms" of which I am familiar, the A 28-135/4, A 35-70/4, A 35-105/3.5, and A 70-210/4. For many so-called "macro zoom" lenses, the "macro" (i.e., close-focusing) function must have been designed in the marketing department. These four lenses also vary in the quality of their "macro" abilities, but I'd have to say that the unpretentious little A 35-70/4 is the "pick of the litter" in this regard. The 28-135's macro setting is at 28mm, and it gets to 1/3X (0.4m). The 35-105's macro setting is at 35mm, and it gets to 1/4X (0.3m). The 70-210's macro setting is at 70mm, and it gets to 1/4X (0.45m). However, the 35-70's macro setting is at the long end of its zoom range, at 70mm, and it gets down to 1/2.7X (0.25m). Of course, the above emphasizes only the maximum magnification of each of the lenses, and image quality is not mentioned. However, I have some specimen shots (including macro shots) taken with all four lenses (that certainly do vary in their "macro" capabilities) in the Lens Gallery: 28-135 - http://phred.org/pentax/lensgal/a28-135_4/a28-135_4.html macro - http://phred.org/pentax/lensgal/a28-135_4/re7.html 35-70 - http://phred.org/pentax/lensgal/a35-70_4/a35-70_4.html macro - http://phred.org/pentax/lensgal/a35-70_4/re4.html 35-105 - http://phred.org/pentax/lensgal/a35-105_35/a35-105_35.html macro - http://phred.org/pentax/lensgal/a35-105_35/re5.html 70-210 - http://phred.org/pentax/lensgal/a70-210_4/a70-210_4.html macro - http://phred.org/pentax/lensgal/a70-210_4/rem.html 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 .
