Re: Defending Pentax

[Cotty]

On 6/9/05, Cesar, discombobulated, unleashed:

>Okay Cotty, you have convinced me - I will see about sparing a couple of 
>days your way when I get to England :-P

I'll hold you to that!




Cheers,
  Cotty


___/\__
||   (O)   | People, Places, Pastiche
||=|http://www.cottysnaps.com
_

Re: Defending Pentax

[Cesar]

Cotty wrote:


I thought some readers might like to see me defending good old SMC - from
another (unmentionable) list :


-

On 2/9/05, James B.Davis, discombobulated, unleashed:

 


My experience are that Canon makes top notch lenses and I do not see
why people try and find something better that is not really made for
the job. There may be slight differences but the Canon lineup is deep
and I have found even the cheaper lenses go well beyond most
photographers' needs. Sure the Contax name is cool to have on the
front of your camera, much more than Yashica eh...

I'd like to have a Canon wide zoom, say the 17-40L would do for me.

I sold my 20-35 USM and miss it so. Sure it wasn't super wide on my
10d but it was wider than my 28. I do need something wider many times.
   



My experience is that I use the right tool for the job that suits me.

My lens lineup for a 1DmarkII:

15mm
20mm
65mm macro
85mm
24-70mm
70-200mm
2X extender

Of those lenses, all except two are Canon, and here are the reasons why
they are not.



1.  15mm is a Pentax SMC-K 15mm f/3.5



I use this lens primarily for landscape, and so it would normally be used
on a tripod, along with a remote release, angle finder (C), and in a
methodical and considered way. I can only use it on my Canon in stop-down
mode, but this makes no difference as I only use the viewfinder for
composing. The lens focus is set manually according to depth of field
desired, and aperture obviously will be minimum/optimal for the
situation. Program metering plays no part here. In fact I can use the
lens on aperture priority, as here:



The reason I have not replaced it with an EF 14mm 2.8 L is primarily one
of cost, but also because the Pentax SMC lens is a first rate performer,
and I enjoy old manual focus lenses. Even if I did buy an EF 14mm, I
wouldn't part with the 15mm.


2.  85mm is a Pentax SMC-A*85mm f/1.4



I use this lens primarily for minimal depth of field portraiture, and so
it would normally be used handheld, wide open at f/1.4, low ISO, fast
shutter speed. Again, in stop-down metering mode, it's academic as I use
it at maximum aperture, although it will work in aperture priority just
fine. The focus is manual and it's a joy to use:



The reason I have not replaced it with an EF 85mm 1.2 L is primarily one
of cost, but also because the Pentax SMC lens is a first rate performer,
and I enjoy old manual focus lenses. I bought an EF 85mm f/1.8 lens and
was disappointed with the results and buidl quality of the lens, and sold
it after a couple of months.

I have the EF 20mm 2.8 and i like it for a quick around town grab lens (I
don't like wide zooms) but it is a poorer performer than the Pentax 15mm.
My most used and favourite lens is the EF 24-70 2.8 and I love using that.

In the end it's all down to individual choice through personal
experience. As my wife says, 'the world would be a boring place if we
were all the same'  ;-)

Regards,



Cheers,
 Cotty

-




Cheers,
 Cotty


___/\__
||   (O)   | People, Places, Pastiche
||=|http://www.cottysnaps.com
_

Okay Cotty, you have convinced me - I will see about sparing a couple of 
days your way when I get to England :-P


I have barely shot Canon, I have shot Nikon extensively at work - at 
with lenses that I have, but I stick with Pentax because of the glass.  
For working in low light and minimizing flare, I have not tried anything 
better.


I have not tried Leica - I am almost afraid too.  Just picture me trying 
to outfit another system...


César
Panama City, Florida

RE: Defending Pentax

[Jens Bladt]

I guess the only really efficient way to defend Pentax, is to keep on using
(and buyin) Pentax equipment, isn't it?
Jens Bladt
Arkitekt MAA
http://hjem.get2net.dk/bladt


-Oprindelig meddelelse-
Fra: Cotty [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sendt: 2. september 2005 16:12
Til: pentax list
Emne: Defending Pentax


I thought some readers might like to see me defending good old SMC - from
another (unmentionable) list :


-

On 2/9/05, James B.Davis, discombobulated, unleashed:

>My experience are that Canon makes top notch lenses and I do not see
>why people try and find something better that is not really made for
>the job. There may be slight differences but the Canon lineup is deep
>and I have found even the cheaper lenses go well beyond most
>photographers' needs. Sure the Contax name is cool to have on the
>front of your camera, much more than Yashica eh...
>
>I'd like to have a Canon wide zoom, say the 17-40L would do for me.
>
>I sold my 20-35 USM and miss it so. Sure it wasn't super wide on my
>10d but it was wider than my 28. I do need something wider many times.

My experience is that I use the right tool for the job that suits me.

My lens lineup for a 1DmarkII:

15mm
20mm
65mm macro
85mm
24-70mm
70-200mm
2X extender

Of those lenses, all except two are Canon, and here are the reasons why
they are not.



1.  15mm is a Pentax SMC-K 15mm f/3.5

<http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/lenses/primes/ultra-wide/K15f3.5-ii.html>

I use this lens primarily for landscape, and so it would normally be used
on a tripod, along with a remote release, angle finder (C), and in a
methodical and considered way. I can only use it on my Canon in stop-down
mode, but this makes no difference as I only use the viewfinder for
composing. The lens focus is set manually according to depth of field
desired, and aperture obviously will be minimum/optimal for the
situation. Program metering plays no part here. In fact I can use the
lens on aperture priority, as here:

<http://pug.komkon.org/05aug/duki.html>

The reason I have not replaced it with an EF 14mm 2.8 L is primarily one
of cost, but also because the Pentax SMC lens is a first rate performer,
and I enjoy old manual focus lenses. Even if I did buy an EF 14mm, I
wouldn't part with the 15mm.


2.  85mm is a Pentax SMC-A*85mm f/1.4

<http://www.bdimitrov.de/kmp/lenses/primes/short-tele/A85f1.4.html>

I use this lens primarily for minimal depth of field portraiture, and so
it would normally be used handheld, wide open at f/1.4, low ISO, fast
shutter speed. Again, in stop-down metering mode, it's academic as I use
it at maximum aperture, although it will work in aperture priority just
fine. The focus is manual and it's a joy to use:

<http://www.cottysnaps.com/snaps/portraits/images/pic26.html>

The reason I have not replaced it with an EF 85mm 1.2 L is primarily one
of cost, but also because the Pentax SMC lens is a first rate performer,
and I enjoy old manual focus lenses. I bought an EF 85mm f/1.8 lens and
was disappointed with the results and buidl quality of the lens, and sold
it after a couple of months.

I have the EF 20mm 2.8 and i like it for a quick around town grab lens (I
don't like wide zooms) but it is a poorer performer than the Pentax 15mm.
My most used and favourite lens is the EF 24-70 2.8 and I love using that.

In the end it's all down to individual choice through personal
experience. As my wife says, 'the world would be a boring place if we
were all the same'  ;-)

Regards,



Cheers,
  Cotty

-




Cheers,
  Cotty


___/\__
||   (O)   | People, Places, Pastiche
||=|http://www.cottysnaps.com
_

Re: Defending Pentax

[Graywolf]

You the man, Cotty, you the man.



graywolf
http://www.graywolfphoto.com
"Idiot Proof" <==> "Expert Proof"
---


Cotty wrote:

I thought some readers might like to see me defending good old SMC - from
another (unmentionable) list :


-

On 2/9/05, James B.Davis, discombobulated, unleashed:



My experience are that Canon makes top notch lenses and I do not see
why people try and find something better that is not really made for
the job. There may be slight differences but the Canon lineup is deep
and I have found even the cheaper lenses go well beyond most
photographers' needs. Sure the Contax name is cool to have on the
front of your camera, much more than Yashica eh...

I'd like to have a Canon wide zoom, say the 17-40L would do for me.

I sold my 20-35 USM and miss it so. Sure it wasn't super wide on my
10d but it was wider than my 28. I do need something wider many times.



My experience is that I use the right tool for the job that suits me.

My lens lineup for a 1DmarkII:

15mm
20mm
65mm macro
85mm
24-70mm
70-200mm
2X extender

Of those lenses, all except two are Canon, and here are the reasons why
they are not.



1.  15mm is a Pentax SMC-K 15mm f/3.5



I use this lens primarily for landscape, and so it would normally be used
on a tripod, along with a remote release, angle finder (C), and in a
methodical and considered way. I can only use it on my Canon in stop-down
mode, but this makes no difference as I only use the viewfinder for
composing. The lens focus is set manually according to depth of field
desired, and aperture obviously will be minimum/optimal for the
situation. Program metering plays no part here. In fact I can use the
lens on aperture priority, as here:



The reason I have not replaced it with an EF 14mm 2.8 L is primarily one
of cost, but also because the Pentax SMC lens is a first rate performer,
and I enjoy old manual focus lenses. Even if I did buy an EF 14mm, I
wouldn't part with the 15mm.


2.  85mm is a Pentax SMC-A*85mm f/1.4



I use this lens primarily for minimal depth of field portraiture, and so
it would normally be used handheld, wide open at f/1.4, low ISO, fast
shutter speed. Again, in stop-down metering mode, it's academic as I use
it at maximum aperture, although it will work in aperture priority just
fine. The focus is manual and it's a joy to use:



The reason I have not replaced it with an EF 85mm 1.2 L is primarily one
of cost, but also because the Pentax SMC lens is a first rate performer,
and I enjoy old manual focus lenses. I bought an EF 85mm f/1.8 lens and
was disappointed with the results and buidl quality of the lens, and sold
it after a couple of months.

I have the EF 20mm 2.8 and i like it for a quick around town grab lens (I
don't like wide zooms) but it is a poorer performer than the Pentax 15mm.
My most used and favourite lens is the EF 24-70 2.8 and I love using that.

In the end it's all down to individual choice through personal
experience. As my wife says, 'the world would be a boring place if we
were all the same'  ;-)

Regards,



Cheers,
  Cotty

-




Cheers,
  Cotty


___/\__
||   (O)   | People, Places, Pastiche
||=|http://www.cottysnaps.com
_






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Defending Pentax

[Cotty]

I thought some readers might like to see me defending good old SMC - from
another (unmentionable) list :


-

On 2/9/05, James B.Davis, discombobulated, unleashed:

>My experience are that Canon makes top notch lenses and I do not see
>why people try and find something better that is not really made for
>the job. There may be slight differences but the Canon lineup is deep
>and I have found even the cheaper lenses go well beyond most
>photographers' needs. Sure the Contax name is cool to have on the
>front of your camera, much more than Yashica eh...
>
>I'd like to have a Canon wide zoom, say the 17-40L would do for me.
>
>I sold my 20-35 USM and miss it so. Sure it wasn't super wide on my
>10d but it was wider than my 28. I do need something wider many times.

My experience is that I use the right tool for the job that suits me.

My lens lineup for a 1DmarkII:

15mm
20mm
65mm macro
85mm
24-70mm
70-200mm
2X extender

Of those lenses, all except two are Canon, and here are the reasons why
they are not.



1.  15mm is a Pentax SMC-K 15mm f/3.5



I use this lens primarily for landscape, and so it would normally be used
on a tripod, along with a remote release, angle finder (C), and in a
methodical and considered way. I can only use it on my Canon in stop-down
mode, but this makes no difference as I only use the viewfinder for
composing. The lens focus is set manually according to depth of field
desired, and aperture obviously will be minimum/optimal for the
situation. Program metering plays no part here. In fact I can use the
lens on aperture priority, as here:



The reason I have not replaced it with an EF 14mm 2.8 L is primarily one
of cost, but also because the Pentax SMC lens is a first rate performer,
and I enjoy old manual focus lenses. Even if I did buy an EF 14mm, I
wouldn't part with the 15mm.


2.  85mm is a Pentax SMC-A*85mm f/1.4



I use this lens primarily for minimal depth of field portraiture, and so
it would normally be used handheld, wide open at f/1.4, low ISO, fast
shutter speed. Again, in stop-down metering mode, it's academic as I use
it at maximum aperture, although it will work in aperture priority just
fine. The focus is manual and it's a joy to use:



The reason I have not replaced it with an EF 85mm 1.2 L is primarily one
of cost, but also because the Pentax SMC lens is a first rate performer,
and I enjoy old manual focus lenses. I bought an EF 85mm f/1.8 lens and
was disappointed with the results and buidl quality of the lens, and sold
it after a couple of months.

I have the EF 20mm 2.8 and i like it for a quick around town grab lens (I
don't like wide zooms) but it is a poorer performer than the Pentax 15mm.
My most used and favourite lens is the EF 24-70 2.8 and I love using that.

In the end it's all down to individual choice through personal
experience. As my wife says, 'the world would be a boring place if we
were all the same'  ;-)

Regards,



Cheers,
  Cotty

-




Cheers,
  Cotty


___/\__
||   (O)   | People, Places, Pastiche
||=|http://www.cottysnaps.com
_