Re: Newbie Questions
have you compared this A28/2.8 with any other 28mm from Pentax? Hi Alek, No i have not but i found some informations at http://home.att.net/~alnem/html/pentax_primes.html It confirms the poor quality of the A28/2.8 and suggests that the best 28mm is the old K28/3.5 despite the size and weight. Rodolphe ** L'ADSL A 20 EUR/MOIS** Tiscali propose l'ADSL le moins cher du marché : 20 EUR/mois et le modem ADSL offert ! Pour profiter de cette offre exceptionnelle, cliquez ici : http://register.tiscali.fr/adsl/ Offre soumise à conditions.
Re: Newbie Questions
Post rearranged On Tue, 29 Jul 2003, U+B Scheffler wrote: Date: Mon, 28 Jul 2003 22:01:22 +0200 From: =?iso-8859-1?Q?P=E5l_Jensen?= [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Newbie Questions Message-ID: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Raimo wrote: A 4.5/80-200 SMC-M Pentax would fit your needs very well - if you can find one. Very sharp and contrasty (mine was sharper than 4/200 SMC-M Pentax that I had before it). Not expensive. REPLY: You're the second, if not the third, who claims the M 80-200/4.5 is better than the M 200/4. The M zoom represent the first generation of Pentax zooms that really took off saleswise. Almost certainly because it was quite good. The M zooms is not at all a shabby lens optically. Recommended as a budget zoom. Pål So I am the fourth. Constant good results troughout the range. And good bokeh, for nearby objects, too - see my july pug entry http://pug.komkon.org/03jul/green.html Regards Bernd There appear to be 2 versions of this lens, and they are different optically, the earlier being noticeably better. http://home.att.net/~alnem/html/pentax_zooms.html#80-200 Is there a way to tell them apart? Thanks, Kostas
Re: Newbie Questions
On Thu, 31 Jul 2003, Kostas Kavoussanakis wrote: There appear to be 2 versions of this lens, and they are different optically, the earlier being noticeably better. http://home.att.net/~alnem/html/pentax_zooms.html#80-200 Is there a way to tell them apart? Thanks to Boz's site, I found a way: the K and early M 80-200/4.5 focus down to 1.6m, whereas the newest ones do better, as 1.2m. Kostas
Re: Newbie Questions
William, Sorry I tweaked you, but I stand by my assertion that making good photographs with a Pentax camera does not depend on the exclusive use of Pentax OEM lenses. Maybe I'm crazy, but I sure I've made good photos with a Spotmatic with a Zeiss lens mounted. Or with an MX with a lowly Vivitar 28/2 CF. Your statement sounded to me just like that Canon ad in Pop Photo. The Canon ad is marketing drivel. ***Are you that moron troll that pops up to piss me off from time to time? Not that I know of, but I would be happy to assume the roll if you need someone to stand up to you with an opposing viewpoint every now and again. Just because you have plenty of time on your hands to sit on top of the list all day doesn't give you or your pronouncements any special status. ***The only reason to shoot Pentax bodies is to get to use their lenses. Ridiculous. There are many reasons to use a Pentax - the quality of the OEM lenses may simply be one of the best reasons. The availability of a wide range of excellent third party lenses - especially in M42 - is another. ***Experience of a working photographer, whether at it's best or worst, I don't know, but my customers never had a complaint. The experience of this working photographer has been that good photographs can be made with any good instrument, OEM or third party, or any combination thereof. It was a Newbie Question William, mind the context. And I think that newbies need third party lenses (or a substantial income) to build up a good kit of quality primes quickly - to save themselves from cheap zoom hell. Here's my full signature, in case you feel I was hiding behind my truncated Chris L. sig. Email me personally if you wish to take it off the list ([EMAIL PROTECTED]), but please refrain from calling as I'm struggling to meet a publication deadline. As of now it's not going well, but that has nothing to do with my cheap, prestige-challenged, third party lenses. Happy shooting, and good light to you. Christopher Lillja Director of Publications The Pennington School www.pennington.org (609) 737-6121
Re: Newbie Questions
So I am the fourth. Constant good results troughout the range. And good bokeh, for nearby objects, too - see my july pug entry http://pug.komkon.org/03jul/green.html Regards Bernd ---original message-- Date: Mon, 28 Jul 2003 22:01:22 +0200 From: =?iso-8859-1?Q?P=E5l_Jensen?= [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Newbie Questions Message-ID: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Raimo wrote: A 4.5/80-200 SMC-M Pentax would fit your needs very well - if you can find one. Very sharp and contrasty (mine was sharper than 4/200 SMC-M Pentax that I had before it). Not expensive. REPLY: You're the second, if not the third, who claims the M 80-200/4.5 is better than the M 200/4. The M zoom represent the first generation of Pentax zooms that really took off saleswise. Almost certainly because it was quite good. The M zooms is not at all a shabby lens optically. Recommended as a budget zoom. Pål
Re: Newbie Questions
- Original Message - From: Christopher Lillja Subject: Re: Newbie Questions It was a Newbie Question William, mind the context. And I think that newbies need third party lenses (or a substantial income) to build up a good kit of quality primes quickly - to save themselves from cheap zoom hell. Actually, newbies need to learn photography, not buy a bunch of equipment that will get in the way of the learning process. Happy shooting, and good light to you. The same, I am sure, William Robb
Re: Newbie Questions
- Original Message - From: Christopher Lillja Subject: Re: Newbie Questions Your statement sounded to me just like that Canon ad in Pop Photo. The Canon ad is marketing drivel. Perhaps you need to learn how to read more intelligently than to relate everything to marketing pap. Just because you have plenty of time on your hands to sit on top of the list all day doesn't give you or your pronouncements any special status. Between building a house, holding down a full time job, teaching dog obedience classes and the occassional photo job, I am hardly sitting on this list with time on my hands. I have, however, taught a lot of newbies a lot about photography over the past 3 decades. I don't give a rats ass about what status you think my thoughts on a subject are, since I think you are pretty much a dolt anyway. ***The only reason to shoot Pentax bodies is to get to use their lenses. Ridiculous. There are many reasons to use a Pentax - the quality of the OEM lenses may simply be one of the best reasons. The availability of a wide range of excellent third party lenses - especially in M42 - is another. Go back and quote the entire pronouncement as you so idiotically refer to them as. There are a lot more cameras out there than Pentax that use third party glass, a lot of third party glass that isn't available to Pentax shooters, and a hell of a lot of cameras that outperform anything Pentax makes. ***Experience of a working photographer, whether at it's best or worst, I don't know, but my customers never had a complaint. The experience of this working photographer has been that good photographs can be made with any good instrument, OEM or third party, or any combination thereof. So why not use the best camera body money can buy with the third party glass you so happily espouse? It was a Newbie Question William, mind the context. And I think that newbies need third party lenses (or a substantial income) to build up a good kit of quality primes quickly - to save themselves from cheap zoom hell. Already answered this. Here's my full signature, in case you feel I was hiding behind my truncated Chris L. sig. Email me personally if you wish to take it off the list ([EMAIL PROTECTED]), but please refrain from calling as I'm struggling to meet a publication deadline. As of now it's not going well, but that has nothing to do with my cheap, prestige-challenged, third party lenses. You don't mean enough to me to rate an off list response. You don't even rate the two onlist responses I have gone to the trouble of making. William Robb
Re: Newbie Questions
I really don't agree that you should buy only Pentax lenses. Yes, You can't go WRONG with most of the Pentax lenses out there but some of my favourite lenses are not Pentax Lenses at all. And, I would add, that in many cases they are as good or better than the equivalent Pentax offering. Once again, I maintain that it is not the lenses that make the difference but the photographer and his or her technique. I'm not sugggesting you go out and buy the cheapest lenses you can find, but don't limit yourself to Pentax lenses. If you see a good used lens that is not a Pentax brand, ask the PDML about it. But remember, most of us are extremely biased toward Pentax lenses. Non Pentax Lenses I own that I am very happy with are Tokina ATX 100-300 F4 Tokina ATX 90 F2.5 macro Tokina ATX 28-70 2.6-2.8 Kiron 105 2.5 macro Kiron 28-105 There are a few others Vic In a message dated 7/27/03 10:02:15 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Hi! From: Lon Williamson Subject: Re: Newbie Questions I hate to say it, but buy Pentax lenses. I don't mind saying it at all. BUY PENTAX LENSES. William Robb No matter how (un)fortunate it sounds, I totally second Lon's and Bill's opinion. One of the things that were caused in my life by PDML was to decide rather decidedly grin to buy only Pentax glass. That's why I decided to sell my Sigma 28-135 zoom and my Soligor 70-222 zoom and buy (eventually) Pentax 28-105 and Pentax 70-210 zooms instead. Any enablers? Disablers? big broad grin Boris
Re: Newbie Questions
Hi, How would you rate Tokina ATX 28-70 2.6-2.8 in terms of optical performance?Do you have any comparison with any other fast zoom?even from other manufacturer. And how does it performe vs Pentax primes? Cheers Alek - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, July 28, 2003 2:57 PM Subject: Re: Newbie Questions I really don't agree that you should buy only Pentax lenses. Yes, You can't go WRONG with most of the Pentax lenses out there but some of my favourite lenses are not Pentax Lenses at all. And, I would add, that in many cases they are as good or better than the equivalent Pentax offering. Once again, I maintain that it is not the lenses that make the difference but the photographer and his or her technique. I'm not sugggesting you go out and buy the cheapest lenses you can find, but don't limit yourself to Pentax lenses. If you see a good used lens that is not a Pentax brand, ask the PDML about it. But remember, most of us are extremely biased toward Pentax lenses. Non Pentax Lenses I own that I am very happy with are Tokina ATX 100-300 F4 Tokina ATX 90 F2.5 macro Tokina ATX 28-70 2.6-2.8 Kiron 105 2.5 macro Kiron 28-105 There are a few others Vic In a message dated 7/27/03 10:02:15 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Hi! From: Lon Williamson Subject: Re: Newbie Questions I hate to say it, but buy Pentax lenses. I don't mind saying it at all. BUY PENTAX LENSES. William Robb No matter how (un)fortunate it sounds, I totally second Lon's and Bill's opinion. One of the things that were caused in my life by PDML was to decide rather decidedly grin to buy only Pentax glass. That's why I decided to sell my Sigma 28-135 zoom and my Soligor 70-222 zoom and buy (eventually) Pentax 28-105 and Pentax 70-210 zooms instead. Any enablers? Disablers? big broad grin Boris
RE: Newbie Questions
I have to agree with Vic. There's nothing wrong with buying third-party lenses if you're on a budget and you want a certain focal length, or a zoom. The lens might turn out to be just fine. I have several and I enjoy using them all, and I get good results with them. On the other hand, I don't particularly like my SMC PENTAX-A 28/2.8, although it works just fine. It feels plasticky to me. Like anything else, some Pentax lenses are better than others, and there will be some third-party brands that you like better than Pentax. Amita -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, July 28, 2003 8:58 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Newbie Questions I really don't agree that you should buy only Pentax lenses. Yes, You can't go WRONG with most of the Pentax lenses out there but some of my favourite lenses are not Pentax Lenses at all. And, I would add, that in many cases they are as good or better than the equivalent Pentax offering.
RE: Newbie Questions
I have found the Sigma 24 2.8 (not the 1.8, as good or bad as it might be) to be outstandingly sharp. I have both the MF K mount and Nikon AF versions, both are great, with sturdy metal constroction. I don't think I paid more than $65 for either one. Chris L. [EMAIL PROTECTED] 07/28/03 09:18AM I have to agree with Vic. There's nothing wrong with buying third-party lenses if you're on a budget and you want a certain focal length, or a zoom.
RE: Newbie Questions
Uh, cave man, that would be construction ... [EMAIL PROTECTED] 07/28/03 09:38AM I have found the Sigma 24 2.8 (not the 1.8, as good or bad as it might be) to be outstandingly sharp. I have both the MF K mount and Nikon AF versions, both are great, with sturdy metal constroction. I don't think I paid more than $65 for either one. Chris L. [EMAIL PROTECTED] 07/28/03 09:18AM I have to agree with Vic. There's nothing wrong with buying third-party lenses if you're on a budget and you want a certain focal length, or a zoom.
Re: Newbie Questions
I hate to say it, but buy Pentax lenses. I don't mind saying it at all. BUY PENTAX LENSES. No matter how (un)fortunate it sounds, I totally second Lon's and Bill's opinion. One of the things that were caused in my life by PDML was to decide rather decidedly grin to buy only Pentax glass. Any enablers? Disablers? big broad grin I, too, prefer Pentax glass when available (and most of my lenses are Pentax lenses). But, sometimes Pentax doesn't make a lens that I wish that they did. My #1 example of this is the manual focus Tokina AT-X 100-300/4, which (for me) is an extremely useful lens, and (for any user) was designed and built very well and is of top quality, optically. http://www.cetussoft.com/pentax/x1003004/ - and - http://www.cetussoft.com/pentax/x1003004/modphoto.htm Pentax didn't make a lens like this. I fact, almost nobody has made a 100-300 that doesn't go soft at the long end. The AT-X, though, is fast and sharp throughout its range. I do wish it were a Pentax lens design - then it probably would have even higher flare resistance and higher contrast. But Pentax didn't make a good one of these. There are a few other unusual designs that are lacking in the Pentax stable, too... Fred
Re: Newbie Questions
I really don't agree that you should buy only Pentax lenses. Yes, You can't go WRONG with most of the Pentax lenses out there but some of my favourite lenses are not Pentax Lenses at all. And, of course, you ~can~ go wrong with a ~few~ of the Pentax lenses... And, I would add, that in many cases they are as good or better than the equivalent Pentax offering. This is not true frequently (thank goodness). Sometimes, the problem is that Pentax doesn't have a lens with a certain useful set of specs, and sometimes a third-party company has (and, sometimes, the third-party lens can be quite good...). Once again, I maintain that it is not the lenses that make the difference but the photographer and his or her technique. True, but good tools help even the good worker. I'm not sugggesting you go out and buy the cheapest lenses you can find, but don't limit yourself to Pentax lenses. Agreed. If you see a good used lens that is not a Pentax brand, ask the PDML about it. But remember, most of us are extremely biased toward Pentax lenses. And rightly so, in most cases... Non Pentax Lenses I own that I am very happy with are Tokina ATX 100-300 F4 Tokina ATX 90 F2.5 macro Kiron 105 2.5 macro These are very good lenses. Fred
Re: Newbie Questions
on 28.07.03 15:51, Fred at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Pentax didn't make a lens like this. I fact, almost nobody has made a 100-300 that doesn't go soft at the long end. The AT-X, though, is fast and sharp throughout its range. You may be wrong. Sigma EX 100/300/4 is regarded as very sharp at every focal length and even wide open! -- Best Regards Sylwek
Re: Newbie Questions
The Tokina has been around for 20+ years, the Sigma just came out recently. Ciao, Graywolf http://pages.prodigy.net/graywolfphoto - Original Message - From: Sylwester Pietrzyk [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, July 28, 2003 10:09 AM Subject: Re: Newbie Questions on 28.07.03 15:51, Fred at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Pentax didn't make a lens like this. I fact, almost nobody has made a 100-300 that doesn't go soft at the long end. The AT-X, though, is fast and sharp throughout its range. You may be wrong. Sigma EX 100/300/4 is regarded as very sharp at every focal length and even wide open! -- Best Regards Sylwek
Re: Newbie Questions
I like Nikon's top line cameras, throughly hate everything else they make. While most Pentax lens are very good pictorially, I really like the older Pentax bodies the best of any I have used (quite a few). I still think the MX is the epiphany of 35mm SLRs. Ciao, Graywolf http://pages.prodigy.net/graywolfphoto - Original Message - From: William Robb [EMAIL PROTECTED] Seems to me if you aren't intending to use Pentax lenses, you may as well be shooting with a Nikon.
Re: Newbie Questions
Heh, heh... Check this one out, gentlemen! http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItemitem=2941840935category=3344 keith whaley T Rittenhouse wrote: Nah, these days a SMC Pentax-M 40/2.8 goes for $150 or so on Ebay. At one time it was the darling of Japanese collectors and was going for $300+. If you had bought one new it would have been a grand investment. They are nice, super compact lenses, but really nothing special, except for the focal length and size. Ciao, Graywolf http://pages.prodigy.net/graywolfphoto - Original Message - From: Keith Whaley [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, July 27, 2003 2:48 PM Subject: Re: Newbie Questions Speaking of Pentax lenses, isn't the infamous 40mm pancake lens part of that mystique? Or is it a 43mm? I just saw a 40mm Olympus 'pancake' lens offered on eBay for something like $750 or more, with the 'opinion' of others of GRAB it! Is that in the range of the Pentax lens, or is it a bit high? I don't buy many new lenses, and I have no sense of value in present day new lenses... keith whaley [...]
Re: Newbie Questions
Raimo wrote: A 4.5/80-200 SMC-M Pentax would fit your needs very well - if you can find one. Very sharp and contrasty (mine was sharper than 4/200 SMC-M Pentax that I had before it). Not expensive. REPLY: You're the second, if not the third, who claims the M 80-200/4.5 is better than the M 200/4. The M zoom represent the first generation of Pentax zooms that really took off saleswise. Almost certainly because it was quite good. The M zooms is not at all a shabby lens optically. Recommended as a budget zoom. Pål
Re: Newbie Questions
I have found this website helpful. http://www.concentric.net/~smhalpin/ Hope it helps. Regards, Robert - Original Message - From: Patrick Wunsch [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, July 26, 2003 2:56 PM Subject: Newbie Questions Hello, Let me first introduce myself. I have been a Pentax owner for about 10 years and am brand new to this list and still consider myself fairly new to photography. For the last 10 years I have done a considerable amount of nighttime lightning photography but I would like to broaden my horizons a bit. I currently have a Pentax K1000 paired up with a satisfactory 35-80 zoom and a 50mm 1.4 lens. I have about 8 other lenses ranging from 28mm to 500mm that I consider garbage for the most part. They are Vivitars, Soligors, Tokinas and the like that I have not been very impressed with. With the exception of the first two lenses I mentioned, I was disappointed at the results of some of my photos I took in the beautiful state of Washington a few weeks back and decided I need to invest in some better lenses. My question relates to what other quality, yet affordable, lenses would you recommend that I add to my arsenal? I would love to hear your recommendations for both a nice wide angle lens along with a 80-200 zoom and possibly a 400 to 500mm range zoom or telephoto. Any thoughts are really appreciated. Thank you for your time! Pat Wunsch [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: Newbie Questions
- Original Message - From: Christopher Lillja Subject: Re: Newbie Questions Sure, William - If you're willing and able to pay for them. But for a new photographer who may be on a limited budget, a third party lens (especially a prime in an extreme focal length) can be an excellent alternative. Are you that ad copy writer for Canon? If you're not shooting a Canon lens, do you really have a Canon camera? blah blah Are you that moron troll that pops up to piss me off from time to time? The only reason to shoot Pentax bodies is to get to use their lenses. Otherwise, there are a whole bunch of better options out there. Marketing drivel at its best/worst Wrongo, nutbar. Experience of a working photographer, whether at it's best or worst, I don't know, but my customers never had a complaint. William Robb
Re: Newbie Questions
Hi Patrick and welcome. Prior to buying a used SMC A 7-210 f 4, i owned(still do)the 80-200 f4.5/5.6 zoom. Both are good lenses and sell on ebay,bigger stores like KEH etc or through the list. I found i was getting good pictures from the later lens although its slower than the f4 which helps in my action stuff. As far as wide angle,i only have the,new to me, M 28mm(thanks wendy) but i have yet to develop the roll i have used it with,but should prove ok.The M42 28mm i have takes fine shots. Look at those three to start is my suggestion,they are not to expensive.Nice to see another K1000 owner out there(i have 2)they seem to get flamed a lot herevbg Dave Hello, Let me first introduce myself. I have been a Pentax owner for about 10 years and am brand new to this list and still consider myself fairly new to photography. For the last 10 years I have done a considerable amount of nighttime lightning photography but I would like to broaden my horizons a bit. I currently have a Pentax K1000 paired up with a satisfactory 35-80 zoom and a 50mm 1.4 lens. I have about 8 other lenses ranging from 28mm to 500mm that I consider garbage for the most part. They are Vivitars, Soligors, Tokinas and the like that I have not been very impressed with. With the exception of the first two lenses I mentioned, I was disappointed at the results of some of my photos I took in the beautiful state of Washington a few weeks back and decided I need to invest in some better lenses. My question relates to what other quality, yet affordable, lenses would you recommend that I add to my arsenal? I would love to hear your recommendations for both a nice wide angle lens along with a 80-200 zoom and possibly a 400 to 500mm range zoom or telephoto. Any thoughts are really appreciated. Thank you for your time! Pat Wunsch [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: Newbie Questions
Hi! From: Lon Williamson Subject: Re: Newbie Questions I hate to say it, but buy Pentax lenses. I don't mind saying it at all. BUY PENTAX LENSES. William Robb No matter how (un)fortunate it sounds, I totally second Lon's and Bill's opinion. One of the things that were caused in my life by PDML was to decide rather decidedly grin to buy only Pentax glass. That's why I decided to sell my Sigma 28-135 zoom and my Soligor 70-222 zoom and buy (eventually) Pentax 28-105 and Pentax 70-210 zooms instead. Any enablers? Disablers? big broad grin Boris
Re: Newbie Questions
My question relates to what other quality, yet affordable, lenses would you recommend that I add to my arsenal? I would love to hear your recommendations for both a nice wide angle lens along with a 80-200 zoom and possibly a 400 to 500mm range zoom or telephoto. Any thoughts are really appreciated. Thank you for your time! When you are on a tight budget try the M35mm/3.5 and the M80-200mm/4.5. They are very good and go for fairly low prices on ebay. Enjoy, Alexander __ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software http://sitebuilder.yahoo.com
Re: Newbie Questions
I wrote: When you are on a tight budget try the M35mm/3.5 and the M80-200mm/4.5. They are very good and go for fairly low prices on ebay. Oops I ment the M28mm/3.5 ... __ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software http://sitebuilder.yahoo.com
Re: Newbie Questions
Speaking of Pentax lenses, isn't the infamous 40mm pancake lens part of that mystique? Or is it a 43mm? I just saw a 40mm Olympus 'pancake' lens offered on eBay for something like $750 or more, with the 'opinion' of others of GRAB it! Is that in the range of the Pentax lens, or is it a bit high? I don't buy many new lenses, and I have no sense of value in present day new lenses... keith whaley Boris Liberman wrote: Hi! From: Lon Williamson Subject: Re: Newbie Questions I hate to say it, but buy Pentax lenses. I don't mind saying it at all. BUY PENTAX LENSES. William Robb No matter how (un)fortunate it sounds, I totally second Lon's and Bill's opinion. One of the things that were caused in my life by PDML was to decide rather decidedly grin to buy only Pentax glass. That's why I decided to sell my Sigma 28-135 zoom and my Soligor 70-222 zoom and buy (eventually) Pentax 28-105 and Pentax 70-210 zooms instead. Any enablers? Disablers? big broad grin Boris
Newbie Questions
Hello, Let me first introduce myself. I have been a Pentax owner for about 10 years and am brand new to this list and still consider myself fairly new to photography. For the last 10 years I have done a considerable amount of nighttime lightning photography but I would like to broaden my horizons a bit. I currently have a Pentax K1000 paired up with a satisfactory 35-80 zoom and a 50mm 1.4 lens. I have about 8 other lenses ranging from 28mm to 500mm that I consider garbage for the most part. They are Vivitars, Soligors, Tokinas and the like that I have not been very impressed with. With the exception of the first two lenses I mentioned, I was disappointed at the results of some of my photos I took in the beautiful state of Washington a few weeks back and decided I need to invest in some better lenses. My question relates to what other quality, yet affordable, lenses would you recommend that I add to my arsenal? I would love to hear your recommendations for both a nice wide angle lens along with a 80-200 zoom and possibly a 400 to 500mm range zoom or telephoto. Any thoughts are really appreciated. Thank you for your time! Pat Wunsch [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: Newbie Questions
My question relates to what other quality, yet affordable, lenses would you recommend that I add to my arsenal? I would love to hear your recommendations for both a nice wide angle lens along with a 80-200 zoom and possibly a 400 to 500mm range zoom or telephoto. Any thoughts are really appreciated. Thank you for your time! SMC PENTAX-A 35-70/4 SMC PENTAX-A 35-105/3.5 SMC PENTAX-A 70-210/4 Many Pentax primes are great too (too many to list them here). regards, Alan Chan _ Add photos to your messages with MSN 8. Get 2 months FREE*. http://join.msn.com/?page=features/featuredemail
Re: Newbie Questions
Alan Chan wrote: My question relates to what other quality, yet affordable, lenses would you recommend that I add to my arsenal? I would love to hear your recommendations for both a nice wide angle lens along with a 80-200 zoom and possibly a 400 to 500mm range zoom or telephoto. Any thoughts are really appreciated. Thank you for your time! I'd go with the SMC Pentax 28/3.5, the SMC Pentax 300/4, and the SMC Pentax0=-M 100.2.8. You can purchase all of these for less than $600, and you'll be the proud owner of some very good glass. Paul
RE: Newbie Questions
Hi Patrick, Welcome to the list. Depending on your future plans for bodies there are some good deals out there. If you plan to get a newer autofocus body or the (hopefully) soon to be released digital SLR you should look for either A series (non-autofocus) or F and FA series (autofocus) Pentax lenses. There are metering and other compatibility problems with older Pentax lenses and most of the newer bodies. If you have no plans to get an autofocus body then there are some great deals on older K and M series lenses. I was in a similar situation when I joined the list, having an ME super, M 50/2 lens and a bad Vivitar 80-210 lens. I bought a K 28/3.5, M 135/3.5, and an M 200/4.0 for $225 from KEH (highly recommended on this list). My ME super died and I got a K 1000 with another M 50/2 and an M 100/4.0 macro for $160 off e-bay. I have since made a few other purchases upon recommendation from the list. Besides the lenses listed above (all highly recommended) the K 35/3.5 is legendary, if you can find one. For a longer lens the F or FA 300/4.5 is an astounding lens that you can sometimes find under $300. Even though it's an autofocus lens it works fine manually. The list is sometimes too good with equipment enabling VBG. Butch Each man had only one genuine vocation - to find the way to himself. Hermann Hess (Demian)
Re: Newbie Questions
I hate to say it, but buy Pentax lenses. Most are very good. Before you actually buy one of them, post on this list just which one you have your eye on. You'll hear a) it's great b) Not so good, and almost uniformly, c) Hell, it's better than the XYZ lens. No kidding, though, Pentax comes through, for the most part, on lenses. Welcome aboard. Can you stand the Activity here? grin. -Lon Patrick Wunsch wrote: Hello, Let me first introduce myself. I have been a Pentax owner for about 10 years and am brand new to this list and still consider myself fairly new to photography. For the last 10 years I have done a considerable amount of nighttime lightning photography but I would like to broaden my horizons a bit. I currently have a Pentax K1000 paired up with a satisfactory 35-80 zoom and a 50mm 1.4 lens. I have about 8 other lenses ranging from 28mm to 500mm that I consider garbage for the most part. They are Vivitars, Soligors, Tokinas and the like that I have not been very impressed with. With the exception of the first two lenses I mentioned, I was disappointed at the results of some of my photos I took in the beautiful state of Washington a few weeks back and decided I need to invest in some better lenses. My question relates to what other quality, yet affordable, lenses would you recommend that I add to my arsenal? I would love to hear your recommendations for both a nice wide angle lens along with a 80-200 zoom and possibly a 400 to 500mm range zoom or telephoto. Any thoughts are really appreciated. Thank you for your time! Pat Wunsch [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: More newbie questions- contrast, lens obstruction, shutter?
- Original Message - From: TM Subject: More newbie questions- contrast, lens obstruction, shutter? Stupid question- can shooting through a chain-link fence make it appear as though there are differing exposure times throughout the frame? I ask because I had no choice and had to shoot through a chain-link fence this weekend, noticed rather uneven contrast on a bunch of photos, not apparently due to the lighting or shadows, but something else. I'm trying to figure out if it is the shutter or the fence that caused this. The lighter and darker portions moved around in different frames and different rolls of film, is this still indicative of a shutter problem? Out of focus chain link can cause this. Been there William Robb - 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 .
Re: More newbie questions- contrast, lens obstruction, shutter?
Hmmm, Possibly an artifact of the light rays being blocked and not making it to the lens? Il Bill TM wrote: Stupid question- can shooting through a chain-link fence make it appear as though there are differing exposure times throughout the frame? I ask because I had no choice and had to shoot through a chain-link fence this weekend, noticed rather uneven contrast on a bunch of photos, not apparently due to the lighting or shadows, but something else. I'm trying to figure out if it is the shutter or the fence that caused this. The lighter and darker portions moved around in different frames and different rolls of film, is this still indicative of a shutter problem? Camera used was a Super A w/ 70-210/4.0 SMC-A. Taka - 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 . - 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 .
Re: More newbie questions- contrast, lens obstruction, shutter?
TM wrote: I'm trying to figure out if it is the shutter or the fence that caused this. The lighter and darker portions moved around in different frames and different rolls of film, is this still indicative of a shutter problem? Could you see the fence in the viewfinder, all out of focus? If so - it makes some sense that its shadow lessened exposure over some somewhat broad areas of the emulsion, sort of a penumbra (I think) area. If you were close enough at a focal length where the fence disappeared it might be OK, at least not as obvious. I don't think its the shutter unless its flakey anyway. Bill - Bill D. Casselberry ; Photography on the Oregon Coast http://www.orednet.org/~bcasselb [EMAIL PROTECTED] - - 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 .
Re: More newbie questions- contrast, lens obstruction, shutter?
On Thu, 30 May 2002 18:28:06 -0700, Bill D. Casselberry wrote: TM wrote: [...] the shutter or the fence that caused this. [...] Could you see the fence in the viewfinder, all out of focus? If so - it makes some sense that its shadow lessened exposure [...] If someone's got a couple of meg of web space, I can provide a couple of images from a recent race shoot that clearly show a blurry fence. I was using a 400/5.6 lens and the subject (focus) was about fifty feet out (about 15m), the fence was at maybe three feet (just less than 1m). For confirmation, I'd take the image into Photoshop, convert it to gray scale, and enhance the heck out of the contrast, just short of posterization. Then look for the telltale cross hatch pattern in the density variations. If the pattern is not there, you can rule out the fence, with very high probability. If the pattern is there you can't rule out the fence, and there's probably a pretty high probability that the fence is the issue. Of course, you can't be 100% confident on that little data. :-) TTYL, DougF KG4LMZ - 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 .
