 Posted: Sat Jul 10, 2010 1:15 pm Post subject: SMC Pentax-FA* 80-200mm F2.8 ED [IF] |
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Spotmatic wrote:
These pictures are a bit too wide but I'll post them here anyway since I've used an AF lens.
Why this lens? It's from the famous Pentax FA* (FA Star) line which was discontinued in the early 2000's. I never understoond why Pentax would discontinue such a good zoom; I think they made a mistake back then to concentrate on the APS-C format.
I have never had many zooms, so I don't know how this zoom performs compared to other modern lenses (Canon L, Nikon VR). However, immediately after posting I was complimented by a Canon user stating that he found the bokeh of the Pentax much nicer than both the Canon 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM and the 70-200mm F4 L IS USM, and also better than the Nikon VR 70-200mm F2.8 (which all show outlining in the bokeh). I don't know as I have never compared those lenses, so I'll only include it here for your reference.
On a last note: this lens was also designed by Jun Hirakawa, the wizard Pentax lens designer known for leaving a bit of aberrations in the lenses to make for a more pleasing picture. I now have 5 lenses designed by him and I think I see his "fingerprint"
Also, why an AF zoom? I was never impressed with old zooms, but as written elsewhere I rely on the sensor-based SR (Shake Reduction) of my Pentax (I almost never use a tripod). With old zooms using the SR is a major pain in the ass, so I won't even try. Sorry
Enjoy!
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And a 100% crop of the previous picture to show the sharpness at 200mm. Looks fine for me for a zoom, but what do I know...
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Peter - Moderator
Pentax K-5 + Pentax 645 + Canon 5D + Bessa RF 10,5cm Heliar, and a 'little' bag full of MF lenses. The lens list is * here *.
My fast 80s: Asahi-Kogaku Takumar 83mm f/1.9 - Super-Takumar 85mm f/1.9 - FA 77mm f/1.8 Limited - Cyclop 85/1.5 (Helios-40 innards) - Komura 80mm f/1.8 - Meyer Görlitz Primoplan 7,5cm 1:1.9 - Carl Zeiss Jena 80mm f/1.8 Pancolar - Canon 85mm f/1.8 S.S.C. - Canon 85mm f/1.2 S.S.C. Aspherical |
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