Re: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom

2003-12-05 Thread Dave Miers
Um, in general I think it's ok to use a flash that's convering a wider angle
then the lens, it's the other way around that would cause a visible defect
such as vignetting
- Original Message -
From: tom [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2003 9:16 PM
Subject: RE: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom


  -Original Message-
  From: Tanya Mayer Photography [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 
  Only problem is that being 135mm, I am unable to use
  any of my flash
  guns with it in TTL mode (they all only zoom to 105mm),

 ???!

 If you're saying what I think you're saying you're wrong.

 tv







RE: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom

2003-12-05 Thread tom
That's what I was implying...she seemed to think ttl would stop
working because the lens didn't match the zoom setting on the flash.

tv

--
Thomas Van Veen Photography
www.thomasvanveen.com
301-758-3085

 -Original Message-
 From: Dave Miers [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 Sent: Friday, December 05, 2003 2:42 AM
 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 Subject: Re: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom


 Um, in general I think it's ok to use a flash that's
 convering a wider angle
 then the lens, it's the other way around that would cause a
 visible defect
 such as vignetting
 - Original Message -
 From: tom [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2003 9:16 PM
 Subject: RE: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom


   -Original Message-
   From: Tanya Mayer Photography [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
  
   Only problem is that being 135mm, I am unable to use
   any of my flash
   guns with it in TTL mode (they all only zoom to 105mm),
 
  ???!
 
  If you're saying what I think you're saying you're wrong.
 
  tv
 
 
 








Re: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom

2003-12-05 Thread Mark Roberts
Dave Miers [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Um, in general I think it's ok to use a flash that's convering a wider angle
then the lens, it's the other way around that would cause a visible defect
such as vignetting

Absolutely. I do it all the time with outdoor fill flash. I've used an
18mm lens with my AF400FTZ set to the 105mm setting (one and a half
stops down from ambient) to pick out details in the main subject while
leaving everything else in the frame alone.

-- 
Mark Roberts
Photography and writing
www.robertstech.com



Re: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom

2003-12-05 Thread Mark Roberts
Mark Roberts [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Dave Miers [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

Um, in general I think it's ok to use a flash that's convering a wider angle
then the lens, it's the other way around that would cause a visible defect
such as vignetting

Absolutely. I do it all the time with outdoor fill flash. I've used an
18mm lens with my AF400FTZ set to the 105mm setting (one and a half
stops down from ambient) to pick out details in the main subject while
leaving everything else in the frame alone.

Sorry about that bizarre post. Not quite awake here yet ;)

What I meant to point out is that you *can* use flash coverage that's
narrower than the field of view of the lens in some special instances.
It's almost always OK to use flash coverage that's wider than the FOV of
the lens (as long as you're sure the flash is powerful enough - remember
the flash has less effective power as you spread its coverage out).
-- 
Mark Roberts
Photography and writing
www.robertstech.com



Re: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom

2003-12-05 Thread Kostas Kavoussanakis
On Fri, 5 Dec 2003, Mark Roberts wrote:

 What I meant to point out is that you *can* use flash coverage that's
 narrower than the field of view of the lens in some special instances.
 It's almost always OK to use flash coverage that's wider than the FOV of
 the lens (as long as you're sure the flash is powerful enough - remember
 the flash has less effective power as you spread its coverage out).

In the case of a TTL flash on a TTL camera you will get notification
if the flash thinks it has managed to achieve its goal. When not
shooting rapidly, I just look for the green light at the back,
particularly in the case of the anaemic (but lovely) AF080C.

Kostas



Manual Flash (was Re: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom)

2003-12-05 Thread John Coyle
Tanya, you might like to try the 135 with your flash (but not the built-in
one) in aperture priority, using the guide number method to choose the
aperture.  I have usually found that TTL works well in this mode, quenching
the flash at just the right exposure, provided that you haven't chosen too
small an aperture so that the flash will never make it.  In addition,
although the coverage is theoretically inadequate, you will often find that
the fall-off is outside your real subject area, particularly for portraits,
and you will benefit from either unlit backgrounds in large rooms or a quite
acceptable falling-off if you have a close background, rather like the oval
vignetting found in Victorian era portraits.

Worth a try?

John Coyle
Brisbane, Australia
- Original Message - 
From: Tanya Mayer Photography [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Friday, December 05, 2003 11:40 AM
Subject: Re: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom


 Yeah John.  This is why I love the Tamron 135mm f2.5 that I have.  It is
old
 and manual, and all metal, weighs a ton, but does some lovely things to
 skin, and skin tones whilst still appearing very sharp.  Has great bokeh
 too.  Only problem is that being 135mm, I am unable to use any of my flash
 guns with it in TTL mode (they all only zoom to 105mm), and manual flash
 photography is just one of the areas I know absolutely, (well, virtually)
 nothing about.  I really do need to learn about this.  I do know how to
use
 the guide no. divided by distance to find f-stop equation, but this rarely
 suits me as I like to be able to choose my f-stop for depth of field
control
 over exposure.  I would be happy to use the Tamron exclusively if I could
 somehow find a way to use flash with it when needed, and still be able to
 choose my f-stops at will...

 tan.

 - Original Message - 
 From: John Coyle [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 Sent: Friday, December 05, 2003 10:57 AM
 Subject: Re: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom


  Tanya, can't say that I have done too much genuine very-close-up shots
 with
  this lens: about the closest was bloom on an African Tulip, where the
area
  framed was about 200x170mm.  I might try a couple of subjects like
postage
  stamps, etc. just to see how it goes.
 
  With your portraits, sounds like a soft-focus lens might be a worthwhile
  purchase!
 
  John Coyle
  Brisbane, Australia
  - Original Message - 
  From: Tanya Mayer Photography [EMAIL PROTECTED]
  To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
  Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2003 10:32 AM
  Subject: Re: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom
 
 
   John, how have you found it for closeup work using the psuedo macro
   function?  Was it still sharp when focusing this closely?  I tend to
do
 my
   macro type shots different from the norm and like limited depth of
 field,
  so
   how would it go if it were wide open at this focal length/focussing
   distance?
  
   I have discovered today upon receiving some film back that it is
indeed
  much
   too sharp for alot of my portraiture work.  I have some shots back of
an
   older lady and EVERY nook and crevice in her face is shown up! lol.
 Makes
   for interesting textures though!
  
   Hmmm, sand and lenses, not generally a preferred combination John...
  
   tan.
  
   - Original Message - 
   From: John Coyle [EMAIL PROTECTED]
   To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
   Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2003 9:45 AM
   Subject: Re: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom
  
  
Tanya, I have this lens, with the manual too, if you need any info.
I
   have
had it for about three years, and it's my standard walk-about lens.
  Very
sharp, light, and fast enough to lock focus very quickly on both my
 MZ-5
   and
MZ-S.  It's been totally problem free in all that time, although the
  focus
scale has drifted off (I think I got some sand in it from Peregian
   Beach!),
but still works fine.
Any specific questions?
   
John Coyle
Brisbane, Australia
- Original Message - 
From: Tanya Mayer Photography [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2003 10:04 AM
Subject: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom
   
   
 Question - I just bought this lens, the Pentax 28-105mm FA
powerzoom
f4-f5.6
 (from ebay, for like au$150!!!). It is in PERFECT condition and I
am
   very
 happy with my purchase.  Course I don't use the powerzoom crap,
but
  the
lens
 itself is great.

 I also got a very pleasant surprise, when I discovered that at the
  105mm
 end, it is extremely close focusing.  Almost to the point of being
   macro?
 Boz's site and the lens itself, say that it goes to .43mm
focussing
 distance, but I am getting into even closer ranges with the lens
   spinning
 around to show a little flower symbol (if this makes any sense),
 that
  I
have
 always taken to indicate a macro function?

 I know this might all sound very rudimentary to you guys and gals

Re: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom

2003-12-04 Thread Tanya Mayer Photography
Yeah John.  This is why I love the Tamron 135mm f2.5 that I have.  It is old
and manual, and all metal, weighs a ton, but does some lovely things to
skin, and skin tones whilst still appearing very sharp.  Has great bokeh
too.  Only problem is that being 135mm, I am unable to use any of my flash
guns with it in TTL mode (they all only zoom to 105mm), and manual flash
photography is just one of the areas I know absolutely, (well, virtually)
nothing about.  I really do need to learn about this.  I do know how to use
the guide no. divided by distance to find f-stop equation, but this rarely
suits me as I like to be able to choose my f-stop for depth of field control
over exposure.  I would be happy to use the Tamron exclusively if I could
somehow find a way to use flash with it when needed, and still be able to
choose my f-stops at will...

tan.

- Original Message - 
From: John Coyle [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Friday, December 05, 2003 10:57 AM
Subject: Re: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom


 Tanya, can't say that I have done too much genuine very-close-up shots
with
 this lens: about the closest was bloom on an African Tulip, where the area
 framed was about 200x170mm.  I might try a couple of subjects like postage
 stamps, etc. just to see how it goes.

 With your portraits, sounds like a soft-focus lens might be a worthwhile
 purchase!

 John Coyle
 Brisbane, Australia
 - Original Message - 
 From: Tanya Mayer Photography [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2003 10:32 AM
 Subject: Re: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom


  John, how have you found it for closeup work using the psuedo macro
  function?  Was it still sharp when focusing this closely?  I tend to do
my
  macro type shots different from the norm and like limited depth of
field,
 so
  how would it go if it were wide open at this focal length/focussing
  distance?
 
  I have discovered today upon receiving some film back that it is indeed
 much
  too sharp for alot of my portraiture work.  I have some shots back of an
  older lady and EVERY nook and crevice in her face is shown up! lol.
Makes
  for interesting textures though!
 
  Hmmm, sand and lenses, not generally a preferred combination John...
 
  tan.
 
  - Original Message - 
  From: John Coyle [EMAIL PROTECTED]
  To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
  Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2003 9:45 AM
  Subject: Re: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom
 
 
   Tanya, I have this lens, with the manual too, if you need any info.  I
  have
   had it for about three years, and it's my standard walk-about lens.
 Very
   sharp, light, and fast enough to lock focus very quickly on both my
MZ-5
  and
   MZ-S.  It's been totally problem free in all that time, although the
 focus
   scale has drifted off (I think I got some sand in it from Peregian
  Beach!),
   but still works fine.
   Any specific questions?
  
   John Coyle
   Brisbane, Australia
   - Original Message - 
   From: Tanya Mayer Photography [EMAIL PROTECTED]
   To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
   Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2003 10:04 AM
   Subject: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom
  
  
Question - I just bought this lens, the Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom
   f4-f5.6
(from ebay, for like au$150!!!). It is in PERFECT condition and I am
  very
happy with my purchase.  Course I don't use the powerzoom crap, but
 the
   lens
itself is great.
   
I also got a very pleasant surprise, when I discovered that at the
 105mm
end, it is extremely close focusing.  Almost to the point of being
  macro?
Boz's site and the lens itself, say that it goes to .43mm focussing
distance, but I am getting into even closer ranges with the lens
  spinning
around to show a little flower symbol (if this makes any sense),
that
 I
   have
always taken to indicate a macro function?
   
I know this might all sound very rudimentary to you guys and gals,
but
   until
now I have only ever had a collection of manual focus Pentax lenses
 and
   all
of my AF stuff has been third party.  As this lens was purchased
second-hand, I don't have a manual to go by.  Does anyone else have
 this
lens and could they shed some light on this for me?  I have found so
 far
that it is extremely sharp and I really love it.  Does anyone know
of
  any
problems etc that I should be aware of when shooting with it?
   
Many thanks,
tan.
   
  
 




RE: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom

2003-12-04 Thread tom
 -Original Message-
 From: Tanya Mayer Photography [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 
 Only problem is that being 135mm, I am unable to use 
 any of my flash
 guns with it in TTL mode (they all only zoom to 105mm),

???!

If you're saying what I think you're saying you're wrong. 

tv
 



Re: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom

2003-12-04 Thread Bruce Rubenstein
There is no problem, infact it is probably better, to have the the coverage
of the flash broader than the FOV of the lens. I use a large flash that
covers the field for a 28mm lens, and use it will all focal length lenses.
The advantage to having wider coverage is that the light from the flash will
be more even. Very often there is a hot spot in the center of the light
pattern with shoe mount flashes. In doors you get the advantage of the
light, on the edges, reflecting off the walls and ceilings, softening the
light.

BR

From: Tanya Mayer Photography [EMAIL PROTECTED]
  Only problem is that being 135mm, I am unable to use any of my flash
guns with it in TTL mode (they all only zoom to 105mm), and manual flash
photography is just one of the areas I know absolutely, (well, virtually)
nothing about.



Re: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom

2003-12-04 Thread Tanya Mayer Photography
I can almost guarantee it tom, so correct me!!  I NEED to learn...

tan.

- Original Message - 
From: tom [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Friday, December 05, 2003 12:16 PM
Subject: RE: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom


  -Original Message-
  From: Tanya Mayer Photography [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
  
  Only problem is that being 135mm, I am unable to use 
  any of my flash
  guns with it in TTL mode (they all only zoom to 105mm),
 
 ???!
 
 If you're saying what I think you're saying you're wrong. 
 
 tv
  
 



RE: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom

2003-12-04 Thread tom
I think Bruce already answered this.

Anyway...the flash coverage doesn't really have anything to do with
the ttl. If the flash is set at 105 it just means it's throwing out a
beam of light that matches the angle that a 105mm lens sees.  The 135
sees a narrower angle, but that's ok. As far as flash zooming goes,
you just want to be careful not to have your flash set for coverage
that is narrower than the lens you're using. If you had the flash set
at 105 and you were using a 28mm lens the edges of the frame would be
dark.

Ok?

None of this has anything to do with the ttl meter. Your 135 will work
in ttl mode.

tv






Re: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom

2003-12-04 Thread Butch Black
Tan

You should be able to use your TTL flash at the 105 setting with the 135.
The important thing to remember is to be within the distance range of the
flash.

Butch

Each man had only one genuine vocation - to find the way to himself.

Hermann Hesse (Demian)



RE: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom

2003-12-03 Thread Mark Stringer
I have not found any problems.  I like it so much I have had it repaired twice and it 
functions just like new.  (the problems were my fault, like dropping it on its nose 
and I snagged the switch at the front of the lens and pulled it off).  Now that I have 
a PZ1p I am liking it even more.

I have dedicated myself to some very fine Pentax primes but I still can't resist using 
it a lot of the time.

-Original Message-
From: Tanya Mayer Photography [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2003 6:04 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom


Question - I just bought this lens, the Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom f4-f5.6
(from ebay, for like au$150!!!). It is in PERFECT condition and I am very
happy with my purchase.  Course I don't use the powerzoom crap, but the lens
itself is great.

I also got a very pleasant surprise, when I discovered that at the 105mm
end, it is extremely close focusing.  Almost to the point of being macro?
Boz's site and the lens itself, say that it goes to .43mm focussing
distance, but I am getting into even closer ranges with the lens spinning
around to show a little flower symbol (if this makes any sense), that I have
always taken to indicate a macro function?

I know this might all sound very rudimentary to you guys and gals, but until
now I have only ever had a collection of manual focus Pentax lenses and all
of my AF stuff has been third party.  As this lens was purchased
second-hand, I don't have a manual to go by.  Does anyone else have this
lens and could they shed some light on this for me?  I have found so far
that it is extremely sharp and I really love it.  Does anyone know of any
problems etc that I should be aware of when shooting with it?

Many thanks,
tan.




Re: My website down (?) - Was: Re: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom

2003-12-03 Thread Mark Roberts
Stan Halpin [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

I think my ISP has rung in a change of service terms on me, and is starting
to charge for bandwidth. This month, for the first time ever, I have been
getting warnings every day or two that I was going to run out of bandwidth
before I run out of month. Unless of course I buy more bandwidth. When I
tried to log on to check the usage logs, they wouldn't let me log on until I
clicked Accept on the revised terms-and-conditions. So I decided to not log
on and to wait and see what happens. Tanya, I suspect that your experience
is not unique to you, that the site is down until the next usage month or
until I pay more or until I move it to another ISP. I hate to change
addresses, I have my wife's site hosted by the same company, but I don't
like being held hostage either and will probably make a change. Stay tuned.

The company that hosts my domain for me is quite affordable and has no
bandwidth surcharges. Email me privately if you are interested.

-- 
Mark Roberts
Photography and writing
www.robertstech.com



Re: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom

2003-12-03 Thread Kostas Kavoussanakis
On Wed, 3 Dec 2003, Tanya Mayer Photography wrote:

 distance, but I am getting into even closer ranges with the lens spinning
 around to show a little flower symbol (if this makes any sense), that I have
 always taken to indicate a macro function?

On the American Pentax site and under Literature-Download Manuals you
can find a generic leaflet on FA lenses. I copy from page 20.

Note on Tulip mark
The zoom lens provide with the tulip mark
on the focusing ring that enable to take
a picture at closest distance as a fixed focal
length lens, even set at wide-angle position.
However, at the edges of picture may be
darkened due to reducing brightness of
image field.

This and weight are the advantages of the FA28-80/3.5-5.6 over the
F28-80/3.5-4.5; the latter is macro, but at 80.

HTH,

Kostas (wondering if the non-PZ version is lighter without loss of
performance, on the premise that, as you said, PZ is a gimmick for a
few but not for me)



Re: My website down (?) - Was: Re: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom

2003-12-03 Thread Doug Franklin
Hi Stan,

On Tue, 02 Dec 2003 20:34:27 -0600, Stan Halpin wrote:

 I hate to change addresses, I have my wife's site hosted by the
 same company, but I don't like being held hostage either and will
 probably make a change. Stay tuned.

I don't know who is your ISP, but I've been using pair.com for a year
or so and have been quite happy.  The rates and TsCs both seem pretty
liberal to me, but I have a low traffic site.

TTYL, DougF KG4LMZ




Re: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom

2003-12-03 Thread John Coyle
Tanya, I have this lens, with the manual too, if you need any info.  I have
had it for about three years, and it's my standard walk-about lens.   Very
sharp, light, and fast enough to lock focus very quickly on both my MZ-5 and
MZ-S.  It's been totally problem free in all that time, although the focus
scale has drifted off (I think I got some sand in it from Peregian Beach!),
but still works fine.
Any specific questions?

John Coyle
Brisbane, Australia
- Original Message - 
From: Tanya Mayer Photography [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2003 10:04 AM
Subject: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom


 Question - I just bought this lens, the Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom
f4-f5.6
 (from ebay, for like au$150!!!). It is in PERFECT condition and I am very
 happy with my purchase.  Course I don't use the powerzoom crap, but the
lens
 itself is great.

 I also got a very pleasant surprise, when I discovered that at the 105mm
 end, it is extremely close focusing.  Almost to the point of being macro?
 Boz's site and the lens itself, say that it goes to .43mm focussing
 distance, but I am getting into even closer ranges with the lens spinning
 around to show a little flower symbol (if this makes any sense), that I
have
 always taken to indicate a macro function?

 I know this might all sound very rudimentary to you guys and gals, but
until
 now I have only ever had a collection of manual focus Pentax lenses and
all
 of my AF stuff has been third party.  As this lens was purchased
 second-hand, I don't have a manual to go by.  Does anyone else have this
 lens and could they shed some light on this for me?  I have found so far
 that it is extremely sharp and I really love it.  Does anyone know of any
 problems etc that I should be aware of when shooting with it?

 Many thanks,
 tan.




Re: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom

2003-12-02 Thread brooksdj
 Question - I just bought this lens, the 
Pentax 28-105mm 
FA powerzoom f4-f5.6
 (from ebay, for like au$150!!!). It is in PERFECT condition and I am very
 happy with my purchase.  Course I don't use the powerzoom crap, but the lens
 itself is great.
 Many thanks,
 tan.

Good to know.I'm thinking of adding it to my line up with the PZ-1 i purchased in 
Nov.The
reviews for 
those who have it are mostly favorable.

Thanks

Dave
 






Re: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom

2003-12-02 Thread Tanya Mayer Photography
Stan!  I DID check your website, and that is WHY I purchased it! grins.
OT - your website seems to be down right at the moment, or is it just at my
end?

Thanks heaps for your comments, I mainly purchased this lens to get me
through until I got my Tamron 28-200mm back, BUT I now think it will be my
primary portrait lens, as I can use it with the 360fgz without having to
worry about going over the zoom distance, AND it works perfectly with the
Mz-6/ZX-L too.  S, the softness at the 28mm end isn't really an issue
for me, as I will generally always be shooting at 85-105mm.  BUT, it is a
shame that at f5.6 it is a little slow.  When I bid on this lens, there was
also an FA 100mm f2.8 macro being auctioned.  I have wanted THAT particular
lens for SO long and I was SO excited to see it, BUT it ended up going for
like $650 and I can buy one new for $850 so I let it go and went with this
one instead.  Still dreaming of the 100mm though!  Until I can afford it the
Tamron 135mm f2.5 will suffice (although it doesn't have macro
capabilities).

What does psuedo macro mean?  And how exactly does it work?

tan.

- Original Message - 
From: Stan Halpin [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2003 10:24 AM
Subject: Re: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom


 on 12/02/03 6:04 PM, Tanya Mayer Photography at [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 wrote:

  Question - I just bought this lens, the Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom
f4-f5.6
  (from ebay, for like au$150!!!). It is in PERFECT condition and I am
very
  happy with my purchase.  Course I don't use the powerzoom crap, but the
lens
  itself is great.
 
  I also got a very pleasant surprise, when I discovered that at the 105mm
  end, it is extremely close focusing.  Almost to the point of being
macro?
  Boz's site and the lens itself, say that it goes to .43mm focussing
  distance, but I am getting into even closer ranges with the lens
spinning
  around to show a little flower symbol (if this makes any sense), that I
have
  always taken to indicate a macro function?
 
  I know this might all sound very rudimentary to you guys and gals, but
until
  now I have only ever had a collection of manual focus Pentax lenses and
all
  of my AF stuff has been third party.  As this lens was purchased
  second-hand, I don't have a manual to go by.  Does anyone else have this
  lens and could they shed some light on this for me?  I have found so far
  that it is extremely sharp and I really love it.  Does anyone know of
any
  problems etc that I should be aware of when shooting with it?
 
  Many thanks,
  tan.
 
 
 There are no problems with this lens except the obvious:
 1. You cannot effectively shade a wide-range zoom, and so you can expect
 flare problems if you are not careful;
 2. It seems to get to the /5.6 end of things very quickly as you zoom in.
 And /5.6 is very slow...
 3. You'll get some shadow-cast from the lens itself if you use on-camera
 flash at the wide end.

 Yes, it does have a psuedo macro function, and yes it is a very fine lens.
 My sense, without any systematic tests, is that it is a bit soft at 28mm,
 otherwise quite sharp. As you would know if you checked my
 aging-but-still-relevant website, g, this was once judged to be about
the
 best of this class of lenses. I am finding mine to be a nice
walking-around
 lens on the ist-D, with the 20-35 handy in case I need the wider view...

 Stan





RE: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom

2003-12-02 Thread David Madsen
I got lucky earlier this year on a used FA 100mm f2.8 macro.  It has three
small 'scars' around the end of the lens from a clamp-on macro flash, but
otherwise in perfect condition.  Only paid $250 US and I couldn't be happier
with it.  If you find one for the right price I recommend it, great for
portraits and macro work.

David Madsen
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.davidmadsen.com

-Original Message-
From: Tanya Mayer Photography [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2003 6:16 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom


When I bid on this lens, there was
also an FA 100mm f2.8 macro being auctioned.  I have wanted THAT particular
lens for SO long and I was SO excited to see it, BUT it ended up going for
like $650 and I can buy one new for $850 so I let it go and went with this
one instead.  Still dreaming of the 100mm though!  Until I can afford it the
Tamron 135mm f2.5 will suffice (although it doesn't have macro
capabilities).




Re: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom

2003-12-02 Thread Stan Halpin
By psuedo-macro I meant that this is one of many lenses that claim to be
macro but really aren't (IMHO) since they are not designed for a flat field
of focus, they are not optimized for the close rather than distant subjects,
and they don't focus all that close anyway. An ok alternative to using a
close-up filter on some other lens, but not a total substitute for a real
macro lens.

BTW, I had the FA 100/2.8, sold it when I was able to get the A version. I
think that the M-100/2.8 or /4 is a far better portrait lens; the 100mm
macros are too sharp and the highlights can tend to be somewhat harsh.

For a really good macro, get the FA100/2.8. For a rally good portrait lens,
get the FA85/1.4. the FA77 Limited, or one of the older 100mm A or M lenses.
If you are going to try to get one lens that does double duty for macro and
portrait, the FA 28-105/4-5.6 is probably about as good as you can do. IMHO
g

Stan

on 12/02/03 7:16 PM, Tanya Mayer Photography at [EMAIL PROTECTED]
wrote:

 Stan!  I DID check your website, and that is WHY I purchased it! grins.
 OT - your website seems to be down right at the moment, or is it just at my
 end?
 
 Thanks heaps for your comments, I mainly purchased this lens to get me
 through until I got my Tamron 28-200mm back,...

 What does psuedo macro mean?  And how exactly does it work?
 
 tan.
 




My website down (?) - Was: Re: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom

2003-12-02 Thread Stan Halpin
on 12/02/03 7:16 PM, Tanya Mayer Photography at [EMAIL PROTECTED]
wrote:

...
 OT - your website seems to be down right at the moment, or is it just at my
 end?
 
...
 
 tan.
 
 

I think my ISP has rung in a change of service terms on me, and is starting
to charge for bandwidth. This month, for the first time ever, I have been
getting warnings every day or two that I was going to run out of bandwidth
before I run out of month. Unless of course I buy more bandwidth. When I
tried to log on to check the usage logs, they wouldn't let me log on until I
clicked Accept on the revised terms-and-conditions. So I decided to not log
on and to wait and see what happens. Tanya, I suspect that your experience
is not unique to you, that the site is down until the next usage month or
until I pay more or until I move it to another ISP. I hate to change
addresses, I have my wife's site hosted by the same company, but I don't
like being held hostage either and will probably make a change. Stay tuned.

Stan



Re: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom

2003-12-02 Thread Robert Leigh Woerner
The only problem I have had is vignetting at 28mm especially with a
polarizer or generic lens hood. Like you, I agree it is a superb optic.

With regard,
Robert Woerner




Re: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom

2003-12-02 Thread Tanya Mayer Photography
Thanks Stan!  So I bought quite wisely then! lol.  I am still interested in
this whole macro thingy.  I only discovered it on the 28-105 by pure
accident, and nothing I can find anywhere even refers to it having ANY sort
of macro capabilities.  Do you know any links/references where this is
discussed?

tan.
- Original Message - 
From: Stan Halpin [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2003 12:25 PM
Subject: Re: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom


 By psuedo-macro I meant that this is one of many lenses that claim to be
 macro but really aren't (IMHO) since they are not designed for a flat
field
 of focus, they are not optimized for the close rather than distant
subjects,
 and they don't focus all that close anyway. An ok alternative to using a
 close-up filter on some other lens, but not a total substitute for a
real
 macro lens.

 BTW, I had the FA 100/2.8, sold it when I was able to get the A version. I
 think that the M-100/2.8 or /4 is a far better portrait lens; the 100mm
 macros are too sharp and the highlights can tend to be somewhat harsh.

 For a really good macro, get the FA100/2.8. For a rally good portrait
lens,
 get the FA85/1.4. the FA77 Limited, or one of the older 100mm A or M
lenses.
 If you are going to try to get one lens that does double duty for macro
and
 portrait, the FA 28-105/4-5.6 is probably about as good as you can do.
IMHO
 g

 Stan

 on 12/02/03 7:16 PM, Tanya Mayer Photography at [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 wrote:

  Stan!  I DID check your website, and that is WHY I purchased it!
grins.
  OT - your website seems to be down right at the moment, or is it just at
my
  end?
 
  Thanks heaps for your comments, I mainly purchased this lens to get me
  through until I got my Tamron 28-200mm back,...

  What does psuedo macro mean?  And how exactly does it work?
 
  tan.
 






Re: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom

2003-12-02 Thread Tanya Mayer Photography
Many thanks mike!

- Original Message - 
From: mike wilson [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2003 10:16 AM
Subject: Re: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom


 Hi,

 Tanya Mayer Photography wrote:

  I know this might all sound very rudimentary to you guys and gals, but
until
  now I have only ever had a collection of manual focus Pentax lenses and
all
  of my AF stuff has been third party.  As this lens was purchased
  second-hand, I don't have a manual to go by.  Does anyone else have this
  lens and could they shed some light on this for me?  I have found so far
  that it is extremely sharp and I really love it.  Does anyone know of
any
  problems etc that I should be aware of when shooting with it?

 It's not on http://www.pentax.com/docstore/index.cfm?show=6 as yet but
 it may be worth checking regularly.

 mike




RE: Pentax 28-105mm FA powerzoom

2003-12-02 Thread David Madsen
Stan wrote...For a really good macro, get the FA100/2.8. For a rally good
portrait lens,
get the FA85/1.4...

I agree, that's why I have them.

David Madsen
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.davidmadsen.com