Pentacon 200mm f/4 preset

[ManualFocus-G]

I've owned this lens for a while now, as part of my red text on black Pentacon series (300/4 preset, 200/4 preset, 135/2.8 preset, 135/2.8 electric, 100/2.8 auto, 50/1.8 MC, 30/3.5 preset, 29/2.8 auto). I tried another copy some time ago but was disappointed with sharpness and CA.

I wanted to give the red text version a run out to check that I didn't have a duff copy. Some samples from the Romsey carnival today, all with the 200/4 preset are below. Note, the light was awful i.e. really bright mid day sunshine so there's a bit of highlight clipping and nasty shadows!

All shots at f/4, ISO 100 on the full frame Canon EOS 5D. All shots have had a small contrast boost, small amount of shadows / highlights and resize and small sharpen (30% @ 0.5 pixel).

Click each image for a slightly larger, and sharper version.

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100% crops









Conclusion

This is a really interesting lens, not least because it can be picked up in the UK for very little money at the moment (�10-20). My copy is sharp enough wide open and has reasonable contrast before any pp. However, the lens suffers purple fringing and the f/4 aperture means creamy backgrounds are harder to come by than when using the 135/2.8. But...the lens does give some pop!

Overall, it's a decent lens for very little. One of the last remaining true manual focus bargains, and can of course be used on most systems with an adapter.

[iangreenhalgh1]

Hmm, looks only okay to me.

I had the Meyer zebra version and the Pentacon plain black version, neither had PF and were sharper than this one.

I didn't realise these was such variation with these, sorry to hear it.

[ChromaticAberration]

It's a good lens, capable enough but probably not up to todays standards, although I don't know how popular is this focal length.

My only drawback is weight, all metal construction is sometimes an hassle and I do find it a bit too much heavy.

[ManualFocus-G]

Hi Ian, have you tested your Pentacon in harsh sunlight? The 200/4 has a bit of a reputation for purple fringing at wider apertures in these conditions, but is fine when stopped down.:

http://forum.mflenses.com/viewtopic.php?t=13449

http://forum.mflenses.com/viewtopic.php?t=37869

BTW, the other images where I didn't show crops had no visible CA. I just wanted to highlight that it exists in nasty conditions

[Attila]

Nice presentation Graham, I think this is a good lens, lot better than price tag suggest. I especially like oldest Meyer Zebra.

[iangreenhalgh1]

[ManualFocus-G]

Thanks Attila

Ian, if I get the chance I will take it out again soon and shoot at f/5.6 to see if it helps. I have to say, for what it is, it still seems good value. But it's definitely harder to focus than my best 200mm lenses, which may be due to the pf.