RE: GREAT general purpose Zoom for the Pentax DSLRS?
for an example, look at my completed auction item photos: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItemrd=1item=230231132247 This isnt spam, the auction is already over. These item photos were all taken with the SMC-A 24-50, istDS @ISO200, built in flash, and at 4MP jpeg setting. Manual exposures in the f11 to f22 range at 1/180 top flash speed. jco -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of J. C. O'Connell Sent: Monday, March 10, 2008 11:23 PM To: 'Pentax-Discuss Mail List' Subject: RE: GREAT general purpose Zoom for the Pentax DSLRS? Did you have the A version or the F version? I have had both and my A version is better than the F which I sold. Dont forget, I am talking about near range usage and at small fstops like 11-22 because the flash is powerful enough to allow those stops even at iso 200. I have no idea if its any good at infinity or anywhere near wide open, but if used like I am using it, its damn nice, not too expensive, and good build quality too.( I ususally dont like most A lenses in terms of build, but this one aint bad.) jco -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Adam Maas Sent: Monday, March 10, 2008 10:56 PM To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List Subject: Re: GREAT general purpose Zoom for the Pentax DSLRS? Tried one out at one point. It was alright, but not any better than the 18-55 DA in its range, larger, heavier, harder to manual focus due to lack of contrast wide open at 24mm. Wasn't much impressed with it on digital. Of course, I may have had a bad sample. -Adam On 3/10/08, Walter Hamler [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Never seen that particular lens. I had a 35~105 years ago that I really liked except it was pretty heavy. My biggest problem is at my age the AF is almost a requirement anymore :-) Walt On 3/10/08, J. C. O'Connell [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I have been using for about a month now the SMC PENTAX-A 24-50/4.0 Zoom almost exclusively ( mostly product photos for ebay on tabletop ) on my *istDS DSLR. Its a two ring zoom so you never get any annoying zoom creep and it holds focus perfectly when zooming. The F4 speed is a little slow but the lens is so contrasty that its easy to focus at 50mm ( I use a split image screen - third party model - in my *istDS ). Anyway, after you figure in the 1.5X lens factor you are left with a 35mm SLR equiv of 36mm to 75mm which is a very versatile super normal lens. This model is extremely contrasty, great color saturation, and freedom from flaring. It works beautifully for tabletop product photography. I have never needed wider or longer, as it has a pretty decent magnification at 50mm and min focus. The constant aperture (F4 thru the zoom range) is great when using manual full power flash like I like to do. Anyway, if you do a lot of ebay or similar product photography for web, I recommend this lens very highly. Much more versitile than a prime or macro 50mm with the 24m capability. I must add I have never used the stock 18-55mm that was sold with the camera, but I doubt it can match this lens, let alone beat it. Maybe it can? Anyone ever compared the two in the 24-50mm range? jco -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- M. Adam Maas http://www.mawz.ca Explorations of the City Around Us. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
RE: GREAT general purpose Zoom for the Pentax DSLRS?
REGARDING THE DIFFRACTION PROBLEMS AT SMALL FSTOPS : From what I have read and found via experience to be pretty true, is that diffraction limit of a good designed lens is roughtly 1600/f-stop. this means that at F-16 with a really good lens, you can still resolve up to approx 100 lines/mm which is definately very sharp, even is small formats like 35mm film or Pentax DSLRs. Even F22 could go about 70 lpmm and F32 50 lpmm which is not great but not completely horrible either. jco -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of DagT Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2008 6:59 PM To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List Subject: Re: GREAT general purpose Zoom for the Pentax DSLRS? Well, nothing is very sharp with f:22 and K10D as diffraction is dominant, but most things are sharp at f:11. My problems wtih the lens were at f:4-f:8. Apart from that I agree that the mechanics of the A24-50 is very good and that it is smaller than DA*16-50. DagT Den 11. mars. 2008 kl. 18.55 skrev J. C. O'Connell: that's good to know but are you talking much sharper at F11-F22? I cant see how there would be a big difference in that range, the A24-50 is really good in that range on digital size sensor. The A24-50 is also much smaller and lighter tha the 16-50 isnt it? That matters to me when the camera is hanging on my neck for long periods... jco -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of DagT Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2008 12:21 PM To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List Subject: Re: GREAT general purpose Zoom for the Pentax DSLRS? I tried the A version on K10D this summer. I´ve had it since the mid 80s and it has been great with film, but compared to my primes in that range it wasn´t not sharp enough for my use on K10D. My DA*16-50 is much better. DagT Den 11. mars. 2008 kl. 04.22 skrev J. C. O'Connell: Did you have the A version or the F version? I have had both and my A version is better than the F which I sold. Dont forget, I am talking about near range usage and at small fstops like 11-22 because the flash is powerful enough to allow those stops even at iso 200. I have no idea if its any good at infinity or anywhere near wide open, but if used like I am using it, its damn nice, not too expensive, and good build quality too.( I ususally dont like most A lenses in terms of build, but this one aint bad.) jco -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Adam Maas Sent: Monday, March 10, 2008 10:56 PM To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List Subject: Re: GREAT general purpose Zoom for the Pentax DSLRS? Tried one out at one point. It was alright, but not any better than the 18-55 DA in its range, larger, heavier, harder to manual focus due to lack of contrast wide open at 24mm. Wasn't much impressed with it on digital. Of course, I may have had a bad sample. -Adam On 3/10/08, Walter Hamler [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Never seen that particular lens. I had a 35~105 years ago that I really liked except it was pretty heavy. My biggest problem is at my age the AF is almost a requirement anymore :-) Walt On 3/10/08, J. C. O'Connell [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I have been using for about a month now the SMC PENTAX-A 24-50/4.0 Zoom almost exclusively ( mostly product photos for ebay on tabletop ) on my *istDS DSLR. Its a two ring zoom so you never get any annoying zoom creep and it holds focus perfectly when zooming. The F4 speed is a little slow but the lens is so contrasty that its easy to focus at 50mm ( I use a split image screen - third party model - in my *istDS ). Anyway, after you figure in the 1.5X lens factor you are left with a 35mm SLR equiv of 36mm to 75mm which is a very versatile super normal lens. This model is extremely contrasty, great color saturation, and freedom from flaring. It works beautifully for tabletop product photography. I have never needed wider or longer, as it has a pretty decent magnification at 50mm and min focus. The constant aperture (F4 thru the zoom range) is great when using manual full power flash like I like to do. Anyway, if you do a lot of ebay or similar product photography for web, I recommend this lens very highly. Much more versitile than a prime or macro 50mm with the 24m capability. I must add I have never used the stock 18-55mm that was sold with the camera, but I doubt it can match this lens, let alone beat it. Maybe it can? Anyone ever compared the two in the 24-50mm range? jco -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above
Re: GREAT general purpose Zoom for the Pentax DSLRS?
A version, but different usage, typically f5.6-8 at moderate distance, ambient light. The 18-55 is quite decent close up btw. -Adam On 3/10/08, J. C. O'Connell [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Did you have the A version or the F version? I have had both and my A version is better than the F which I sold. Dont forget, I am talking about near range usage and at small fstops like 11-22 because the flash is powerful enough to allow those stops even at iso 200. I have no idea if its any good at infinity or anywhere near wide open, but if used like I am using it, its damn nice, not too expensive, and good build quality too.( I ususally dont like most A lenses in terms of build, but this one aint bad.) jco -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Adam Maas Sent: Monday, March 10, 2008 10:56 PM To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List Subject: Re: GREAT general purpose Zoom for the Pentax DSLRS? Tried one out at one point. It was alright, but not any better than the 18-55 DA in its range, larger, heavier, harder to manual focus due to lack of contrast wide open at 24mm. Wasn't much impressed with it on digital. Of course, I may have had a bad sample. -Adam On 3/10/08, Walter Hamler [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Never seen that particular lens. I had a 35~105 years ago that I really liked except it was pretty heavy. My biggest problem is at my age the AF is almost a requirement anymore :-) Walt On 3/10/08, J. C. O'Connell [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I have been using for about a month now the SMC PENTAX-A 24-50/4.0 Zoom almost exclusively ( mostly product photos for ebay on tabletop ) on my *istDS DSLR. Its a two ring zoom so you never get any annoying zoom creep and it holds focus perfectly when zooming. The F4 speed is a little slow but the lens is so contrasty that its easy to focus at 50mm ( I use a split image screen - third party model - in my *istDS ). Anyway, after you figure in the 1.5X lens factor you are left with a 35mm SLR equiv of 36mm to 75mm which is a very versatile super normal lens. This model is extremely contrasty, great color saturation, and freedom from flaring. It works beautifully for tabletop product photography. I have never needed wider or longer, as it has a pretty decent magnification at 50mm and min focus. The constant aperture (F4 thru the zoom range) is great when using manual full power flash like I like to do. Anyway, if you do a lot of ebay or similar product photography for web, I recommend this lens very highly. Much more versitile than a prime or macro 50mm with the 24m capability. I must add I have never used the stock 18-55mm that was sold with the camera, but I doubt it can match this lens, let alone beat it. Maybe it can? Anyone ever compared the two in the 24-50mm range? jco -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- M. Adam Maas http://www.mawz.ca Explorations of the City Around Us. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- M. Adam Maas http://www.mawz.ca Explorations of the City Around Us. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: GREAT general purpose Zoom for the Pentax DSLRS?
I tried the A version on K10D this summer. I´ve had it since the mid 80s and it has been great with film, but compared to my primes in that range it wasn´t not sharp enough for my use on K10D. My DA*16-50 is much better. DagT Den 11. mars. 2008 kl. 04.22 skrev J. C. O'Connell: Did you have the A version or the F version? I have had both and my A version is better than the F which I sold. Dont forget, I am talking about near range usage and at small fstops like 11-22 because the flash is powerful enough to allow those stops even at iso 200. I have no idea if its any good at infinity or anywhere near wide open, but if used like I am using it, its damn nice, not too expensive, and good build quality too.( I ususally dont like most A lenses in terms of build, but this one aint bad.) jco -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Adam Maas Sent: Monday, March 10, 2008 10:56 PM To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List Subject: Re: GREAT general purpose Zoom for the Pentax DSLRS? Tried one out at one point. It was alright, but not any better than the 18-55 DA in its range, larger, heavier, harder to manual focus due to lack of contrast wide open at 24mm. Wasn't much impressed with it on digital. Of course, I may have had a bad sample. -Adam On 3/10/08, Walter Hamler [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Never seen that particular lens. I had a 35~105 years ago that I really liked except it was pretty heavy. My biggest problem is at my age the AF is almost a requirement anymore :-) Walt On 3/10/08, J. C. O'Connell [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I have been using for about a month now the SMC PENTAX-A 24-50/4.0 Zoom almost exclusively ( mostly product photos for ebay on tabletop ) on my *istDS DSLR. Its a two ring zoom so you never get any annoying zoom creep and it holds focus perfectly when zooming. The F4 speed is a little slow but the lens is so contrasty that its easy to focus at 50mm ( I use a split image screen - third party model - in my *istDS ). Anyway, after you figure in the 1.5X lens factor you are left with a 35mm SLR equiv of 36mm to 75mm which is a very versatile super normal lens. This model is extremely contrasty, great color saturation, and freedom from flaring. It works beautifully for tabletop product photography. I have never needed wider or longer, as it has a pretty decent magnification at 50mm and min focus. The constant aperture (F4 thru the zoom range) is great when using manual full power flash like I like to do. Anyway, if you do a lot of ebay or similar product photography for web, I recommend this lens very highly. Much more versitile than a prime or macro 50mm with the 24m capability. I must add I have never used the stock 18-55mm that was sold with the camera, but I doubt it can match this lens, let alone beat it. Maybe it can? Anyone ever compared the two in the 24-50mm range? jco -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
RE: GREAT general purpose Zoom for the Pentax DSLRS?
that's good to know but are you talking much sharper at F11-F22? I cant see how there would be a big difference in that range, the A24-50 is really good in that range on digital size sensor. The A24-50 is also much smaller and lighter tha the 16-50 isnt it? That matters to me when the camera is hanging on my neck for long periods... jco -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of DagT Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2008 12:21 PM To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List Subject: Re: GREAT general purpose Zoom for the Pentax DSLRS? I tried the A version on K10D this summer. I´ve had it since the mid 80s and it has been great with film, but compared to my primes in that range it wasn´t not sharp enough for my use on K10D. My DA*16-50 is much better. DagT Den 11. mars. 2008 kl. 04.22 skrev J. C. O'Connell: Did you have the A version or the F version? I have had both and my A version is better than the F which I sold. Dont forget, I am talking about near range usage and at small fstops like 11-22 because the flash is powerful enough to allow those stops even at iso 200. I have no idea if its any good at infinity or anywhere near wide open, but if used like I am using it, its damn nice, not too expensive, and good build quality too.( I ususally dont like most A lenses in terms of build, but this one aint bad.) jco -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Adam Maas Sent: Monday, March 10, 2008 10:56 PM To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List Subject: Re: GREAT general purpose Zoom for the Pentax DSLRS? Tried one out at one point. It was alright, but not any better than the 18-55 DA in its range, larger, heavier, harder to manual focus due to lack of contrast wide open at 24mm. Wasn't much impressed with it on digital. Of course, I may have had a bad sample. -Adam On 3/10/08, Walter Hamler [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Never seen that particular lens. I had a 35~105 years ago that I really liked except it was pretty heavy. My biggest problem is at my age the AF is almost a requirement anymore :-) Walt On 3/10/08, J. C. O'Connell [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I have been using for about a month now the SMC PENTAX-A 24-50/4.0 Zoom almost exclusively ( mostly product photos for ebay on tabletop ) on my *istDS DSLR. Its a two ring zoom so you never get any annoying zoom creep and it holds focus perfectly when zooming. The F4 speed is a little slow but the lens is so contrasty that its easy to focus at 50mm ( I use a split image screen - third party model - in my *istDS ). Anyway, after you figure in the 1.5X lens factor you are left with a 35mm SLR equiv of 36mm to 75mm which is a very versatile super normal lens. This model is extremely contrasty, great color saturation, and freedom from flaring. It works beautifully for tabletop product photography. I have never needed wider or longer, as it has a pretty decent magnification at 50mm and min focus. The constant aperture (F4 thru the zoom range) is great when using manual full power flash like I like to do. Anyway, if you do a lot of ebay or similar product photography for web, I recommend this lens very highly. Much more versitile than a prime or macro 50mm with the 24m capability. I must add I have never used the stock 18-55mm that was sold with the camera, but I doubt it can match this lens, let alone beat it. Maybe it can? Anyone ever compared the two in the 24-50mm range? jco -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: GREAT general purpose Zoom for the Pentax DSLRS?
At f13 and smaller you're hitting the diffraction limits of the sensor/lens combo and giving up quality. Unless DoF is an issue, there's no good reason to stop down past f11 on 1.5x crop digital. The 16-50 will outperform the 24-50 at apertures where diffraction limits are not an issue. -Adam On 3/11/08, J. C. O'Connell [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: that's good to know but are you talking much sharper at F11-F22? I cant see how there would be a big difference in that range, the A24-50 is really good in that range on digital size sensor. The A24-50 is also much smaller and lighter tha the 16-50 isnt it? That matters to me when the camera is hanging on my neck for long periods... jco -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of DagT Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2008 12:21 PM To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List Subject: Re: GREAT general purpose Zoom for the Pentax DSLRS? I tried the A version on K10D this summer. I´ve had it since the mid 80s and it has been great with film, but compared to my primes in that range it wasn´t not sharp enough for my use on K10D. My DA*16-50 is much better. DagT Den 11. mars. 2008 kl. 04.22 skrev J. C. O'Connell: Did you have the A version or the F version? I have had both and my A version is better than the F which I sold. Dont forget, I am talking about near range usage and at small fstops like 11-22 because the flash is powerful enough to allow those stops even at iso 200. I have no idea if its any good at infinity or anywhere near wide open, but if used like I am using it, its damn nice, not too expensive, and good build quality too.( I ususally dont like most A lenses in terms of build, but this one aint bad.) jco -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Adam Maas Sent: Monday, March 10, 2008 10:56 PM To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List Subject: Re: GREAT general purpose Zoom for the Pentax DSLRS? Tried one out at one point. It was alright, but not any better than the 18-55 DA in its range, larger, heavier, harder to manual focus due to lack of contrast wide open at 24mm. Wasn't much impressed with it on digital. Of course, I may have had a bad sample. -Adam On 3/10/08, Walter Hamler [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Never seen that particular lens. I had a 35~105 years ago that I really liked except it was pretty heavy. My biggest problem is at my age the AF is almost a requirement anymore :-) Walt On 3/10/08, J. C. O'Connell [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I have been using for about a month now the SMC PENTAX-A 24-50/4.0 Zoom almost exclusively ( mostly product photos for ebay on tabletop ) on my *istDS DSLR. Its a two ring zoom so you never get any annoying zoom creep and it holds focus perfectly when zooming. The F4 speed is a little slow but the lens is so contrasty that its easy to focus at 50mm ( I use a split image screen - third party model - in my *istDS ). Anyway, after you figure in the 1.5X lens factor you are left with a 35mm SLR equiv of 36mm to 75mm which is a very versatile super normal lens. This model is extremely contrasty, great color saturation, and freedom from flaring. It works beautifully for tabletop product photography. I have never needed wider or longer, as it has a pretty decent magnification at 50mm and min focus. The constant aperture (F4 thru the zoom range) is great when using manual full power flash like I like to do. Anyway, if you do a lot of ebay or similar product photography for web, I recommend this lens very highly. Much more versitile than a prime or macro 50mm with the 24m capability. I must add I have never used the stock 18-55mm that was sold with the camera, but I doubt it can match this lens, let alone beat it. Maybe it can? Anyone ever compared the two in the 24-50mm range? jco -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- M. Adam Maas http://www.mawz.ca Explorations of the City Around Us. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
RE: GREAT general purpose Zoom for the Pentax DSLRS? : Correction
DOF is ALWAYS an issue with product photography which is what I really meant to say instead of general purpose. I just find the 24-50 in the F11toF22 range with product photography to be ideal and I know how good good is I also have the A50/2.8 Macro which is stunningly good but you only can see it in a 6Mp image , not the ebay stuff I am doing. On second thought I ahould give it another proviso. The A24-50 is probably the best lens out there for EBAY PRODUCT photos in terms of overall quality and versatility for the job, and it's a small package no less. I first started using the 50mmA/2.8 macro but sometimes I was forced to change to 28 or 35mm lenses because the object was too large for my studio when using the 50. I then switched to a fantastic cult classic, my 35-70 Tokina AT-X F2.8 constant. Way more versatile than a fixed 50mm for ebay product shots. I occasionally still needed to go wider than 35mm and then finally switched to the A24-50/4. Its contrasty enough to easily focus at 50 and then zoom back to need AOV. I have learned by distance the correct fstops with the full on manual on board flash of the istDS. I am getting exposures in the F8 to F22 range, mostly F16 and the DOF at that f-stop and focal range is very good for my needs. And Im getting that kind of exposure at ISO200 which is best speed for the camera. I also find that the extreme DOF makes the focus less critical which is always good for speeding up the shooting process, there are never any shots/time wasted for being out of focus ever. Sharpness at F16 is still pretty damn good on this lens, no, not as good as a good lens at a wider f-stop but more than sufficient for the job at hand. I actually enjoy doing ebay shooting now, when I was using an AF digital point and shoot, I dreaded it. JCO -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Adam Maas Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2008 2:12 PM To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List Subject: Re: GREAT general purpose Zoom for the Pentax DSLRS? At f13 and smaller you're hitting the diffraction limits of the sensor/lens combo and giving up quality. Unless DoF is an issue, there's no good reason to stop down past f11 on 1.5x crop digital. The 16-50 will outperform the 24-50 at apertures where diffraction limits are not an issue. -Adam On 3/11/08, J. C. O'Connell [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: that's good to know but are you talking much sharper at F11-F22? I cant see how there would be a big difference in that range, the A24-50 is really good in that range on digital size sensor. The A24-50 is also much smaller and lighter tha the 16-50 isnt it? That matters to me when the camera is hanging on my neck for long periods... jco -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of DagT Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2008 12:21 PM To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List Subject: Re: GREAT general purpose Zoom for the Pentax DSLRS? I tried the A version on K10D this summer. I´ve had it since the mid 80s and it has been great with film, but compared to my primes in that range it wasn´t not sharp enough for my use on K10D. My DA*16-50 is much better. DagT Den 11. mars. 2008 kl. 04.22 skrev J. C. O'Connell: Did you have the A version or the F version? I have had both and my A version is better than the F which I sold. Dont forget, I am talking about near range usage and at small fstops like 11-22 because the flash is powerful enough to allow those stops even at iso 200. I have no idea if its any good at infinity or anywhere near wide open, but if used like I am using it, its damn nice, not too expensive, and good build quality too.( I ususally dont like most A lenses in terms of build, but this one aint bad.) jco -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Adam Maas Sent: Monday, March 10, 2008 10:56 PM To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List Subject: Re: GREAT general purpose Zoom for the Pentax DSLRS? Tried one out at one point. It was alright, but not any better than the 18-55 DA in its range, larger, heavier, harder to manual focus due to lack of contrast wide open at 24mm. Wasn't much impressed with it on digital. Of course, I may have had a bad sample. -Adam On 3/10/08, Walter Hamler [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Never seen that particular lens. I had a 35~105 years ago that I really liked except it was pretty heavy. My biggest problem is at my age the AF is almost a requirement anymore :-) Walt On 3/10/08, J. C. O'Connell [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I have been using for about a month now the SMC PENTAX-A 24-50/4.0 Zoom almost exclusively ( mostly product photos for ebay on tabletop ) on my *istDS DSLR. Its a two ring zoom so you never get any annoying zoom creep and it holds focus perfectly when zooming
Re: GREAT general purpose Zoom for the Pentax DSLRS?
Well, nothing is very sharp with f:22 and K10D as diffraction is dominant, but most things are sharp at f:11. My problems wtih the lens were at f:4-f:8. Apart from that I agree that the mechanics of the A24-50 is very good and that it is smaller than DA*16-50. DagT Den 11. mars. 2008 kl. 18.55 skrev J. C. O'Connell: that's good to know but are you talking much sharper at F11-F22? I cant see how there would be a big difference in that range, the A24-50 is really good in that range on digital size sensor. The A24-50 is also much smaller and lighter tha the 16-50 isnt it? That matters to me when the camera is hanging on my neck for long periods... jco -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of DagT Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2008 12:21 PM To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List Subject: Re: GREAT general purpose Zoom for the Pentax DSLRS? I tried the A version on K10D this summer. I´ve had it since the mid 80s and it has been great with film, but compared to my primes in that range it wasn´t not sharp enough for my use on K10D. My DA*16-50 is much better. DagT Den 11. mars. 2008 kl. 04.22 skrev J. C. O'Connell: Did you have the A version or the F version? I have had both and my A version is better than the F which I sold. Dont forget, I am talking about near range usage and at small fstops like 11-22 because the flash is powerful enough to allow those stops even at iso 200. I have no idea if its any good at infinity or anywhere near wide open, but if used like I am using it, its damn nice, not too expensive, and good build quality too.( I ususally dont like most A lenses in terms of build, but this one aint bad.) jco -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Adam Maas Sent: Monday, March 10, 2008 10:56 PM To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List Subject: Re: GREAT general purpose Zoom for the Pentax DSLRS? Tried one out at one point. It was alright, but not any better than the 18-55 DA in its range, larger, heavier, harder to manual focus due to lack of contrast wide open at 24mm. Wasn't much impressed with it on digital. Of course, I may have had a bad sample. -Adam On 3/10/08, Walter Hamler [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Never seen that particular lens. I had a 35~105 years ago that I really liked except it was pretty heavy. My biggest problem is at my age the AF is almost a requirement anymore :-) Walt On 3/10/08, J. C. O'Connell [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I have been using for about a month now the SMC PENTAX-A 24-50/4.0 Zoom almost exclusively ( mostly product photos for ebay on tabletop ) on my *istDS DSLR. Its a two ring zoom so you never get any annoying zoom creep and it holds focus perfectly when zooming. The F4 speed is a little slow but the lens is so contrasty that its easy to focus at 50mm ( I use a split image screen - third party model - in my *istDS ). Anyway, after you figure in the 1.5X lens factor you are left with a 35mm SLR equiv of 36mm to 75mm which is a very versatile super normal lens. This model is extremely contrasty, great color saturation, and freedom from flaring. It works beautifully for tabletop product photography. I have never needed wider or longer, as it has a pretty decent magnification at 50mm and min focus. The constant aperture (F4 thru the zoom range) is great when using manual full power flash like I like to do. Anyway, if you do a lot of ebay or similar product photography for web, I recommend this lens very highly. Much more versitile than a prime or macro 50mm with the 24m capability. I must add I have never used the stock 18-55mm that was sold with the camera, but I doubt it can match this lens, let alone beat it. Maybe it can? Anyone ever compared the two in the 24-50mm range? jco -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: GREAT general purpose Zoom for the Pentax DSLRS?
Never seen that particular lens. I had a 35~105 years ago that I really liked except it was pretty heavy. My biggest problem is at my age the AF is almost a requirement anymore :-) Walt On 3/10/08, J. C. O'Connell [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I have been using for about a month now the SMC PENTAX-A 24-50/4.0 Zoom almost exclusively ( mostly product photos for ebay on tabletop ) on my *istDS DSLR. Its a two ring zoom so you never get any annoying zoom creep and it holds focus perfectly when zooming. The F4 speed is a little slow but the lens is so contrasty that its easy to focus at 50mm ( I use a split image screen - third party model - in my *istDS ). Anyway, after you figure in the 1.5X lens factor you are left with a 35mm SLR equiv of 36mm to 75mm which is a very versatile super normal lens. This model is extremely contrasty, great color saturation, and freedom from flaring. It works beautifully for tabletop product photography. I have never needed wider or longer, as it has a pretty decent magnification at 50mm and min focus. The constant aperture (F4 thru the zoom range) is great when using manual full power flash like I like to do. Anyway, if you do a lot of ebay or similar product photography for web, I recommend this lens very highly. Much more versitile than a prime or macro 50mm with the 24m capability. I must add I have never used the stock 18-55mm that was sold with the camera, but I doubt it can match this lens, let alone beat it. Maybe it can? Anyone ever compared the two in the 24-50mm range? jco -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
Re: GREAT general purpose Zoom for the Pentax DSLRS?
Tried one out at one point. It was alright, but not any better than the 18-55 DA in its range, larger, heavier, harder to manual focus due to lack of contrast wide open at 24mm. Wasn't much impressed with it on digital. Of course, I may have had a bad sample. -Adam On 3/10/08, Walter Hamler [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Never seen that particular lens. I had a 35~105 years ago that I really liked except it was pretty heavy. My biggest problem is at my age the AF is almost a requirement anymore :-) Walt On 3/10/08, J. C. O'Connell [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I have been using for about a month now the SMC PENTAX-A 24-50/4.0 Zoom almost exclusively ( mostly product photos for ebay on tabletop ) on my *istDS DSLR. Its a two ring zoom so you never get any annoying zoom creep and it holds focus perfectly when zooming. The F4 speed is a little slow but the lens is so contrasty that its easy to focus at 50mm ( I use a split image screen - third party model - in my *istDS ). Anyway, after you figure in the 1.5X lens factor you are left with a 35mm SLR equiv of 36mm to 75mm which is a very versatile super normal lens. This model is extremely contrasty, great color saturation, and freedom from flaring. It works beautifully for tabletop product photography. I have never needed wider or longer, as it has a pretty decent magnification at 50mm and min focus. The constant aperture (F4 thru the zoom range) is great when using manual full power flash like I like to do. Anyway, if you do a lot of ebay or similar product photography for web, I recommend this lens very highly. Much more versitile than a prime or macro 50mm with the 24m capability. I must add I have never used the stock 18-55mm that was sold with the camera, but I doubt it can match this lens, let alone beat it. Maybe it can? Anyone ever compared the two in the 24-50mm range? jco -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- M. Adam Maas http://www.mawz.ca Explorations of the City Around Us. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
RE: GREAT general purpose Zoom for the Pentax DSLRS?
Did you have the A version or the F version? I have had both and my A version is better than the F which I sold. Dont forget, I am talking about near range usage and at small fstops like 11-22 because the flash is powerful enough to allow those stops even at iso 200. I have no idea if its any good at infinity or anywhere near wide open, but if used like I am using it, its damn nice, not too expensive, and good build quality too.( I ususally dont like most A lenses in terms of build, but this one aint bad.) jco -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Adam Maas Sent: Monday, March 10, 2008 10:56 PM To: Pentax-Discuss Mail List Subject: Re: GREAT general purpose Zoom for the Pentax DSLRS? Tried one out at one point. It was alright, but not any better than the 18-55 DA in its range, larger, heavier, harder to manual focus due to lack of contrast wide open at 24mm. Wasn't much impressed with it on digital. Of course, I may have had a bad sample. -Adam On 3/10/08, Walter Hamler [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Never seen that particular lens. I had a 35~105 years ago that I really liked except it was pretty heavy. My biggest problem is at my age the AF is almost a requirement anymore :-) Walt On 3/10/08, J. C. O'Connell [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I have been using for about a month now the SMC PENTAX-A 24-50/4.0 Zoom almost exclusively ( mostly product photos for ebay on tabletop ) on my *istDS DSLR. Its a two ring zoom so you never get any annoying zoom creep and it holds focus perfectly when zooming. The F4 speed is a little slow but the lens is so contrasty that its easy to focus at 50mm ( I use a split image screen - third party model - in my *istDS ). Anyway, after you figure in the 1.5X lens factor you are left with a 35mm SLR equiv of 36mm to 75mm which is a very versatile super normal lens. This model is extremely contrasty, great color saturation, and freedom from flaring. It works beautifully for tabletop product photography. I have never needed wider or longer, as it has a pretty decent magnification at 50mm and min focus. The constant aperture (F4 thru the zoom range) is great when using manual full power flash like I like to do. Anyway, if you do a lot of ebay or similar product photography for web, I recommend this lens very highly. Much more versitile than a prime or macro 50mm with the 24m capability. I must add I have never used the stock 18-55mm that was sold with the camera, but I doubt it can match this lens, let alone beat it. Maybe it can? Anyone ever compared the two in the 24-50mm range? jco -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- M. Adam Maas http://www.mawz.ca Explorations of the City Around Us. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions. -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
