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Explore the world of vintage lenses through repair notes, real test shots, and detailed archive threads packed with images.

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Sigma Z 135mm Pantel f/2.8 - runs to f/64!
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Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2010 1:28 pm
Post subject: Sigma Z 135mm Pantel f/2.8 - runs to f/64!
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Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2010 1:28 pm
Post subject: Sigma Z 135mm Pantel f/2.8 - runs to f/64!
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Picked one of these up recently on E-whatsits. Early tests confirm that, like a lot of lenses, wide open isn't the way to razor sharpness, with improvements noticeable from f/4 onwards.

It's been too cold to set up comparative tests against other lenses so all I've been doing is playing with it. I can't wait for a situation in which I can test f/64.









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Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 11:41 pm
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Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 11:41 pm
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Looks like a fair copy you got there. I have two copies of that lens - one in really bad shape and one in pristine condition. How much did you pay for yours if you don't mind sharing?


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Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2010 6:41 am
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Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2010 6:41 am
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ducdao wrote:
Looks like a fair copy you got there. I have two copies of that lens - one in really bad shape and one in pristine condition. How much did you pay for yours if you don't mind sharing?


About sixty of our UK pounds which I thought was quite enough.

How do you find the f/64 - is it just a gimmic or is it useable and useful?


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Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2010 5:50 pm
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Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2010 5:50 pm
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tikkathree wrote:
How do you find the f/64 - is it just a gimmic or is it useable and useful?


Probably mostly a gimmick. Possibly useful for long exposures, if sharpness isn't important. Otherwise: there's a reason why most 135 (24x36) format lenses don't go beyond f/22. Especially on DSLR's with high pixel counts f/64 will not give you much more DOF, just more diffraction and general blur. That is the theory anyway. On my 5D have seen a slight drop in central sharpness at f/11 already, with some of my lenses.


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Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 11:09 am
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Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 11:09 am
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tikkathree wrote:
ducdao wrote:
Looks like a fair copy you got there. I have two copies of that lens - one in really bad shape and one in pristine condition. How much did you pay for yours if you don't mind sharing?


About sixty of our UK pounds which I thought was quite enough.

How do you find the f/64 - is it just a gimmic or is it useable and useful?


I got the pristine one for $50 and the other one was free Smile

f64 is a joke, looks great on the specs sheet but not really usable. I never gone beyond f22. I use both on Pentax DSLR so I had to "crazy glue" the aperture pin to make it work on my Pentax body.


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Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2011 4:03 am
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Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2011 4:03 am
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Here is a quick shot at f64. As you can see it's pretty bad. I wouldn't use it unless I want to see how dirty my sensor is Smile





100% crop


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Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2011 7:26 am
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Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2011 7:26 am
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ducdao wrote:
Here is a quick shot at f64. As you can see it's pretty bad. I wouldn't use it unless I want to see how dirty my sensor is Smile


Ewww! Thanks for that. Saves me hanging around for some sunny weather! Rolling Eyes


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Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2011 8:22 am
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Posted: Sun Jan 02, 2011 8:22 am
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tikkathree wrote:
ducdao wrote:
Here is a quick shot at f64. As you can see it's pretty bad. I wouldn't use it unless I want to see how dirty my sensor is Smile


Ewww! Thanks for that. Saves me hanging around for some sunny weather! Rolling Eyes


You're welcome Smile IQ is pretty good from f4 till f11 though.


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Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 12:50 pm
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Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 12:50 pm
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ducdao wrote:
Here is a quick shot at f64. As you can see it's pretty bad. I wouldn't use it unless I want to see how dirty my sensor is Smile

This is VERY poor IQ but NOT SO bad for f/64
ANY lens - even the best - at f/64 will be bad

Anyway this is just a marketing gimmick I remember the 1977/1978 ads howing a fisherman and telling that at f/64 everithing will be true from close to infinity !
because at f/64 for hand-held use you need twice the sun you needs for a 500mm f8 mirror lens ! (1/125 f64= 1/500 f16)


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Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 8:36 pm
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Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 8:36 pm
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mind posting some more F 64 shots? Id be curious to see something with more background / foreground separation (perhaps something real close to the lens?)


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Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 1:52 am
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Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 1:52 am
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kawasakiguy37 wrote:
mind posting some more F 64 shots? Id be curious to see something with more background / foreground separation (perhaps something real close to the lens?)


Will do, just give me couple days. Shooting at f64 requires extreme bright lightning Smile

Last edited by ducdao on Tue Jan 04, 2011 10:29 am; edited 1 time in total


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Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 7:35 am
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Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 7:35 am
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[quote="ducdao"]
kawasakiguy37 wrote:


Will do, just give me couple days. Shooting at f64 requires extreme bight lightning Smile


Which is why, in England, I don't plan to be trying f/64 any time soon!


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Posted: Sat Jan 08, 2011 3:10 am
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Posted: Sat Jan 08, 2011 3:10 am
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Ok guys, as requested here are few more snaps at f64 but at closer range, approximately 1.5m (the closest distance allowed)

1) ISO 800


2) 100% center crop


3) ISO 200


4) 100% center crop



As you can see the IQ is much better at closer range but still pretty useless to me. I really don't see why would one needs to shoot at f64.

Please note I did not apply any PP. I simply shoot raw then export to JPG at 100% quality through LR3


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Posted: Sat Jan 08, 2011 8:40 am
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Posted: Sat Jan 08, 2011 8:40 am
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Good for portrait.

shoot at f4 natural light



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